Mark was 16 when I first met him and he was bloody funny and very talented. He had a piano in the lounge where he would practice each evening when he returned from school. The music he played was incredible for somebody that age, he also had a remarkable singing voice. Speaking to Mark on the phone was a joy, he was extremely well spoken and funny, very funny! I heard through one of his friends that Mark had battled Cancer when he was 5 years old. You wouldn't had known this, he shrugged this off. It wasn't a big deal to him. I was with one of his friends one night bombing around town in his car. His mobile went and within minutes the car was pulled over and the ignition stopped. My mate I was with never showed his emotions in front of others, until that day. Tears ran down my friends cheek. Mark had just phoned, the Cancer had returned. There's no 'good time' for Cancer to strike. But Mark had just found his first girlfriend and was intending to travel to America. Within a week the only journey he made was to the hospital for an operation, but no one expected what was to happen next.
I think it was two nights prior to the Op we decided to sneak Mark out of the ward and take him for a spin around town. After snapping off the hospital wristband we had a blooming great night, it was a taste of freedom for Marky who had been trapped in dingy hospital ward for a good week or two. We had a slap on the wrist from the nurse on our return, but this was made up by a wink from one of his doctors who commended our little evening out. The next visit to Marks bedside wasn't a happy experience. It was a few hours after his operation, I parked my car and made my way up to the ward, as soon as I stepped out the lift I could tell something wasn't right. Mark's friend was standing outside the ward, Mark had lost his voicebox. This was the first time I saw Mark upset, his brave smile was trying to fight back the tears, his neck was a mess because of the surgery. Once out of the hospital Mark continued to lead a perfectly normal life, he wore high neck jumpers to cover his scars and had speech therapy to talk the best he could. He was a fighter. Sadly, I gradually lost contact with Mark although at the back of mind I had the uppermost respect for him. I wanted to tell him that, but couldn't - telling someone who has a disability that you are proud of them for fighting whatever they face on a daily basis is difficult. The last thing you want is to patronize them. I never had the opportunity to find the right words, or the right phrase to tell Mark how proud I was of him. To be honest it never sprang to mind until one night, two years later I returned home late to my parents house. They were still awake, which was quite odd. They wanted to tell me about the phone call they had received earlier in the evening. Mark's father had called, despite radiotherapy and Chemio, Mark had died that night, a few months before his 19th Birthday.
Liam was cool, damn cool. I first met him when I visited a friend who lived up north. I remember the first time I met Liam distinctly well, I had just stepped off a long coach journey battling with a large bag. He took it from me as he could easily see I has having discomfort with it. As he walked to my mates car you could tell he had a slight limp, although I thought nothing of it. It wasn't until that night until I found out Liam's past. I was having a catch up in my mates bedroom and the conversation turned to Liam. My friend told me that Liam had a wooden leg, he lost his real one at the tender age of 6 through Cancer. Liam was very open talking about his disability and cracking jokes, he told me that if anyone gave him any grief he would kick them and they would soon know about it! Another feature Liam had was his hair, it was stunning. Bright, blonde, curly and a babe magnet and he knew it! Liam was 16 and was having the time of his life. However, behind the smile there must had been fear, he was still paying regular visits to the hospital. A year later I made another regular trip up North, this time to stay with him as we had become good mates. Again, he met me at the station with the same smile, it was the same old Liam, although this time he was wearing a cap. There was no hair to hide, this had gone because of more Chemo, the Cancer had returned for the third time. At night when he took the cap off before sleeping I could had cried. I saw Liam a few months late and he was back on form and me and my mate went out in town. A year later a harrowing memory returned to haunt me. Once again I returned home late one night, my Dad was still awake. At the age of 18 Liam had lost his battle with Cancer.
The two stories above were difficult to write and brought back two upsetting times in my life. Teenagers are dying of Cancer every month. What follows is a full report from the Teenage Cancer Trust Shows which we were granted full access at. Please, if you can spare some cash click on the link at the end of the article and give as much as you can to this worthwhile cause. OK enough of the doom and gloom, lets start with our entertaining reviews..
MONDAY - ROOSTER, THE BEES, ROBERT PLANT (A NIGHT OF GIBSON GUITARS)
We can't put a finger on what Rooster want to be. On one hand they could well be a boyband, because they are a group of boys in um, a band. (Look, if you keep writing crap sentences like that one on this website we are never going to get a mention in WebUser magazine! - Editor) The best way to describe the lads are a more heavier format of Busted. The lead singer was overjoyed that they had made the Albert Hall and was prancing around the stage as if he had epileptic ants making love to each other in his boxer shorts.
