Having debuted last December as Totalshambles, the Official 6 Music Band re-formed this year for our difficult second gig. This time, we were called VCS Soundsystem, which is a 6 Music in-joke that's too dull to explain. From last year's lineup, we retained Jim Simmons on keyboards and vocals, Mike Hanson on guitar, Jude Adam and Nemone on vocals, and myself on drums. Our new bassist was Ian Painter, who's also in Candidate, and we were proud to induct Shaun Keaveney on vocals and guitar, and Zoe Fletcher on vocals. Mr Gideon Coe guested on Garageland, and Tom Robinson guested on his own War Baby, Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick and Gimme Some Loving, along with Tim Sanders, saxophonist extraordinaire (he's in the Kick Horns - blessed, we were!). We started with Addicted To Love and moved through a variety of covers old and new, cool and uncool: I Predict A Riot, Golden Skans, Kids In America, Video Killed The Radio Star, Lassoo, Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Keaveny's finest hour, with false moustache), My Sharona, Honky Tonk Women, Golden Skans and Waterloo to finish. When I say "difficult second gig", it wasn't really. It was the 6 Music Christmas party at the Loom basement club in Central London. Considering we'd had three rehearsals this year, only one of which had all band members at it, I think we coped admirably. Mike threw Keith Richards shapes, Jim set his keyboard to 80s on more than one occasion, Tom was so good it's almost as if he's a professional singer and has been doing this for 30 years, and "the girls" were on fine form throughout. I made a few basic errors, including ending War Baby a bar too early, and losing a stick, but nobody noticed. You don't play the drums to get noticed. Or captured in many photographs - which is actually a blessing, as I don't look too good when I'm behind a kit. If I can post a bootleg up here, I will. You can see the whole set of photos - if you're a member - on Flickr. (Don't worry if you're not - the best ones are reproduced here.)









And a big hand for Jim, without whose enthusiasm, organisational skills and keyboard wizardry, neither Totalshambles nor VCS Soundsystem would ever have got off the drawing board. Next year, we really must play Jump by Van Halen, rather than just threaten to. (Hey, I'm not really qualified to be in the 6 Music Band this year - who knows whether they'll let me back next year!)



I actually had the time of my life.

Labels: 6 Music, drums, music