Blog ≫ 2025 ≫ They came, they saw, they rocked
I actually went out, to a gig! And it was good.
Day off Tuesday, and slow trains there to save money. It was only twenty-five quid return, which is a bargain, relatively speaking. Going from here changing at Ashford, Eastbourne, Brighton, and then Fareham where mum collected me. Took about four hours, I got lucky with a change at Eastbourne and knocked about half hour off the estimate.
Had cups of tea and a snack of some samosas their neighbour had made, then pretty much out again. Andy came over and we first planned to get the train down to Portsmouth, but the time didn't work out. Next attempted the bus, but we just missed one, so he called an Uber. To the pub!
We were aiming for The Deco, but it wasn't open yet, so we went to Porters on Albert Road and talked about the same stuff we always do, good times! That seemed like quite a nice place, but the beer not to my taste, and not enough heavy metal, so back to The Deco when it opened at five.
The Deco was a bit disappointing really, it was very quiet again, but it was only opening time on a Tuesday. Then the beer wasn't good, end of a barrel or some excuse. They changed it but it put me off a bit, so we headed off after one. We got burgers in Umami. This is the other branch of this mini chain of two, we often use the other one if we go to the West Street Ale House in Fareham.
Failed to meet up with my nephew, he had bailed on the gig with a bad back, like an old man. Got a call from my cousin though so tried to meet her before the gig, and we kept missing each other, until we actually got to the bar in the venue. Nice to catch up with them, didn't realise they were such gig goers, hope to see them at another one soon.
Ash were the support and played a blistering set, nearly all hits. No Oh Yeah which surprised me, and no Jack Names The Planets, which surprised me less, but all the other hits. They played a new song, and I bought their new album on vinyl in the interval, as they were selling signed copies. It's on purple vinyl, and I'm listening to it as I write this up.
The Darkness were also great. I seem to have taken a bit of a break from them, when I used to be their biggest fan in the early days. I'm back now though, ordered the new album and just realised I can get it today! Surprised to hear there were quite so many other albums inbetween.
They are much the same as they always were, no compromise, a few more tattoos and a different drummer. He did a song, which I partly missed as I went to the toilet at that point. Justin Hawkins had a bit of a rant about mobile phones. I can appreciate his point, you don't want to experience the whole gig through your screen, but I did get mine out to take a couple of pictures which I'm pleased with. I wish I had more pictures from their earlier gigs.
Another drink after the gig somewhere or other to let the rush die down, then another taxi home.
A proper flying visit. Saw my sister and she gave me a lift back to the station. Not so lucky with trains on the way back but it was fine. I had about twenty minutes hanging around at Brighton, not time to do anything, but I did walk to The North Star, a great pub I have enjoyed previously. Didn't go in though, maybe next time.
Walked back from the station, even though the car was there and I had the key. Clare had left it and would be back from work soon after. Was a nice day for a walk through Sandgate.
⬅️ Run stats 29/3/25 - 5'06/K :: Parkrun 187 ➡️