2009-01-09UTC06:15:59BumsStayed a few minutes late to fix something fairly urgent at work, and so I missed my lift and then I realised that fix had probably broken something else, so fixing that I just missed another train and now I've hit the HOUR gap between trains. Stuck ... 2009-01-06UTC07:37:30Nickelback Platinum Pit ticketsInteresting what Nickelback are offering on their current tour, no champagne reception like Elton John did, but this is more what the rock fans would expect I think. The corporate rock fan with a few hundred quid in his pocket anyway, this is the kin... <br /><a href="http://www.clarkeology.com/m/11942/Nickelback+Platinum+Pit+tickets">Rated 5.78/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2009-01-06UTC02:13:44A new two for one offer from Pizza Express; this time the most expensive one is free!See this Pizza Express site... if there are four of you you can use two vouchers, AND you can use the vouchers at the weekend! The only negative thing here is this mean's it'll be harder to get the best table on Saturday :-( See you there...... <br /><a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com/m/11939/A+new+two+for+one+offer+from+Pizza+Express%3B+this+time+the+most+expensive+one+is+free%21">Rated 5.07/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2009-01-06UTC09:02:57Ian Cognito for Lone Stary Comedy club in JanuaryAnd it's back at Lanterns! And it's pay day! Ian Cognito headlines, here's the (nearly) full lineup:Tom Price is a British Actor and one of the stars of the Five Comedy show Swinging. He has also appeared as police officer PC Andy Davidson in a numbe... <br /><a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com/m/11936/Ian+Cognito+for+Lone+Stary+Comedy+club+in+January">Rated 3.57/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2009-01-05UTC07:29:42We got snow this morningWasn't expecting that at all, looks lovely but not so helpful for our first day back at work of the year. Just seen Clare off to the station, she's shuffling carefully towards her train right now and hoping it's on time. It's apparently not going to ... 2009-01-04UTC07:56:04RE: Haha nice one, have you scanned in all your tickets?i did - apparently i only went to the hammy odeon 6 times ;)i was bored one day just before xmas so got the plastic bag out and sat there all day scanning them ;)mrlk.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/brixton-academy-concerts-and-gigs/mrlk.wordpress.com/2008/... <br /><a href="http://www.clarkeology.com/m/11930/RE%3A+Haha+nice+one%2C+have+you+scanned+in+all+your+tickets%3F">Rated 3.57/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2009-01-02UTC10:42:29Looking for familyI am looking for any of my family!!! My father Robert Lee Clarke was born in new york and passed away when i was a child all i know is that he had a sister named May Lee Lynch and she was living in upstate new york in the 80's and may still be there ... 2008-12-31UTC02:21:11So long AstoriaCatching up on what friends have to say, and I find out from Darryl that there is a closing date for the Astoria, LA2, and Metro. The sites of some great gigs, key moments of my time in London probably. A shame. Think my first time there was to see U... <br /><a href="http://www.clarkeology.com/m/11915/So+long+Astoria">Rated 5.07/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-12-31UTC10:41:50Another barney in Fareham, tskSomeone's finger bitten off this time, at Stubbington snooker club. This follows hot on the heels of the metal chair to the face. They know how to celebrate christmas down your way don't they?... 2008-12-30UTC05:35:45Dismantling an Omega pool tableIt's maybe time to get rid of the pool table, or at the very least store it somewhere, we kind of need the room... Only one question, HOW ON EARTH do I get it out of the flat? It's too heavy to move, adn too big to fit out the door. I know it arrived... 2008-12-30UTC03:51:05Punch up at the SeagullI used to work in this pub, so did some chums of mine, at least one who reads this blog. My runner up memory of this place is happy times working in the bar there (after leaving The Harbour Lights but before heading off to do the BTEC with Nixdorf), ... <br /><a href="http://www.clarkeology.com/m/11911/Punch+up+at+the+Seagull">Rated 5.07/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-12-29UTC06:05:50Lovely christmas, where is the time going?Went to my folks, nearly four days but it rushed by like nobody's business. Christmas eve in the Red Lion in Fareham disappeared in a flash too, didn't even get round to speaking to everyone. Shame it's so infrequent that we meet up. Great christmas ... 