[Cosmicsurfer]

I got to Bannermans around 9.15 last night and, armed with a pint of Caledonian 80/-, wandered through the bar to the performance area which was closed for the soundcheck. The sounds emerging were clearly not Altres but I assumed that they were in there somewhere. They weren't - I had walked passed them without noticing when I entered the bar! I spotted Brian and discovered that Altres weren't on until 11.30 or so. More beer was required.

I didn't catch which of the other bands were which in terms of names but the first one was interesting, if a little ramshackle, but with an excellent drummer; the second were duff - or at least the front man was right up himself - and far, far too loud for the space. Ted Nugent used to say that if it's too loud then you're too old, in which case I am in my dotage. More Caley 80 was required.

And then they were on: the audience grew noticeably larger (and older) and hippy tendencies emerged as one or two of us started swaying to the electro-vibe of Altres.

This was the second time that I'd seen Altres and this time they had the time to be more expansive and also had Electra along on vocals. The language filters on Yesfans means that I probably can't tell you that they were abso----inglutely fan----ingtastic but hey, what are a few asterisks between friends?

I wrote last time that to imagine Altres you have to think of Timewind era Klaus Schultz tossed together with some Floyd Live at Pompeii. With Electra on board you have to throw into the mix a little Jefferson Airplane and Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies too. I'm not quite sure how much was stream of consciousness and how much was rehearsed but it was excellent. About half an hour into the set I noticed that the guys from the second support band were standing open mouthed and awstruck by the talent on the stage in front of them. Good!

Thanks guys - great gig.