Tuesday 16th September 2008

Well, here we are again. A few days to go before the next gig and I’m stressing out. Not as you might expect at the thought of playing live before a load of people; nor of playing live in front of no-one. Not even the fact that we could do with at least one more rehearsal (or maybe two). No, the reason I get stressed out is over what to wear. I seem to have loads of stuff I’ve bought over the years for just that purpose, going on stage. Indeed, I’ve waited all my life for this.

BUT WHAT DO I WEAR? Do I go for the simple T-shirt and jeans? (The Crown.) The Paul Weller-esque jacket, granddad shirt and black jeans? (Scallys – the First Time, the Masons Arms.) The black combat shirt and black jeans? (My Clash fortnight and favourite gig so far – Moles.) Something else? It’s not that I don’t have plans…

There’s the black lace-up pirate shirt…the puffy-sleeve regency shirt, waistcoat and scarf a la the last time the Master regenerated in Doctor Who (Derek Jacobi to whatisname from Life on Mars for the uninitiated)… any number of t-shirts. The velvet Nehru jacket and white kurta. Just a shirt and jacket (leaning heavily towards that), or even a suit? Although I’m really pissed off that the fashionistas have decreed that tailored shirts are in, just when I’m getting wider. Bugger!! See, what could look good with a jacket on, could look crap and ‘hey, fatso’ when the jacket is off. And then there’s always the sequined waistcoat I had custom made in Singapore...

What would be right for the Stones Cross Inn? I’d like to try them all. I’d like to play every night. I could get some rotation going then, or settle on a look. What did I say? STRESSED!!!

Tim