String Bean Jen's photo of spearmint from the ICA 30th September

Spearmint
Originally uploaded by String Bean Jen

String Bean Jen's photo of spearmint from the ICA 30th September

Best Ballroom from the ICA 30th September

Spearmint - ICA
Originally uploaded by manc_ill_kid

Manc ill kid's photo of spearmint from the ICA 30th September

A third of my life, from the ICA 30th September

Ticker tape parade
Originally uploaded by String Bean Jen

String Bean Jen's photo of spearmint from the ICA 30th September

Isn't it great to be alive? from the ICA 30th September

Isn't it great to be alive?
Originally uploaded by String Bean Jen

String Bean Jen's photo from the ICA show

Finally on stage at the ICA

When we walk onto the stage we get what sounds like a homecoming welcome which makes me feel quite emotional. The picture of Toby as a baby appears and BLAM! we're into "a week away" because of the gigs in Germany and all the rehearsal we play with the perfect mixture of rehearsed knowledge and off the cuff swarve that accompanies our level of excitment and fear. Sorry if that sounds bigheaded but tonight we just got it right. From the moment I'm on the stage I'm hopping around like a untethered Jack Russell, I really feel quite at home. Its having the support of the crowd it fills you with confidence. "Isn't it great to be alive" BLAM! "Sweeping the nation" BLAM! These songs are our favourites, close to our hearts and for many of the assembled people they feel the same, and its very apparent. During, "A third of my life" The Junipers come back on and throw confetti over us adding to the atmosphere and complimenting the picture of Andy's wedding. The stage is covered in a confetti and for a brief moment I worry about cleaning it up but then its gone and I'm filled again with the joy of the moment. "We're going out" BOOM! The old spearmint magic strikes again and we are all smiles, like we've won a competition to play at the ICA. "Start again" BOOM! 'Anyone who has bubbles start blowing now', announces Shirley before we launch into "Best ballroom" WOOOOOOOO! "You carry this with you" has this ever sounded as good? "A trip into space" PAZAOW! we're all in it together, nodding and signaling to each other. Call and response singing is great infectious fun a real group thing. There's something about the way we play these songs now that's refreshing. I remember when we were learning and recording them, for me it was all about claiming the audible territory as your own, there's a gap there I must make a noise to fill it. This time it's stripping it back and leaving space and it sounds bigger and better, did it take me 10 years to realize that? No it's probably longer. Over the years we've played "a trip into space" at the end we turn to one of the band and applaud, it's my turn, I milk it, naturally, teasing feedback out of my amp until Shirley looks at his watch, ok I get the point ha! "It won't be long now" CLANG! "Making you laugh" I join Si at the keyboard, I love this song! "You are still my brother" BLAM! sounds more soulful than ever. Then the very soft and sentimental delivery of "Saturday" with all of us singing along, very emotional, will this be the last time we play this album in full? For the encore we play some of the new "life in reverse" material peppered with a selection of oldies. We bow and we're off. After the 10 year anniversary champagne has been opened it's all a bit of a blur but what a night. Thank you so much to everyone who came and to everyone who has helped us over the years, we couldn't continue without your support, thanks for this big smile I've been wearing this week. JiM xXx

Before the ICA gig, I have somethings to do

The Junipers are on and I'm using up the last of my nervous energy making last minute arrangements, giving things out, lifting things up and putting them in different places, basically wasting time. My nerves are diluted by the sea of familiar faces many of which I haven't seen in more than 10 years but I can't escape the feeling that I should be backstage in my underpants with the rest of the boys. I get backstage just before the Junipers finish. No one is in their underpants but I do get to listen to The Junipers through the backstage monitors, they sound great. As soon as they finish we busy ourselves with setting up. Then backstage again and it's 20 minutes before the film starts. When we signal to Adam to start the film he comes and wishes us good luck, which is really thoughtful. When the film actually starts we are crossing everything hoping no one thinks it pretentious, then they start laughing at the funny bits and from then on we know its going to be alright.

Check, check 1-2 1-2

Lights, instruments, camera, seaside

Adam

with his large glittering ball

setting up at the ICA

Ladders, boxes, wires, people, equipment and the smell of fear

In the ICA

I'm in the 'theatre' at the ICA, there are about four staff running around setting up, its a properly organized and well ran ship, this makes me feel uneasy, I'm not sure why? Then they ask me questions that I should know the answers to. I mumble something about the mirror ball and then run away phoning for backup, Adam (lighting and wizardry) tells me he'll be about 5 minutes. So I go off and hide on my own. Shortly both Adam and Ronan arrive and with the safety of numbers I relax a little and it all starts to happen. Before long the van comes with Si, Andy and Shirley. With the whole family of spearmint in the building there is a lot more control. The sound check goes well; the visuals are ready; we have food; I iron my shirt for a third time and with an hour to go before doors open we can collectively return to the business of feeling nervous.

Heavy feet

Walking down The Mall

Outside the ICA

pausing to compose myself

Getting in the right head space for The ICA gig

It seems almost inconceivable that after planning and talking about something for so long that it should actually be happening tonight. Yet I have taken the day off and I am sat at home ready to go to the ICA. I don't have to leave for another 2 hours so I sit here fidgeting and worrying. There has been so much rehearsing, there have been so many plans, emails about confetti and bubble liquid, sleepless nights, bank accounts hemorrhaging money, I feel so uptight how can I possibly relax enough to enjoy the gig? I set off labouring over every step. Then I remember fourteen or so years ago I saw a great band at the ICA, they showed a film and then played a great set. Very inspiring and thoroughly arty! brilliant! Ever since that day I've wanted to do that kind of gig not just a gig but an event. Somehow tonight that will happen but also somehow my feet are getting heavier. I am utterly nervous. Ticket sales have gone well, rehearsals have been great, the German tour was successful but this is not filling me with the confidence it should.
Now I'm sat at the station totally on edge, I let the first train go. The second train I get on trying to empty my head. The Journey is too quick, arriving at Charing Cross I slowly leave the train making my way across Trafalgar Square toward the grand arches that lead to Buckingham palace. Bloody hell they are grand. Every step is heavy and slow, so slow. I pause when I see the ICA to take a couple of pictures and then I go in.

Getting ready to leave

Before the ICA, but look at my face do I look ready?