I've been a fishbone soldier since 1988, come from London, England and one an extended holiday in the states, found myself in Atlanta at the right time for once in my life...never seen the gang play on rare vists to UK, so you can imagine, the anticipation was nearly too much to bear..

Went to local bar and drank 6 or 7 pints before the gig, pushed my way up to the front when support band were on, I think this was De La Soul...good starters, but I just wanted the main course..seemed like I was the only white kid in the house that night...felt like I was in on something really special (I was)

Angelo came on first and read a very powerful poem about Tu Pac, who'd died that day, having been shot a few days earlier....very moving..can still see this in my mind now...

Band ripped through favourites, Freddy's M&P, Sunless Sat, bonin'...I wish I'd written the list down...I soaked up every minute....

Was transfixed by Norwood who's been my bass playing hero since first time I heard bonin' ...still is...though could not catch his eye to signal my approval...he's in a world of his own when he's playing...

The band were so tight and yet so fluid...the sound was huge, sounded like there were about 20 of them up there...brass supplied by Angelo and Walter was brilliant, maddening...their horn harmonies come from outtaspace...

I've seen a couple of premier league gigs in my time and this is right up there, I feel priviledged to have been a witness...

Some kind person gave me a lift back in to town after the gig, I nicked a poster off lamp-post but it got damaged...I wish I still had this now as a momento of one of the best nights of my life!

If anyone from the band ever reads this...keep going, never give up, I'm getting old now and should be over all this stuff, but I'll be a fishbone soldier until I can soldier on no more!

Thankyou

alanvaller@hotmail.com