*Mirages – 14th January 1985

Dream? Or was it?
It climbed into the closet
Shooting unearthly discharges
The nightmare enlarges
Open up the door
It’s there for sure
But something is wrong
The creature has gone
A mirage or a dream
Things aren’t what they seem
The whiskey, somehow
Is empty now


The Week That Was

Record of the week: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Who’ll Build a Box for Black Paul?, Wasted Youth – Paris, France, Inca Babies – The Judge

14th January 1985
M: Got shit from Dave Gilby for not going to college. Feeling really tired. Did the usual things.
A: Piwi won’t be at work tomorrow so fuck knows what’s going to happen with just me and Martin there.
E: Went to Muz’s who’s being a shit again. Went to H’s. Dandy is one of my erogenous zones.
6

15th January 1985
M: Gilby reckons he’ll dock a day’s pay for not going to college. Having trouble with fucking hundreds of shortages.
A: Not much to do this afternoon. Wrote a good poem called ‘The Day The Apples Turned to Poison.’ Haven’t quite stopped smoking.
E: Had a bath. Missed the Old Grey Whistle Test. Pretty tired, 9.00.
5

16th January 1985
M: Got school bus. Had a laugh on there. Got bus to Poole. Got to plumbing an hour late. Pretty boring.
A: Had English (?!). Finished at 12.35. Had carpentry at 1.30. Managed to get out in time for the bus. Wayne wasn’t on. Caught bus from school. Dandy reckoned I could go swimming one day.
E: Pissed around singing. Went down Youth Club. Lost darts. Fuckin’ lost pool – played shit. Came back
6

17th January 1985
M: Fucked off with everything this morning. Dunno why. Seems like everyone’s getting on at me.
A: Things getting better this afternoon. Wrote some more poems at lunchtime. Fuckin’ cold on way home.
E: Gonna have bath. Had one. Night Court was on.
5

18th January 1985
M: Woke up 6.30. Snowing like fuck. Rung up work – said I wasn’t going. Went down Gaunts – came back when everyone got in a mood.
A: Went to Wimborne with mum. Pretty dangerous on the road. Got loads of sweets in town and some underarm spray.
E: Went out. Doddy and Scott came down my place. Did some pretty funny taping. Night Court was great.
5

19th January 1985
M:Got up 10. Went down Gaunts. Went down Sandpits with everyone. Fuckin’ good laugh going along the snow.
A: Came back at 1.30. Chain came off and got stuck. Pushed it back. Didn’t get in til 3. Had lots of food. Nearly fell asleep. Really tired.
E: Went to see The Void. Not very good. Ian got sick and cut his hand. Need a new chain for bike.
7

20th January 1985
M: Missed the morning. Got up at 12.
A: Had dinner. Went out. Went down Sandpit Hill. Fuckin’s till good down there. Met Dandy on the way. Managed to get a kiss from her.
E: Could hardly fuckin’ sleep. Couldn’t sleep thinking of Dandy. What can we do?
9

*Madness Of Insanity – 31st December 1984

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I’m not insane
Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
I’m not bad
Hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee
It’s not me brain
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I’m just mad
Ha ho hee ha

The Week That Was 1984 diary

Photo: original import sticker from Black Flag’s Damaged album on Unicorn

31st December 1984
See next diary

Live groups of 1984
Confessions of Sin
Cult Maniax
Subhumans
Self Abuse
Conflict

Live songs of 1984
Self Abuse – Loose
Confessions of Sin – Loose (esp. at Capones)

National Insurance No.
NP 30 09 66 A

Phone numbers
Julie Roberts
Paul Chambers
Andy Anderson
Justin Butler
Simon Bradbury
Dave Brown
Amanda Brown
Jane Seabright
Kathryn Smith
Zoe
Liz Jennison

The Week That Was 1985 diary

Allergies: DEATH

Records of the week: Ruts – Staring at the Rude Boys, Subhumans – Rats
Last song of the year: Cult Maniax – Morphine Mary

31st December 1984
Built a new reception area. Mr. Grainger’s being a cunt but I went at 4. Went to Houldey’s. Dandy and Beki weren’t there
5

1st January 1985
Got up 12. Not much on TV. Not done anything in particular. Cat’s still scared to come in my room.
5

