After one week playing it over and over it’s starting to take shape, although getting all the parts in the right order and the right length will be a challenge. As will not singing the lyrics of Sesame Street’s “One of these things is not like the others” as the first line of the chorus. Honestly though, it does sound like that’s what he’s singing and if Dave Grohl writes lyrics the same way that our Neil does I bet that’s what it started out as!

Ken has found tab and lyrics for ‘Orange Crush’ by R.E.M. so that may make an appearence in the set at some point.

She is also pretty cool under fire – the batteries, presumably, failed in her wireless, in-ear monitor pack. Not great for any performer, but pretty much a show stopper when you are playing a Bosendorfer with your left hand and a Hammond B-3 with your right whilst singing. The solution? A quick nod to Bassist & drummer to loop the verse while you substitute lyrics (that scan!) to tell the crew that you can’t hear and you need a replacement pack and continue to play & sing (a narrative no less) while a roadie changes the pack, which was discretely, but inaccessibly, hidden under her over dress.

Of course as Neil pointed out he’s never been able to hear anything on stage, and he carries on regardless anyway.

So here’s to you Tori Amos – you’re our honourary Love Commando of the Week.

There was discussion about whether the band name included the definite article (the) or not. The general opinion was that the band is called “Love Commandos” partly because it was taken from the lyric “the psychotronic love commandos”, but mainly because Neil dislikes band names with “The” in their name.

Musically both “Just a Day” and “Burn Baby, Burn” are coming along nicely and should be ready once we have the album ready for release.

There was also discussion about both engaging an agent to manage the gig side of things – since we are clearly useless at organising gigs – and arranging a publishing deal to promote our original songs.

Ken has started building his studio. The release of the Love Commandos album before 2040 is well on track.

The Love Commandos will not be playing Chalky’s birthday bash this year because Andy is off on a romantic weekend and not because Neil is off to Canada to see Rush. There. It is now in print. It must be true.

Actually, I am sure that Neil would also like to know from time to time.

Recent attempts have been made at rehearsals to record the raw, live sound of the LCs so as to at least produce the dodgiest of demo CDs. Only Ken knows how well or badly this is going.

Neil still gadding about so not much has been happening. Jon joining the list of people to blame for cancelled rehearsals. Neil no longer feels quite as lonely.