I have to open today’s blog with some grave news. If you read my St George’s Day blog published on Wednesday, you will recall my excitement at buying cheesy beans. Well I had them on Thursday and they were not great. Not worth £1.80. I probably made a rod for my own back by playing “Suzie” by Boy Kill Boy (a song in my top two of all time along with the album version of Wetsuit by The Vaccines). Suzie contains the chorus line of “countdown countdown countdown to the disappointment” and I was singing along loudly as the microwave was finishing its work. Talk about pre-empting things.

Friday night saw the reopening of The Watering Trough, a popular Walsall town centre pub now under control of the new landlady Angie Bosworth who is promising a return to its rock venue traditions. The pub has been shut a little while but she and a team of helpers have given the inside a makeover so that work day was spent looking forward to this event.

I finished work and strolled into town. It was the day after payday, a situation that automatically triggers my “Must spend. Must buy shit” mode. I headed to Savers and as I entered I made a mental note in my head as to what I needed. When I got to toothpaste on the list for some reason I put my index finger against my lips and made a brushing teeth gesture which must have looked odd. I had a pleasant amble around the store but possibly distracted by Absolute Radio playing Green Day’s “Basket Case” I forgot toilet rolls but I’m sure my fellow shoppers were relieved that I hadn’t made that gesture when doing the shopping list.

I headed down George Street and as you know I love a sign, so two pieces of A4 on a door caught my eye. The first said “We have moved” and the second said “8 doors to the left” my brain immediately thought “take it back now y’all. One hop this time” and that was it. Cha Cha Slide was in my mental jukebox all the way home.

On the evening I popped to The Wheatsheaf, grabbed a Wye Valley HPA which was priced at £3.90 and sat duwn but as soon as I did I got a message from Laura advising that her and Pezza were in Katz. The HPA was very drinkable so I downed it and legged it to join them as Laura said they weren’t out long. I don’t sprint often as it’s not a good look but sometimes needs much.

Laura and Pez were in good form and Jason the landlord was also at the bar so it was a very pleasant couple of pints but then it was Trough time.

Live entertainment was on with Delayed Response playing fronted by my great friend, the legend and former Sci-Chem co-worker and my podcast partner in crime Sean Westwood. The ex Sci-Chem contingent was boosted by Don Mills and Jon White, two also absolute top blokes. Sean’s missus Sammy and Jon’s partner Becki were also in. The pub was heaving and there were motorbikes parked outside. It was as if the pub had regressed back to the glory days of the mid 00’s when I used it regularly.

It was a good set from Sean and the lads. The second song was “Buck Rogers” by Feeder with Sean changing the line “get a house in Devon” switching said county for Walsall which went down a storm. A class cover of Iron Maiden’s “Run To The Hills” and then Beatles “Twist And Shout.” One of my favourite film scenes is in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off when he belts out that song on the float and I’d have loved that role for that bit alone.

“Proud Mary” followed, a song I adored as a child and when my dad got a new car with a tape deck in the early 80’s I was forever listening to that track and re-winding the cassette. I eventually broke it and never fessed up. Sorry Dad if you’re looking down. Set 1 ended with an emphatic cover of “Turning Japanese” a song I can certainly relate too.

During the half time break Don suggested we go in the little bar so we could chat and have a catch up but there was absolutely no room at the inn in there. Jesus and Mary would have been very impressed.

Set 2 was also good, with Sean even treating me to an “o ar” between two of the songs. The band gave way to a dj. Me and Don headed outside, initially to say our goodbyes but we ended up standing there for about 20 minutes chatting. The Trough was given the opening night that it deserved. The bar staff certainly earned their wages, they were on the go all night. Good luck to Angie and her team.

Don grabbed an Uber and I popped for a night cap in the Walsall Arms which is standard behaviour on my part. Woza and his missus Becky were in but just heading off. I had one pint, but as I hadn’t eaten properly before heading out I was starting to feel it so I called it a night.

Class night, great band, top company. And I still have two bog rolls left so no rush to head back down to Savers.