An idiots guide to an idiot: WASP gig.

Another great rock/metal gig enjoyed by Kevin & I, sadly T was unwell & didn't join us. Huge shame :( We pottered over to Camden first & had the obligatory pre gig beer at The Oxford Arms and looked around, it was absolutely rammed with people. Had a walk, a shuffle really, through the Horse Hospital and then got something to eat at The Cobden Arms. This was just out of the main hustle & bustle of touristy Camden and considerably cheaper as well! Both had a excellent homemade Steak & Ale pie with chips...........and another pre gig beer! Sharps 'Atlantic' very nice. A beer that obviously travels well as its brewed in Cornwall!
Eventually pottered over to the Kentish Town Forum, (yet another venue now owned by the 02 group), couldn't get rid of Tara's ticket though, the tout I spoke to couldn't sell the ones he had as the venue had released a load of tickets just prior to the show! I guess that tells you it wasn't a sell out!
We got into the forum and got a seat. We had unreserved seats in the balcony, it was a strange seating arrangement as it was just padded 'benches' with only the seats at the back of each section having backs to them, that's where we sat.
The support act were called The Cruel Knives, I enjoyed them but Kevin wasn't so keen, true to say the singer did lack alittle oomph but I thought they passed muster.
The set the WASP played was alittle different to a normal gig. Its the 25th anniversary of the release of their album 'The Crimson Idol' and they played this in full. It was brilliant! I haven't been to a gig before where a complete album has been played, as with any album you listen to there's always the odd duff track but maybe because it was being played live, I didn't notice any. I'd bought the album a while back to get into it which probably helped. They also ran a film on screens while they were playing. It cost $5M to make according to Blackie Lawless.........I think they were robbed, to a degree anyway! It was abit art-house-y, shot in grainy black & white, I drifted in & out of watching it to be honest. The second part of their set was other songs from their halcyon days. It was a brilliant gig! They started with a cover of the old Who track 'The Real me' which was brilliant & just as good as the original in my opinion. Have to say that even by my standards it was also pretty loud, without a doubt Blackie Lawless, the only original member of the band, has still got it. I thought it was very brave of him to have videos of their hits from years back showing in the background with him far more svelte like that he is now......but aren't we all!
It finished all too soon & strangely didn't have an encore but I have to say a fantastic gig. To mention their name, there's a full stop inbetween each letter & Blackie has been asked over the years as to what it stands for with various answers! First was White Anglo Saxon Protestants, then later he said We Ain't Sure Pal & latterly in 2010 he said it was just using full stops to make their name stand out more, so you can take your pick really. Whether their name means anything or not it was a bloody good gig!
Here's the set list: