Lots happened last week-end. Lots of small things and moments noticed, like the way a particular leaf was illuminated by an orange Dublin city street-lamp, and the midnight people watching from our room, of the disgruntled Polish kitchen staff stomping in and out of the back yard (where our room overlooked), swearing in tongues about their hateful manager (who we saw smoking in his suit before storming into the kitchens and shouting and slamming pans). But there was one thing that happened that has stuck properly... it's a potentially defining moment of life.. not in a death survival way, or a giving birth way, but in a way that adds to my disillusionment.. sort of.. let me explain...
Growing up, I had a soundtrack, like we all do. Songs and artists that I held in high esteem, that became anthems for my time. Among these were a band called 'An Emotional Fish'. They weren't that big outside of Ireland I don't think, but they had some fantastic songs, and their best album was worn to death on my cassette player.
Fast forward to 2011. Friday 23rd September. RDS. The headline act that night was a band called Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club. Yes, the lead man from An Emotional Fish's new band. They were great. The reception for them was poor really, but then, the week-end was all about beer, not bands. They had their own sound engineer and everything. The reality was though, they were playing on the exact same stage as I would be the next day. The fact as well was though, that I was horrifically drunk and danced embarrassingly with him and the Ronald. I think your childhood heroes are meant to remain inaccessible aren't they? They are meant to forever stay untouchable mythical beings.
On reflection I'm sure he's equally pissed off at the idea that he's now doing gigs in places where bands like us use the same stage too! I suppose everyone has their day, and everyone has to grow up..
BOOOOOO..... sure, never mind Ger!
love that song - errah Jerry Fish is too fun loving looking to remain remote and mysterious! Am jealous
ReplyDeleteOoh yes, that is weird. Bit of a 'Robert Plant on Park Street' moment (so small, so... un-Godlike).
ReplyDeleteI liked the song very much, and covet covet covet the guitarist's hair.
"I think your childhood heroes are meant to remain inaccessible aren't they? They are meant to forever stay untouchable mythical beings." There's much wisdom in that. I don't believe anybody should feel sorry that they're sharing a stage with the Watercats, anyway!
ReplyDeleteFantastic band! I'd never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteTalk of youth's soundtrack got me thinking of a sad experience I had yesterday. Teaching guitar in one room at a school I could hear the flute teacher teaching in the next room. His pupil was playing a baroque flute piece my late father used to play a lot. The sudden poignant flashback almost unhinged me.
they used to have that bit on Nevermind The Buzzcocks, and perhaps still do, where they parade former pop stars in a line-up, most of whom are now driving taxis or teaching maths - and you have to pick out the member.
ReplyDeleteI don't think pop stars should necessarily be untouchable and admired from afar - the fact is that your man is still playing music, so good for him
FINALLY i CAN COMMENT ON MY BLOG!
ReplyDeletecheers everyone for calling round,
TITUS; his hair isn't that glorious any more, but he a rather impressive 'tache'..
NIAMH; yeh, he was an animated sort of fella, he turned some chairs over at one point to try and get people to stand up.. I think?
ARGENT:
I always think it's always best left unchased, the things you wonder about from your youth, it just makes you sad!.. and yes, I'm surprised he didn't ask for our autographs really, I think he was playing it cool ;-)
DOMINIC;
that's the singular most powerful thing about music isn't it, that ability to bring moments back in such clarity it almost hurts. Human beings are capable of so much beauty, it makes me wonder what goes wrong!
D.F.T.P'S:
Really!?... I need to you tube and check that out. You're right about yer man playing msic still, the problem was all mine. I think it was a moment where you realise you're not a kid any more, even though you think the same as when you were.. and there's one of your 'idols' from back in the day with looking old, and then you realise you're old too and your dancing has turned into embarrassing mum dancing and afterwards you're tired from the excersize and want to go to bed,... sigh.. ;-)