The event had all the makings of a classic Isle of Wight gig. Three Australian girls had been imported to barbecue the hot dogs and hamburgers. Heavy on the onions. They were beautiful. Hot dogs were great too. Vic King had two.
Over in the music tent the boys had been busy clearing away the rows of prize flowers and vegetables. A dance floor had been laid. Two guitarists of D.C.M. had misplaced their drummer and bassist but got the music underway with a bunch of covers.
Sandra O'Toole and the Frustrations were down to just Sandra and a guitarist plus help from soundman Pete Burnan who bolstered the music with some fine lead guitar licks. The poor girl had to contend with the amplification wavering and 'black outs' through her set. Mad Maff was rushing off to put some more 10ps in the meter. When the lights came on Sandra was still playing. There's showbiz for you.
We had to be off to a 'previous engagement' with the Dance Preachers on Cowes Marina so only had time to grab a chat with Mick Cooch whose Monday Club were on next. Drummer Chris Philips had fallen off his bike and broke a hand. Mark Wozencroft was in Ryde with the Jones' but Dave Pontin was hand tonight to whip up some steam behind the trap set. The bassist of the now defunct Thunderpuppets completes the line up. "I've had to change the name after someone told me what the 'Monday Club' meant. We are now called 'The Lower Side'," explained Coochy.
Unfortunately we had to make a dash for Cowes so missed the Red Hot Blues Band and Mr. Cooch's set. Bound to have been a cracking night with Rossy and Maff involved. Bands depleted by broken hands and members sodding off to the Reading Festival, lights out like the Blitz, all added to the charm of Isle of Wight rock. Even Milo Lewis didn't make it. He was in Brazil with Elvis Costello.
Ferdinand La Menthe