ADAM Masterson

It was a fine day out and I’d just had my haircut round a friends house on Caledonian Road.  Made a dash from Holborne to Bloomsbury Square, I was running a little late, but the haircut and the weather had me in a fine mood.

I made my way into The Bloomsbury Ballroom. Sound-check was already underway for Mummy Rocks 2010. The Ballroom looked elegantly swelegent each table decked out in Flowers.

Rehearsals at Jones productions had gone well.  Me and Jamie Hince decided we’d do Waterloo Sunset together and I was gonna play piano for Bobby Gillespie and Sharleen Spiteri who were dueting on The High Society musical song ‘What a swell party this is’ made famous by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.

Sharleen and Bobby beckoned me up, they were sound checking this one now! I had just enough time to jump onstage, get behind the piano, and do my best not to do my Les Dawson.  

Actually we sounded good!  It had been a bit tentative in rehearsals, but the three of us had gone away figured it out and now it sounded like fun.

At the end of the sound check me and Jamie got a chance to go over Waterloo Sunset a couple of times we were gonna do it just the two of us acoustic.  People started filing in after that and I went off to find a drink.

Saw a few faces in reception Rufus Wainwright  was there and Natalie Imbruglia, a waiter handed me a glass of Champagne and I found the band at the bar writing out a set-list.  Jamie and I were gonna go on first and start the night and I thought that was grand.

At dinner I was sat next to the charming and very glamourous actress Sarah Barrand, and jeweler Stephen webster hosting the night from the stage told us all a little more about the charity and introduced a young patient who spoke about her experiences at Great Ormond street hospital.  In the end I think the night raised £95,000 for G.O.S.H

An auction then followed and I headed backstage to have a play on my guitar. I found Jamie Hince back there we found a couple of seats in a back room and jammed through the song.  It sounded mighty, Jamie had all the harmony notes in the guitar.  He was playing an old 40’s Guild and I had my 60’s Gibson SJ, we even had matching jackets by chance so we looked the part.

Mick Jones soon came round and told us we were going on, we waited in the wings while he went on to introduce us.

Everybody loves Waterloo Sunset you can see it in their faces when you start singing it.  The film producer Julian Temple was right down the front and started filming it on his phone, he jumped up on stage at one point and started filming round us.  I think he’s a big Kinks fan. I saw him afterwards and he said ‘I’m gonna show it to Ray!’

‘Bloody hell’  I thought ‘ I didn’t know I was under that much pressure!’

Jamie and I bowed to our applause, we’d kicked off the night and headed backstage for a cold beer.  We found Sharleen and Bobby back there, and we all sat down in the corridor waiting to go on again.  

We started talking about songs with only a few chords, Bobby said those songs are the hardest to write and have the best melodies.  Sharleen said the song ‘Dreams’ had only two chords in it the whole way through.  I started trying to wrack my brains, I thought of the Roy Orbison song ‘Dreams’ but that had loads of chords, I then thought of the Everly Brothers but that had at least three Chords.  I gave Sharleen my guitar and she did a great version of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ sat on the floor.  Bobby then picked up the guitar and played ‘Go Your Own Way’.

It was cool sat there listening to them talk about simple songs.  They all started complimenting me about the guitar, it’s Southern Jumbo guitar that Rambling Jack Elliot used to play in the 60’s. It’s got his signature scratched into it, but I’ve nearly scratched that off from playing it so much and catching it with the pick.

Guitars are a bit like kids, you reason with them, you struggle with them, you get frustrated with them, then you take them out some place, and someone reminds you what a miracle they are, and you fall in love with them all over again.

Sharleen was called onstage, and I started talking to Bobby about Alex Chiltern the Box Tops and Big Star singer who had recently passed away.  I knew he was a fan and he picked up the guitar and played me The Box Tops hit ‘Letter’ which was pretty cool.   I still haven’t got round to listening to Big Star properly.  Bobby said start with the third album.

I then joined the band on Keyboards for the Texas hit ‘I Don’t Wanna Lover’.  The place was really swinging around, the audience were loving it.

Then Mick called Bobby onstage and I began playing ‘What a swell Party This Is’… No fluffs!  The tricky bit out of the way, the rest of the night was a blast.

Jamie came back on with an electric guitar, along with Barrie Cadogan from Primal Scream. There were now four electric guitar players onstage, and we launched into a high-tempo ‘Rocks’.

Bobby and Mick then ripped through a version of The Trogg’s hit ‘Wild Thing’ and the place went off. 

It was pretty peaceful at the side there, playing keyboards, much less involved than being up front. I found it really relaxing, but it’s weird you look out into the audience and no one’s looking back at you.  I finally had some understanding why the rest of the band always ends up hating the lead singer!  But its tough up there man… and if you ask me it’s an easier ride at the back.

The night came to it’s finale, everyone got involved onstage, and Mick Jones lead the crowd singing ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go?’.  Even Kate Moss grabbed the mic and sung a few lines.

A grand night indeed.

Adam

Arrived back in London it was raining. The first thing I noticed was I had holes in my boots. (Why do I notice things like this in London and never in New York?). I was in Acton and I was early, navigating my way through the rain, with my guitar and bag of tricks… Stopped in a Moroccan bakery to kill a little time and had a mint tea… decided I’d make my way, try and find my destination and be one of the early ones.

I had a vague recollection of where I was going but as I approached the industrial centre I drew a blank. I went to ask in a nearby studio for a clue, and saw Sharleen Spiteri of Texas at the counter. I knew we were going to the same place so I said ‘Jones Productions?’ She said ‘Yeah!’ and we went off in search. ‘I’m Sharleen’ she said putting her hand out. ‘I’m Adam’ I replied and we made our way into the matrix of the Acton business centre.

Strange little place. a real labyrinth of moroccan bakeries, catering units, and rooms with bands thrashing away with loud guitars. Each one of these we’d pass, stop and put our ears to the door and say ‘do you think it’s this one?’ listen for a bit and go ‘naahh’,

I’d been here once before round the time Mick was producing Babyshambles, he said I should check it out as a rehearsal space, but for the life of me now I couldn’t retrace my steps.

I kept saying ‘You go up a bit, then a bit more, then you turn right, then you’re there’ but this wasn’t helping. Every time we followed my instructions we came to two padlocked doors with steel shutters and not a sign of life inside.

We peeped inside one of these bakery catering places and found a stout little man with a moustache and a chef hat! He’d have given his right hand to help us out.

‘Yes I know it!’ he said ‘it’s just around the corner!’ (but there were many corners and we’d tried each one) I think he was an Italian, a real stromboli. When Sharleen asked if he knew Mick? with a guitar? he waved his arms around like an excited little windmill ‘Yes I know guitar… Mick… yes! just around the corner! right, then left then zig-zag… I’m sure!’ But I wasn’t so sure. his instructions were more confused than mine. He followed after us bless him, he was persistent. at one point I thought he’d drop his rolling pin, run back inside, and fetch a map.

We begun dialing our phones but no one was picking up.

At a loss we made our way back into the rain. Sharleen recognised a chap in a blue blazer called Jamie, they seemed to know each other and when I saw he had a guitar I knew we had another ally.

He seemed to have a better idea and pointed to another Moroccan cafe with people smoking Hookah’s on a veranda. We went inside and found Mick’s missus Miranda, her friend Tiggy and Primal Screams Bobby Gillespie.

Kisses and hello’s and the troupe made it’s way round the back to the very same padlocks and steel shutters I’d found myself at earlier but this time they were open. I’d been right all along. Happy my intuitions were still intact we went in side. Being a good time keepers a noble quality but not always necessary in a musician.

Had a good one at The Free style life launch party last week. Played a short set around 9ish. Albert Hammond Jr was there his video for song ‘101′ was the featured video up on the screens. I met him briefly he stuck around for my set which was cool.

I told the story in my set, about flying in with Neil Armstrong and not being able to land… it got quite a few laughs, but when I was hanging out at the after party people were like… ‘Hey liked your story about the flight with Neil Armstrong’ and ‘I don’t care if this dude’s making it all up, he’s like Mr Smooth’. But I can assure you I never make anything up, besides the truth is always more bizarre than the untruth, that’s why they keep it from us. And double-besides I only wish Mr smooth had smoother landings.

I had a last drink in Peter Mcmanus cafe in Chelsea before I left for London, a place where I used to come on thanksgiving day when i knew no one in this town. They used to give me a free thanks giving day Turkey and all the works, from the buffet, now I know lots of people in this town.

I wondered about my return to London? It’s been a rocky start to the year but turbulence was always on the cards. Things came to an uncertain end with my management twenty-first artists at the end of last year. 2009 was a frustrating year that held a lot of promise and much more could have been made of it. Elton owns and is managed by the company, although he pretty much manages himself. Someone in the company pointed out I was the only artist among a large rooster who hadn’t opened a show for Elton and asked me why? Good question: it’s not that I hadn’t asked.

I thought all the people there were fabulous, I have no quarrel, I learnt much from being in their company… but a button that could of been pressed wasn’t pressed, it’s not the first time this has happened, and me and a growing number of people can’t understand why? Next time that button comes round, and it will, I’ll be the one to bloody press it!

Much of my attention in Jan and Feb was spent trying to keep up my rent in Hackney, but here I was a little too ambitious, and by March I was out. This trip to New York has been a blessing, but now the real fun begins as I return to London as Adam Masterson of ‘no fixed abode’. (What a highway of neglect!)… No a more charming way of putting it is I’m living in the unknown or sweeter still… I’m living in the true magic of life.

I’m fearless of what’s ahead, and excited!

I’m starting to collect a lot of unreleased material, I’ve lobed a bunch of it up on myspace for the time being, some records some demos, please stop by and have a listen… it’s out there for free, all I ask in return is you come out to my gigs, especially my ‘Gold Bug’ nights at The Boogaloo, which are also for free by the way. We’re running this thing on Love baby.

And love was what I got at the freestyle life launch party, thanks to everyone who came up with kind words to say. Thanks to Tommy Swanhaus for inviting me and having me over, and Anna Gabriel and Will Stern for letting me share a great bill. I met a gentleman and his wife who were very enthusiastic, I asked him what he did and he said he was a lawyer, I told him my visa needed to be renewed end of April he said ‘We’ll hook all that up, no problem, we’ll get you back in, we like you here.’

You may ask why I’m coming back to London, if things are so swell in New York? Because I’ve got a point to prove.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Lakeside Lounge last night and at such short notice! Lot of love in the room thank you.

Playing at the Roger Smith Hotel tonight 501 Lexington Ave, the main reason why I’m in town. It’s the launch party of the freestyle life.. a multi-media platform for music, art and film a place for artists to showcase.

Tonight they’ll be a photo exhibition by Will Stern which includes shots taken on the road with The Strokes. A preview of Anna Gabriel’s documentary ‘The Manin Project’ a story of a cambodian orphan’s quest for a better education and an eventual scholarship at Oxford university, and a performance from me. All happening around 7.30ish on the 2nd floor of the hotel.

Friends back in London i’ll be back Friday and headlining Saturday night at The Enterprise in Camden on the Chalk Farm Road for the ‘Curious Generation Presents Series’… I’m on after 10pm.

Hoping to catch the end of the parade in mid-town before my set… Happy St Paddy’s day!

Adam

Swung by the east village last night popped in the Lakeside Lounge, bumped into a bartender pal of mine, told him I was only on a flying visit but asked on the off chance if they had a free slot? Turns out the only slot they’ve got all month is tonight, so I’ve bagged it…

I’ll be making my way down there shortly… gonna go on at 9.30… already looking like I got a bunch of people coming out… If you’re in town Lakeside Lounge is on 162 Avenue B between 10th and 11th cross street. Short notice but be grand to see you!

Adam

I’m in New York City… but only just. Flew in on a nightmare flight an ended up in Boston. Things begun with me thinking I was in the safest of hands. The Captain announced that we had on board the first man to land on the moon, Neil Armstrong, along with several other notable astronauts who formed what the captain called an ‘Aeronautical dream team’. They were in special convoy from Iraq where they’d been entertaining the troops on the front line. The captain thanked them for ‘what they’d done for America and for the world!’

