The Brewhouse- not the nicest venue for a gig. It is small and very dark with a scattering of white plastic garden chairs and a few tables that smash instantly as soon as the crowd begin to move. The stage is full of useless props like a chinese dragon's head and a plastic Statue of Liberty and the sound cuts out as soon as a certain, not very loud, level of noise is reached. Despite all this Neon Space Dogs sounded good- not their best, but good. A last minute sound check dcurred with only one actual member of the band. Jeff, the drummer, didn't finish work till nine and Simon, the bassist,aka. buzzard absurd decided not to bother putting in an appearance. Dave stepped into the breach and played all the bass bits that he knew and the drummer of another local band improvised the drumming. Simon didn't materialise all night and Dave valiantly went onstage in his place, after being taught the bass lines for the songs he didn't know ten minutes beforehand. A breathless Jeff arrived in his Sainsbury's uniform and went onstage, complete with brown tie. The set kicked off with Raw Fish, a catchy, poppier than most nsd songs, with the chorus line 'raw fish swimming in the sea/ raw fish staring at me,' one of my personal favourites, which can partially be attributed to Joel changing the line in a practice I went to to 'raw fish swimming in the seal emily is staring at me' being the nearest thing to a song dedication that I've ever had. Next up was Onlookers Looked On In Astonishment As A Brass Band With A String Ensemble Set Up Their Practice Space In My head, other wise known as ... Space In My Head and then Radio Buzzer, one of Joel's first creations which kicked ass even if Jeff did drop his drumstick and changed the speed. Mule, dedicated to Sam, as usual, was good, although Joel's vocals were1fairly inaudible with hita singing into his hair. This was also the last song that anyone jumped around to and I found myself alone at the front so promptly sat down cross legged.
Retarded Mr. Monkey (diminished responsibility for an entire human racel I think you'd cut your nose' off just to spite your facel how dare you tell me what to do or who I'm supposed to bel I'd tell you what I think of you but you never listen to me/ you think you're so superior to everyone you seel one day I hope you realisel you're just as retarded as me) went out to Simon, "our ex- bass player," with great vehemence. The set was somewhat stunted as two harder songs were then skipped with Joel and Jeff finishing the set as a double act, Dave sent with a round of applause, back into the audience. Oli (Wouldn't Share My Sandwich) which started with a drum intro got laughed at by two very stoned, overweight, middle- aged men which put Joel in an even better mood. And then came Hello Crow which is another fantastic one. It starts off with a solo bit of guitar, even if a bassist is present, with Joel plucking a few strings and singing in a nice manner 'hello crowl as you walked past my window nice day to see you smi-i-ile' and then rapidly descends into noise, very fast guitars and drums and shouty singing and then slows up again, only to happen all over again. All Saints' version of Under The Bridge sounds vaguely similar in the opening bars but Joel had this song penned before that was ever allowed to happen, not that I actually like the original. The set ended with Duo Sonic Dirt Switch, a song I've only heard in Joel's bedroom on acoustic guitar, but which is always nice to hear as he sprayed the title onto the back of a T-shirt he gave me. It has no vocals and gives Jeff a chance to go mental on the drums, again dropping his drumsticks. 'Jeff quit and Joel played on with his back to the audience, crouched down in front of the amp in his own little world of feedback bliss, oblivious to the surge of people going "eleven 0' clock- shit" and running to catch their buses. And that was that. Joel finished and looked like he was going to burst into tears, so I hugged him and then had to run for my bus.

Mini interview with Neon Space Dog`s Front man Joel James

Q.Who are Neon Space Dogs?

Joel James - Guitar, Vocals. Buzzard Absurd - Bass. Bud - Drummer extraordinare

Q.How did you get your name?

Inspired by my favourite film, Dogs In Space

Q.What do you sound like?

Punk infested rock. Heavy Guitar. Melodic Tunes.

Q.Where do you think you`ll be in five years time?

In love.

Q.What song do you have in your head now?

Uncontrolable Urge by Devo

Q.Do you like Gorky`s?

Not sure

Q.Why?

I`ve only heard one or two songs once or twice, but I definetely don`t hate them.

Q.What`s your favourite song?

One of my favourite songs is called 'Quicksand' by David Bowie from his 'Hunky Dory' album. I have to curl up into a ball and close my eyes when I listen to it.

Q.Kylie or Natalie Imbruglia?

Kylie first

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