Having fun, in the city, it’s alright

The Rakes at Kings College, 7th March 2007

The Rakes come on like professional wrestlers tonight; all streamlined wizardry and choreographed jerkiness. Something’s gone missing in the opinion of some of my colleagues-in-arms however- in the battle for the big time (Brixton Academy, get you!), the poor distressed lads have lost their joie de vivre and got a whole heap of trouble and angst in its place. Yes, like Tony Blair after his first year in office, Mr Donahue has greyed visibly (not a literal greyness; he's far too young for that, but a spiritual malaise). He needs some sleep and a nice aromatherapy session I’m thinking. It all just seemed so much more spontaneous and heartfelt at the Islington Bar Academy in the halcyon days of June 2006 .

Not that we don’t have a good time however- for starters, we’re at the Kings College and that always gets me a bit excited; not over-excited, but certainly high-spirited (the lack of oxygen makes me feel giddy or something). Luckily for us the lifts to the fourth floor are working tonight and as we get into them, who do we spy in the corner skulking like a moody teenager, but a sombre, and very earnest-looking lead singer. Thirty something that I am, I still get the giggles slightly on these occasions (i.e. when famous people are in the immediate vicinity). So apologies for the embarrassment if you’re out there Mr Alan. Sir. (I’m sure he’s lovely when he smiles).

The Rakes are good value whatever night of the year it is, and however stressed they might be (‘just be grateful we turned up’ they seem to be saying; ‘we don’t need any support or nothing…we’re proper popular now’) and I rocked the night away down near the front, and enjoyed it all muchly- even if it was just a tossing of bones to the fan base- we’re grateful for the meat and gristle, yes indeed.
GSG.