Happy
return
07 Nov 2000
Last Friday saw The Regulars resume operations on the live circuit after a gap of several weeks - and judging by the attendance, the band had been missed in the meantime.
Sixty-five popkids ambled into the Flapper just to see The Regulars - and with those who turned out to see Boomshanker and the rather good Spacehoppers as well, the old place was packed to the rafters.
And in a stunning break with band tradition, Pete took the stage barefoot, in a silk shirt and girly hairclip, with glitter on his face; while for latter sections of the set Stu donned a goggled hardhat that came direct from Birmingham's nearest building site.
As one audience member, A Holt of London, had it: "They burst on stage like a thousand shimmering fireworks. Stu's locks tumbled from the goggled hardhat to gently caress his shoulders."
The set began in recognised fashion with Today at last and October we take it back before the band sprang their second surprise of the evening with an early appearance for the anti-roads anthem They built over the traino.
Later in the set came a rare showing for If I had a sister - the Regs tune with only one line of lyrics - and a first ever airing of the brand new tune Smart dress only.
Biggest cheers of the night, though, were probably saved for This is the sound - a candidate to become the band's second single in 2001; and the bumper turnout at the gig - which earned the band over one hundred quid - will go some way to help finance the recording. (See the new poll on this site and help the band decide.)
The Regs-starved audience seemed to go away happy. F Brain of Kings Norton - attending her first Regulars gig - commented today: "You were really fab on Friday! The band are superb...can't wait to see you play again...".
And with all the sweet timing of a Bradley Allen lob, many audience members were lucky enough later to witness more fireworks and drunken skylarking at Stu's housewarming party - the Baggie bassist having moved even closer to Pete last month.
The Regulars would like to say thank you to everyone who came, as they were all very lovely. And another Birmingham gig for the Regs follows later this month, with a headliner at the Jug of Ale on Wednesday 22 November.
Admission then will be only one quid; drinks are cheap as well; and also appearing are Jameson - in their splendid J Foundation hats. Get there if you can.
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