Entertaining the riff-RAFA in Newark..
I’d ummed and aahed about heading up to Newark – a busy week left me tired, but probably infinitely predictably it proved to be a shrewd move. A blast up the A46 just after rush hour, a parking spot outside the RAFA club for a quid and the chance to show a bit of support for Brad Dear. What could be a better way to spend a Friday night? With the bonus of support from Troy Foster (and Dylan, I think) from Black Rose Garden and some band called Ferocious Dog, or at least a third of them.
Arriving early meant soundchecking was underway, Tina spotted us in the car park so we headed into the venue along with her and Tim. We’d not bought tickets as it was a last minute decision so paid on the door and into the very empty RAFA club – which has been running since 1989 raising vital funds for ex servicemen – a cracking little spot, a small stage, a bar and a surprisingly decent quality sound system (at least the end result was!) and an amusing mixing desk that looked like a gun turret.
First up were Troy and Dylan (I’m really sorry if your name isn’t Dylan!). Troy on vocals with an acoustic guitar and Dylan on a twelve string initially that sounded a lot more like an electric guitar. They opened with a cover of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here – one of my favourite songs, so always a good start. The combination of picking from Troy and more of the rhythm working well together. The next couple were original numbers which the titles evaded me – one involved the sun (or a son), the next one involved a school bus and saw the 12 string switched out for another electro-acoustic.