2nd January 1985
Cleaned out the Mezz floor. Fucking knackering day at work. Went to Youth Club. Stayed by myself most of the time. Getting better at darts.
4

3rd January 1985
Cleaned out the Mezz floor. Ringo Chubb are playing on the 11th in Poole. Could’ve fallen asleep at work. Went to Houldey’s. Dandy didn’t seem to notice that I’ve changed for her.
6

4th January 1985
Cleaned out the Mezz floor. Fucking knackered. Moved all shit from Mezz floor. No Youth Club. Went to Muz’s. He’s still being a shit.
5

5th January 1985
Went to town with Mum. Saw Burdett but didn’t say anything to the cunt. He’s still one of the lads. Track’s iced over slightly.
5

6th January 1985
Got up 12.30. Did this and that. Hoovered my room. Went out – no one about.
5

*The Week That Was – 24th December 1984

Record of the week: Manitou (live)

24th December 1984
Met Bernice and Steph. Wandered around Wimborne and got cold. Came back. Not feeling too well. Felt like dying. Jim, Jez, Roo have betrayed me and themselves.

25th December 1984
DAMIAN DIED TODAY – R.I.P.
Went to Murray’s. His dad has borrowed a business computer – decent.

26th December 1984
Found out the bastards put my name in the paper.

27th December 1984
Pissed around at work. Everyone from Gaunts is being a cunt. Especially Murray.

28th December 1984
Played cards at work. Got letter for payments through.

29th December 1984
Got copying done. Went up to gig. Gave out leaflets. All groups were good, especially Manitou. Went back to Fog’s. Got back at 2.15. Went to sleep at 3.

30th December 1984
Got up at 12. Tried to start bonfire but it wouldn’t go. Will Damian never rest? Read a bit more of book. Went to sleep.

*The Week That Was – 8th October 1984

Record of the week: Black Flag – Keep It In The Family 12″

12th October 1984
Hinton Martell Youth Club. Murray and Graeme went down as well as B + B.

13th October 1984
Bennett came round. Gave me £10 to get fireworks. But I spent it. Bought Cult Maniax LP, UK Decay 7″, KUKL LP, Black Flag 12″

14th October 1984
Went to Wareham. Got my records back off Paul. He might come round next Saturday.

*The Week That Was –25th June 1984

Records of the week: Conflict – 1st side of Increase The Pressure, Minor Threat – Eps 12″, Major Accident – Massacred Melodies LP, Black Flag – Three Nights

25th June 1984
Got up and stayed in my room most of the day. Zoe rang in the morning. Got petrol in the afternoon. Watched telly most of the time. Rung Jez. Had a game of snooker which I won. Came back – watched Scully then went down track. Muz is giving me bullshit. I went to James. Had a chat with him and Greg. Watched Hill Street Blues.

26th June 1984
Got up late. Watched telly most likely. I haven’t been keeping up with the diary so I can’t remember everything. I think I went down to the track. Mum’s been going on about me getting a job. Getting really pissed off with her. Watched telly in the evening. Mum has found me some jobs to do tomorrow around the house. I’m pissed off. Watching the stars.

27th June 1984
Got up late again. Cleaned out the yard. Did the bricks. Fuckin’ pissed off. I keep playing Three Nights by Black Flag. Sieved elderflower. Had tea. Went down track. Pissed around. Built freestyle jump which is pretty good. Came back. Went to sleep. Working at Sharon’s tomorrow.

28th June 1984
Mum woke me up at 9. Rung Sharon. Went over. Cleaned windows. Went to Poole with Sharon. Then to Bournemouth and back to Poole again. Then back. Cleaned garage doors and racked up grass. (?) so came back. Had tea. Went down track. Went to James. He gave me money to get a video tomorrow. Went to (???). Came back with her.

29th June 1984
Went to Wimborne. Got videos. Went to Sharon’s. Did wallpapering all day. Got £4.50. Came back. Went down track.. Burd came down. He went to Wimborne. Went to James. Got wrong type of video so went back and changed it. Came back. Poltergeist – was ok in places. Pretty daft story though. Came back at 1 and went to sleep.

