Is The Mystery Force SAFE?

4, to 3, to 2, to 1, to 2, to 3, then back to 2. Confused? Good.

The Mystery Force were due for our fist live outing recently, in a site of some significance.

SAFE is a social enterprise in Bootle that is doing a lot to regenerate the community in many ways. No less than 18 other social enterprises operate from the site that used to be St. Mary's primary school. From video artists to beekeepers to canoe rack builders...it's all happening, and there are huge plans for further regeneration, all of which includes....(depends on!) support from locals and people at some kind of disadvantage. A undeniably mutually beneficial enterprise.

SAFE is also where our bass player Brian Dawe earns his corn. In fact he's the big cheese in the whole of the SAFE operation. Known as 'the captain' on site he commandeers not only the day to day but the annual BBQ, which seemed the perfect occasion for The Mystery Force's first outing.

Me, Brian, Andy (synth) and Dominic (drums) have been chugging the mystery force along in rehearsals in the last few months. The summer BBQ was to be a bit of a reference point, to see where we were in terms of 'live'. It's far from the finished article of course but it's nice to see what progress there is, especially as we are recording very soon.

How it all panned out: Well in terms of Mystery Force members actually playing it went from

4, to 3, to 2, to 1, to 2, to 3, then back to 2.

Again...confused? You should be. We were.

Drums didn't happen and we are blaming Echo & The Bunnymen ok? We won't bore you with the details but they are getting the blame. Even if just to coax them into a publicity inducing spat with The Mystery Force (by the way we're younger, quicker, slicker and have won punching competitions).

Bass nearly happened but didn't. We blame this on whatever 'belljar' (Brian's term) donated the new pa system (me). But I have my excuses. It was donated to me too. It's seen the rounds like.....maybe a few with Mike Tyson......literally....back in '89.

So it was decided I would do a solo set, and Andy would join me for a bith of synth on the last 3 tunes. Upon Andy's appearance came a flute player. Years! 3 players! One of them free! But alas, Mike Tyson's pa would not allow it

So 4, to 3, to 2, to 1, to 2, to 3, then back to 2. Make sense now? Hopefully not.

Regardless of anything it was a great occasion. Brian got to play in other guises with his bro John and also solo. He's a show off who plays the guitar upside down and left handed at the same time. No really, he does. The food was brilliant, the atmosphere was even better, the people were on form and I personally loved the gig.

I received the best ever bit of post gig feedback from a local....'you were brilliant mate, absolutely brilliant, but I don't like your music at all.' That is going on my wall I think. Or tattoo'd on my next kids head.

Images courtesy od Periscope Productions - who operate out of SAFE.