Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please
I couldn't believe I heard this song again recently in a Charity shop in Brick Lane (of all the places!), I almost felt like pogoing around the shop, it was so good to hear it again. So, for this post a bit of an 'old classic' (describes me perfectly really๐). The choice of post was inspired by a recent trip up 'town' by the Missus and I. It was supposed to be a day of art and culture or as pronounced in my 'hood 'kultchaa', which in fairness we did experience, but as usual music somehow worms its way in again...
Immersed In Art, But Without Losing An Ear.
So the 'better half' and I decided to go visit the Van Gogh 'Immersive Experience', an Expo of the artists work and his story with a kind of 'interactive' and 'virtual reality' display of his artwork (catch the website link for more, I didn't realise the Expo has been in many cities in Europe and U.S. as well!). I was quite surprised to learn that although a brilliant artist he had such problems with mental health including epilepsy and psychotic episodes and depression, he was also thought to be colour blind, perhaps explaining some of the bold use of colours in his paintings. The journey there was hampered by engineering works so we got there by bus part way reaching our destination about 10 minutes late (not bad considering).ย
The small picture above is only a tiny part of the whole show which displays all of his artwork from floor to ceiling the images of his work moving and swaying, there were plenty of seats and deckchairs so you could just sit back and watch it all unfold before your eyes, it made for quite amazing viewing and captivated you completely. Another positive out of it all was that although it is an 'immersive experience' you don't have to attempt to cut part of your ear off to enjoy๐.
The Bells...
After completing the Van Gogh gig, we ambled our way over the road and into Spitalfields Market a place selling all sorts from bespoke T-shirts, paintings, crafts, hats and clothes to food, it is a busy place on a Saturday afternoon believe me (maybe not quite as mental as South London's Borough Market, but busy enough for me!). We eventually managed to score ourselves something to eat, which then left us feeling a bit 'thirsty' Mrs Akin suggested the 'Ten Bells' pub (a Jack The Ripper haunt!) which we have been in before and is a quite beautiful old pub both inside and out, but alas, it was packed.
So we trotted along to another place I had in mind to visit whilst we were up in town called 'Dennis Severs House' on Folgate Street (website and pictures at the link) It is basically a museum created by a guy who brought a really old 'Huguenot' style house in 1979 and decided to restore to it's former glory, it just so happened that also I knew of another pub next door called 'The Water Poet' which I had been in a number of times in the past, but sadly like so many it has been pulled down. The museum I feel we must visit at some time in the near future, not the cheapest to visit, but the pictures at the website look quite captivatingly beautiful and just make me want to go and see. Anyway, 'nuff of that...
Charity Chic & Good Music.
Still drink-less, we reversed and walked down a side road onto Elder Street which contained another fabulous array of old style 'Huguenot' style houses and also some 'fab' old cars including a really old 'Morris Minor'. We headed back towards Brick Lane and hit this beautiful 'art wall' on Grey Eagle Street, it stretches on for what seems like miles, I couldn't get the whole wall in the picture and what I did get isn't anywhere as good as I'd like but, hey!
Anyhow, we eventually hit the main drag of Brick Lane and popped into the Crisis Charity Shop (still pub-less and so dry we had camels walking across our tongues!). It was temporarily put out of our minds by the first wave of music that hit us, which was The Cure, Just Like Heaven, so for me & also the Missus musically it was a must stay and appear vaguely interested in some 'tat' just to keep listening added to which it was warm in the shop unlike the grey and chilly day outside, then my ears were assaulted unexpectedly with a band and a song I hadn't heard for such a looong time...
Two Pints Of Lager & A Packet Of Crisps Please.
Splodgenessabounds, UK Punk, reaching the dizzy heights of #7 in the UK Singles Chart in 1980.
Describing quite wonderfully in a few short, sharp, snotty lyrics the joy of standing at a busy bar and the frustration of trying to get served, you almost get the whole 'tenseness', 'urgency' and 'desperation' in the lyrics and vocals.ย Ahh! I remember it so well! For the single version catch the link on youtube 'Two Pints Of Lager'. For another track of the same ilk of waiting around in bars to get served try my other post Vampires Stole My Lunch Money at the link. 'Two Pints Of Lager' came out at the wrong time however, as at the time the BBC went on strike and they weren't able to appear on Top Of The Pops, a show which could back in the day help to propel bands up the UK Charts and give the kids a chance to see the 'faces' behind the bands themselves (to see the faces was sometimes a disappointment to be honest!๐).
Initially the song received quite a lot of airplay on the John Peel show on Radio 1, possibly because of the humorous novelty value of it and anything slightly 'left-field' usually appealed to Mr Peel and his faithful listeners.
The track was actually on the B side of the Single 'Simon Templer' released on the sub label of Decca Records called Deram Records, the track catalogue number being BUM1.
The Band
- Max Splodge - Vocals
- Roger Rodent - Bass
- Miles Flat - Guitar
- Joe Slythe - Percussion
- Winston Forbe - Keyboards
- Whiffy Archer - Comb & Paper
- Terence Dale - Guitar
- Baby Greensleeves - Vocals/Attempted Harmonies
- Two Pints Pearson - Performer
I think judging by the line up a band that really didn't take things 'too seriously'๐
Simon Templer & Talking Bums.
If that wasn't whacky enough try the 'A' side, Simon Templer
Still not whacky enough! How about the other B Side track on the single, Michael Booth's Talking Bum at the youtube link.
Anyhow, the 'happy ending' to this sorry tale is that my 'better half' I eventually found another old pub called 'The Hoop And Grapes' (passed it loads of times, never been in it!) after walking back all the way through Brick Lane towards Houndsditch between Liverpool Street/Fenchurch Street, which quite easily served us a lovely and much needed pint of ale and a raspberry cider 'sans chips anglais!' If you please, no stress, no waiting or desperation per the song featured.
It has, as ever, been an absolute pleasure to assault your eardrums! Will catch you again soon around about the beginning of March with another post, until then enjoy (if you can) and have a great week ahead ๐คช
Video Thanks
Pictures
Photo by Bohdan Stocek on Unsplashย
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