30th June 1984
Got up at 9. Went to Bernice’s. Got bus down to Bournemouth. Bern bought some shoes and dress. I got some records. Both Christian Death LPs are there. Saw plenty of people. Ran out of money so came back. I came home. Went down track. No one there. Went to James’s and had a chat with everyone. Came back. Watched telly for the rest of the night.

1st July 1984
Woke up at 9. Couldn’t sleep because of stomach upset. Took aspirin and went back to sleep. Didn’t get up til 1.30. Took dog. Went down track. Digging it all up. Everyone’s getting on each other’s nerves. Came back. Went back down again. I got my light smashed. Me and Murray are thinking of setting up a delivery service. Went to sleep.

*The Week That Was – 28th May 1984

Record of the week: Black Flag – My War

28th May 1984
Got to sleep at 4am. Woke up at 11. Watched telly. I got a bad back. Took Ben home. I was in bed most of the day. My back was killing me. Got better so went to Houldey’s. They were watching some pop shit. Beki and Dandy kept fucking going ‘Cor, he’s beautiful’ and all that shit. Came back. Watched Scully, Private Benjamin and Hill Street Blues.

29th May 1984
Woke up. Went to Wimborne. Absolutely no one there. Went to Houldey’s. Came back. Started more on the Beast. Went back to Houldey’s to get a rubber. Dandy wasn’t wearing much and I was trying not to stare. Came back. Did a bit of painting. The night has little in store. Got on with more painting – top Beast is nearly complete. Can’t remember anything else. Went to sleep.

30th May 1984
Got up 11. Decided to go to Wimborne in the hope of seeing Kathryn. Saw Liz, Wayne, Dodds. Wimborne is a shithole. So came back. Did more painting. Watched European Cup Final Liverpool vs AS Roma 1-1. Liverpool won on penalties. Andy rang, said Anti-Sect was off as the place got smashed up so they aren’t having gigs there. Watched Force 10 From Navarone. Sleep.

31st May 1984
Got up 12. Went down the track but came back. Did painting. Stewart rang and gave me a number to ring about a job. I rang – bloke wasn’t there – said he’d ring back – waited. Decided to go out. Went down track. Then up to Houldey’s. Beat Jamie at pool. Found out Kathryn’s number is the one I’ve got. Came back. Did more on painting. It’s now 1.30ish. Night night.

1st June 1984
Couldn’t sleep – was doing Rubik’s Cube at 3 in the morning. Got to sleep at 4. Woke up at 10.30 – feel knackered. Did more painting for a while. Went down track. It’s in a bit of a state after the rain. Went to Houldey’s – didn’t stay long. Running out of petrol. Came back. Rang about job again – he wasn’t there. Rang Kathyrn – she said Jamie was lying about her wanting to go out with me. Pissed off – so went out on common. Watched film.

2nd June 1984
Mum woke me up at 8.50. Went to get bus but the fucker didn’t come. Came back and did more painting. Got bus in the afternoon – met Sam Church – had a game of telephone numbers with her. Finally managed to get Black Flag LP at last. Fuck all to do in Poole. Plenty of nice girls though – but there’s no chance. Came back. (?) kids were following Sam on a moped. Dandy got on bus – cor. Came back. Black Flag LP is not as good as expected. Watched telly all night. Found some books to read.

3rd June 1984
Woke up 12. Finally finished painting. Thinking of a background to do for it. Took dog. Pissed around for a while. Went to Houldey’s. Went down track. Went up dump with Jasp and Muz. Me and Jasp started a fire – Muz bricked it home. We went back. I came back. Watched Spitting Image and (?). Pretty good. It’s 12 now so it’s tomorrow.

*The Week That Was – 30th April 1984

Records of the week: Birthday Party – Mutiny, anything by the Faith, Subhumans – Cradle To The Grave

30th April 1984
Managed to get up in time. Was doing Art exam all day. Turned out all right. Lunch – had a chat with Bernice cos her and Jim ain’t getting on too well. Flash in the pan. Put strobe back in the morning. Went down track. Jasper made a new bit. Paul Miller came down. Came back – did fuckin’ ace pic on wall.

1st May 1984
Fuck knows how I woke up today. Pissed around in the library in the morning. Did English literature exam. Don’t know if I’ve done well though. Thought I’d get letter but didn’t. Went to Burd’s. Went to club. Had a decent game of snooker. Came back.

