It was my 20th birthday and after spending a day in a London pub we trekked down to the wastelands of “South” London and the New Cross Venue for one of those ‘elusive’ secret gigs.

“Raw Melody Men” were the band whose name graced the tickets and poster next to the venue door but we’d all known well in advance (and had gotten tickets well in advance as it sold out pretty damn quick) that ‘Raw Melody Men’ was an anagram for ‘New Model Army’ and the chance to see them at such a small venue as “The Venue” was too good an opportunity to pass up – especially given it was my birthday too!

Ed Alleyne-Johnson, who played electric-violin on many of NMA’s tracks was supporting and his set was brilliant. Never had I seen a crowd so enthralled by one man and his violin.

He joined the Army on stage for their set too – packed full of the expected brilliant album tracks, some obscure b-sides, and their hits.

Dawn, Martin and Michelle were all present was a fun, but very sweaty, night.