Simon Townshend - Friday 30th September - The Islington, Islington

Show 2 on this Friday night. Getting towards the front of the queue for autographs / photos earlier at the JST show meant we didn't have to rush too much to get across town to Islington and allowed time for a pint in the Camden Head. Quite bizarrely, there are now 2 pubs called "The Islington" within about 150 yards of each other and it turned out that the gig was in the second of those.

A nice, but small music room with easy access to the bar provided an excellent view, although was possibly undersized for the amplification from the band! Simon and the guys provided an excellent set with a fair bit of between song chatter. Phil Spalding was great on bass (I last saw him on guitar with Johnny Warman when I was deafened in Barnes!) and with Simon's son - Ben - on bass and Mike Wilton on lead guitar, this was a good quality outfit.

Probably because I've seen Simon a few times over the last year or 2, I recognised most of the songs (but didn't note the setlist). Perhaps the only disappointment was the lack of the classic "The Way It Is" and a sparser than deserved crowd, but otherwise an excellent second gig of the evening.

Back towards home in Ganley's (Morden), we finished the evening with a pint listening to a third act who may or may not have been called the DB5's playing some solid Mod & Rock hits of the 1960's.

Simon Townshend - Friday 29th January - Half Moon, Putney

Second show of the week for me. Now on this date I was meant to be at the Hammersmith Apollo to see Motörhead, but sadly Lemmy's passing at the end of last year meant that wasn't to be.

A bit of class though from the venue organisers to pay tribute in the way they did though:-

So, instead it was off to the somewhat more intimate Half Moon in Putney for the launch of Simon Townshend's new "Stir Records" label. A full band set - Simon and the boys romped through a varied set of past favourites and current tunes in front a decent crowd.

The last time I'd seen Phil Spalding was with Johnny Warman where his excellent (and bl***y loud) guitar had deafened us with some great Who songs. Here, he played bass - apparently his normal day job - and was good as well. In fact the band had learnt all the songs well considering only a couple of days practice - there were only a very few minor errors from what I could tell.

Highlights for me included the relatively new "Time Bomb" and the evergreen "The Way It Is".

At the end of the show, the Limited Edition EP was added to my collection too as a nice souvenir of a good evening.

Simon Townshend - Stir Records

From The Jam - Friday 16th January - Under The Bridge, Chelsea FC

My first show of 2015 and it's at a new venue. Under The Bridge is part of Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground - under one corner of the massive East Stand.

I'd heard that it is used more often as a nightclub than a music venue, but I was really surprised and impressed by what a nice venue it is.

After a quick game of darts in a nearby pub (the Fox & Pheasant) where the 2 guys on the board very kindly let us challenge them (and we sneaked a 2-1 win), we got in pretty early as we were keen to catch the support in the form of Simon Townshend. Simon was on good form, mixing in new material with a couple of oldies, although surprisingly not "The Way It Is". Unfortunately his set was pretty short - we'll certainly look out for any solo shows later this year.

So confession time - I was never really a massive fan of The Jam and wouldn't profess to know much of their material. What I did know was that the 3 piece here included original Jam member Bruce Foxton; the show was an acoustic one; and after that I was taking a bit of a leap into the unknown.

An hour and a half later, that had all changed. Turns out I know (or at least recognised) many more Jams songs than I thought I knew and I had a great time.

Guitarist / Vocalist / Stuart Pearce look-a-like, Russell Hastings, did a great job. He wisely didn't try to replace Paul Weller in a note for note style, but stamped his own personality across the songs. The audience seemed to have a great time, singing along enthusiastically. I had wondered if it may get a bit boisterous, but with a primarily middle-aged audience and with looking security the type you wouldn't mess with, there was no hassle at all - even with our vantage point (the standard front and left). To make the evening even better, we got a Who song - So Sad About Us.

I shall return - both for the band and the venue.