2nd May 1984
I did it again. Fuckin’ got bored in the library. Nearly everyone was doing History. Clements had a laugh with me and Mini. Afternoon did typing exam – don’t think I’ve done too well. Showing photos around to everyone. Went to Burds. Went to Houldey’s. Shit(?) Martin up. Going to watch Love At First Bite.

3rd May 1984
Get to school. Fucking Maths exam was fucking bloody hard. Don’t reckon I done well. Pissed around at lunchtime. Went up the library. Got bored up there. Fuckin’ shit(?) teachers. Went to English. 4 people were there. Went to Burd’s. Rung Zoe there. Went to club, had a decent game of snooker. Went to BMX track. There’s a swing down there now. Went to Houldey’s. Made coffee for Beki. Muz left his bike there. HaHa. Drawn rose(?) on the wall.

4th May 1984
Got to school, did Maths – was easier than yesterday. Afternoon – went to Art for a laugh – did put(?) thing. Went to library but got bored after two minutes and went back to Art. Doubled up on bus, went to Jeremy’s, was supposed to stay but came back. Rung Zoe and had a chat. Watched telly. Went to sleep.

5th May 1984
Got up. Went to Poole. Bought Subhumans and Birthday Party. Still no BF. Got bored. Came back. Saw Simon in Wimborne so got off the bus. He was pissed off because he forgot to sign on. Came back. Pissed around on moped. Zoe rang. Had a depressing chat. Went down track then up to Houldey’s where Dandy was flashing her beautiful legs. Blah Blah Blah. Went to sleep.

6th May 1984
Woke up. Took dog. Had food. All the usual shit. Went down track, bust moped up. Went to Houldey’s. Told Beki and Dandy about Jamie smoking etc. Beki getting in a right strop. Watched Sugarland Express. Went to sleep.

*The Week That Was – 16th April 1984

Record of the week: Ian Dury – Sweet Gene Vincent, The Mob – Let The Tribe Increase LP, Self Abuse – Soldier, Sex Gang Children – Mauritia Mayer

16th April 1984
Couldn’t get to sleep. Only about 3 hours. Mum had a laugh at us sleeping together, stayed in bed with Zoe most of the day. We went to Wimborne and both spent her money. Met Jim who was looking for Bernice. Came back on bus. Zoe didn’t feel too well. Got back into bed. Jim came round. Took some photos. Sat and talked. Me and Zoe got up to things while Jim was singing the Jam. Still couldn’t get to sleep. Eventually did.

17th April 1984
Got 7 hours sleep. Mum came up to wake us up. Huh. Got up. Burd came round. Did some songs with drums. Rupe came along. Took some photos. Jim went. Came back in. Did this and that. Jim came back. Muz came round. Me and Zoe went into other bedroom. Them lot came in doing moonies. Zoe weren’t feeling too well again. Went down the rubbish dump – ‘ad a laugh. All sorts happened – some too rude to mention. Put on DOA.

18th April 1984
Got 4 hours sleep. Woke up Rupe. Watched breakfast TV. Woke Jim and Burd up who slept in the other room. Went out, took some photos. Took Zoe down to Bournemouth. She got on bus. Went back to Wimborne. Met Jim, Burd and Rupe. Jim went on. We went to Dan’s. Bernice ill. Met Jim again. Went to Dan’s. Went round Wimborne. Met this girl who fancied Roo. Hung a tampon on a tree. Pissed around (?) Rupert to this girl. Came back on bus. Really missing Zoe. Still got a buzz from the last couple of days. Had a chat to Zoe on the phone – both unhappy.

19th April 1984
Woke up 11. Played Zoe’s favourite records. Had an apple. Can’t stop thinking about Zoe. Took dog (for a walk). Did some art for my exam. Drew Zoe. Wrote a decent poem. Waiting for Zoe to ring at 6. 6.30 – she hadn’t rung so I rang her. She wasn’t there. Went out to play drums. Zoe rang. We talked for about 50 minutes. I was glad to hear her voice. Went to Burd’s. Roo was there. Went down bus shelter. Talked about the party. Rung Roo’s girl up – had a laugh. Came home. Played Mauritia Mayer and Christian Death.

