Sophia: The Scala – November 17th, 2004

Why?

I was seeing them a lot, due to connections (I was even in an occasional pop quiz team with two of Sophia, and one of Swervedriver) and this was as much a social thing as anything else, and a social thing where I knew I’d be seeing her.

Strongest memory of the show is that I’d grown a lot of stubble. I’d managed to burn the right hand side of my mouth with boiling water when checking if some pasta was done, and it left a mark.

Outside on the street afterwards, she wanted to see – and she touched my face. I felt like a teenager. I was 31.

High: seeing her.

Drinking: I was living a strange half-life of shandy at the time, but basically lapsing back…

Thinking: I have no idea what’s actually going on here.

Dirty Three / Sophia: Barbican – October 5th, 2005

Why?

Warren Ellis was starting to be a really big deal.

I might not have known the album they were playing, but I was going to go. And obviously, I knew Sophia.

I fucking hate the Barbican though.

Even when the sound is good, and the band’s amazing, it never feels rock & roll.

High: Warren.

Drinking: it’s all a bit blurry

Thinking: shows where you don’t know any songs and you’re seated just make you want to drink.