Setlist
Saturday's Kids 
When You're Young 
David Watts 
To Be Someone (Didn't We Have a Nice Time) 
Thick as Thieves 
Man in the Corner Shop 
It's Too Bad 
Smithers-Jones 
Strange Town 
Burning Sky 
So Sad About Us 
Little Boy Soldiers 
That's Entertainment 
The Butterfly Collector 
Slow Down 
Start! 
Town Called Malice 
Going Underground 
+
The Eton Rifles 
Heatwave 
Down in the Tube Station at Midnight 

Simon Townshend – Wednesday 7th March – Eel Pie Club, Twickenham

A “limited number of tickets” were available for the official launch party for Simon’s new album and Richard and I snared a couple when they became available. Our search for a pub in the vicinity with a dartboard proved to be in vain, so we had to settle for the entertainment of seeing Stevenage take the lead against Spurs and Lionel Messi’s first 2 of is historic 5 goals in a Champions League game.

We wanted to get in relatively early as support was provided by Mollie Marriott, who as a quick Youtube search will show you, has a very impressive voice. According to Rich, the phrase I used on the night – “I’ve checked her out on Youtube” – sounds dodgy and could mean something else entirely! In any case, she and her band were as good as I’d hoped, playing mainly original material but finishing with an alternative take on a rock and roll number (unfortunately the title escapes me!)

So onto Simon’s set. We secured a good view outside the “dressing rooms” at the side of the stage and were treated to an extended set. An early surprise was a version of the early Who track – “I’m The Face”. From there there was a mix of new material (all pretty good), some old classics (especially good version of “The Way It Is”) and his brother’s “Going Mobile”. Slightly surprised that there were no guests (Roger Daltrey had shown up for 4 songs a few shows earlier), but all in all a good evening. Unfortunately the CDs for signing sold out before we got a chance to grab one, but at least that meant we got a civilised train home.

Setlist
Electric Friend
Something New
I’m The Face
Flyaway
There’s A Girl
Come Back
Making Waves
She Asked Me
Anyway She Moves
Make It
Bed of Roses
Looking Out Looking In
Still Love
Going Mobile
Stay
Forever And A Day
+
The Way It Is (Solo Acoustic)
Twenty To Eleven
The Dirty Jobs
I'm The Answer

The Who Convention - Bush Hall, Shepherds Bush - Saturday 1st May

Having just about woken up following last night's epic journey home, we were off again - this time to Shepherds Bush for the Who Convention. I don't mind admitting I'm always slightly nervous about the word "convention" - it instills fear of nerdy trainspotter types who want to swap lists on their top five all-time Who songs which have been played live on all continents etc. Thankfully, nothing could be further from the truth - the crowd were just a group of genuine fans, here to meet each other and enjoy some tributes and the music.

We got there at 3.00pm - checked out the bar (of course) - £3.00 for a can of lager - h'mmm. Listened to "Irish Jack" telling stories about his time mingling with the Who in the 60's. Quite interesting for a while, but not the best sound to hear him.

Next up were "Who's Who", a tribute band I've seen a number of times. Here, they performed Quadrophenia in its entirety. Whilst that is a fine album (in the main), there are a couple of low points, and it did drag just a little bit. Still, the band were good and the drummer does a fine impersonation of Keith Moon.

We then used our "pass-outs" to pop down to the "Goldhawk" for a quick beer and to give my bad back a rest. Followed by a bit of food, we were back having just missed the start of Simon Townshend's set (with his band the Casbah Club). Simon was playing much of the stuff I'd heard him do recently at Balham and Twickenham, including the excellent, "oldie, but goodie", "The Way It Is".

Shortly after this, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I assume it is someone else returning after a visit to the bar / toilets, but as I step aside to let the person through I see he is a diminutive middle aged chap in glasses, carrying an overcoat and newspaper, looking more than familiar. "That doesn't half look like Roger Daltrey" I say to Richard. 10 seconds later, the swarming crowd and camera flashes confirm I am right!