20th April 1984
Woke up. Gave my mum card and presents. Read book. Ate food. Went to Houldey’s. They gave me some wine. Came back. Dandy and Becky came in. Then went. Zoe rang – thank god. I’m really missing her. Talked for a while. Went to Houldey’s later again. It was Mr H’s birthday today as well. Came back, put on Christian Death with strobe and Mauritia Mayer.

21st April 1984
Got up. Fucked around. Decided to go to Poole. So went to see Pam who’s doing alright. Saw Dusty. Went down Poole. Saw Justin. Saw Lisa and her mate – went to park to drink cider. Came back. Zoe rang. Had a chat. Can’t stop thinking about her. Went to Houldey’s I think, I dunno. Came back. Watched Woody Allen – fucking good film. Can’t remember anything else.

22nd April 1984
Got up – practised drums. Ate food. Rang Zoe – had a nice chat. Had a bath – I was smelling a bit, and went to Houldey’s – took Mauritia Mayer. Went down BMX track. Met Jamie and Burty. Went back to Houldey’s. Came home. Went back – cleaned Beki’s window. Took record back. Went down BMX – had a laugh. Bought some fags. Went to Houldey’s. Came back. Watched film. Made semolina. Went to bed.

*The Week That Was – 2nd April 1984

Record of the week: Minutemen – Politics of Time

2nd April 1984
Started off all right. Physics – was ok. Hayward nicked our lyric book. Maths – shit, did CSE exam paper. Lunch – fuckin’ cold, fuckin’ boring, fucking pissed off. H.E. – a bit better – me and Pete pissed around. Bus – can’t remember. Watched TV and that’s about it. Got letter from Zoe.

3rd April 1984
Feeling better today. R.E. – did some work – shit. Biz – Bell had a moan cos we did no work. Me and Burd nicked a book. This girl asked me out – I said no. English – ok. P.E. – decent game of football. Bus – put up PCH placade. Went to club – saw Burd. Went to Hinton Martell. Followed Kig (?) back to Wimborne – had a fag down the rec. Came back – put up PCH poster.

4th April 1984
H.E. – didn’t do much really. Physics – Hayward was in a good mood. He gave book back. Burd nicked a light thing. Moved the strobe to see if anyone notices. Lunch – fly by – kicked a netball about in gym. R.E. – did some more work for a change. English – read a play – fuckin’ good. Bern and Karen aren’t friends anymore. Biz – didn’t do a lot – something about spirit duplicating. Maths – fuckin’ shit. Langridge is a fuckin’ cunt. Bus – put up another poster. Practised drums – got some decent rhythms for PCH. Listening to Bloodstains. Doing some typing of PCH. Fucking knackered.

5th April 1984
Art – good laugh. P.E. – fuckin’ shit game of football. Lunch – can’t remember. Social Studies – ok, didn’t do much. Biz – Bell’s ill – got bored. English – did a play. Whole load of hockey teams came to Q.E. – not bad. This (?) is still on my back. Bus – can’t remember. Practising drums. Went to Houldey’s. Went to Muz’s. Went back to Houldey’s. Came back – watched telly etc etc. Can’t remember anything else.

6th April 1984
Assembly – fuckin’ yawn. English – did another play. H.E. had a laugh answering Pritchard’s questions. Maths – shit. Lunch – had a game of football and a fag. Art – spoke to Mandy. Used a typewriter. Quite a good lesson. Biz – boring. Physics – reading mags. Bus – ok. Practising drums – fucking good. Went to Shirl’s – got bass drum pedal. Went to Houldey’s. Went to chip van. Back to Houldey’s. Dandy gives me the horn. Came back – watching telly.

7th April 1984
Went to Poole. Muz etc were on bus. Still no Black Flag LP. Bought Minutemen LP instead. Got bored. Came back – 12. Practised more drums. Went to Wimborne on moped. Didn’t stay long. Came back. Watched telly. Played more drums. Went out on ‘ped again. Went up and down track – good fun. Watched TV rest of the night. Smokey and the Bandit Rides Again was good. Hand of Dracula was on – went to sleep.

8th April 1984
Got up. Got bored. Went to Simon’s to get records. Came back. Blah blah blah. Looking for something interesting to do. Zoe rang up, said she’d be coming down next Saturday. Don’t remember much else.