FILTHY McNASTY AT THE BRIDGE
The first time that Filthy McNasty played at the Bridge was outstanding. If I remember rightly the general dogs body and sound guy - Colin Barton - arrived with all of the equipment during the lunch time opening hours. Right off the hook I knew that this band was going to be great just by helping him get the gear into the Bridge. He had twice as much equipment as the other regular bands. Anyway, he is halfway through setting everything up when in walks none other than Manfred Mann's front man Chris Thompson, who proceeds to tell Colin that he wants this here and that there in between explaining that because of the shape of the bar and the position of the stage the sound will reflect differently than it normally would in a more conventional venue. So, of course everything was changed.
During this time CT had this striking young lady hanging on to his every move. At the time I had no idea that the lady in question was Stevie Lange, the very talented session vocalist, I thought that she was just another groupie. I found out about her vocal talents not long after when the rehearsal started. On stage with CT and Stevie were Billy Kristian, Mike Walker, Clive Edwards and Geoff Whitehorn with Colin Barton on the mixer.
The rehearsal was like a full blown gig, not just a few quick cords to adjust the mixer, but going through the whole set, not just once but twice. That's when I fell in that CT wanted perfection. I don't know whether Terry M realises it but I recorded the whole rehearsal, so there is a tape somewhere. The band finally took a break around 7pm to get a bite to eat. I think Rita M brought down plates of sandwiches and other goodies.
Someone must have put the word out because the Bridge started filling up very early. Lots of new faces as well as the regulars. I found out why at 8.45pm when Filthy McNasty took to the stage. The strength and passion that every band member put into the performance was amazing. After the first song Colin had adjusted the sound to allow for the packed bar instead of the hollow sound when the bar was empty during rehearsal. The whole set was just fantastic. My favorite that night was the Bob Seger cover "Fire Down Below".
More memories coming soon !!!!!!!!
The Crazy Englishman