Next on the bill were The Bees, if only they were supporting The Hives! What a fantastic line up that would be for a headline story. Sadly this wasn't the case, but they still played half an hour of numbers which no one had probably never heard of, but The Bees are a pretty decent little band with a good 'sting' in their lyrics. (See what what we did there?). Before he went on stage we managed to have a quick word with Robert Plant who was moping around backstage. He told us that he was playing V in August and was proud as punch supporting Massive Attack and Portishead last month in Bristol for the Tsunami appeal as it was the first time he had managed to catch Portishead live. Before the Zeppelin star began his two hour set Roger Daltrey (who is behind the week of charity gigs) handed over a signed Gibson guitar to a highest bidder who pledged over £1,500! Robert Plant treated fans to new tracks off his new album as well plucking numbers from his back catalogue. The set ended with an encore which included with 'Whole Lotta Love'.
TUESDAY - KAISER CHEFS, GRAHAM COXON, MAGIC NUMBERS, FRANZ FERDINAND
It was pointless having chairs in the Albert Hall tonight, not one buttock made contact with any seat as soon as Kaiser Chefs opened the second night of the Teenage Cancer Trust shows. This band will be the next Franz Ferdinand, you need more proof? Well Roger Daltrey told the guys backstage that, providing they sell enough records this year, they are welcome back on the tour in 2006 which a much more higher billing. 'Oh My God, Can you Believe It?'. (For those of you unaware, 'Oh My God' is the title of the bands current song, hence why we made that very funny phase - oh forget it!)
The 'Chefs were in fine form and handed out their setlist towards the end of their energetic performance to a fan in the front row. Graham Coxon was up next, although after the 'Chefs he didn't quite pull it off. The ex-Blurrer seemed a bit lonely on stage and you couldn't help wish that Damon and the lads couldn't just run on stage and give him a warm hearted cuddle. Still, never mind!
We spoke to Paul from Franz Ferdinand backstage before he embrace his fans, he revealed to ABLE2UK that the band were shooting back to Scotland straight after the gig to carry on recording their new album at Alex's house. He also told us that new band, Magic Numbers would open their set by performing in front of a backdrop.
We took to our seats and, well, The Magic Numbers opened Franz Ferdinand's set by performing in front of a backdrop - surprising that! After the Numbers did their actual numbers the audience jumped to their feet for a second time and gave Franz the welcome they deserved. The boys didn't fail to disappoint and lead singer, Alex jumped around the stage as if his life depended on it. An unwelcome guest managed to rush his way onto the stage towards the end, which is a pretty common occurrence at the venue for some unknown reason, but it didn't put a damper on the night. All in all it was the most exciting History lesson anyone could wish for and the seats at the Albert Hall didn't need a dust off afterwards!
THE NOW MAGAZINE PARTY
After Tuesday's concert NOW magazine held a private party at EVE. A trendy little club off Regents Street. The venue has one of the most famous dancefloors in the country as it's the very same floor which appears on the cover of Pulp's Disco 2000 record. On the muti-colored dancefloor tonight though was Jamie Cullum! A keen music lover we last spotted him at the John Legend party a few months ago. He was with his other half and stayed until the last track blared out the speakers at 2am. Guests munched on burgers, spring rolls, Sausage and mash and platters of fries. Some tabloid reporters were having a 'very friendly' evening with some lady friends - you know who you are! And the most popular celebrity weekly did themselves blooming proud. Don't forget you can catch all the goss in the Showbiz world each and every Tuesday in NOW Magazine! (That little plug should secure us an invite to their Christmas bash!)
WEDNESDAY - COMEDY NIGHT WITH PETER KAY & GUESTS
Not content with three mayor comedy series and a current number One single under his belt Peter Kay accepted the phone call from Roger Daltrey to host this years Comedy night. He didn't disappoint! Kay was the first comedian of the night and entertained the crowd for 20 minutes interviews between various comedy acts which included Cold Feet's, John Thomson and Irish comic, Ed Byrne. All of which were given a warm reception from the audience, which is more which can be said about one of the lesser known comedians on the bill.
The comic started to ramble on about 'something or other', (have to admit, we didn't quite know what the hell he was going on about) When one of the punters shouted out 'Fuck Off!'. The comic then did one of the best comebacks we have seen for a long time, making the whole audience to tell him to 'F Off!', he then crucified the heckler down to the ground and it saved his act. Well, until Kay returned to the stage and slagged off the comedian as well!
Catherine Tate performed a rib bursting sketch and even the dead Pope wasn't safe as he was the target for a few jokes! Kay ended the night as wheelchair bound Phoenix Night's Brian Potter with his 'edited' version of Wind Beneath My Wings, titled Wind Beneath My wheels'. By the way have you any idea how difficult it is to review a comedy show, we blooming struggled with this piece in the article and want to send our thanks to the aforementioned heckler as he helped us pad this out!
THE EMBASSY CLUB PARTY
'Don't burn your candle at both ends', goes the well known saying. Well if we had a candle this week it would be left with our hands covered in messy wax and burnt fingers. It's only half way through the week and it's time for another party.
Tonight's bash was held at one of our most favorite haunts, The Embassy Club. The upstairs hosted the mid week party which saw people involved in the weeks activities mingle together over free drink and canapés of ham rolls, fish and chips, burgers and spring rolls, in other words your standard tasty VIP platters!
We spoke to the guys who actually designed the official Teenage Cancer Trust website, which underwent a complete revamp at the beginning of this year which gives up a good opportunity to ask you to dig deep, have a nose around The Teenage Cancer Trust Site and give a donation. Go on, please spare some cash and pray that your kids won't have to benefit from this magnificent cause.
THURSDAY - THE ENGINEERS, STEPHEN FRETWELL, KEANE
Seeing acts which you have never heard of is a bit like playing a game of Russian Roulette. Sometimes you win and sometimes you wish you had stayed at home and watched Eastenders. Fortunately tonight our ball landed in the right places. Kicking off the night were The Engineers, admittingly they probably aren't likely to be gracing the cover of NME in the near future, but we have seen a hell of a lot worse.
They are a pretty middle of the road type band and wouldn't seem out of place in a local rock band competition. Stephen Fretwell however is a completely different kettle of fish. This time next year we predict this guy will be packing his bags for some high billed slots at various festivals. Think Damien Rice and you will have a fairly good idea what Fretwell sounds like. He already has a strong reputation and Virgin Radio's Martin Collins (who was comparing the whole week) has been playing his CD on a regular basis (he was probably given a free copy, but that's beside the point!) Headliners Keane stole not only the night, but the week so far!
If one bolt of The Albert Hall's ceiling had been out of place the roof would have been raised and then shattered by the noise from below. Accompanied by images on the backdrop screen which bore similar artwork to that shown in the Bedshape video tonight was a memorable gig.
FRIDAY - GOLDIE LOOKIN' CHAIN, ERIC CLAPTON, UB40
Three rows back, in the center of Row C Grandad was nearly having a heart attack. A couple had brought their Dad to the Albert Hall so he could enjoy one more gig before he popped his clogs. They must had thought long and hard to which concert this week would had suited him. Robert Plant? - Too rocky, Franz Ferdinand? - Too loud, Peter Kay?- No, he have laughed so much and break his pacemaker! They opted for UB40, who were celebrating their 25th Anniversary tonight for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
What the couple and Grandad didn't bargain on though was the support act, Goldie Lookin' Chain. Grandad wasn't impressed, we could see the old fogey with his fingers in his years. Even this couldn't drown out the lyrics to 'Your Mother Got A Penis, repetitive drug references and a heap load of swearing. It was one of the funniest things we have ever seen at a gig!
Backstage UB40 grouped together in the hospitality room for a quick photo shoot before taking to the stage at 9pm. The reggae stars played for just under two hours in front of a backdrop of their logo which, even looked as if a Blue Peter presenter had some spare time on their hands, left over tin foil and a large supply of spare cardboard still managed to look fairly impressive. Half way through the set Ali Campbell welcomed Eric Clapton on stage to accompany the band with two numbers. Obliviously the crowd went wild and the atmosphere was kept at fever pitch right up until the encore which closed this memorable week in style.
WHERE'S THE CASH GOING?
Every day 6 teenagers are told they have Cancer. This is a pretty difficult stat to accept. If that isn't bad enough these kids have to have treatment in hospital wards alongside elderly people and the environment is extremely poor in some cases. Cancer is the most common cause of non-accidental death in teens and young adults in the UK and before kid celebrates their 15th birthday they have a 1 in 600 chance of developing Cancer, by the age of 24 they have a 1 in 285 chance! The Teenage Cancer Trust aims to build and design special wards for teenagers undergoing treatment. These wards include personal space and the opportunity to mix with people their own age. Not only does this make their lives a bit more easier, but more importantly gives the teenagers an extra 25% survival rate. If you want to help a kid battle Cancer all you have to do is donate some cash on The Teenage Cancer Trust Site.
Story in memory of Mark & Liam