After another song or 2, Simon invites Roger on stage where he thanks us for our support (of the band and charity) and gives an update on the new Who album. It appears he doesn't understand the concept (who does?), but likes the music! Hope we do too. He needs to get back the Royal Albert Hall, so asks the crowd if there is anything else they want from him. "Sing us a song!" is the overwhelming response, which seems to surprise him! After discussion with Simon, he sings an excellent "Behind Blue Eyes" with newspaper tucked under his arm! "MORE!!", yell the crowd. Roger looks at his watch... "Sod it, OK!"... Simon suggests "Substitute" and this is delivered... awesome. Roger departs with "I'll send your regards to Pete" and our day is made.

Simon Townshend completes the set with the bizarre "Sex Change" after which Richard and I spot "Gazza" (Gary Hurley, not Paul Gascoigne!) and go to have a quick chat. He is hoarse (with either yelling or singing!).

We pop out for another few quick halves and some new pubs (I win at pool - Richard accuses me of cheating as he always does - presumably for potting more balls than him - again!) and return to see the final band of the night "The Wholigans". They hail from Florida and the singer sounds exactly like Roger Daltrey! My back is killing me by now, so I escape upstairs and grab a stool. Very impressed by the band, although they seem to have a bit of a problem with their bassist who is subjected to a few snide remarks and looks.

All over by half past ten, so a quick dash to the 220 bus stop and back to Putney for the end of Match of The Day and a final beer in the "Larrick". Another tiring, but rewarding day.

Basement Jam - Sunday 4th December - The Boathouse, Twickenham

A rare treat. An invitation only show entitled "Basement Jam", This internet broadcast is the culmination of the last couple of years of the "In The Attic" internet video podcast from Rachel Fuller (often assisted by Pete Townshend).

The intimate show here features the normal guests from recent months (see Bedford Arms entry) and culminates with a fantastic acoustic set from Pete Townshend interspersed with a few stories and history of the room that we are in (Oceanic Studios at The Boathouse)

It's a bit like being invited round for tea by one of your musical heroes, so suffice to say I enjoyed my evening!

Setlists

Pete Townshend
Drowned
Greyhound Girl
Blue Red and Grey
In the Ether (with Rachel)
Just Breathe (with Rachel)
Sunrise (with Rachel)
Behind Blue Eyes
Let’s See Action

Rachel Fuller
Into My Heart
Ghost in Your Room
Imperfection,
Cigarettes and Housework
Happy to Be Sad
Spin
Pleasure Seeker
Jigsaw,
Shine (with all)

Simon Townshend
Save Me From Me
Comeback
Soul Searching
Girl In New York
The Way It Is
Sex Change

Foy Vance
Crosstown Traffic (Hendrix)
Gabriel & The Vagabond
Don’t Please Yourself
Indiscriminate Act of Kindness

Mikey Cuthbert
You
Tourist
Plasticine
Clever Girl
My Pigeon Friend

http://petetownshend.net/in-the-attic/attic-jams

Rachel Fuller - Bedford Arms, Balham - 18th October

It was nice to hear Pete Townshend and guests soundchecking with "I'm One" whilst we waited in the main bar in the Bedford. It certainly gave a taste of what was to come later.

For the main show, Mikey Cuthbert, Foy Vance and Simon Townshend played (and were all very good). Rachel was on next, followed by "special guest", Pete Townshend (or "Pete Towsend" as the billboard on the door stated!!). Rock legend up close and personal in a pub environment - rarely does it get better than that!

Rachel Fuller Setlist (probably!)

Cigarettes And Housework
Into Your Heart
Shine
Outside My Window
Ghost in Your Room
Jigsaw
The Seeker
Spin

Pete Townshend Setlist
Drowned
Behind Blue Eyes
Christine's Song (Devil In Disguise)
Heart To Hang Onto
Greyhound Girl
In The Ether (with Rachel Fuller)
Let's See Action
I'm One (with all other guests)

Pete Townshend, Simon Townshend and Foy Vance during "I'm One"

Check out petetownshend.net for David Stark's photos & video