Entertainment For Lively Minds
Thank You Manchester Massive!
Posted by Grant on 6 March 2010 - 12:19am.
Just a quick word of thanks to all of you that gathered in the Britons Protection in Manchester tonight. It was lovely to get to chat to you in a very busy pub. I'm a little bit "tired and emotional" at the moment, so I'll post in more detail, tomorrow, but I think we can say that it was a success and yes, there will be others..May has been mooted for the next massive mingle.
See you all there, and again, thanks.
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Sorry
I missed it. Spent the fag end of the evening watching Iron Maiden and drinking red wine. Good, but not as good as the BP I suspect. See you all at the next one...
Surprising
how many ordinary punters seemed to look taken back when accosted and asked "are you part of The Massive?". I think we found everyone and thanks to Grant's organisation a great time was had by all. A big cheer to Mr 99% True John Naughton for being part of Mingle.
We were proud to have amongst us a member of the MMM who has, in his time, been able to out-lig the great D. Hepworth Esq. We will let the shy young man reveal hinself in his own good time, but it came up in conversation over the coming weekend's luvvie fest happening in the USofA.
Say no more.
Who....me?
Blush
Subtle hint
When you are watching the Oscars live* on Sunday or "taping" it on your V+ box look out for Liv Tyler. If she waves or blows a kiss at the camera you can be assured that it is aimed at tkdmart. That's all folks.
* bum. Just scoured the TV listings and nowhere can I see live coverage of the whole event. Sky1 seem only to be covering the red carpet gossip. Tools.
I made it!
I was double booked tonight, so to speak, but I skipped Coffee and after dinner mints and hoofed it across town in time to catch last orders with the Mingle. I missed a fair few of the North West Chapter of the Massive, including organiser Grant, but very nice to meet the rest of you and was regaled with a few good HORA's!
Hopefully I can meet the rest of you at a future Mingle.
Including the fascinating fact
that I sat on the seat where previously the lead singer of Crispy Ambulance had sat. I shall be dining out on that all weekend.
And before you sat down, did anyone shout...
..."You're going on after Crispy Ambulance!"
(Obligatory HMHB reference of course)
Sorry to miss it chaps - maybe the next one?
Sorry I missed you mate!
Promise to be less of a lightweight and stay the course at the next one!
Glad you all had a good un'
the GLW and I raised a glass or two at home wishing we could be among your number.Maybe next time.
Dr Volume I presume
Good night out and great to meet you all - my hazy head has finally cleared after 2 hours of Danny Baker's mind balm. A lot of great moments but Dr Volume's energetic entrance, the story that Beany has already alluded to and one that followed it involving Peter Stringfellow and Julian Lennon were all priceless.
Looking forward to Manchester Massive's Mega May Mingle in a few months.
Thanks again for your efforts Grant!
And
Michael Jackson. Easy to forget after so many jaw-dropping tales.
STOP PRESS: Currently on eBay. If I buy it will you autograph it?
http://tinyurl.com/manchestermassive
wow!
I don't actually have a copy of the 7 inch!
Fab!
Love the sleeve, entire 80s distilled into one image. The haircuts, white jeans, shiny Sax, palm trees in the background. Just missing a venetian blind.
Imagine if the band had made it big, the debate raging across the letters page of Smash Hits, who is your favourite one from Martin and Martin? Martin or...Martin?
Martin and Martin
Hmmm ... I like Martin but I like the other Martin too. Which ones the best? There's only one way to find out "FIGHT!
Anyway, the boys now have a page here - http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/martin_and_martin
Can we add any more to the discography?
Nevermind that...where can we hear it?
If you are wondering what we are on about, Massive blogger tkdmart is the one on the left. The record is on Hippodrome Records, Peter Stringfellow's record label. We were all impressed but not envious. That's because our enviousness (enviosity?) had been thoroughly drained by Martin's previous claims to fame. They deserve a thread, nay podcast, nay article, of their own.
Thanks
Grant for organising the inaugural Manchester Massive. Much appreciated.
Thanks for being there.
Am looking forward to another chat with everyone very soon. Now that the initial nervousness has been done with, it'll be good to further put the world to rights next time!
Nice pub,wasn't it? Good call Beany. Will check out some Stackridge as a result of your enthusiasm! Enjoy the Wigan beer festival.
Sorry TDK Mart I didn't get chance to chat more, sounds like you brought more than your a-game to the table! Next time,mate. Promise.
Hello to Katy P - good to talk about the Warrington "Scene"in the early 90's. Let's hear it for those Pop Will Eat Itself shorts!
