Yesterday I managed to remix the HOST single. But I was awfully tired so it may well sound like an Alien Sex Fiend b-side. I'll find out later.

I lugged a load of gear to Water Rats for the Spearmint gig. Including my saw, which I was meant to play during their lush, magical humming instrumental “My Missing Days”, but in the soundcheck we couldn't hear it. So rather than have someone on stage who looked like they were pointlessly manipulating a woodworking tool, it was decided that I shouldn't bother. Another chance of fame snatched from beneath my nose.

At Water Rats there is always 1 croissant and 1 petit pain au chocolat on a plate on the bar at 5.30. It must be nice to have regulars that are French pastries.

Of course, then the tube network went down and as a result, instead of the sellout gig (200 people) we were banking on to avoid hitBACK plunging into insolvency, there were only 140 people, and so we have plunged into insolvency. We sat in Eddies Cafe on Grays Inn Road at 7.15 shaking our heads and giggling at the injustice of it all.

The world record for “most people who have been assistant to Nick Hobbs being in the same building simultaneously” failed to be established. Rhodri was there (1992-2000), Rob (2002) and Savas, who had come all the way from Istanbul (2003), but (2000-2002) failed to attend. Note that I did the job for 8 years, and the other barely scrape 3 between them. The conclusion you can draw from this is: I was a gullible doormat of an employee.

Spearmint were excellent; Samanthi guested on vocals on 4 songs and she was assured & confident. It all looked splendid. “Go” is still their most breathtaking moment, and it could send shivers down any spine at any time. Even if temperatures hit 100.7 degrees in Gravesend. After they'd played it I looked round at Dee and exhaled a long breath in a kind of “whew, that was impressive and now I feel emotionally confused” kind of way.

It took me 2 hours to get home carrying a saw and a keyboard stand; the last portion of the journey was made in a cab driven by a man with a flower in his hat.

Tonight I shall be staying in.