There are some fucked-up people around, especially in Winchester. This place is religious, very religious. I was minding my own business doing some Christmas shopping a few months ago when this 5 year old ran up to me and said, " Do you want a sweet?". I said, "What?" "Do you want a sweet?" "Yeah, alright." He gave me this pathetic little excuse for a sweet and a business card. He ran off to a bearderd-fuck playing his acoustic guitar to an audience of one (his wife) and my suspicions kicked in. I read the card, it said, "We hope you will accept this small act of service. It is a simple way of demonstrating God's love for you - no strings attached. Please call if we can be of more assistance. "

I gave them a bell the next day and asked them to fix our car's knackered radiator and my buggered anterior cruciate knee ligament by midnight but they didn't deliver. Jesus types, what are they on? But there is some hope for the town, as you can find complete lunatics in The Eclipse pub or the top bus station cafe. And some of the town's student and permanent population are beginning to warm to the idea of punk/hardcore gigs in their town.

Back in October 1998, me & Dawn started to put on DIY gigs at The Railway Inn. Legend has it that the venue used to have decent gigs a few years back (Oi Polloi, Citizen Fish etc.), but when we arrived last year there was fuck all in terms of decent gigs. It was time for punk to return to Winchester. The omens weren't good. Minute Manifesto played there in late 1997 to an audience of 1 (and he didn't have to pay) Undeterred, we got Burning Heads from France to play our first gig with Otherwise and Winner. We got a fairly decent turnout and people seemed to have a good time. As word's got around, the gigs have attracted more people, with our most recent gig (Lovemen + The Tone) being really rather good.

Future dates include Toxxic TV from France (Sat 17 Apr 1999), Decrepit from Seattle (Thu 13 May), Annalise (Thu 17 Jun) and Anal Beard (Tues 13 July). For more details on MOONRip gigs in Winchester, get in touch on 01962-877486 or write to Mike / Flat 3 / 72a Parchment Street / Winchester / Hants / SO23 8AT. Cheers.


Mike