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Tonight, Nash is playing in one of his favorite clubs. He is going to perform his original score to the silent film classic The Lost World. This is the Original Dinosaur Movie, with lots of prehistoric creatures running amok in the jungles of the Amazon and in the streets of London. It is not my place in the food chain to make comparisons with the film and Hamilton, but some dinosaurs still roam the streets in this town. There is a full-page article in today's local paper, The Hamilton Spectator, with colour photo and all, so it should do a lot to promote tonight's show. The article is written by Glenn Nott, a big Nash fan, and it is an insightful observation of 20 years of Nash the Slash. Many fans in Hamilton relate to a more rock and roll kind of Nash, so the Mermaid gigs are still a challenge to the preconceptions of the older jurassic crowd. When at The Mermaid, Nash should give out free passes to the next Corktown gig just to shut up the animals. We arrive in Hamilton two hours early, and spend the time wandering around the Hamilton waterfront looking at birds and chasing sticks. It's springtime. Nash is into birdwatching and I'm into aromas. He sees a Myrtle Warbler and I'm sniffing goose shit. We're both happy. When we arrive at the club, Owen, the assistant manager is there to help us load in. Since our last visit, The Mermaid has started serving food. As a newly-licensed restaurant, they have to follow the rules and I'm one of them. Oh Gawd, I know Hamilton has become too sophisticated when I'm not allowed in the bar anymore. Health Inspectors? As far as I'm concerned they should have rabies inspectors checking out the clientele. I'm seriously thinking about getting my seeing-eye dog certificate. As I pointed out in Cornwall last month, seeing-eye dogs are allowed on the premises, but there is no mention that they must be accompanied by a blind person. As long as I have the required seeing-eye talent, I should not be barred from anywhere. So what if there's no blind people around. Can I have a paw consensus on this please? I'm lucky it's a warm night because after the set-up, I spend the whole evening in the van. Nash comes out to visit between sets, and I get a good stretch and a dump. Some of the regular fans failed to appear, but it is a good turn-out regardless. The response to the silent film is very positive. The volcano does it every time. Nash tells me about the evening's characters. Teenage Head are in attendance with Gord and Frankie taking in the Nash Experience. Jack is also on hand to lend herbal support. At the beginning of the second set, a drunken fan down front insists that his wife take a picture with him and Nash in front of the stage. Take it to The Corktown, pal! Nash gave him his picture anyway. This diehard fan didn't get the concept of an Art Show and kept screaming out for "Weird TV! C'mon Nash! I love Weird TV!" OK. It ain't art, it's just a milkbone. At the end of the night, Jim The Hotdog Man and Alex, a good old boy from Alabama help Nash tear down and pack up. It's always a fun time at The Mermaid. p.s. The next gig in Hamilton will be at The Corktown in June. Digger |