2008-12-23UTC07:46:02December newsletter from the George in RyeSounds great!We're looking forward to welcoming many of you to The George in Rye at Christmas time. If you're not staying but would like to come to Rye over the festive season, do pop in for a drink. Rye is great for last-minute Christmas shopping - ... 2008-12-22UTC03:14:51Red List / Zoo9 / Sellindge Music FestivalAn anti-press release from Sellindge Music Festival! Probably best to get some bands on board and send out some info about who is playing your festival, rather than just going on about someone else's festival. Good to point this out though, Zoo8 was ... <br /><a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com/m/11898/Red+List+/+Zoo9+/+Sellindge+Music+Festival">Rated 3.57/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-12-22UTC01:40:04A Christmas of sorts, and why doesn't the Whole World Cafe want customers?Friday, got properly into the Christmas season, went to "A Christmas Of Sorts" at the Whole World Cafe, and it was brilliant! Was not quite sure what to expect from the gig before hand, but it really was ace, if you get the chance to see [google=carn... <br /><a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com/m/11895/A+Christmas+of+sorts%2C+and+why+doesn%27t+the+Whole+World+Cafe+want+customers%3F"><img alt="A Christmas of sorts, and why doesn't the Whole World Cafe want customers?" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2580400301_d2b526002b_m.jpg" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com/m/11895/A+Christmas+of+sorts%2C+and+why+doesn%27t+the+Whole+World+Cafe+want+customers%3F">Rated 4.29/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-12-20UTC10:12:13RAINEYRe: RAINEYhi - I'm Des Rainey, Auckland, NZ - I relate back in time to the Samuel Boyd Clarke who left Kilrea and went to Canada. I have a sister Eileen but don't know if this is the same Eileen already in the Clarke family tree ore a new one!!!! An... 2008-12-18UTC09:10:09Elton John support actsElton John has announced his support acts for those new years shows at the O2, they are Will Young, X Factor Winner Alexandra Burke, The Overtures and Sealife, plus Heart DJ. Never mind though, you should still buy tickets if you have not already.Elt... <br /><a href="http://www.clarkeology.com/m/11882/Elton+John+support+acts">Rated 5.78/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-12-17UTC08:08:21The Light Before Christmas (win a Wii)As the days get shorter and the evenings darker, the Light Before Christmas prepares to illuminate Folkestones Creative Quarter.Saturday the 20th December will see an illuminated procession through the streets of Folkestone, down the Old High Street ... 2008-12-16UTC06:21:05Tour of the day - The Wedding PresentI had heard they were back together (ie David Gedge was playing under the name The Wedding Present again), this is great! And of the three dates confirmed for the new year, one of them is in Portsmouth... can't remember if I have ever seen them at th... <br /><a href="http://www.clarkeology.com/m/11877/Tour+of+the+day+-+The+Wedding+Present">Rated 6.38/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-12-12UTC11:39:14The Sandgate Hotel sold againThe Herald reports that it's been sold again, they're guessing for 900k this time, wonder if the new owners will be able to make a go of it. I hope so, it's a nice place. It's not Gordon Ramsay who's bought it, hope the new owners don't have another ... <br /><a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com/m/11853/The+Sandgate+Hotel+sold+again">Rated 5.14/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-12-12UTC09:09:23Yes I have considered themI think Richy has one doesn't he? I like the idea but it seemed a bit pricey at the time, I was hoping I could cobble something together with even cheaper bits. I really like the itunes interface too so would quite like to keep that. Might well end u... 2008-12-09UTC03:34:53Wooha Blur reunion! (Blur tickets)Blur reunion! They're back, playing Hyde Park on the 3rd of July, and possibly possibly Glastonbury too. Not that we will be going... Get tickets here (for Blur, not for Glastonbury).Blur 02/07/09 Hyde Park Blur in London 02/07/09 &pound;70.40 Hyde P... 2008-12-09UTC07:19:59Remember: Eurotunnel is not as good as you think it is going to beHad a nice weekend in Lille, marred on the way home by a Eurotunnel delay. We were meant to be on the 10pm train home last night, and there was a twohour delay for some reason. No explanation, just an automated message when you are queued up in your ... 