Gigs.

1st gig: Good question. I was at Glastonbury '86. but I'd definitely seen bands (and Billy Bragg, of course) before then. The first club gig was probably either Billy Bragg supported by Ted Hawkins or Pete Murphy supported by the Bolshoi, both of which were in autumn '86
Last: Throwing Muses, London, Astoria, March 2003
Next: Possibly the Gin Palace, or failing that probably Whitby (Red Lorry Yellow Lorry!).
Best: Throwing Muses, QMU Glasgow, after Hunkpapa, or Therapy?/CopShootCop after Troublegum and Ask Questions Later (respectively). Or maybe Queen Adreena at the Army & Navy in Chelmsford.
Worst: There's too much competition for this one. Christian Death, probably, anytime after Gitane left. They were very good when I saw them before that, though. Greatest disappointment was probably the Incredible String Band - although I'd be more than happy to give them another chance.
Memorable: Einstuerzende Neubauten, Astoria, late '97. Radiohead, whatever the Underground/Cafe Sorbonne was called at the time, October 1993, Shellac at the Liquid Room.
Sadly missed: The Probes. I've no idea why they didn't get famous.
Always a pleasure: Throwing Muses (I'm so happy to be able to say that again), New Model Army, NoMeansNo (although it's been a while)
Best venue: Barrowlands, Glasgow.
Worst venue: No single place stands out, but there are several which seem to try too hard to rip people off, and then of course there are stadium and festival gigs by bands who shouldn't bother . . .
Like to see: Patti Smith, Richard Hell, The Men They Couldn't Hang.

Off work again.

The servers at work are still sulking. I can't really leave the house, desperate though my need for a needle file is, so I may have to resort to some tidying up instead. I've already finished the paper and there's not much of the current book left, but I have to be here in case I'm called with the news that it's all OK and I should come in.

Or maybe I'll just go back to sleep instead.

Decisions, decisions.

Update: I spoke, of course, too soon. The call has arrived, and I have to be there by . . . ooh, the crack of noon. Or so. Life is so hard sometimes.