Disco Bingo Pogo Radio

I can’t really remember what order any of the following happens, but at some point we make a fleeting visit to DISCO BABYLON, aka Pumping Iron at Common. This night needs a dancefloor, the music is amazing. Got a venue? Enquire within! Then it’s Off The Hook 3, the best of the Hooks to date where I play the ‘gig’ of my ‘career’. Ha. No seriously, I’m dead pleased with myself, I am now resident DJ along with Mr Anthony Crank, the crowd are amazing and totally up for it. Here’s some of what got played. At some point I play a special birthday mini-set for Polly Esther’s birthday spesh at Trash-O-Rama too, who are squatting like lovable new wave rugrats in the basement of the monthly Bollox at Legends. Performance! Punk! Pissy lager! Party people! At some point I take a serious hangover to Mother’s Ruin Bingo Night at the Green Room, hosted by Timberlina and Mrs Barbara Nice. Complete laugh. I win TWICE (multi-pack of Cadburys fudge, pair of stencilled knickers in a jar). The night finishes, as so many do these days, at The Eagle, where myself and my friends behave deplorably. I mean, they ought to take the vote away from us, and if I’d stuck to my original intention to keep this blog anonymous, I could tell all. As it is, you’ll have to wait for court transcripts.

Bingo!

I attend the Rambert Dance Company’s 'Awakenings' at The Lowry, my first contemporary dance experience, and it’s fantastic. I take part in a writing workshop about it where I write a very short story on the spot which I’m quite pleased with. A couple waiting for a train become dancers on a stage, the train tracks become the orchestra pit, the rumble of the oncoming train is the orchestra tuning up. I The wonderful Dave Haslam takes me to see The Vaselines who are terrific, part humble indie, part stand-up comedy routine. New album Sex With An X is a gem, ‘I Hate The 80s’ is riding high on my songs of the year. We go backstage and talk about Butthole Surfers. Eugene gives me a beer. I am quietly starstruck. My parents have been married for twenty-five years! Silver Wedding Anniversary! We have a party which is great fun. I appear on the radio for the first time, doing a queer arts rundown on Crank’s Gaydio show. Amazing month. Stay tuned for more ...

The Vaselines @ Deaf Institute

Hunx And His Punx played @ The Corner in Manchester in April

Hosted by the excellent disco dolls at Pumping Iron. The night was utterly sticky 'n' mental. Here are the snippets that survive ... (photos by myself and Mr Thom Docking)


'I don’t think he’s gonna miss her
Cos I’m a really good kisser'



'Give me back my jacket, I only have five outfits for the whole tour!'
'It looks better on me!'



'Why are you West Coast kids always so into downers? You sound like punks but you're really just hippies. This is Manchester, we're all about the uppers, baby'



'Got To Be Real' by Cheryl Lynn



'Oh my god let's fuck'



'Would you spit on it?'




'You like Morrissey, you like U2,
What the fuck is wrong with you?'



'It's like like The Ramones teaching Martha Reeves and the Vandellas how to fist each other'




'I think we're sleeping in some kinda deaf institution?'



'I don't mind you guys standing on the tables but just be careful when you get down'
'What did he say?'
'He said you look fabulous'



I'm gonna wait in the bathroom stall and you come in after me'
'I'll give you this for nothing you know'
'I don't care'