Well I’ve certainly honoured my resolution to get out and about more this week. This blogging lark really does force a gal to get up off the sofa and re-engage with her surroundings! I’ve even talked to some strangers AND caught up with some friends. Wowsers. Following a boozy evening of fun times and much guffawing with Clare and our favourite Meat Men on Thursday, my fella and I stepped out again last night for dinner, drinks and gig action out west at The Captain’s Rest. Although a little rough round the edges to begin with, a carbohydrate boost, the discovery of Tsing Tao beer and some rib tickling banter with funny friends and loved ones soon perked me up, up, up.
Last summer, Clare and I embarked upon a little DIY SOS style refurbishment of our shop. Every day, as we painted and hammered and moved things around from one display area to another, we listened to BBC 6music for hours and hours at a time. This song was playlisted at the time and sneaked into just about every show we heard.
Much to Clare’s annoyance, every single time the happy bassline intro bumped onto our radio, I’d say, “Oh! This is a nice wee song. Who’s this?” – never remembering that Clare had already explained to me that the song was by Allo Darlin’ and that yes – it was indeed a ‘nice wee song’. Every day. Bum. Bum ba ba bum. Bum ba ba ba ba bum. “Oh! Who’s this? That’s a nice wee song…” Poor Clare. Eventually I did remember, of course. When we reopened The Maisonette after the refurbishment, Clare made another of her fabulous shopping soundtrack compilations and on there was another little ditty by Allo Darlin’ – Kiss Your Lips (or at least – I’m guessing that’s what it’s called).
Allo Darlin'. Image from band's website.
On the basis of my love and excitement for these two songs, we decided to see if we could wangle a little guest pass to the Allo Darlin’ show at The Captain’s Rest (muchos gracias to John). If Loneliness Was Art was track number one. Hoorah! I bounced, I whooped, I jiggled my hips and smiled broadly from start to finish, singing along under my breath. I realised quite quickly though (probably by the end of track two) that Allo Darlin’ were maybe a little bit too sugary sweet for me. I love an upbeat bouncy number as much as the next person – and I do enjoy a sing-a-long-a-ba-ba-ba/sha-la-la chorus, but I did become uncomfortably aware that I was probably having a nice time on behalf of my 14-year-old self as opposed to my actual 31 year old self. Undoubtedly upbeat and catchy, a ‘lil bit Dawson’s Creek, annoyingly contagious and just the right amount of London/Oz ‘cool’ – these guys and gals would have been definite teen favourites. Their album would have been a permanent fixture in my cassette player. I’m sure of it.
I hung around long enough to hear favourite Allo Darlin’ song number II (about two thirds of the way through the show I guess?) but then decided to put Beardy out of his misery and suggest taxi time! Poor Beardy… While I bobbed around and shoogled myself about in tandem with the super energetic, super smiley moustachioed bassist, I could feel my poor husband practically clench. He stood absolutely still behind me. No whooping. No nodding. Not even a toe tap. I’m not even sure he managed to muster up a polite applause. Sensing his bad vibes and feeling a bit sorry that I made him accompany me on this little bubblegum jaunt, I dragged 14 year old me up the stairs and into the street! Bless his woolly cardigan. We plumped for taxi, tea and television.
Cosied up by midnight.
