CITIZEN FISH/VICTIMS FAMILY
Stoke Wheatsheaf
Was woken at eight by Simon’s screaming kids. That’s not true, but it conveys the state we arose in that day. After a couple of refreshing teas, I set off again, leaving Simon and John (Round Ear Records) to go hunting for a record fair venue in Cardiff.
I took it easy all the way, stopping at every service station. This became necessary as half of them were undergoing reconstruction and had bugger all facilities. Actually, I had no cash!
Arrived in Stoke some 5½ hours after leaving Newport. This included a slight delay at one service station as I’d left the lights on on my car! I was sweating for a minute there! Found a cool place to park in Stoke. Just 25p for 12 hours. Bought a copy of the NME to read, which was actually quite interesting for a change. Especially enjoyed an article on who will be the next Nirvana, which slagged off journos building up bands and knocking them down again!
Walked up to the Wheatsheaf, where things were in the setting-up stage. Approached some guy at the bar in the hope of finding somewhere to stay, but he said he wasn’t from Stoke but from Warminster. I said, “Are you with Citizen Fish?” to which he replied, “Yeah, I’m the drummer!” Wow, here I was, talking to Trotsky! The reason I didn’t recognise him was that he’s had all his hair cut off!
The next couple of hours were spent bumming around the bar, reading fanzines, drinking beer and chatting with various members of both bands. People started turning up at about 8.30, and it was reasonably crowded by the time the Victims Family hit the stage. Due to time restrictions, they played the same set as Newport. The sound was a bit too loud at the front, I thought, and I think some people may have found it hard to comprehend the Family’s little subtleties. It sounded better nearer the back of the hall, though. A couple of guys I was chatting with were dead impressed and a fair bit of merchandise was sold. I think the band enjoyed themselves too.
Citizen Fish came on and played a pretty good set, though I’m not a huge fan of theirs. Spent a fair proportion of their set chatting with Josh, sound man cum merchandiser for VF, and wrote out some questions for the band. Ralph was telling me he saw the Minutemen play on a six-band bill – all great bands but he couldn’t remember any of them! Probably five bands people in the UK would’ve died to see, and he couldn’t remember them!
Talked to the band about their friends Nuisance, with whom they hoped to do a split 7″, covering each other’s songs. This, I thought, would be a great idea and I hope it comes off. We all agreed ‘Big Sky’ would be the Nuisance song to cover.
After taking some photos, Citizen Fish wound up their set and much bartering went on at the merchandising table, which should keep the Family in Citizen Fish shirts til the end of the century (slight exaggeration). Managed to squeeze in a place to stay with the band, along with another chap, Rob, who had been to the Newport gig and was also going to Leeds. We all squeezed into a front room and drank some beer.
Entertainment was provided by Chong movie (or was it Cheech?) ‘ Rude Awakenings’, which was extremely funny, though due to overindulgence and a few sucks on a spliff, I remember little of it now. One thing I do remember, though, is the phrase “Ungowa” kept popping up in the movie, which anyone familiar with V.F’s 3rd LP will recognise – weird coincidence!
Not content with this, Bucky wanted some cartoons and was totally thrilled by Yogi Bear and Oggie Doggie & Doggy Daddy. I said to Bucky, who was getting really excited by now, “Are you serious?” but the look on his face said he was serious! Apparently, these are the cartoons he grew up on. These are the cartoons you can only see here on TV-AM! And I thought we had it bad here in the UK!
HOW HAVE YOU FOUND ENGLAND IN ITS TREATMENT OF BANDS COMPARED TO EUROPE AND THE USA?
Tim: England is nice. It’s sort of like the U.S. in the fact that people have to know a band before they come to the shows, it seems. The people rock out and move around, which is a good sign.
Larry: England seems to have the DIY aspect of Europe and the hype dependency of the U.S.
ARE THERE ANY ENGLISH BANDS YOU ADMIRE?
Larry: Citizen Fish and Herman’s Hermits.
Ralph: Yes, Citizen Fish definitely.
Tim: Snuff and Motorhead.
WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT HOME?
Burritos!
1994ever 