G M T Official Forum

First blog review of the London gig at the Gaff can be found HERE

I was there! 1st time I'd seen GMT this year. Well, they rocked as well, if not better than the last few times. With no curfew at the venue, I reckon it was a near 1 hr 45 minute set. Bernie looks a little older, Robin a little madder, and McCoy scarier! Poor Rog had trouble with the monitors - what the hell is it about GMT/Rog and monitors? As always, I watched Bernie's left hand like a hawk, and I still can't work it all out (scratch my head again!). Nice touch of McCoy trying to demolish a bass, much to Rog's distress. Dunno where he went or why with the recovered bass, but not too much damage seemed apparent - apart, of course, for the post, which took a hell of a scratching from bass strings!

Luckily, Mrs Hippen wasn't with me this time, so no rush for the door to escape the oncoming asthma attach from a certain smoking bass. Who was the photographer, who Robin told politely to 'get the f*** out of the way'. Or was it prearranged? Hmm.....

All in all, a brilliant night. Managed a little chat with McCoy before the gig, when he asked nicely, but frighteningly firmly, when we were going to play a certain city. We'll see what we can do! After hanging around a gaggle of European fans (good on them for making the trip, even if they did bring everything in the Northern Hemisphere to be signed), I got a chance to talk to Bernie himself. Nervously, I approached him and quietly introduced myself (there had been p.m. contact before). The polite handshake was followed by my arms being welcomingly grabbed - phew! Now, for a man of almost 45 years old, I don't often get awestruck. But this was my hero of 30 years! I can only remember about 50% of the rubbish I must have waffled to the poor man! However, ambition achieved!

As said before, a brilliant night all round; and a great little venue in my opinion.......

...and I promise if I get a chance to talk to Bernie again, I'll be more in control!!!!


Thanks guys..........

The Vintage basses are very well made. Not saying that they are McCoy proof (is anything?) but that one has taken a bit of a bashing this year, including being thrown across the stage at the Rock and Blues.
I took it to the dressing room and checked it over, it hardly needed tuning ! He used it again for the encore.

What monitors?

Quite

First time I have seen Bernie for 25 years! Back in the early 80s I saw him many times at the Marquee and other South East venues with the Electric Gypsies and at that time he was my favourite live performer. However, I lost touch as work, marriage, kids etc took over. Then 6 months ago I decided to Google Bernie to see what he was up to and to my delight found that not only was he still recording but he had also teemed up with my favourite bassist of all time! Having waited patiently for some live dates to be announced I was very pleased when the Gaff Club date was announced.

I was not disappointed - Bernie and John were as brilliant as ever and they have some young drummer who is pretty good too . Had not been to the Gaff before although have walked past it a few times on the way to the Emirates, and it is a great venue. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed going to small venues where you are no more than a few feet from the performers. A great set lasting from around 10:40 to 12:10, the one slight disappointment being no Electric Gypsies or TOTL material. Chelsea Girls live would have been awesome! However you cannot have everything and it was still a brilliant night out and the best gig I have been to for some time. Can't wait for next time and it will not be another 25 years!

Welcome to the forum richard1963, all the latest news can of course be found at ...

http://www.gmtrocks.com

and occasionally in this forum first! See you next time around in London.

The GMT website has been updated with some new live photos and quotes of recent gig reviews (some from loyal Forum members, thanks for your input guys!)