This is all a bit 2009 – but technology has to be respected – so with the assistance of my more modern (read that as younger) friend Brandon, we’re going to bring you Twitter updates of the Phoenix Joe Strummer event. What to expect; short, sharp live updates from the venue followed by beer consumption and a moment or two of weepy retrospective. It needs to be stressed that this is very impressively the 6th annual event in the normally indifferent to live music desert metropolis. That said there are refugees from old punk days on the West Coast, the Midwest (Keith that’s you – Motor City) and elsewhere. The George and Dragon is also the only mock authentic English pub in this city so there a few candidates for extras from Snatch or Lock Stock who may have previously lived on The Isle of Dogs or Milton Keynes, it’s a bit hard to say as everyone goes all Michael Caine with the accent when speaking to local Americans (I don’t include myself in that analysis).

So it is that The G&D hosts the event (I think for the 3rd year running) and now with the addition of a light rail (overground electric train) station right outside the door let’s hope for a good turnout to honour the passing of Joe Strummer. The stage is set and the beers are flowing so I’ll now make this a tweetfest courtesy of Brandon’s phone – I can barely use a phone to make a call but will bow to his texting skills as the feed goes live. We might even get some photos later!!

Oh yeah – it’s a stretch as a link but the owners of the pub are from that lovely port of Ramsgate in Kent which is but a short drive from Dover, the home of Topper Headon. In traditional pub owner style, think The Krays but with less menace. I’ve always been amazed at just how cockney Northern Kent is – but apparently it’s a long standing issue.

We’ll work out which bands covered which songs later on. So with no delay and much nervousness I’ll be on my way and just set the default to be the Twitter Feed (and witty comments to follow later) – Cheers to living memory of Joe Strummer and everyone who made their way out to the event this evening:

TWITTER FEED

930-1030pm

• Finally here… 1st band on… Westway playing on all the tvs
• Lots of tasty geezers here…looks like the New Den  (First and probably not final football/hooligan reference)
• Set break… Coma Girl being spun by the DJ
• Johnny Appleseed… Brill
• Settled in outside @ the George… Ready 4 Newcastle in 8+ hours…   (Brandon is a Middlesbrough supporter….I can explain)

1030-1130pm

• Moving 2 Emperian on Cent in 5wks… Coming 2 grips w/ fact that this’ll b my new drinker   (Moving to new flat, a short drunk stumble from this venue)
• The prisoner lives in Camden Town selling revolution
• Rebel Waltz… Over-deserved love 4 Sandinista!   (A bold effort)
• This Is Radio Clash… Aural ammunition
• TOMMY GUN!!!!!

1130-1230am

• Glass Heroes on early….
• Got a button 4 u T!!!
• Glass Heroes blistering!!

More in the morning….we’ll sort out which band played what and summarise a bit more……