Face Of Cheam

So this could be my last gig at the Astoria. Not my favourite venue, but at least centrally located. Rumours are that a new similar size venue will be built as part of the cross rail development. Wonder if they will demolish the Tottenham pub?
Anyway, a Sunday evening and Thunder are in town. Promoting their excellent self label release Bang, of which Stormwater was the stand out track, they produced a set mixing the new with classics like Don’t Wait For Me and Higher Ground, both from the Backstreet Symphony album released 20 years ago (cripes). Harry James had just recovered from kidney stones was impressive on drums and vocalist Danny Bowes was fantastic as always. Considering they have to put albums out without a record label in support, nor any media, alluded to in the song On The Radio, it seems amazing they are able to sell out here, but the place was rammed. Afterwards a few of the faithful were in the nearby rock pub The Intrepid Fox, and despite timing our journey home to coincide with the last few tubes, for some reason they had closed the station, meaning three buses back, including the last 154 from Morden at 1.54am. ouch!

Backstreet Symphony / On The Radio / Carol Ann / Low Life In High Places /The Devil Made Me Do It / Empty City / Dirty Dream / Love Walked In / Stormwater / Can't Keep A Good Man Down / Don't Wait For Me / I Love You More Than Rock 'n' Roll /////// Gimme Some Lovin' / Higher Ground / Dirty Love