More on the Island Experiment

Nearly one sixth of the way into the year! And the adventures of the good ship ISLAND EXPERIMENT and its merry maritimers have made many an inroad into our collected memories.

As I write, Valentine's day will be soon in the trash can for another year. The gang has enjoyed some amazing mid-week nights at its home base in Kensal Green. You should be able to read this just after our visit to the MASONS ARMS for the HAITI benefit... and just before we return to THE HUB in KING'S X for the second of our monthly cruise voyages.

But what's this you cry? You didn't see what I wrote last month? What's this Experiment thing you're talking about?

Well, if you're still trying to catch us and find out what's up, here is a handy Alpha-guide to who's who, and what's what.

  

 

A is for ANTROBUS

Younger and much wiser than he looks, Dan Antrobus is the songwriting equivalent of a Merlin. My favourite songs of his include 'Wonderful' and 'Repetition'. For his regular partner in wizardry...see letter W.

 

Captain of the good ship ISLAND EXPERIMENT, the Wadeski is quite possibly one of the finest things ever to come out of his own shoes. We really must make sure them soles never find out who the guy they've been living with actually is.

C is for CUTHBERT 80

Blessed with beautiful Black hair that is the envy of all that see it. A soul seducer with a sound that is the envy of all who hear it.

D is for THE DAVE

Principal percussionist for the EXPERIMENT: it's not really an Experiment night without the sight and sound of his djembe. I might say that he has curly hair that hides a cool and crazy attitude... but hey, who am I to talk? 

E is for ETHEL BESSEM

A female version of Cuthbert 80 if Cuthbert happened to be a girl...just a little smaller, and with a different accent.

F is for FEATHERS

Mark has a way with a guitar that can be described in words: it's just that there are not words adequate enough to describe that way. When not on a gig, he looks after OLLY and JOE (see letter R for the latest on them.) 

 

G is for GIGI

There has to be a letter for a member of the ISLAND staff who keep us in line, fed and watered. Gigi is gorge. Gigi is generous. Gigi is a single lady...and before you put your hands up guys, that's the way it's staying. So. Dont. Even. Start. 

 

Four words are enough to describe the genius that is Hayley Tucker: the words are "Don't turn me down". When Hayley wails, women weep. And so do I.

I is for I-MAN

Somewhere towards the end of an evening I-Man turns up. He's that laid back, is I-Man. But if it's been a crazy night and loads of people have yet to play, I's trademark speech "Streets are My Life" does not get heard. Which is not a good thing for us (or I) to miss.

 

 

J is for JOSEPH DEAN OSGOOD

The Resident Rocker and a real favourite act on the good ship EXPERIMENT. Often seen in the company of the 'Doctress': she who would otherwise be known as VIRGINIA DOC (look for her later on in this script). Jo steals your food - watch him.

K is for KARIN FRANSSON

My favourite song of this lady is a ditty called 'Pick yourself up'. Reason: I pick up a pair of scissors, head for the mike...and play. What? you haven't seen it yet?

L is for LONDON SOUND

Led by the irrepressible JAY-GUN, the Sound collective are sometimes frisky, sometimes fast, sometimes funky, sometimes female, sometimes funny and always full of flavour. The Sound have quite a following at the Island, but if you don't like rap music...well you don't have to.

M is for MATT

House sax man. His particular tool is the soprano sax...but before you start with the Kenny G images, that's not his look, nor is it his sound. Thank goodness.

N is for NOT MENTIONED IN THE A-Z

Take your pick. From Phil Ryan to Peter Conway. From Laura Matthews to Russian Rox. Also... there's Pedro, Andrija and Pierre. From Annie to Sandy...and even from Connor to Zany, the EXPERIMENT pretty much has it all.

O is for ORSON

His take on music is more experimental than others, as he sculpts his melodies over consistently shifting rhythms and time signatures. Often dresses in Black, but is not Johnny Cash by a different name.

 

P is for PATRICK LONG

A good ship needs an anchor, and the EXPERIMENT is grounded firm and deep in the Bass expressions of Mr. Long. If Wade is the equivalent of Robin the Boy Wonder, then that makes Patrick the BAT-MAN or (as he is otherwise known) THE DARK KNIGHT. Patrick is not the kind of guy who will tell you how cool he is: he will allow enquiring minds to look for the cool.

 

 

Q is for QUINTESSENTIALLY COOL

Ken Gibson is Quintessentially cool.

R is for The Band of ROGUES, RATS AND DOUBLE-DEALING DUELLISTS

It turns out that OLLY (or is it Joe? I'm not sure which) didn't like the previous name I gave to their band. So here's my second attempt at a title. You can call them The Rogues for short. And boys...this time I'm charging.

 

S is for SIMEON

If it's tall, young and with a beard it must be Peter Conway. If it's older, smaller, but still with a beard, then that would be Simeon. Both are brilliant. But even better than the two of these artists...Simeon's daughter, who is the youngest and by far the best performer of THE ISLAND EXPERIMENT.

T is for TAFF

Taff is brilliant. That's all you need to know.

U is for UNIQUE

The ISLAND EXPERIMENT is not 'nearly unique' or 'almost unique'. The ISLAND EXPERIMENT is that thing we call unique. It is one of a kind. It is....experi-mental.

V is for VIRGINIA DOC

She is tall. She is beautiful. She is so comfortable in her own skin that the aforementioned skin marvels at the wonder of it all. Often seen with that sneak who's eating my sausages, JO-DEAN OSGOOD.

 

 

The Island Experiment takes place on Wednesdays at the Island Pub in College Rd, Kensal Green.  

 

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