I was sat next to a malaysian family who were excited about their first trip to New York and the girl wanted a picture with Neil Armstrong. I settled in for the flight.

Things didn’t start getting hairy until our descent into Kennedy airport. The flight attendants were called to their seats. I had noticed things were getting pretty rocky it was more than what you’d call turbulence. I had no idea we were attempting to land in fierce 50 knots winds, that’s strong gale force winds well over 50 mph.

My reading mater didn’t help, I was reading about The Mona Lisa. Art critic and esotericist Walter Pater said of it. ‘Hers is the head upon which all “the ends of the world are come” and the eyelids are a little weary. It is a beauty wrought out from within upon the flesh… she is older than the rocks among whom she sits… she has been dead many times and learned the secrets of the grave, and has been a diver in deep seas and keeps their fallen day about her…’ At this point the air the aircraft gave a sudden jolt and I thought ‘Think about something else Adam, something chipper?’.

I looked to my left and the malaysian girl had her own book ‘The five people you are going to meet in heaven’. This didn’t help. To my right I saw an African man holding off the seat in front of him for dear life as if he could somehow protect his skull from impending doom, and a french women in considerable panic.

About me people were beginning to vomit, and I could feel a faint nausea sweeping over myself so I shut my eyes and decided to grin and bear it.

The plane then took a sharp surge downwards which was followed by what felt like a steep drop. It was the strangest sensation an almost out of body experience. I felt disembodied from the aircraft and on my own. The tiniest little vessel in free fall. It felt more like a sky dive than a landing.

I did indeed now feel like a diver in deep seas and their fallen day! The Mona Lisa began to haunt my darkness.

In spite of my nausea I opened my eyes, we were now beneath the mists of the clouds, rain battered hard against the craft and the windows. I could see JFK below. We were about as low to the runway as someone standing atop a seven story building with people and cars more than visible… but man! Our plane was rockin’ all over the place!

The Strange episode got stranger there was another hard surge against the elements but this time upwards! Kennedy disappeared and we were back among the clouds and surging fast is the word. Your blood turns to sand and your veins, all up your fingers, hands and arms, begin to crackle and pop!

After what seemed like an eternity we were back up in friendlier altitudes and things began to calm. Even still one couldn’t help but wonder what an earth was that all about? ‘Oh dear’, I thought, ‘of all the flights to make a hash of it!’

After a while the pilot came over the speaker ‘As you may have gathered we’ve had a failed landing at JFK we are being held in a rotation queue which may take 40 mins (sigh from the passengers) we may even have to land in Baltimore (huge sigh from passengers!)’

‘Come on team’ I thought ‘We’re alive! Can’t all be bad… Roll on Baltimore!’

I decided to leave my book on Mona Lisa for another time and opted for the lighter in flight entertainment. Got involved with a documentary on Michael Jackson called ‘This is it’. For about half an hour I was entertained till our dare devil captain interrupted one of Michael’s Moon walks with ‘Flight attendants take your seats for landing’

‘What an earth!’ I thought ‘a second attempt! our mans a lunatic!’

Now while I appreciate we had Neil Armstrong aboard and his ‘Aero-whatever-it-is-dream team’ this was no time to start playing Evel Knieval.

I braced myself and indeed the second attempt was even more of a disaster than the first. Now I can cope with seeing a few passengers getting the jitters, but when it’s the cabin crew who are catching up with their prayers I begin to wonder?

I tried to look for the positives. If i am going down, I’m going down with neil… It will be a talking point, a big talking point, a world wide story no less. Maybe a few of my pals could plug a mention for me in dispatches… my career could do with a much needed injection of life. I pondered this a while.

I began to indulge the most glorious set of vanities! I could see record sales of ‘One tale too many’ soaring, never having to grow old, all creditors being payed off not least my poor despairing mother! And all that dismal record exec talk of ‘You got great songs, but you need great records!’ Vaporizing into articles heralding my forgotten genius.

