A Night With a Lot of Smiling

Screening of ”Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton: This Is Stones Throw Records” / Q&A with Peanut Butter Wolf @ The Basement.

“…If I don’t like the songs then it is kind of a done deal: I’m not gonna work with it.”

Chris Manak, aka the aforementioned PBW, enunciates the ethos that has won him respect and friends among Artists, Fans and industry execs alike.

 Personally I only knew of him through a couple of appearances at Amoeba on “ What’s In My Bag.”

 Set Up in 1996, Stones Throw Records forms the nexus of the fascinating and mellifluous documentary screened at The Basement last night.   The mood amongst the punters was relaxed, whilst the folk from the club were warm and efficient. So, when the film screening was delayed short minutes it was with complete good humour an audience member greeted his buddy with the line:

“You better go in, I think they’re having trouble with the aspect: ratio.”

The young bar man offers me a glass of water rather than an expensive bottle. The guy next to me checks that I have a decent view of the screen. A beautiful young lady sweetly acquiesces to my request to take a photo of her. In short, the ambience is great.

The film begins to roll. Early on we hear the rap:

“Don’t go swag, just stay cool. Don’t go swag, just be you.”

And we are transported into musical terrain, which is novel for me, and, hopefully, as fun for Mr Manak as it was for the audience.

As the Q & A wound down, I went outside for a surreptitious cigarette.  A smoking woman was marvelling at the film structure.

A buddy of hers ascends the stairs.  (The Basement is, after all, in a basement.)

“ Looks like ol’ PBW may have had a few vallium tonight”,

 Says the ascender of stairs.

“ He does so many….”,

 Says the smoking woman.

I can’t stop myself and jump in:

“ I think he’s lovely”

“ I think he’s lovely, too,” Says the smoking woman, of the not aforementioned beautiful smile, “ But he’s got a girlfriend, so I’m going home.”

I make my way back and ask what turns out to be the last question of the Q & A.

With blood rushing in my ears I am soon on stage taking a selfie with PBW.

I am greeted:

“2 ageing b-boys together.”

PBW

“I hadn’t heard of you until tonight.” ( sic.)

Me.

“I hadn’t heard of you until tonight either!”

PBW

“I know”, say I, "what have you been doing?"

Me

I extend my hand and say, “ Damien.”

We pose.

“My hands are shaking so much, I can’t take it.”

Me

“Here I’ll take it. Let’s get the audience in.”

We turn around

“I can’t use iPhone, did it work “?

                                        Bright lights in an office building near by.

                                       One of many pretty women with pretty hair. Thank you. :)

Ready for a night on the town.

PBW

My selfie with PBW

“Yes.”