2008-12-03UTC02:01:28Bumping into friends in LondonKERRAZY, went to London last weekend and it was smashing, and we bumped into good chums Ralph and Linda and baby Astrid in GAP, what are the chances of that? OK, we had already arranged to meet up with them earlier that day at Pain Quotidien, which w... 2008-11-26UTC05:31:18Getting the weekend lined upOff to London, lunch in Wagamama, tea in Pain Quotidien, and no time for actual christmas shopping at all, SMART!Off to Munich in January too, me, on a business trip, whatever next! I can take my new business cards along and look at them and stuff.... 2008-11-26UTC09:02:05Lone Star Comedy, now with added German standupThe line up consists of Henning Wehn, Liam Mullone, Jim Smallman and a newcomer’s act.Henning Wehn is the German Comedy Ambassador to the UK. He calmly and clinically debunks the idea that Germans do not have a sense of humour.Henning does this by ... <br /><a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com/m/11755/Lone+Star+Comedy%2C+now+with+added+German+standup">Rated 3.57/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-11-19UTC12:58:56RE: Westenhanger castle is now a member of the HHAWestenhanger Castle is open to all members of the public on Tuesdays between April and September. These 'days' are run by volunteers of the castle, therefore it is not possible to open at other times of the week or year. Updated opening times and ent... <br /><a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com/m/11696/RE%3A+Westenhanger+castle+is+now+a+member+of+the+HHA"><img alt="RE: Westenhanger castle is now a member of the HHA" src="http://www.westenhangercastle.co.uk/Gallery/phase6/images/DSCN0022-19.jpg" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com/m/11696/RE%3A+Westenhanger+castle+is+now+a+member+of+the+HHA">Rated 5.28/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-11-14UTC02:54:07Something to push my desperate ticket touting from the top of the blogTerrible day of trains yesteray, have been training it in most of the week as my friend and neighbour who gives me a lift in has been off. Yesterday, morning train in CANCELLED! Started walking to look for a bus with a fellow commuter, and luckily we... 2008-11-10UTC08:06:35NME Big Gig 2009 / The Cure support actsLine up according to various sources (including last.fm) is The Cure, Justice, Foals, and Crystal Castles so far. The supports don't seem up to the standard of last year at the moment.Kaiser Chiefs in Paris 27/01/09 &pound;82.50 Le Zenith - Paris Kai... <br /><a href="http://www.clarkeology.com/m/11690/NME+Big+Gig+2009+/+The+Cure+support+acts">Rated 5.78/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-11-09UTC02:03:07If you google for Kaddy Lee-PrestonYou are instantly served up a picture of me, lovely... That's my all time most popular picture on Flickr, just browsing my stats. Here's the rest of the top ten, with their number of views. Kaddy Lee-Preston and me (4,578)music quiz* (3,106)Jellyfis... 2005-11-04UTC04:10:38Old Trafford Cricket GroundPlus <a class="wiki" rel="tag" href="http://www.claremahon.com/suede">Suede</a> and <a class="wiki" rel="tag" href="http://www.claremahon.com/divine+comedy">Divine Comedy</a>. It booted it down with rain, but we had a great time.2008-06-24UTC07:08:28Camden UnderworldFrom the brief time when I preferred them over <a class="wiki" rel="tag" href="http://www.claremahon.com/the+darkness">The Darkness</a>...2008-06-10UTC12:40:26AstoriaNot 100% on the date, but we saw this band here around this time... Were you with me? When was it? <br /><a href="http://www.claremahon.com/v/95/Astoria">Rated 5.07/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2005-11-11UTC02:00:35Water Rats TheatreFirst time I saw them, at <a class="wiki" rel="tag" href="http://www.claremahon.com/uncle+bob%27s+wedding+reception">Uncle Bob's Wedding Reception</a>.2006-03-22UTC11:39:10KokoOr some band connected with them. They were dressed as KISS I think, did they do KISS covers too? Was this the band that Chris Dale from Atom Seed was also in? Two gigs in one night, very drunk by the time I got to this one...2008-06-16UTC06:22:18Barflyand Alfie, Barfly sessions daytime