Tell God I'm Here

September 6th: Tell God I'm Here

One of the things in life that I never seem able to rectify is my ability to stop being a twat from time to time. I'm always saying to myself "Oh God, shouldnae have done/said that."

As the years pass by I find it really hard to be "sociable" or "fit in". I have wrote before about feeling I'm a mis-fit. The edges blur for me and there is no distinct compass point or map reference I can move towards where I ever feel that I am 'engaging' or 'interactive'. It could be the drink which I use as a shield of confidence. I veer off at tangents where I am definitely trying too hard or where I come across as a bit of a pain unable to hold a reasonable conversation. That's me, Wattie D, a mean young mother!

My sincerity may often be construed by others as blowing smoke up their arses but that is never my intent. I am sincere on that. If I like something I tend to go over the top about it or I really rail against it. As I get older I should allow myself to become more reasonable but it never seems to happen.

Years ago, Jeff Barratt head honcho at Heavenly Records played me a vhs video of Hurrah! They were excellent. You have to remember back in the day Hurrah were seen as something else from what they became. They attempted to cross over from this brilliant, fresh and full of youth early Kitchenware band to become stadium rockers with leather biker jackets and the "Tell God I'm Here" album which ultimately bagged them a Wembley support slot with U2 in the process.

They didn't break through to mainstream though. I'm nae sure why. I was obsessed by that album. Martin our bass player bought me it for my birthday because I wouldn't shut up about them.

When the Jasmines soundchecked I would often play "Sweet Sanity" to get my guitar set-up right. It was/is a genius riff and was my little nod of respect to them!

A lot of folk didn't get their attempt to move ahead. I loved them for going for it. We played with Hurrah! a few times. We used to share a few beers after the gigs with them and I was always intrigued by the raw energy Paul and Taffy displayed when playing their guitars. I also believe they wrote magic songs. Anyway, it never happened for them in the way they might have hoped. Towards the end, I watched them play in Aberdeen at the "Venue" where they petulantly played to a small crowd walking off after about three songs nae happy.

Invited backstage (along with most of the crowd I have to say, about twenty people) I told them I thought they were a disgrace for not playing a full set to the folks who had made an effort on their behalf. It didn't go down well but as I said I find it hard to be "sociable" or to "fit in". I'm sure it's not what they wanted to hear. Oh well, c'est la vie. If it had been 400 people I might have thought it was rock n'roll but as it was it just came across as naff and a slap in the face to those who believed in their magic.

They were a great band however and deserved better than they got. So did a lot of other bands. Such is life unfortunately. Perhaps somebody needed God to tell them that Hurrah! were there and were good. I don't think he was listening though.

Here's the video for Sweet Sanity.