Nul points
15 May 2000

The stings of self-reproach that followed a slightly disappointing performance from The Regulars at last weekend's Flapper & Firkin gig were soothed by the kindness of those fans and mates of the band who weren't distracted by the Eurovision Song Contest.

Saturday's set started solidly and promisingly with a song so new that it still doesn't have a proper title - followed by a spirited rendition of next month's debut single Lie down and fight - but trailed off a little in the second half as Pete struggled to find pitch in two or three later songs.

The other four Regulars held it all together well, however - particularly Chris, who turned in possibly the best performance of his percussive career - and by the end of the night the audience's verdict seemed to be: 'Not the best, but still really good'.

Using familiar footballing analogies, the Regs' loyal friend and supporter Mr Richard Banner - a cultured centre-half who does not shirk from pointing out when the band has played a stinker - argued that the performance seemed flawed only in the context of the very high standards recently set.

This, he explained, corresponded closely with his experience on the football field earlier in the day, where his.own apparently imperfect display was disappointing only in the context of a highly successful season with Birmingham AFA League Division 1 outfit College - which has seen Mr Banner courted by semi-professional clubs - culminating in his emergence as front runner for the team's player of the year award.

Thus consoled, The Regulars departed the venue - Pete and Stu to procure pizza, Paul and Chris to heaven knows where, and Chopper to Snobs, where he sprained his left wrist falling over while chuffing tonkered.

(Readers gawping in perplexity at this point are referred to Encyclopaedia Regular.)

Chopper had confirmed his status as upstart heir to Johnny Marr that very morning with the purchase of a black and white Rickenbacker. The band would like to restate their disapproval, though, of any other Regulars/Smiths comparisons.

The Regulars' next gig is a Bearos Records night at the Jug of Ale on Saturday week - May 27 - alongside Jameson and Baxter. See the gigs section for further details.

news