...Return of the Boxhead...

A little update from our latest gig in Barnsley...

Before we start lets acknowledge that today is the birthday of Donovan, Sid Viscous, Dennis Bergkamp and some websites say Homer Simpson. Happy birthday where ever you may be.

Anyway, on with the storytelling.

Mabel Love 'survived' the Birdwell club this Saturday, we played a gig which was in memory for avid music fan Ben Clarke who sadly passed away on 13th May 2006. The event is put on by his wonderful family who really looked after us and aims to raise money for charities that were close to Ben's Heart. The Clone Roses headlined the show and we played main support, the gig was offered to us when a friend of both parties recommended us to play. Me saying we that we survived may be a little poetic but picture this, 4 Sheffield skinny lads in Barnsley on a Saturday night playing rather macabre tunes at a charity event, things could have gone wrong. But to be fair the 'big barnsley lads' were good with us, one even swaggered to the front to pick my bottle of water rather menacingly to only politely remove me the top and offer me a drink...bless!! We even got the place banging for about 3 mins when we stomped into 'Ha Ha People'.

Anyway, as the beers flowed and our confidence 'magically' rocketed so me and fellow prankster Dave Mitchell had a glorious idea. We were sat in the back stage area complete with 2 empty becks boxes which had been shortly before full of ale. It was then we started to reminisce about the good old times of box head in Gardenstown, Scotland. 'Box Head' basically involves emptying a box of ales by whichever method you choose, our case neck it, then you put two eye holes and a mouth hole in the front and then simply pop the box on your loaf. One then proceeds to prance around comically much to people's delight. (see top pic)

Dave then suggested I became old 'Box Head' once again for old times sake, so 3 holes later and a bit of gaffer tape I was transformed, at that point Dave remembered we are at a gig!! theres a stage!! and the Clone Roses are on revving up the crowd. He then proceeded to signal to 'Ian Brown' about me joining him for a bit of indie swagger dancing. Ian gives it the thumbs up and yells a reassuring 'sound man' and I'm on....

The only strange thing about the scenario is that no one from Barnsley thought that there was anything untoward about the whole event. Brilliant. In fact I think most thought it was part of the act.

I must point out that I am only following on from traditions of previous box heads before me, my mentor was a mate called Bermo who rocked Box Head at a Harrisons gig in Selby. Only difference is that he was totally naked apart from an apron and was holding a butternut squash. Also worth noting it was an under 18's gig. Legend.

Anyway the night was a success for Ben's family, no broken bones and a fair few heads in the venue and we got a good reception.

Regards

R x

...ML...