It was called the South Norwood Arts Festival. It was shortened to SNAF. It should then have been lengthened to SNAFU...! As you may have seen on the news page, one or two technical issues had to be overcome for the gig on Sunday, but I think we all really enjoyed it. The will-he-won't-he make it suspense of Chris Mayes' arrival, the why-won't-it terror of Bean's amp giving up the ghost, the what-on-earth when Mayes tapped on his RAT pedal to unleash a torrent of WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, the well-that's-typical of one of my sticks cleaving in twain during Lolita, the what-am-I-playing of James, unable to hear his bass...at all!

Well, whatever. None of it mattered really; people tapped and clapped along, we had a ball, and Bean got his photo with the local MP. Did he pull off the "shocker"? We'll post the photo when it's published... We also have some video footage, although quality control may be required - on first listen it sounded like everything was sung club-style and, in fact, we were unable to even identify the songs! If it's good we'll pop it on You Tube, if it's bad we won't, but if it's so bad that it's funny we might.

Thanks to everyone for coming and supporting a top local initiative, and well done to Jason and all at People for Portland Road for organising the whole shebang. Oh, and an extra special well done to the guys on sound. They managed to get a quart out of a pint pot.

Capt.