Once again I braved the outside world and went down to that London to go and see No Cars. They were playing at Paper Dress on 14
th December. Here's what that venue says about themselves...
Paper Dress: Shoreditch's best kept secret - stylish vintage boutique by day, happening live music joint by night.
While I was prowling the streets trying to find somewhere suitable to grab a bite to eat, I walked past the venue but didn't go inside. Yes, it was a clothes shop, and when I looked through the window I wondered how they'd manage to squeeze any bands in amongst all the clothes racks. It is just around the corner and only 2 minutes walk from Cargo where Shonen Knife played their London dates last year.
After much aimless walking and having passed dozens of kebab shops and pizza takeaways, I eventually found somewhere I could sit down and eat and then take some painkillers. So, full of veggie bean burger, fries, lashing of ginger beer and some pills, I went to the gig.
The shop had been cleared and only one of the manikins was left in the window. The other ones had been replaced by a keyboard, drum-kit and speaker stack. Microphone stands were set up just in-front of this kit. A well stocked bar had been set-up along one side of the room and a couple of tables and chairs along the other side of the room and also at the back of the room. There were very few people inside, so I was able to get a coke and grab a seat right down the front of the room, near the mixing desk.
I needed to sit down. The what some would call “recreational” side-effects of my pills had decided to kick in big time, but at least I wasn't hurting. I may as well have been near falling down drunk, but I didn't hurt. Not good when I wanted to see the the bands playing and especially as No Cars would be on soon.
The first band on was Via Luminara. Four guys playing sort of “indie” music. The singer said that it was a rather unusual venue. He said it was well cool and felt rather like somewhere out of Twin Peaks.
They were pretty good if you like that sort of thing, but not really my cup of tea. One of the guitarists was very enthusiastic at times. It was now that I realised that I could barely see the drummer who was tucked away in the corner of the shop window, and, from where I was sat he was hiding behind the DJs kit. Damn, that meant that I'd not be able to see No Cars drummer either. But as he's a he, a bearded he, not a huge loss, but damn annoying. When the first band started playing, the room was rather sparsely populated, but gradually more and more people came in.
By now, I'm desperately trying to stay awake and also trying not fall out of my chair. Sometimes the painkillers catch me out like that, which is why I normally only take half of them.
There was a short break and then it was time for No Cars. By now the room was fairly full. The band came out dressed in shiny fluffy Santa outfits and floppy hats with a fluffy white “testicle” dangling on the end. Its that time of year again.
Someone else's pics. of the gig
www.wildblanket.com/Bands/NoCars/PaperDress/Page.htmlNo Cars began their set with that all-time classic, Check, check, mike check. Check check, line check. I was still a bit the worse for wear, so I scrunched the chair over to the side a little to get a better view of the stage area.
The first “proper” song was Cress. A song originally called Dress which was written for a fashion company, but they didn't like it. So she changed the words.
The “testicle” as Haruna referred to it during a break between songs, is the pompom on the tip of their pointed Santa hats. Then she laughed and said that the bass player is only young and doesn't know what a testicle is. She asked if anyone in the audience wanted to tell her. Silence.
Next came the wonderful song “Jap Trap”.
In another between songs break, the singer said that they don't celebrate Christmas in Japan like we do over here with all the celebrations and Christmas carols etc. She said that in Japan, they all go out and have a KFC as Christmas.
Next came a Christmas song, “Christmasu Bon Appetite”.
Then came “Northern Line”, a song about the London underground. I'd had to use the Northern line tube for a couple of stops to get to the gig.
Then I got it together to get my camera out and start filming them. Just in time for a lovely song called “Scrabble Mug”.
Next was “James Anderson Puppet” and a volunteer was needed from the audience to get beaten up on stage. James Anderson Puppet = JAP, a reference to racism and the fact that some people still hate the Japanese because of the Second World War. The bass player had a “rock chick” moment and kicked the drum-kit.
“Doh Ray Me Farming” (I think that is what its called) was next.
Then came “Where is David Bowie” along with a plug for the CD that they were selling. Their CD is called Yoko Eat(s) Whales. I've already got a downloaded copy of it, but wanted to buy a physical copy of it. Well, I think its great, so was more than happy to hand over some cash direct to the band for a copy.
Next up came “Sellotape”, but this time they'd forgotten to bring any selliotape with them – or any gaffa tape! Haruna did her famous flip during this song. It doesn't really show in my video footage, but she looked slightly pained afterwards.
Then all too quickly the set was over and they were leaving the stage. With a parting request for us to buy a CD.
After a few minutes pause to get up the courage to stand up, I lurched to my feet and crossed the room to the kawaii Bass player to ask her for a CD. Then I whipped out a pen and asked her to sign it for me. She looked slightly startled and then asked where I wanted her to sign it. I said anywhere, she could choose. Then she asked if I wanted the other members to sign it, she offered to go and find them for me. At that moment the singer came over and also signed it. When the bass player saw what Haruna wrote (in Japanese) she giggled and told me it was funny – but didn't translate it for me. At a guess, and going by her sense of humour, it's likely to be something rude or sarcastic or cheeky that she wrote. Surely it couldn't have been a marriage proposal, unfortunately I'm not that good at being a Jap Trap. ;D Then Takaco offered to find the drummer and get him to also sign it for me. She disappeared off into the crowd and a few minutes later came back with it signed.
While they were signing the CD for me, the girls noticed that I was wearing a Shonen Knife t-shirt. It was peeping out from behind a couple of layers of unbuttoned shirts with just a little of it on show. One of the new "Pankake Chan" design.
All of the above write-up of this gig is a very long winded way of me asking, “What did Haruna write on my CD?” Can someone translate it for me please.
No Cars album coverthe CD itselfThe next band on was called "The Future Shape of Sound”, a sort of blues band. By now the room was packed. Possibly partly 'cos it was raining outside and the gig was free entry. But most people seemed to like this band. Lots of dancing was going on, and three or four of the latecomers asked me what the band was called, as they thought that they were good. I had a bit of a mind blank going on and couldn't remember.