The uncanny.

Robert noticed the following similarity between us and a "charting artist":




PS. We wrote ours first.

Back on the game.

After a brief haitus during which Lucy went on a boat, Robert came back to Telford, and I remained the Salopian constant, we've regrouped and started working on new material, the first for a long time. New songs currently in the works include a post-punk romp called 'Kill All Doubt' and a slowburning rocker called 'Eastern Promise, Western Compromise.' Hopefully we will be able to debut some of these soon. In the meantime Robert and I intend to withdraw money simultaneously in the hope that something magic will happen.


We played our first gig since August last Saturday, playing a lock-up party with the excellent God Damn (who feature two members of Your Biggest Fanclub). It was good fun, even if we may have been a little rusty at the whole live thing.

On Wednesday we had a band outing to the cinema to watch Easy A. I had a massive (and over priced) Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and Robert and I both picked up on what seemed to be a reference to The Room. "It's bullshit..." And on the subject of The Room, here's a lovely Kodak moment of Decadence in Berlin (and Mike) dressed to impress at the midnight screening of The Room earlier this month at The Electric:

Too tired to riot.

We all went to see Fever Fever play in Birmingham last night. Lucy took some photos. She always takes photos.

PROOF WE MET FAMOUS PEOPLE

Rob told a funny

But seriously, love to Fever Fever. Go buy their record!

Out of sight, out of mind.

Last week we played in London at The Enterprise in Camden. It was okay, nice to see some friendly faces. Cajole Cajole were on form as always. Robert and Graham bought pizza. I took a souvenir photo...

On the journey down, we were also accompanied by vermin.

More importantly, Monday saw our show at Alchemy in Wolverhampton where we opened the Out of Step 1st Birthday party. Above is the first sounds punters were treated to (Residents of Trench - failed percussion on the last 4 bars). We only had twenty minutes so we put our all into it and lived up to our previous Anti-Banter Band moniker. I even sang for the first time on stage. It was surreal, and a lot more intimidating than I had imagined. Thanks for clapping. Matt from Hot Club de Paris said we reminded him of fIREHOSE. Graham's flattered, I don't know what that means.

It was wonderful to catch up with our favourite Norwich trio Fever Fever, and Arthur, and their new sound guy who had a tattoo of Adidas minus one stripe (I feel like a complete cow for not remembering his name). Their sing-a-long set was completely wicked. I haven't danced so much since I went to see Panic! At The Disco in 2006 (twice). It was also nice to make new aquaintances with Aged Yummy (befriended on Facebook, which means we are now BFFs as apposed to acquaintances) and Men. If you haven't already, you absolutely HAVE to listen to Aged Yummy. They go in height order like ramma lamma lamma ka dinga da dinga dong.

All in all, a top night. Watch the related videos for more live treats from the bash, especially Joyous, who were a treat and provided birthday cake topped with Magic Stars (Daniel Findell is one hell of a cake baker). Kieran has sexy new hair which makes him look older too. Moving to London, getting new haircuts...what's next? Briefcases?

I broke my shoes but theirs nothing a bit of super glue can't sort. I love that solvent smell, I broke them on purpose. This week I will also be changing the skins on my drums for the first time since 2006 (it's all about 2006 nostalgia in this blog...) because it seemed we shared the stage with 6 metal bands...

Graham wore a ladies jacket and I spilt latté on him. He hasn't scarred, DON'T WORRY. He has also pur-chased a new Fender guitar which he wowed us with in London but kept it safe and sound in Trench for Out of Step.

Erm, Robert...
I bought myself a Fireman Sam outfit and bought some royal blue clothes for Robert to re-live the Postman Pat look (goodness me, royal blue clothes are SO difficult to shop for - it's as if the look below isn't fashionable...) so erm, I made him try them out for size. He said he looks more like Robert Winston as a Factory worker than Postman Pat. He also said i'm not allowed to put this photo online.

This/next Thursday we are returning to Actress & Bishop in Birmingham to support Violet Violet (how to generate a Norwich band name - think of a cool word and double it).
It's £5 entry which is WELL WORTH IT because Violet Violet are completely amazing.

Hope to see you there.

Kind regards/Many thanks/Best wishes/With ALL MY LOVE

Lucy Brown xxxxxxxxxx

Norbury Fields Forever.

It would seem Norbury Fields Forever is real, and really is something to get hung about.

Just the day before the event, the Facebook guestlist reached an astounding 200 attendees, which was REALLY EXCITING. So we were getting ready to perform at the biggest festival of our 'career' so far. The er, first and last. It seems 199 teenagers prefer bands, paddling pools, portaloos and Mr Whippys to Newport Show. Gosh.

