FLM Club Night Greenwich

I order my first beer, and begin to socialise. It is very evident that the people this magazine is attracting, are all very nice people! I think everyone is aware that in the genre of indie music, the fans have got to be the nicest people you will ever meet and tonight really shows off the virtues of great music lovers. Also, I must add, when on earth did everyone become so god dam gorgeous?!!? Everyone tonight looks as though they could be advertising some sort of perfume. Just what I like to see…!!!

Before long, with time passing quicker than Rik Wallers eating habits, The Early Swerve start their incredible set inside the cove bar! With crowd numbers now pushing limit status and the temperature rising, everyone crams themselves into the tight room to witness an act from Erith, Kent that has huge written all over it! I’ve never witnessed these guys before, but have been well informed of their talent throughout the last 6 months.

With amazing songs as ‘We Take Our Time’ and ‘6 Of 12 For You’, The Early swerve produce a very crowd pleasing set, that gets a very large applause from a now very big crowd! The atmosphere seems to match pretty much anywhere I have been before, and then some. The Early Swerve wouldn’t be misplace inside a misty, Smokey bar, situated inside an old jazz haunt.. love it!! I have to admit, I believe I have found my new favourite act here in The Early Swerve and I will definitely be returning to another one of their gigs soon.

The in house music starts up again and I begin to dance with 3 people very much strangers to me when I entered. The Cooper Temple Clause, The Killers, Arcade Fire etc grace our ears and I make friends with… well, I’m not sure with who to be perfectly honest. But it just shows you how friendly everyone is though!

I dance my way to the bar and order another couple of beers, when I’m asked if I’m interested in any authentic rum!? “You dam right I am!” When presented with friendly bar staff, I am easily persuaded. But I am glad I was, as the rum in this place is incredible! So much choice, with so many flavours. One actually has 80% alcohol, but I’m wise and stay clear..

Suddenly, without my notice, the clock has struck 10, and the drums of The Rapscallions are pounding out! ‘If I Were You (I Wouldn’t)’ has begun and I squeeze my way into the crowd! The Rapscallions are a band that First Live Music Magazine has promoted since their birth. So being, I caught The Rapscallions at their amazing live show at Nambucca, North London, a month or so ago. So I’m already aware of the talent in these 4 men. But the atmosphere tonight is second to none. People are singing along, shouting out lyrics, jumping, it’s just excellent. People are desperately trying to all fit in. With the place at bursting point, Danny Rapscallion points out “I think this is the first time we’ve packed a place out!” Finishing their amazing set with sing-along ‘He’s Only Gone And Done It Again’ The ‘Scallions once again show their worth.

With both bands tonight, it has been noticed at how good the sound quality has been, for a small venue. I ask host Ross Hurley about this and he informs me it’s all down to Granddad Productions and another Ross on the desk. I must say, I have been very pleasantly surprised at the sound, so hats off to Granddad!

Positioned on Trafalgar Road in Greenwich, within easy walking distance from Maze Hill train station , Windies Cove is by normal circumstance a Caribbean restaurant, serving all kinds of traditional cuisine. But tonight, the bar downstairs and restaurant upstairs were taken over by First Live Music Magazine’s FLM club night launch party! The idea behind the venue for tonight’s event, was to give people a very different setting to the usual dreary club venues that usually grace our presence on the indie club night calendar. So FLM set out to give an experience know one would forget.

On arriving at Windies Cove, I was greeted by host and editor of First Live Music Magazine, Ross Hurley. He informs me that it is already starting to fill out downstairs, and be ready for 2 amazing bands this evening. Both bands, The Early Swerve and The Rapscallions both gracing the very small stage downstairs at 9 and 10pm respectably. In the meantime, he recommends the £1 bottle of beer, or to try one of 36 authentic traditional rums perched on the bar downstairs. I immediately fear the hangover I will be experiencing in the morning.

I enter the cove, pay my very reasonable £4 entry and begin my night of drunken debauchery; only one night in Newcastle has ever beaten! (My apologies once more to the young lass in Newcastle and her diamond encrusted thong!)

I walk down the stairs, with Kaiser Chiefs shafting my top collar with sound waves, to find a mass gathering, standing, dancing, chatting, and singing. I immediately notice the smallness of the venue, but by the great atmosphere the night is already producing at such an early time.

Back comes the in house music and party time is the way to go now. The venue is open until 2am tonight so lets get back on to the rum. People begin to dance and show outwardly the amazing time they all seem to be having. Beer is drunk like it is going out of fashion, and rum is everywhere. I really can’t find a sober person in the house, which is a great way to be.

With the music going off a little earlier than expected due to a technical fault with the system, (it blew up!!) I begin my long journey home. While I tuck into my kebab, I reflect on what has been probably one of the best night’s I have had in years. With 2 fantastic bands in The Early Swerve and The Rapscallions, and great indie anthems, i'm looking forward to the next one FLM… really looking forward to it!!

The FLM club night will be running monthly in Greenwich, Dartford and London.
For more info on upcoming night's check the club night's page on this website.

Usual price is between £3 and £5 entry

The Early Swerve - www.myspace.com/theearlyswerve
The Rapscallions - www.myspace.com/yourapscallions

Our Sound Engineer
Granddad Productions - www.myspace.com/granddadproductions