My Evening With Mike and Andy

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Lifeguard Sleeping

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I went to see Specter last night in New Haven.

I brought along my Rough Trade vinyl copy of "Hatful of Hollow" (not entirely sure why I chose that particular one) and a Sharpie®.

Oh, and my camera.

I went by myself because I had no one to go with.

Even though I got there on time, the opening act (the singer - and I suppose other members - of the Salford Lads, calling themselves "Sadie") was only in the midst of their soundcheck.

I thought I saw Mike Joyce standing in the back of the empty room, but I wasn't sure, since it was dark and I wasn't wearing my glasses.

So I went to the bar and ordered a vodka/tonic. I sat and stared. Then I ordered another one out of both nervousness and self-consciousness (I don't smoke, so I had nothing else to do with my hands).

Finally, Sadie took the stage. The venue is divided, so that the stage area is on the left, and the bar are is on the right. They're separated by a fence (you can't take your drink out of the bar area). After I finished my second v/t, I made my way to the back of the (still empty) stage area.

After a while, I got bored and I also wondered where the ex-Smiths were hiding. On my way to the bar to get a bottled-water, I saw them (and their singer and one other guy) at the pool table.

So I walked over to them.

I just stood there like a dork for a while, practically in Mike's way (he was shooting pool), then (wanting to put me out of my misery, I'm sure) he introduced himself. We shook hands and he even kissed my cheek. We partook in the usual rock star/awkward fan exchange before he slipped away to concentrate on the game.

Then I realized that I had been sitting next to Andy Roarke the whole time.

So the same thing happend with him: shook hands; kissed hellol; awkward exchange.

But since Andy wasn't doing much of anything, we got to talking. He asked me where I was from (I told him I drove 40 min. to see them. He seemed impressed) and we talked a bit about the opening band. Then I asked him about the state of affairs with Specter: they just wanted to get out and play some dates and see how things work out at this point.

We talked about his step-daughter back in Manchester, and we also discussed music for a while (he asked me about my last concert. I told him it was the Old 97s, even though I'm not entirely confident with that answer). He asked me if I had heard the Doves. I said no, but I hear they're pretty good.

Then I turned back into LAME-O FAN: I whipped out my record and Sharpie®. Grinning sheepishly, I mumbled, "well...when will I ever get to meet an ex-Smith again?"

I'm not even sure what that meant, exactly. But he was gracious. He signed inside the gatefold, over the window in the photo. Then Mike came over and signed it underneath his likeness.

Andy then (with my permission) did a bit of defacing which I will keep to myself, lest I start trouble for mentioning it.

Soon it was time for them to take the stage. I remembered my camera. More LAME-O FAN sniveling. I got a picture of myself with Andy, and another one, sitting between the two of them.

Afterwords, I whipped out my glasses and Andy asked me if I was near- or far-sighted. I told him near-sighted. So he asked to try them on. He gave me his to try on. We have similar prescriptions, apparently.

During the show I met a guy named Tucker. Tucker, if you're reading this, "hi!" So we hung out and watched the band together. They were pretty good. It was also announced at midnight that it was Mike's birthday, so they serenaded him.

After the show, I took Tucker over to meet Mike and Andy. After a little more small-talk and birthday wishes, I left.

All-in-all, a pretty cool evening.

Thanks, Mike and Andy!
 
That was perhaps one of the sweetest things I have ever read on this board.

Excuse me while I get a feather, the old vomitorium I stole in Londonium needs to be dusted.
 
> I went to see Specter last night in New Haven.

Hi Lifeguard,
I was also hanging out in the bar most the night,Met up with Mike + Andy had them autograph my "Meat is Murder" Japan copy and some postcards before the show + listened to them soundcheck.
I hope they get a record deal,And It was really cool to see both bands jump up on stage as the encore and belt out Shoplifters to the huge 40 people in the crowd!

Jeff
 
> Hi Lifeguard,
> I was also hanging out in the bar most the night,Met up with
> Mike + Andy had them autograph my "Meat is Murder"
> Japan copy and some postcards before the show + listened to them
> soundcheck.

I think I saw you - were you wearing glasses?

> I hope they get a record deal,And It was really cool to see both
> bands jump up on stage as the encore and belt out Shoplifters to
> the huge 40 people in the crowd!

Oh, indeed! The moment gave me goosebumps because I realized that was the closest I'd ever get to seeing "The Smiths" perform (even though I've seen Morrissey do some old Smiths tunes, it's not quite the same).
 
> Andy then (with my permission) did a bit of defacing which I
> will keep to myself, lest I start trouble for mentioning it.

Lifeguard, I'm SO curious... what sort of defacing did Andy do???
 
> Lifeguard, I'm SO curious... what sort of defacing did Andy
> do???

Sorry - can't tell. I know it was bi+chy of me to allude to it, but not reveal what it was...but I wouldn't wanna upset the ol' Mozzer.
 
> Sorry - can't tell. I know it was bi+chy of me to allude to it,
> but not reveal what it was...but I wouldn't wanna upset the ol'
> Mozzer.

great. you realize when moz reads this that he will probably be more paranoid letting his imagination run away with him on the possibilities of what it could be.
 
i love mike and andy, so whatever it may be, i wish the best for them.
 
> great. you realize when moz reads this that he will probably be
> more paranoid letting his imagination run away with him on the
> possibilities of what it could be.

but that's exactly the funny part.
 
> Lifeguard, I'm SO curious... what sort of defacing did Andy
> do???

im curious too, PLEASE tell all!!
 
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