Hello to MillyMollyMandy - my first Massive face-to-face contact and fellow Michael Franti fan! Was deeply impressed by your attendance at first WOMAD!
Thanks also to John N for his appearance, I think we all were hanging on his every word. It was nice of him to ask for our views on the latest issue.
Let's lobby for a column for Dr Buckles and organise a march for 6 music!
Again. Apologies for the early dart. Good times still to be had!
good stuff
in the immortal words of young Mr. Grace "You've all done very well".
Top Quality
It was a top quality night - a good pub and good company. It was great to meet everyone and thanks for organising everything Grant!
Looking forward to May...
Thanks Andrew
Glad that you enjoyed it, it was good to have you there. Onwards and upwards to May indeed, because there will be more and I've a feeling it'll be a lot more popular.
Hope all stays well.
What's
the date for May? I'll definitely be there..
No date as of this moment..
but I think it's safe to assume it'll be another Friday - 7th / 14th /21st / 28th.
Give it a couple of weeks and we'll float a few suggestions for a meeting date.
If you've a preference, let us know.
a question
having organised the first MacHeartland meet in December 2003 (the Horseshoe) I was:
a) nervous as hell that no one would turn up
and
b) scared of what might turn up
turns out only two peeps were up for it and they're both sterling chaps, guid friends now
did all you Manc Bastards (and especially you Grant) fear for: either no one or some freaks?
I find that when you meet peeps on't internets and chat for a while, you get exactly what you hoped for "In the Flesh" - decent people on your wavelength
I ken oor wee Weegie meet will be cool next Friday and I am so looking forward to it, VdGG disc for stuartpwilson in process, best of + goodies from Roxy Music ready for Senora Malo, owt else I can do for you folks?
Oops! I'm crashing yer thread again, sorry folks.
Crash away, JB!
Yes, I was nervous, a tad sweaty (the pub didn't help) and acutely aware of (sort of) being "responsible" for the meeting.
I've never done this sort of thing before ( and I've attended a sci-fi convention) but like you, believed that whoever likes the magazine, likes it for the reason(s) that you do and that can be common ground enough for a good chat over a pint or two. The banter on here during the days before helped to allay any concerns also.
The notion of collective goodwill is important, and it's that that a) makes this blog work and b) made last night work. Who wants to go and have a lousy evening out? You want to hear what people have to say, you want their opinions and you want to swap stories. We're all a little bit freaky aren't we anyway, just for doing this?
Last night was testimony to the power of this blog, the magazine that spawned it, and the people that read it.
I hope the Glasgow one goes well for you JB and maybe we'll meet up with you at some future event for a vigorous discussion of Sisters of Mercy B-Sides, Bruford's drumming on "Starless" and why you really need to give Whitehouse a second chance.
Let us know how it went!
Fear not James
After a couple of minutes trying to look nonchalant in a pub crammed with blokes, it was great to be able to wander over to someone I'd never met before who was carrying the all-important copy of Word, and say to anyone in earshot, "I'm with him ..."
Thanks for a great evening last night, particularly to Grant for organising it (and trying to keep us from straying, yet again, into prog territory). Had to leave at about 9.30, so missed what sounds like stunning revelations from tkdmart - a great way to ensure we turn up in May for part 2 (or a recap of what we missed).
It was lovely to meet everyone else, particularly Katy and find out that I'm not a lonesome NW female member of the Massive - and I'm well impressed by anyone whose life can accommodate ferrying children to Brownies and attending Gong concerts.
My sole pic is fuzzy and indistinct, but I think it shows, from the left, Beany, Andrew, Grant, Mark (Grant's friend) and Dave "Ahh..." Bisto:
Good luck in Glasgow, and don't be feart...
Thanks for the picture
yep, I'm still gloriously sweaty and unphotogenic!
Lost & Found
The copy of the Word with Noel on the cover (pictured above - with, brilliantly, 'twat' written in small leters on Noel's forehead) was still on the table at the end of night. Rather than leave it behind, I took it home with me.
If anyone would like me to return it to its rightful home, I'd be happy to do so.
And thanks for posting the picture Millymollymandy!
That was mine
and it was the GLW (not FPO, as she reads this thread) who wrote the "twat" on Mr Gallagher's forehead. I just thought it was an old copy that I didn't mind losing - if you've not got it-help yourself and hold onto it! I bequeath it to thee!
More photos
millymollymandy, Andrew, Grant, Mark, Ahh Bisto
with added KatyP, vinnell & Cat Stevens (far right). Lots more yet to arrive sadly not captured.
Splendid
splendid!
Thank you Beany.
Those are great photos of a great night.