Greenbelt , Music

Fat and Frantic

Over the course of a few brief hours on Monday, I travelled back in time over twenty years.

Fat and Frantic were a phenomenon in my early student years, and I saw them play to packed out audiences at the grungiest of London clubs. It was wonderful to see them play again this weekend — they seemed to be having the time of their lives, with Jim Harris the happiest man on site.

Instantly I was back in the original Mean Fiddler in Harlesden, the Marquee Club, the Town & Country Club and various other venues of my youth, amused by the UV lighting and worrying about catching the last tube home.

What I'd forgotten is just how much their songs influenced me though. They'll always be remembered for the zany and off-the-wall, but amongst them are some real gems: tales of injustice and struggle, alongside simple exuberance and joy.

When I laugh
it shatters my day into bits that I like and can cope with more easily
...
I wish that I did that more often

A thousand times: yes.