Today Pete phones me. Things are happening. He’s moved to E1, we’ve got people interested in managing us, and we’ve been asked to play again. And I STILL haven’t sent out any demos to venues unsolicited!

We next play on Friday January 30th, Upstairs At The Garage, Highbury Corner, London N7.

We’re second on the bill of a three band night, so we’ll probably be onstage 9pm ish.

When we played Blow Up, Jo, the co-promoter, asked me if I had a brother. My heart lept at the thought that Tom might have decided to show up after all… but that wasn’t like him. “Well, it was certainly someone with your eyes… do you know a…Kendall?”

Back upstairs I met Kendall, a young man I’d previous only communicated with via e-mail. In fact, I’m not even sure I’d ascertained his gender…. it just didn’t arise in our electronic correspondance. So right up till he introduces himself I have no idea even what sex to expect. This is a good thing, of course.

At first I actually think it’s Nicky Wire from the Manic Street Preachers… here to check out Fosca, or more likely Guernica, as Erol, the lead singer of that headlining band, is friendly with James Dean Bradfield among many other London-based indie names. Indeed, James came to Guernica’s first gig, when they supported Orlando at the Water Rats in 1996. I doubt he liked Orlando very much. James has always scared me the few times I’ve bumped into him. I have met Nicky Wire once, and found him charming.

But Kendall isn’t quite Nicky Wire…. there’s bits of my own face there too. It’s a weird feeling… perhaps we are related distantly. I certainly have lots of Welsh relatives. He also likes Fosca, and has come all the way from Wales just to see us play. He’s also dressed immaculately, in a dapper suit and tie.

Kendall is a real tonic.