This is Carnival of Souls' last gig. I would also like to see Kasms at the Old Blue Last (Rough Trade Christmas Party). I am undecided what to do until almost the last minute. I decide I will head for the Barfly via the Old Blue Last (Northern Line from Old Street to Chalk Farm). So I pop in and establish that Kasms are playing at 11.30. It seems possible but unlikely that I might make it back after Carnival of Souls. On the other hand if Kasms play any later than 11.30 I will miss the last tube. When Carnival of Souls finish at 11.00 I decide I may as well give it a go.....

It's quite odd looking at the Bank holiday weekend and finding my diary empty - the Vulgarians having cancelled their gig on the Sunday. Then at the last minute, Saturday I think, Carnival of Souls announce a gig at the Paradise. It's quite low key. I have been photographing Carnival of Souls for several years, but haven't seen much of them in 2008. It's nice to get a chance to have a chat too. Lights are a bit iffy so I switch to B&W.

An exciting night of bands and burlesque in Kensal Green

Gus and Trepan Records seem to have no trouble filling the Paradise; this is not the first packed gig I have been to here. This time Johnny Burrell from Razorlight is playing a set, so I suppose it should be no surprise it is packed. Unfortunately I didn't realise he was a big star, and rather than fighting to take pictures at the front (in the rather dubious lights) I am at the back enjoying a pint of Spitfire.

I thought I deserved a drink after spending much of the Carnival of Souls set acting as a sort of photographer bouncer, holding back the surging crowd who threatened to overturn the keyboards fragiley balanced on the front of the smallish stage. This is achieved by placing a foot firmly against the base of the stage and leaning slightly back. Here my experience photographing in the pogoing days of 1978 come in handy.

The lighting is pointing at the ground in front of the stage and the band is occasionally lit by a projector. This is a trend largely confined to west london although I have seen a couple of other cases.

I have seen Carnival of Souls at the barfly so many times I was seriously considering either not going at all or maybe not taking my camera. However John's convincing offer to buy me a drink had me hooked (and a place on the cheap list), and then I can't really go to a gig without my camera. John was good to his word. Whilst enjoying the pint I noticed the bassist from Ophelia Torah going upstairs for the support band, so not wishing to miss anything I followed him. The band who were on were called The Dogbones. They were sort of heavy grunge  (which somehow doesn't sound very appealing does it) but I found they had good energy and commitment and I took a few photos.

As this blog is slowly developing into a style bible for up and coming bands, I must report that The Dogbones score highly for wearing matching ( mohair ?) stripey jumpers like a pair of manic Blue Peter presenters. I suppose you want to see a picture now:

The lighting was abnormally good for both the bands I saw, so in the end I could not resist taking a few pictures of Carnival of Souls as well. I rushed off as soon as they finished, catching the last tube twice in 3 days is quite enough.

I've seen Carnival of Souls so many times I've run out of witty things to say about them. But I must just say it was nice to see them in a new venue with different lights. Hugo was particularly well lit. The gig was was apparently some competition. But judging was unexplained, and door prices exceptionally high, so the whole thing seemed slightly dodgey. The pretty girl in white hot pants who compared the evening added colour to the event, but didn't really add to its credibility. I rather enjoyed the evening as we had a few beers and had to rush to catch the last tube.

Support from "Lies And How We Told Them" and Bo Decca