Once again little practice occured prior to the event, although the Unit was happy to have heard the song before the night. A strong set list (Golden Touch, Sweet Home Alabama, (with jazz breakdown start, feat. the Unit,) Supersonic, our very own I Followed a Zeppelin, Mr. Brightside and Whole Lotta Love/Are You Gonna Be My Girl (feat. Jon in a rare vocal appearance,)) was enjoyed by all those who were listening. Unfortunately they were few and far between, despite the band's best efforts, blood and numerous shout-outs (post-gig apologies all round,) so certain members decided that alcohol was the way forward. Far too many shots of vodka and tequila, bottles and pints of beer and absurdly expensive cocktails later, everyone was feeling much better about the performance. Result.

Alright, we admit it, they wouldn't let us play...too many bands, too little time apparently. Maybe next time we'll be allowed to play.

Despite the short notice and it being during people's holidays, we got a pretty good turn out for a great evening at Junktion 7. Everyone seemed to enjoy the mix of classics and new material, the sound was pretty good and the band were fully hydrated. Shout outs to the usual crews (you know who you are) and to the two young kids i din't know. Wesside.

Over 100 people gathered to see LoA, The Wickets, Maid in the Eight Teas and ourselves play at the somewhat optimistically titled "Riverside Rock Festival" at the Britannia Boat Club at the West Bridgford Riverside. Levels of Attention could have been a little tighter, but there was much promise in their performance. This promise is however negated by the fact they're apparently splitting up. The Wickets came next, exciting legions of unwashed fans with gravity defying hair cuts with a solid and energetic set before the old school rockers the 'Maids started singing songs about dope. Sadly the songs did not include accounts of grumpy old men throwing confiscated spliffs into the Trent, a less than rock and roll tale. We didn't give the best performance ever - Shine and Guilt Culture were slack and failed to rouse the crowd - but Disraeli and In my Wake were more solid and people said they enjoyed it, if only at gunpoint. Thanks to all the crews there - Jon's homies, the friends, the scouts, the Youth Orchestra, the Baath party, Bridgford comp, the "knobs" and the High School posse. Big noise goes out to the other bands, Walls for prompt(-ish) attendance, usual legends such as Jenko etc., Rod Stewart for leaving the green room in a mess and of course Kyle and Shariff on the door. Biggest noise of all goes to the man who produced the big noise for the whole evening, sound tech extraordinaire Mr. Tim "T-Unit" Middleton, who gave unstintingly of his time, expertise and other people's equipment. The winner of the best James Bond competition was left undecided, however we were sure we heard someone saying they "wanted some Moore". Other things which cannot pass without mention: Tom Logan's story, (chicken and mushroom slices all round,) the inflatable penguin, the complete absence of boat trailer access and the Nottingham High School and West Bridgford School for lending us equipment (NHS knowingly, WBS less so.) Review here.

Aerial Roots overcame such obstacles as duff mics, vicious ID-ing and mother nature at her most wrathful to pull off a succesful gig in Nottingham's most exclusive celebrity hangout, Bunker's Hill Inn. Despite fears that no-one would show up, the 75 strong crowd seemed to enjoy the nine song set, which included old classics 'In my Wake' and 'Into my Cloud' as well as new material such as 'Passengers Sleep with the Dead', 'Bleeding on the Palace Steps' and 'They're coming round for you'. Thankfully, they managed to drag themselves off their arses for a mosh to 'Yellow Light', before we adjourned to the Rescue Rooms for the 'after party'. Big disses go to 'G-Unit' Williams (whadya mean 'ill'?) and 'Walls' Senior (whadya mean 'babysitting'?) whilst we thank James Seddon profusely his for efforts on the door, LOA for letting us play (not that far from 60 pete!), Jacob of FMA for the PA, James Maclaine for thumping up our profits single handedly and the Explorer leadership team for asking for a receipt, (whadya mean 'expenses'?.) Biggest respect of all, however, goes out to Neil 'Mein Hund ist Schwul' Jenkins, for being an undisputed leg-end and all-round bad ass mother. Review here.

