“Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” – Andre Gide
I’m selling EVERYTHING at This is Not Art zine fair on Sunday.
8th Feb 2024 – I loaded up the Toyota station wagon, clearing enough space to sleep in the back to save the cost of a hotel. It was a rough night but I was able to set up everything that I had in the tenzenmen distro that day. Maybe I even sold a few things.
8th January 2024 – Rich, I remember, was talking up Archers of Loaf but I didn’t know who they were at the time. He was also into Scrawl so he was already in the tent hanging out in the afternoon. I dug The Jesus Lizard on the main stage and correctly guessed that it would be less than a minute before David Yow had jumped into the audience where he may have remained for the whole set. Did I stay for Helmet? I should have. Watching bands on the main stage of a festival wasn’t fun for me anymore though. I was already preferring the more intimate surroundings of small/no stages in unusual places.
I didn’t bother with Rollins Band in the evening and enjoyed a final day of being with friends again.
8th January 2024 – I believe I must’ve seen Superchunk on this day but I have no memory. Otherwise, this would have been a day recovering from the night before and another night of drinking and dancing around the campfire.
8th January 2024 – I don’t think I made it to the main stage on this day though probably glimpsed it in passing. I do wish I’d been into Cypress Hill back then though as that would have been great fun. I do remember seeing Sebadoh though and Lou getting emotional and cranky, smashing his guitar. Courtney Love was looking on from the side and I think comforted him and I thought to myself, ‘Fucking hell, please stay away from Lou!’
What I mainly remember from this event was sleeping in the Mini van, with my legs sticking out the open doors as it was so small. I think I had stuffed a mattress in there. I also brought an extra car battery which I hooked up to the car stereo and extended the speakers onto the car roof so that everyone could enjoy Die Kreuzen at full blast whilst I drunkenly gyrated on the bonnet.
After the musical acts finished at the festival and people returned to their tents I blasted Church of the SubGenius tapes for the benefit of those passing by tripping out of their minds. This felt a little like my last hooray, hanging out and drinking and dancing with the Southampton crew.
1994ever 