thing recorded for TV. Can't remember if I stayed for Idlewild in the evening.... <br /><a href="http://www.claremahon.com/v/115/Barfly"><img alt="Barfly" src="http://www.clarkeology.com/blog/upload/barflylondon.jpg" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.claremahon.com/v/115/Barfly">Rated 4.71/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2009-01-03UTC03:22:13Mean FiddlerThink I was at <a href="http://www.clarkeology.com/m/6583/When+I+am+sad+and+weary%2C+and+all+my+lunch+is+gone">this</a> anyway, lunchtime gig for Japanese TV, did a few of these...2008-06-10UTC12:40:26AstoriaLunchtime recording for Japanese TV <br /><a href="http://www.claremahon.com/v/95/Astoria">Rated 5.07/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2008-06-10UTC12:38:46The GarageI think this is the last time the keyboardist took her top off on stage.2008-06-10UTC12:40:26AstoriaNME Brats show? Plus Octopus, Mundy and Stereophonics again apparently. Must have been a week of gigs around this time.<br /><img src="http://www.ibizaa-z.com/misc/tickets/lightningseeds_astoria_1997.jpg" /> <br /><a href="http://www.claremahon.com/v/95/Astoria">Rated 5.07/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2009-01-01UTC06:49:15Tunbridge Wells ForumMy favourite band of the time, one of my few visits to Kent "before". <br /><a href="http://www.claremahon.com/v/2369/Tunbridge+Wells+Forum"><img alt="Tunbridge Wells Forum" src="http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~twforum/theforum.jpg" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.claremahon.com/v/2369/Tunbridge+Wells+Forum">Rated 4.07/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2005-11-12UTC05:29:31ForumTwice in one week? A friend at the time liked them... <br /><a href="http://www.claremahon.com/v/98/Forum">Rated 2.57/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2005-11-11UTC10:13:44The National ClubWas it Sigur Ros supporting at this one? Just around the time I moved to London, was this really my first gig of that era?2008-05-20UTC06:34:24Reading FestivalMy first gig with nme.com, I started work there that weekend. I left part way through the worst ever Stone Roses performance (OK, the only time I saw them).... 2005-11-13UTC05:11:46The JoinersI saw them in Manchester around this time too, maybe at the Night and Day?2005-11-13UTC05:11:46The JoinersSee that, five in a row, Perfume, Thurman, Fluffy, Gouge, Longpigs. At the time I thought what a GREAT time this is for music.... 2005-11-13UTC05:11:46The JoinersAll girl rock, loved them at the time, they basically played gigs in their pants2005-11-13UTC05:11:46The JoinersBritpop, I thought they were the greatest at the time but it's not all aged well2005-11-13UTC05:11:46The Joinersplus <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/tag=clarkeology-21#&amp;mode=blended&amp;keyword=the+bluetones" title="Amazon: The Bluetones">The Bluetones</a>, a great gig, at a great time.2008-06-14UTC11:20:34The Wedgewood RoomsVery poor this time round. <br /><a href="http://www.claremahon.com/v/2103/The+Wedgewood+Rooms">Rated 6.38/10</a> on <a href="http://www.folkestonegerald.com">Folkestone Gerald</a>2005-11-09UTC06:03:15Poole Arts CentreAgain, with <a class="wiki" rel="tag" href="http://www.claremahon.com/pantera">Pantera</a> this time.2005-11-12UTC03:10:50Portsmouth GuildhallSecond time seeing them here, <a class="wiki" rel="tag" href="http://www.claremahon.com/sinead+o%27connor">Sinead O'Connor</a> was there too.2005-11-09UTC06:03:15Poole Arts CentreFirst time I saw them. Just caught up with a friend who was there too (and who I'd not seen for over ten years, he says Alice In Chains opened, followed by The Almighty at the Poole Arts Center gig '91 (if I remember correctly)... 2005-11-23UTC04:31:04Brixton AcademyPWEI, plus my favourite band of the time Atom Seed.... 2005-11-14UTC05:11:12The PitMy favourite band of the time playing at the club I used to go to every week anyway, not bad... The Pit is now part of a bingo hall.2007-08-16UTC07:59:01The MarqueePlus my first time (of many) of seeing <a class="wiki" rel="tag" href="http://www.claremahon.com/atom+seed">Atom Seed</a>, and a couple of other bands. Happy new year!2005-11-05UTC02:58:50Portsmouth PolytechnicFirst time they visited WITHOUT <a class="wiki" rel="tag" href="http://www.claremahon.com/nirvana">Nirvana</a> in tow, just my luck...2005-11-12UTC03:10:50Portsmouth GuildhallWas this the time I threw my pants at the stage?