Me, Graham and Gill (Graham’s sister, not Robert’s replacement) left for Norbury via Asda at around 2pm, spending a good 17 minutes or so buying strawberry cider (ONLY because it's a festival), melon and Gill's last minute tent (£7.50! Good lord).

I hadn't prepared for the blazing rays of sun, having been told at least 24 times before the weekend that it was forecast rain (by my supervisor who was jetting off to Tenerife at the weekend). I love to hear people brag, it's my fave. No, no...50 factor sun cream which I haven't used since my holiday to Egypt last spring was left drying up like a Nun on my shelf instead of offering me protection, like Pedro. I only burnt my neck (gosh, i'm so revealing), BUT STILL.

We erected our tents on arrival then went to "watch" Weatherbird, whilst Graham brushed grass off his tights and showed off his newly styled facial hair-piece. Weatherbird - think young Nirvana tribute band meets Kasabian. Erm...yeah.

"Lucy, can I wear my sleeves like this because it's really hot". "No, you look like American trailer trash". Graham continued to do this anyway. He's officially a proper legend, man.



After doing nothing, we watched Pre Sleep Monologue. They were very good, and had the happiest drummer i've ever come across. The only other band of the day containing a girl. Completely jealous. Ouch, competition.

At 7.00pm we graced the stage, with Robert only arriving 10 minutes beforehand (I know right, so mental). We got crowds of screaming teenage fans for meters (two). It was the most fun! Robert did a brilliant tortoise impression during Gothic Dive-Bar Rag by lying on his back and kicking his legs in the air. IT WAS PRETTY DAMN CRAZY. Then I broke my bass drum pedal because i’m really quirky, and Graham spent the whole time impressing the teenagers with his facial hair/masculinity.



After us was Is This Paris? They were so completely amazing. I’m full of jealousy at their musical talent. Charles switched between accordion, autoharp, piano and harmonies, Dan is the mastermind front woman who lives by his title oh-so-well, Alex (bass) is so metal his fingers bled, and Joscelin is the next Vanessa Mae (although male, and not of oriental origin). I played drums for them after two practices since February and it went surprisingly well CONSIDERING. Then came Cajole Cajole – they’re completely wicked. Haircuts to make Graham envious, catchy songs and an embarrassingly talented drummer. Following that, Lady Fortune – the best thing to come out of Telford since erm...oh wait?

Camping always seems like a good idea, but never is. MOTTO.

Overall a top day. Holding out for NFF11.



In other irrelevant news, me and Graham went to see The Carpels/Bronze Medals/Tantrums/Scarlet Harlots last Wednesday at the Bulls Head in Moseley, completely missing The Carpels and Scarlet Harlots because of rising tiredness levels, but you should listen to Bronze Medals because they’re the best Birmingham band I saw last week. And listen to Tantrums’ brand new EP ‘Champloo’, IT’S WELL WICKED. Although it didn’t get a particularly good review in Artrocker. Until now, I would say Artrocker don’t know anything, but on the opposite page was the best single of the week they’ve ever published. As if I could write a blog without mentioning Fever Fever. Buy Monster and make them more famous.


This Friday we play our second ever show in London! This time in Camden at The Enterprise. On stage at 10.10pm...it would be amazing to see YOU. We’re excited. ALSO, Cajole Cajole are playing too! Which is pretty CRAZY.


Lastly, cannot wait until next Monday! We are playing the Out of Step First Birthday show at Alchemy Bar with Hot Club de Paris, Men, Holy State, Fever Fever, Joyous and Aged Yummy. It’s going to be mentalz. Word on the street – it’s Joyous’ last show in their home town of Wolverhampton for a while because they’re moving to the Big Smoke to MAKE IT BIG TIME.


Yours sincerely


LB. x xxx x x xx x x

Let me take you down...

We're going to be playing at this awesome little festival on Saturday. We are very excited. We will be playing at around 7pm. Come camp with us, drink some beers, and sing/dance/freak-out to a fantastic array of acts from around the region.

More info on the facebook event page.

Would you have liked a present too?

Tickets are now on sale for this exciting show, which sees us play alongside a whole host of amazing bands from around the country. I still can't quite believe we have been asked to play! Not only are Hot Club de Paris topping the bill, there will be performances by Holy State (of Holy Roar records fame), Men, the ever-lovely Fever Fever, Aged Yummy, and good pals Joyous. Tickets are available now at £8 (a steal!) from We Got Tickets, so make sure you get on the case and come on down for this one, it's not to be missed. And if you want to get yourself in the mood you can download both Aged Yummy and Men's albums from BandCamp! What are you waiting for?!

Aged Yummy - Pacific Reactions

Men - Everything So Far

Also, for those of you who check the Out of Step blog often (like myself), you may want to note the change of URL - they are now found at http://weareoutofstep.blogspot.com/

Thankyou please.