Vic was getting married, and he had asked his friends to reform the Dumbwaiters once again for their first ever live performance since playing together at Keele University. In preparation a rehearsal was sorely needed and time was marching on towards the big day. Jim agreed to host providing a good malt whiskey to provide a suitable accompaniment for Vic’s stag night that coincided with the much needed rehearsal time.

In traditional rock circles it is important to always turn up late. The person arriving the latest was the coolest, because they were more important than anyone else and very busy. Ron did not let us down by following this tradition arriving “fresh” from having being at a garden party since lunchtime.

Ron managed to quickly recover from a hard day’s parenting and drinking by having a relaxing malt whiskey. The Dumbwaiters were assembled the recording tape started rolling.

The rehearsal did not go well and it looked unlikely that the Dumbwaiters would make the gig. Ron managed to help polish off Jim’s Whiskey and needed somewhere to doss down for the night as he was incapable of making it home on public transport. Vic flatly refused to put him up at the future marital home knowing his intended would be furious at being required to clean up the aftermath of the groom’s stag. Jim always had a well stocked drink cabinet, it was clear he could not stay overnight, he had already abused Jim’s hospitality and could easily drink himself to death before morning.

Brian had accepted the role of Vic’s “Best Man” behaved like a true gentleman by agreeing to put up the paralytic Ron for the night. Taking Ron to his accommodation was definitely a two man job so Vic was happy to play a supporting role. As soon as Ron was out in the night air his legs turned to rubber which resulted in him falling down the stairs at the tube station. Breaking his fall by landing and smashing his bass guitar.

The gig was now in jeopardy

With the clock still ticking towards the day of the gig, Vic struggled to keep the band together and the bride had doubts about whether the booking should be cancelled. A dress rehearsal was needed. Emotions were running high and tempers frayed everyone pulled together abiding by strict ground rules at the final dress rehearsal. No booze! Tea, with spliff was strictly rationed. The musicians assembled once again and the record button was pressed.

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“… sounds like a job for the disembodied spirit of Avant Garde music, Vic Berry, for whom the term “recording medium” is as malleable and a manipulable as the wind.”

Brian Berrow – 31 October 2021.