Going
like the Flappers
14 Aug 2000
After a somewhat flawed performance last time they played the Flapper, The Regulars got back into the venue's groove with their latest, decidedly intense, outing there on 4 August.
A satisfying and highly-charged 40-minute set repaid the faith of the large audience that braved the Flapper's equatorial heat and humidity that Friday night.
First up on the night, though, were the altogether splendid Ogs Bunkadoo Band - recently lined up to play the forthcoming Bearos birthday all-dayer - whose compelling, idiosyncratic guitar tunes continue to win friends and influence people.
In turn, the boys from Ogs were followed by the relaxing sounds of Big Circus; and it was one of those gigs where all three bands made the night a good one.
The Regs - having resolved the usual clat and faff surrounding their setlist by the simple expedient of letting Stu write it - took the stage at 10:15, introducing themselves with Today at last, and hurling themselves through a nicely-paced jumble of songs - including such seldom-heard tunes as The flautist and Above the party.
The audience were not backward about coming forward, and by the end of the set some of them were right at the front. Their acclaim was loud throughout, and Mr A Stevens of Oldbury - on his first ever taste of The Regulars - went home at the end of the night and penned an email to the band, beginning: 'Excuse my French but...FUCKING FANTASTIC!!!'
High points were reached with These things obscure, current single Lie down and fight, and the set's closing track This is the sound - being tipped by some as a follow-up release to Lie down, and to which Mr Stevens further responded: 'amazing, haven't felt that good about a band in years'.
The momentum built up over recent gigs will hopefully be sustained at The Regulars' next - a Jug of Ale headline slot on Wednesday 23 August - only a quid in, with cheap booze.
Bright young things Autolight will also be on the bill - along with the fascinating prospect of a solo acoustic slot from Simon Fox of the Regs' Bearos Records labelmates Grover.
And as if all that were not incentive enough, The Regulars are hoping to debut a thrilling new song called Lincolnshire skies, described by the band as 'twinkly'. So get there early...
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