UGLY KID JOE - Stoke Stage - 26th June 1995

This one was a bit surreal and I can't quite believe that we saw this at the Stage (UKJ had played Wembley Stadium with Bon Jovi for the previous three nights!) but this was a great night with a band whose songs I pretty much know all of as they only had a couple of CDs out.  The Stage was a packed sellout and strangely ended with someone we vaguely knew (Shane, the lead singer of local pub band Oblivion)  singing "everything about you" on stage with the band.  I also am enjoying the fact that the ticket says 'Strictly over 18s' when we were totally not 18 yet!  Not sure if there was a support but I can't remember one anyway!

 

MACHINE HEAD - Wolverhampton Civic Hall - 27th May 1995

 

Me and Ian (and maybe more) went to this one at the Civic and it was immense.  Burn my Eyes had blown my mind and Machine Head had become (and still are) one of my favourite bands.  Earlier in the day before the gig we lined up at a local record store to meet Machine Head and I got my Burn My Eyes CD signed and a couple of extra autographs.  Meshuggah and Mary Beats Jane (I bought their CD) were the supports.  I had never been in a crowd/pit like this one.  Definitely a show that sticks out as a good one!  I bought an unofficial shirt outside the gig and that has been to a LOT of gigs over the years. 

TERRORVISION - Aston Villa Leisure Centre - 19th May 1995

 

My first and only gig at the Aston Villa leisure centre (just up the road from Villa Park) to see Terrorvision who had become one of our favourite bands.  The venue was totally forgettable and it was amazing that so many big bands played at what was essentially a big sports hall!  Am trying to remember who came to this with me - pretty sure it was Crox and I remember Ian and his sister Kate being there too.  I don't really remember too much of the show at all (and we were not even drinking that night!).  Support was apparently from Love Hogs - no recollection at all so maybe we got in late - and I do have a plectrum I caught at the show from guitarist Mark Yates!

ACRIMONY - Stoke The Wheatsheaf - Approx May 1st 1995

 

No ticket or photos from this one and therefore having to guess at the date but we went to this I think based on a recommendation from Kerrang and it ended up being a great show in front of a pretty sparse audience.  Acrimony were from Swansea and played hippy stoner rock somewhere in between Cathedral and Kyuss.  I think it was Ian and Colin at this one with me and we ended up playing Acrimony's "Magical Mystical Man" in our Itch (our band's) setlist!  

THE OFFSPRING - Manchester Academy - 27th Apr 1995

My first trip to the Manchester Academy venue which is part of the Manchester University complex.  The Offspring were getting really big at this time as the Smash CD had just come out so this show had a bit of a buzz about it.  We went on a minibus with the Shavington lads so I think there was maybe 10 of us.  I can't remember who drove the bus but I'm pretty sure we were drinking beers all the way to Manchester.  I don't really remember the opening acts (Quicksand & Guttermouth) but I remember being up at the front and really enjoying the Offspring set.  I am not sure whether I noticed at the time but the ticket says over 18s only and I was only 16....

MEGADETH - Manchester Apollo- 13th Mar 1995

A monday night in Machester with Ian to watch Megadeth and Corrosion of Conformity.  In a change from the Pantera show we had seen at the Apollo before, the downstairs was all standing.  This was the Youthanasia tour suporting their new album so I bought that a few weeks before the show to learn a few songs as I didn't really know too much old Megadeth. 

SENSELESS THINGS - Keele University - 4th Mar 1995

This one was a memorable show if a little bizarre...  I remember getting to Keele and not even being able to find any sign that a show was even happening.  I believe we eventually found our way into the student union bar and eventually found the room where the gig was.  We got their early because I remember that we saw Minxus (although I remember nothing more about them) and AC Acoustics who I had heard of and were pretty good.  Even by the time the Senseless things came onstage I think I remember that the crowd was still tiny and we pretty much had free reign on the front barrier.  I remember the Senseless Things set was full of energy ( I only knew one song though...) and a good night was had by all.