This event had been hailed as prestigious beforehand, Sputnik Vodka to launch in the UK with a massive party in London including a short set by Martin Degville. Those of us lucky enough to find ourselves with an invite headed to London for the chance to see Martin perform at a very different type of event any of us had seen previously.

We nearly didn't get in. It seemed that the security guys hadn't been given the correct information about the passes afforded us. Luckily Martin had just finished the sound check and a quick call from Mixi sorted the problem out and we actually ended up going in ahead of the other people waiting.

Stepping into the stage area was (for me) like stepping into another world. Ultra modern environment with neon blue lighting, black and white leather seating around the walls, (gorgeous) Sputnik Vodka airline girls serving as much free Vodka and caviar as you could consume. And such a diverse group of people. I was in normal DocSputnik attire (Mixi had wondered if I'd show up in a shirt and tie!!!). Hmmph!!! A line from The War Of The Worlds came to mind, "The rich rubbing shoulders with beggars and outcasts". I had to keep giving myself a reality check. I mean compare that to the Old Railway in Birmingham!!!!

Anyway, surroundings and lovely lovely ladies aside, we were there to see the revamped line up of Sputnik2. For once the schedule was adhered to rigidly and the DJ set finished at 10.00 to make way for the band. Four people on stage then, Martin Degville - vocals, Massive Ego's Marc Massive - keyboards, Andy Betts - sequencer, Phil (?) - electro drums. Martin had said it would be an electro synth line up but I wasn't really prepared for a Sputnik gig with no guitars.

Martin came out brandishing a water rifle filled with (I assume) Vodka and gave a short talk about Sputnik Vodka and the Russian Revolution before the set started. They played for half an hour and we got (if memory serves) six songs.

ROCKIT MISS USA
PSYCHODELIK
SLAG (IN THE BACK OF MY CADILAK)
THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL
DON'T DABBLE WITH THE DEVIL
LOVE MISSILE F1-11

Samantha was there pole dancing throughout Psychodelik, King and Devil. Martin played to the crowd as superbly as ever and they loved it. He got the complete opposite reaction to the one I thought he would. It's hard to describe this type of line up, they just stand there and play, nothing more or less. The music sounded great and Marc Massive looked amazing but while the electo line up obviously worked in this instance it isn't the route I hope Sputnik2 take for future shows. Speaking with Martin afterwards I learnt that the Brighton show would feature live guitars again but future recordings would probably continue to go down the heavy electo synth route, including a forthcoming re recording of the World War IV album, Martin has just received the artwork for this and should be previewing it on his site shortly.

Martin's manager was approached after the show by the Sputnik Vodka people about continuing their association with each other. They're having a meeting next week so what this will mean for Martin and Sputnik2 will hopefully be revealed in the not too distant future. In the meantime work will continue on the new recordings and the setting of more shows for the new year. I feel privileged to have attended this event and it was great meeting so many interesting people and generally being a part of an event so totally different to anything I would normally do.

And it was very nice to witness the return of Shy Girl.

Speaking of Shy Girl, she actually recorded the show on a digicam and the tape was given to Martin afterwards. How this footage is to be used at his time remains unknown. Martin has expressed some concerns over the filming of any future shows and may address them on his site shortly. In the meantime anyone thinking of filming a show should speak with Martin about it beforehand.

Thanks very much to Martin and the Sputnik Vodka people for making it possible for Sputnik fans to attend and event like this. Early indication seem that it was mutually beneficial and maybe one day we'll get a repeat performance.

WITH MR. PAUL CHAMBERLAIN

SHY GIRL HAD ENOUGH VODKA FOR BOTH US THIS NIGHT

THE DEVILETTES, DEE, LYNN AND SHY GIRL

HE HAD THOSE TITS EVEN THEN

DON'T DABBLE WITH THE DEVILETTES

OLIVER FROST AND MARC MASSIVE WERE WELOCME ADDITIONS TO THE CREW HERE

SHE'S A PSYCHO KILLER WITH A GUN