No Exception got onto the stage around 3 for their first soundcheck, Matt having bribed the other band with his bass amp in return for Terry's Marshall stack. Francis also got to use a wireless guitar network, this made all the band very excitable. No Exception put up their backdrop, plugged in, and showed the old timers how it's done. They played a selection of covers to get them in the mood, such as 'Get Free' by The Vines and 'Slither' by Velvet Revolver. The band finished around 3.30 and unfortuantely let Underground back on stage.
Much to No Exception's surprise and glee, around 5 all members of Underground left to go home and get loved up before the gig, leaving No Exception in a holy glory of Marshall stacks, Fender strats and other such wonderous and out of budget items. The band plugged in for a second time and rocked through half of their set list before disiaster struck. Francis, being in an excitable mood, snapped his top E string for the third time in three days. That put an end to that, Francis considered borrowing Jeff's Fender Strat, but decided against it for fear of loss of limbs, if anything happened to Jeff's guitars.
No Exception had one final sound check around 7, and then headed for the grassy knowl behind the club, to meet all four of their dedicated fans who turned up; Hannah being one whom Matt had only met only a week ago at Reading festival, Hannah's friend, Tom and Toms friend Jim who know Matt vaguely. Good turnout.
8.15 came and went, so Francis and Matt ate a whole pack of raw jelly each..a band pre-gig ritual. 8.30 came and No Exception took to the stage. Firstly Matt giving the crowd a good dose of some funky bass, with Cleavage and Francis soon joining in, ready to rock the first song, the No Exception opening song; Holding back. The rest of the set list was as follows:
1. Holding Back - No Exception
2. By My Side - 3 Doors Down
3. Get free - The vines
4. Dare to Run - No Exception
5. Slither - Velvet revolver
6. Lost my way - No Exception
7. Random jamming
8. Her Voice - No Exception
9. By the way - Red Hot Chili Peppers
10. Paradise city - Guns 'n' Roses
The first nine songs went pretty smoothly, then came Paradise city...
The band put on Guns N' Roses style wigs, Francis also having his top hat [which due to popular misconception, NEVER leaves his head] and leather jacket. Francis aka Slash introduced the band as Guns n' Roses to a rather confused but aroused crowd. The crazed band members, rocked the song, and hopefully did it justice. Francis took walks through the crowd during solos, but as the last chorus drew to a close, disaster struck... Francis smashed the borrowed wireless guitar network whilst jumping off a table. Crazed thoughts of Terry snapping his spine in three different places flashed through Francis' mind. But thoughs of death were pushed away as knew he had to finish his rockin'. The rest of the rocking was now up to Matt and Cleavage who rocked it to the end, Francis finally collapsing in a filthy heap.
No Exception Rocked the underground.