leeds benefit rip off grafitti

It's not often l have good things to say about Dirty Leeds, especially back in the 1980's, but l doth my cap to whoever altered this poster, as that's where and when this photograph was taken

Toodle pip

out and about - beans on toast and skinny lister

Another night, another night out. This time with my sister, niece and Rocker to see Beans on Toast and Skinny Lister at Leeds University. My niece arranged it all, got the tickets, and drove there and back, so the rest of us just enjoyed ourselves (the odd lager may have been consumed).

Beans on Toast were first on, and superb. Both funny, political, and now and again, even romantic. I particularly enjoyed the addition of  a fiddle player (amongst others), as l'm a sucker for that kind of Bob Dylan 'Hurricane' sound, and Mr Beans (as l call him) certainly has a lot of charisma and a huge likeability factor. If he wasn't a musician, he could take up a new career in comedy.

As for Skinny Lister, they were really good, and are certainly lively and exiting to watch, but the vocals were lost in the mix and unless you already knew the songs, you had no idea what they were singing about, apart from the odd chorus or phrases, which spoilt it for us. Still, we all shared of their ale, and are probably just old fogeys (apart from my niece), so what the hell. 

An excellent farewell to my niece who has since headed down south again.

 My sister and niece can be seen in this, myself and Rocker watched this bit from the balcony

 We drank from this mighty jug of ale (rum l seem to remember)

 More merchandise, this time signed by Beans on Toast

 And here's Mr Beans himself, drawing me a picture on the back of it

 My entry stamp, surrounded by scratches off Mr parrot's sharp claws, from when he sits on my hand

toodle pip

apparently, my brother's not in leeds any more

Bloody Hell!!  I thought my brother lived in Leeds, but apparently l'm wrong, as Robert here seems to be the real deal.

It's like looking in  a mirror, with or without glasses.

Scary! 

toodle pip

stone roses out-takes from kevin cummins photoshoot, plus the hollow men

Some great unused photographs of The Stone Roses, taken by Kevin Cummins for the NME.
What a combination - a photographer at the top of his game, with the coolest band in years. No-one believes me nowadays, but l saw the Stone Roses at about the time the first album was getting released, at Leeds Warehouse with The Hollow Men (who were from Leeds) supporting. A great night.
You can find plenty of classic shots at Kevin's site. In the meantime, here's something to remember the early Stone Roses by - 'Fools Gold'.



Plus a bonus!  The Hollow Men - 'White Train'



toodle pip

leeds united v manchester united 1976

Ahhh....this takes me back.....the old days, when football was still a working class game, followed by a lot of young lads like myself (at the time), who could afford it on low wages.
It was still mainly standing, hooliganism was rife, and a ticket to the game (pay on the day) cost about 75 pence (equivalent to about £6 now).
Times have moved on to such an extent, that l have been to The Jackie Charlton suite in (dirty) Leeds' ground for my brothers wedding reception, and now mainly go to Leeds for comic fairs (and the odd gig).
Still miss the old school football and crowds though.
Photos are from here, where there is also a short video.

toodle pip

primal scream and james at on roundhay, leeds, plus del amitri -don't l look like the kind of guy you used to hate

Had a rather excellent time with Robbo at the weekend, down in that there dirty Leeds. We drove and parked at my brothers house in Beeston, then walked to The Tommy Wass around the corner, where we met and chatted with a couple of characters (Rob and Cat), had a couple of games of pool, and quaffed a couple of throthing ales. Taxi ordered afterwards into town, where more pints were consumed in various alehouses of ill repute, a cool looking old man was asked his age (he was nearly 65), and l asked to be served by a different barman when l entered one of the pubs and went to the counter to be served  (as he was wearing a Liverpool football shirt). Oh what fun we had. Another taxi to Roundhay park, with Robbo arguing about battered husbands with the taxi driver all the way there, and then a miserable attempt at getting in for free, before we crumbled and reluctantly coughed up the dosh. Lots more rounds (but of a more expensive nature) were purchased, in between watching the bands and chatting to various other fans. We managed to get really close to the front, and both thought Primal Scream were a lot better than James, but some others disagreed with us after it had finished (however - we were obviously right). On the way out, we got befriended by a bunch of lads from Dewsbury and Selby who wanted to buy us drinks in the nearest pub, but by the time we got there (stopping for the odd sing song on the way) the pub had just stopped serving, so they buggered off to phone for their lift home, and we, as seasoned alcoholics, walked to the next nearest pub. On the way, we were befriended by some other lads from Leeds, and drinks were purchased for us on arrival, with more songs and chatter continued outside it while drinking. Taxi afterwards back to Beeston for Robbo's customary late night takeaway (dropping off one of the lads on the way), then another taxi to my brothers to eat it. A quick chat with my brother while eating, then off to bed we went. If you're wondering, we managed (as usual) to share a double bed, due to my brothers daughter staying at her boyfriends that evening. I'm amazed she agreed to let us use her room, but it was much appreciated, despite Robbo's snoring.

Sausage sandwich in the morning (Ooeeerrr!), a chat and a drink with my brother and his wife, then back home to watch my recording of the Manchester United v Watford game. A rather damp squib to finish with. But that's another story.

 My one and only picture inside the venue, just as we arrived

 The dodgy looking dark woods we headed through with Leeds scallies afterwards, towards the nearest boozer. We thought we may well be robbed and buggered by them, but sadly, nothing happened.

Damn!!! Had to pay!!

 The only taxi firm we used all day - an excellent and prompt service, despite the hassle the taxi drivers had to suffer from us

 Beer mat from the pub as a momento (because l'm a sad bastard)

 Suppliers of our takeaway at the end of the night 

Given one of these and photographed by Lumineers promotional people on the way out. On their website maybe? 