A merry time was had by all in da studio, with care bears, cupboards, eggs, bouncy castles and 'surgery' a plenty! After an early start as Jon picked up assorted Olis from far off lands, recording got underway around nine, with Geoff 'G-Unit' Williams and Oli 'fingers' Senior helping us with 'Snowstorm'. Other songs recorded include; Bleeding on the Palace Steps, Catch Me if You Can, Passengers Sleep with the Dead (featuring Matt Turner on percussion), Game, Unbind Yourself and They're Coming Round for You. Big love goes to Tim M as per usual, despite his best efforts to scupper the morning's work. Plans are to compile a new C.D. featuring these tracks (currently under the working title W.M.H.A.) and others, once more Garden LPs have been sold at upcoming gigs.

Well thanks to everyone who showed up to support the event, including the good people of Century 106 who saw fit to crown us champions for the second year running, which is an unprecedented feat. Special mention goes out to the thrash metal, (or post hardcore or whatever) branch of the SAS, for amusing me. I should point out that while this wasn't strictly Aerial Roots, Ed Pulford made a welcome reappearance on bass and backing vocals and Matt Turner provided the beat, so thanks to them too. It was an Aerial Roots track too, "Slow and Cold Medicine," so to differentiate the two lineups we were called the Knights.

In a Bacardi Breezer induced caprice, Jon, Oli KS and Harriet 'stormed' the stage in a three spearhead Blitzkrieg assault. After the solid set by LoA, the 3/4 strength band proceeded to the pub. On return, Peter Blackburn and James Pulford were persuaded to allow the threesome to perform 'Yellow Light'. The audience seemingly enjoyed this, grabbing Oli's groin and tearing off Jon's clothes whilst soloing 'devant la tete'. Thus we disproved FMA's assertion that they would 'kick our indie asses', although perhaps a modicum of bitterness can be detected on the FMA site through their dubbing of Jonathan as a 'poser'. Those deserving special mentions are David Sharpe for allowing Oli to stroke his beard, Simon Blackburn for buggering off prematurely, John Peel for attending and Edward Pulford for not attending, but being 18.

Despite minimal practice and Dave Ibbett's 45 minute bass trombone solos, most people enjoyed the five song set list that included 'I Saw Her Standing There', 'Scar Tissue' (feat. Geoff Williams), 'Everybody Hurts', 'Knocking on Heaven's Door' and our very own 'Yellow Light'. A merry time was had by all who attended the party, and Mr. Sharpe deserves a special mention for not telling his mum he was staying at Oli KS' house and thus incurring her wrath. Nonetheless, his disco dancing was, by all accounts, superb.

Despite crazy foreigners, minimal attendance and guitar breaking antics mid-set, the 'Roots rocked! Oliver Senior remembered all the songs, the Oli KS did manage to open his mouth, Jon's guitars basically stayed in one piece and Harriet managed not to break anyone else's drum skins (a lesson for Mr. Malson there.) There'll be a review here as soon as it gets written, in the meantime just beat yourselves for missing it. FMA - this was how it should be done, take notes.

Edward's last performance with the band. Despite the average age of the crowd only being pulled under 60 by the Nottingham Youth Orchestra themselves, not knowing what to play until 5 minutes before we started and not having enough time to soundcheck, this seemed to go down pretty well.

Oliver and Jonathan, aided and abetted by Steve Smith, went for a delightful evening out in Cheshire to see Rebecca Whitfield, Director of Chromium Records. This event was to showcase the bands from one of their unsigned artist compilations, and we went along to talk to Rebecca about putting MMI on the next project, "Industry Standard." 

This entry is being put in for conisistency's sake! Once again, the band spent two days in the company of Mr. Danny Bowater recording In my Wake, When the Moment Comes, Shine and The Shuttle Song before preparing the completed 'Garden LP' for release.

It was a grey day but a good set, at least for those who were there. The fair was basically closed and even the raffle was drawn before the band was introduced, so only those there for Aerial Roots were still around. Review here.

As Society Linen, the band won by more than half the available votes! Not bad for their first live performance as a four piece.