Carlisle was never on my rock 'n' roll map of the world but Thursday night changed that. In fact I had never even been to the town
before. As the venue is a leisure centre I was not expecting a premier aural experience but I was pleasantly surprised, sound was excellent throughout with none of the pre-eminent, rib-crushing bass levels of the
One2One gigs.
For some reason there is no DJ Matteo to warm the crowd up so the party begins at 8:15 with Super Bad Brad. I don't know where FLC find these quirky warm up acts but they surely do unearth some
treasures. He's one man karaoke with a boom box the size of a small third world country looking like everyone's school geek. The crowd take him to their warm, northern hearts and celebrate him for what he is, whatever
that is.
The main even begins with the band hitting the opening of Dickholder in the darkness closely followed by the expected opener, The Fun Lovin' Criminal. The crowd is already rockin' and so are the band. Huey's
sounding a little hoarse however, I hope that isn't going to affect later parts of the tour.
Back to the new album for a marvellous version of Swashbucklin' In Brooklyn which, via a Mackie drum break, segues
seamlessly into Up On The Hill. A little interlude while Huey tell's his diner joke. If you've seen them before then you'll know the joke. If you haven't yet then I won't spoil it for you. He tells it so well but it's
about time he got a new joke book.
Time to raise the tempo again as FLC crash into Korean Bodega, a thankfully returned to the set-list Bombin' The L and an even briefer than usual Coney Island Girl. Time for another
joke, one to offend the feminists in the audience although Huey claims it was told to him by a woman.
Time for a mellow interlude, no surprise that All For Self wasn't included in the One2One gigs but it's back
here and it's a mighty fine version. Another segue as Loco, King Of New York and 10th Street flow effortlessly by.
If you were just getting chilled then it's time to wake up to Southside, as loud and as brash as ever.
Next up that perennial favouite Huey's Acting School. A bit of a surprise treat this time – Star Wars. Or it should have been. Played out of course by Al Pacino and Robert de Niro. Unfortunately some drunken wanker in
the crowd keeps interrupting and winds Huey up so much that he cuts it short and he and Matteo never really finish their fight with light sabres.
Huey is still sounding bad-tempered and a little wired as he introduces
The Biz. The songs from Loco are really sounding good tonight. Clearly well rehearsed and sounding great from a three piece. Fast does the work of ten men, of course.
Introducing Bump, Huey is once again interrupted.
He replies (somewhat tersely) with "Don't be a homophobe, you already got enough stacked against you." Love Unlimited is the usual disco-fest. Having mellowed everyone out again the opening drum beats of Scooby Snacks
get them going mental. The joint is really rockin.'
It's been a long time coming but it's a deafening chant of "Huey, Huey…" before Where The Bums Go. "I'd like to sing a love song, I'm not asking permission…"
opens Huey before they slip into She's My Friend and Run Daddy Run. After hitting a blistering solo Huey is looking a bit happier and is joking with his colleagues before My Sin. Time for the big finish and that's a
big, big, Big Night Out. Huey says we've been nice and he's enjoying it but the impression is that he's had happier nights.
They are gone, but we just know they won't be gone for long. Sure enough, there are soon back
for a five song encore. Four mellower songs sandwiching one pumper. Half A Block, Minibar Blues, Smoke 'Em then, complete with pedal steel guitar, Little Song. There is only ever one song to close an FLC gig and it's We
Have All The Time In The World.
As suddenly as it started, it's over. We struggle out into the thankfully mild night, I'd wouldn't like to have to escape from there in a fire. We've had a fabulous time, not sure
whether the band have.
Catch 'em if you can. Even on a less than perfect night they are the best.
- Steve