And a song by James that l haven't heard for ages till they played it, but love. 'Come Home', with the splendid and bitter lyric "After all these years, l've become my peers, l've become the kind of man l've always hated".

Which reminds me of this song. Del Amitri's 'Don't I Look Like The Kind Of Guy You Used To Hate'. Not just for the similar sentiment in the title, but also the lyric "And these tiny symbols of success, like my black chauffeurs forced friendliness, are less the spoils of spiritual wealth, then symptoms of distress".

Another reflective and bitter song, hidden away on one of their 'b' sides (in old money).
By jingo - l know my music!

toodle pip

primal scream - carry me home and rocks

In celebration of the fact that l am off to sunny Leeds today to see Primal Scream, James and Wolf Alice at Roundhay Park, a couple of top tunes by Primal Scream.
Saying that, once we have parked the car up and hit town, we will play it by ear and may just stay in town if we are already having a good time.
That's the crazy way us old folks roll. Unpredictably.





toodle pip

comics and leeds

Three of about 30 comics l purchased this Saturday at the comic fair held in Leeds Town Hall.
Robbo and my good self travelled were there for the fair (once he eventually arrived), but we also met my brother as it was his birthday (and he conveniently lives in Leeds), so l could give him some money for his upcoming holiday.  We all only had a couple of drinks after the comic hunting, as Robbo needed to get back, and my brother was under strict instructions not to drink too much, as he and his wife were going out for a meal that evening.  Robbo then dropped me off at White shops for a few ales, as Jisum were playing at JT's, and l couldn't be bothered going to Richmond to see the other band at The Ship.
Pretty much stayed in bed and the bath all day today, reading and then watching TV. Thankfully l have only got Monday at work before l am off for another couple of days, so no doubt lots more reading (and comic sorting) will be done.
I'm a mixture of a rock and roll idiot hellraiser, and a nerdy stay at home geek, depending on how the days off take me.

toodle pip

felix dennis in leeds

Off to Leeds with Rocker yesterday to see Felix Dennis reading his poetry, accompanied with all the free wine you can drink.  I thought there might be a catch (apart from the train tickets costing £22.70), but the waiters kept coming to our table and dropping off new bottles whenever there was the slightest hint that we (or the others on the table) were running out.  The reading of the poetry was a lot better than l expected, and Felix also told some brief tales about people he has had dealings with, such as John Lennon and Germaine Greer. We hit The Stone Roses bar afterwards, then a taxi to my brothers to crash out there.  He couldn't come and meet us as he was working till 11pm, but we managed to entertain ourselves, especially talking to people from Batley in The Ship pub on Briggate beforehand (cheap, noisy, rough and cheerful - and that was just us). Rocker had earlier driven to Northallerton, as we thought we would get a return train ticket each so we could hit the centre of Leeds straight away when we got there. A wise (but expensive) move. I have since had a soak in the bath to rid myself of the Leeds grime, and am especially pleased l decided to take today off work, so l could lounge around and chill out.  Stone me - what a life.




toodle pip

I'm back again! (this time from leeds)

Well, l've finally got around to posting again, and not before time.  Christmas and New Year have long gone, and it's back to the grim reality of life.
While l've been away l haven't read much, but have been watching plenty of TV, going out, and working way too hard. Trying to sort out repairs to our house and life in general, and l also banged and split my head open, resulting in a new and improved man (who still has a cab from the cut).
I have just returned from Leeds, where Robbo and myself went to the comic fair at the Town Hall on Saturday, met my brother Paul (as it was his birthday), and pratted about all day and evening, ending up in the Stone Roses bar, dancing with some Leeds fans, before heading for some samosas and bhajis.  Then it was a taxi home for Paul, and back to the hotel for me and Robbo.  The  hotel room was nothing special (we shared a room), but the hotel itself (Bewleys) was pretty good as far as the bar, stag and hen nights, and lounging around chatting in large leather chairs went, so that suited us down to the ground. They were only messing about (I hope) but I still haven't recovered from seeing Paul and Robbo kissing in one of the gay bars.  A more hideous sight l can't imagine, and l'm sure l will be traumatised and scared for life (even more that l already am).
We returned to meet the girls in Middlesbrough the next day, then went to Cross Keys for a couple of pints and some food, before heading back to sunny Catterick, JT's, then wine, chocolate and food at home, followed by a disturbed night due to somebody snoring (I won't say who). Back to reality now and work again this afternoon, but at least there's the Manchester United against Real Madrid game to look forward to this evening. It's going to be close, and it sure is squeaky bum time.
Life goes on, and it least it is nearly summer.

toodle pip

the queens hall in leeds

This place was a right fucking dump. The walls and ceiling used to drip with condensation and the floor was always wet (which ruined your shoes/boots or trainers). The floor was also solid concrete and there were pillars that obstructed the view of the band if you were unlucky enough to be in shoved into the wrong place (it was standing room only).

It is now a car park which is meant to be getting developed, but keeps getting put off.

You would think l would have no problem with this place closing, but it was one of the few places (back in the day) near Catterick that had famous bands on and was easily accessible, as it was straight down the A1.

I never saw The Rolling Stones there (unfortunately), but l did see Adam and the Ants, Thin Lizzy, Motorhead, Rainbow and Culture Club amongst many others.

Another good thing about the venue was you could sneak in or pay the guys on the door to let you in, so most of the shows l went to l never bothered getting a ticket to in advance. Those where the days my friends...

I can't remember what concert it was, but l travelled down one evening to see a band and there was a note on the door saying it had been cancelled (luckily l had not spent money in advance on a ticket). I then went to the pictures in Leeds to see the new Dirty Harry film, which l think was Sudden Impact. Not as good as the band would have been but at least l got something out of the trip.

Used to spend ages cleaning my footwear when l got home though.

toodle pip