TWP. @ The Casbah Friday Feb 17th 2006.

Set List:

Corduroy
Sucker
Always the Quiet One
Apres Ski
Go Out and Get 'Em Boy
Don't Talk, Just Kiss

Loveslave
A Million Miles
Suck
IFFNTY
Come Play With Me

It's Not You, It's Me
Crushed
Blue Eyes
2,3, Go
Click, Click

Ringway to Seatac
Brassneck

Nobody's Twisting Your Arm
Heather

After months of anticipation the last USA/WP tour finally got under way. The Casbah is a small dive of a venue in downtown San Diego situated at the end of the runway of the airport. It was very dingy and holds about 200 making for an intimate gig. The perfect place to see The Wedding Present really.
The support band Tim Fite were interesting to say the least. The front man Tim was a cross between Jimmy Swaggart, David Byrne's "Once in a lifetime" persona and The Fall's Mark E. Smith. They weren't really my cup of tea to be honest, but I can safely say that I've seen a lot worse opening for TWP.
Sporting two new band members (Chris and Charlie) TWP took the stage and DLG steamed into the set list like a young Mike Tyson throwing strong jabs.
(Bam!!!) Corduroy, three more in quick succession (Bam, Bam, Bam) Sucker, Always the quiet one and Apres Ski.
There could only be one winner in this one sided fight, the audience.

"This song has never been played live in before in America" declared David.
"Jumper Clown" shouted some young wag in the audience.
"Well that's never been done over here, but it's not that one. Go out and get 'em boy".
The new recruits looked slightly nervous on their debuts but supplied ample support for David and Terry and never put a foot wrong.

The revolving door drummer situation in TWP is getting very Spinal Tap. One day I half expect to see a WP drummer explode at his drum kit during the middle of a gig. And given the hectic pace Charlie performed, it just might happen.
DLG was in great spirits, very chatty and cracking puns through out the gig.

"This is an old Cinerama song, it's called Alanis Morrissette, why the long face?"

"I'm getting too old for this, I'm not looking forward to hitting 40"

"I have over 200 songs to chose from" he replied to a request for MFD, "I have 20 on this list and it isn't on it. I never do requests ever."
"Oh no, I've made you groan haven't I love? Come back and see me later"

By the 10th round the crowd were out on their feet as David delivered the knock out blows of Brassneck, NTYA and Heather. A hefty performance and one for all WP purists and indeed WP pugilists.
The only downside was the absence of Simon Cleave, but such is the nature of the beast that is TWP. A great performance though and it looks like I'll have to hit the gym in preparation for the re-match at the Troubadour next week.