I was having a right royal time till our pilot began the second ascent upwards… Ah man! My mouth turned so hideously dry… I was in poor shape! My malaysian friend tapped me on the shoulder for a chat and I was like… No, not now… please!

What a plonker our pilot had become. Fortunately he’d given up on the idea of landing in gale force New York, indeed after his second botched attempt Kennedy cancelled all flights in and out of JFK. We were now headed for Boston, but our pilot had little to say to mask our peril or bring us any cheer. Weather conditions there were just as abominable, but it would have to be a make or break landing as we were running out of fuel!

People were getting cheesed off, I asked one of my cabin attendants how Neil was getting along… ‘Oh he’s fine’ she replied ‘he’s up in 1st getting ratted, loving every minuet of it.’ We all shared the same opinion as to why our captain had kept Kennedy airport open for ‘one more go!’

To make this tediously long story a little shorter we did make our landing at Boston, and as we did, out of sheer terror and relief we all gave our captain a round of applause, not before he’d put us all within an inch of our lives one more time. We were then held at the runaway not allowed out of the aircraft for four hours. By now my spirits and good humour were dwindling. There was even talk of re-fueling and having one more attempt at JFK… at this I despaired. I’d happily have walked back.

When immigration finally let us off the plane, and american airlines finally conceded we would need a bus back from Boston to New York, I found myself at baggage reclaim stood next to none other than the man himself, Neil Armstrong.

As I saw my battered Gibson case coming round on the conveyor belt, I couldn’t help but enquire…

‘Good Flight?’

The stout little man peered up at me from behind his glasses and replied…

‘I’ve had rockier rides…’

I’ve started up a night at The Boogaloo on Archway Road called ‘The Gold Bug Club’. I got the idea from a short story I read on the plane to Luxembourg… ‘The Gold Bug’ by Edgar Allan Poe. It’s a story about ciphers and treasure. A fella gets bitten by a gold coloured bug and his servant, fearing for his lordships sanity, calls on one of his masters old pals. The friend pays them both a visit, and the mad man talks all three of them into an adventure, after deciphering a trail to buried treasure.

The first Gold Bug Club (feb 11th) was a great success. Leo from Cheka played a fab solo set, I played and then my new favorite band ‘Gaolers Daughter’ check em out at www.myspace.com/gaolersdaughter I saw them last week at 229 on Great Portland street and they were fantastic, although i think their acoustic set at The Boogaloo shaded it. They’re gonna play the Gold Bug Club again April 15th so be sure not to miss.

The ‘Gold Bug Club’ returns this week Thursday 11th March with The Wild Wolves www.myspace.com/thewildwolves and Leo’s playing again this time with his new band Real Fur www.myspace.com/wearrealfur the night starts 8.00pm The Boogaloo’s at 312 Archway Road the bars open till 1am and it’s all free! See you there

Adam

Looking forward to this! Playing the Boogaloo Feb 11th and have put a great bill together which includes Gaolers Daughter who have just finished touring with Babyshambles www.myspace.com/gaolersdaughter and Why Tiger Why (formerly Cheka) www.myspace.com/chekatheband who I saw on the Strummerville River Rat Pack last year.

It’s gonna be a great night starting 8pm nearest tube Highgate and the Boogaloo is at 312 Archway Road N6 5AT www.theboogaloo.org tel 020 8340 2928

More acts are to be confirmed and admission is FREE!

So look forward to seeing you at the bar!

Adam

I’m off to Luxembourg Friday to play 2 concerts at the Albert Premier Hotel 2a, Rue Albert 1er this coming 5th and 6th Feb…

Tickets are €80 and include 3 course dinner i’ll be playing through the night if you’d like to come R.S.V.P hotel@albertpremier.lu

Adam

Thanks to everyone at ’sensible sundays’ and ‘Freaks’ night at the George both were fun gigs…

Off to New Cross Gate tonight for ‘Cariad’ at the new cross inn on around 10ish

Lot’s of new thinking in the new year, bit of a full on week, but hanging in there and keeping chipper…

More soon

Adam