Spoonful of Poison

Yesterday evening took the Minipops, the Microkorg and me out to the Lion in Stoke Newington to play at Vis the Spoon's open mic bonanza, Spoonful of Poison. I did a few improvised xmas numbers. Was fun. I particularly enjoyed singing a rather wobbly and experimental 'Silent Night'. I'd meant to sing it in German (I can't speak German but it's fun to sing in, especially with my impossible no-good accent) but I'd left the lyrics somewhere and so I could only sing the four words I could remember before commencing other vocal patterns. Was great fun! Roll on Helen McCookerybook's Xmas party when I can have another go at xmas vocalisations with electronica in front of unsuspecting guests.

Desperado Housewives - Stoke Newington

Helen McCookerybook has done a tremendous illustration for the Desperado Housewives party in Stoke Newington. It's so beautiful. I love the mop, I love the horse I love the whole thing ... beautiful crayoning, lines ... the mixture of domestic housewife and Western imagery ...

We're playing Sat 16 Oct at the Palatine on Stoke Newington Road

Power to the Palatine

While walking along the tow path to Mile End, who should cycle past me but my old friend from London Metropolitan University, when I used to work in the Students' Union, Rhys Rose. He was going very fast, with all the gear ... black lycra all over and looking very fit, and late for work. Just had time for a hug and for him to tell me he was having a launch for his new pub, The Palatine, in Stoke Newington on Saturday. It's the old 'Satchmo's', 97 Stoke Newington High Street.

I tottered over after work, and had a very pleasant half a wheat beer in that fine new establishment. Rhys has lots of ideas for showcasing artist work and for using the very fine space for acoustic performance. Licence problems means that we can't have proper band nights there - yet - but who knows what the future might allow, once he's built up a good reputation for a trouble-free night spot. If you're passing by, drop in for a coke or a whisky or whatever you fancy - and if you're a London based artist and would like to display your work, you can get touch with Rhys.

Matty and I were particularly taken with the dance floor, and couldn't resist wanting to try out a few steps. I can't wait till we have a proper dance together but he hasn't quite fixed my portable 78 player. Of which more later.

On an aside, it was nice to be out in Stoke Newington. Matt is just reading Edgar Allen Poe's short stories, and he lived in Stoke Newington as a youngster in London.