The King Blues - The Fight

The Fight -- “The bond that binds us is beyond choice. We are brothers” Ursula K. Le Guin I don’t know where I first met Al, maybe it was watching The Dancehall Crashers, maybe it was watching Snuff, but it was probably a combination of tens of different gigs where a nod of acknowledgement would turn into an “Alright?” At another gig, which progressed to a “Are you going to see blah blah next week?” Until we were absolutely inseparable. He helped me mentally and financially and was probably the first person in my life to be consistently solid and reliable. We did everything together and as happens with best friends, became a duo “Itch and Al”- as in “Are Itch and Al coming?” Or “You’re not gonna believe what I just heard about Itch and Al”. We drank Camden dry several times and caused havoc wherever we went. Thank God there were no camera phones back then. We unsuccessfully tried to step into each other’s worlds- we had an early dual vocal punk band but his singing was even worse than mine. In exchange, he let me “help” him book gigs, but I was completely unorganised. He was the captain of the ship, picking up the crew and steering us all to the next destination, and I was the parrot on his shoulder. The only time we were apart was during his two lengthy prison spells. To cut a long story short, he’d been taken down the wrong path and I, selfishly and shamefully turned my back on him when he needed me the most. Aside from the occasional letter, I couldn’t bring myself to visit him. I would go to prisons with Billy Bragg as part of his Jail Guitar Doors charity and speak to young offenders whilst ignoring the one person who had made sure I didn’t end up there myself. At the time, I justified it to myself, but upon reflection, I should have dropped everything and been there for him. It’s not the sort of betrayal that can just be swept under the rug. No excuses. I was wrong. I may not be able to change the past but I can learn from it and Al is now back on road and again, putting on gigs in East London that he does purely for the love of it. We may not be the gruesome twosome who terrorised London in the 90’s anymore but we do both check in on each other every day and meet up in person often to set the world to rights. I try my best to be there when he needs me. Al, I love you and I’m sorry. I knew I wanted to write a song about him but it was too emotional, too vulnerable, I needed help. I turned up to the studio with nothing but an idea: an apology to my best friend. Sophie asked me countless questions and noted down significant moments. Tom created a folk punk instrumental with an uplifting chorus that begged for a story to be told. It was a struggle this one, but we got there and I’m proud of the song for not sugar coating my behaviour and for showing the warts and all relationship. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this one on my own without the help of friends. -- It’s not a stretch to say That in the 00’s You ran the London punk scene From a tiny bedsit in Camden You were like The Godfather I was just a dumb teen Every band on Household Name And labels I’ve forgotten Everyone got helped by you But we all left you rotting Rotting away in jail Cos you picked up a habit Justified it to myself No visiting a crackhead But you burned every The King Blues CD In your warehouse job You were outside with us At the start But inside when it took off I’m sorry I’m sorry That I wasn’t there for you I promise I promise That I will be there until We lose our teeth And lose our minds But we’ll never lose The spirit of The Fight You said a couple months ago That you tried to overdose I’ve never seen you so happy To be ripped off but You came pretty close If you decide that the pain’s too much Just too much for one man I won’t hold it against you Honestly, I’ll understand But I could not forgive myself If I wasn’t there this time So I’ll see your hopeless ending And instead I’ll raise you mine How about you keep drinking your cider And telling stories with no ending And I’ll keep smoking my weed And pretending that I am listening We can be 2 grumpy gits Growing old disgracefully And when your gammy leg falls off Well you can lean on me I might need one of your lungs You might need one of my livers But we’ve got 90s punk rock vinyl And the chippy by you delivers So let’s call up Iggy and Get the 3 of us together Everybody’s chatting shit but Only we could chat shit forever As the world around us Burns right down to the ground We’ll tell the kids to get off our lawn Whenever they make a sound Like we were never young I’m sorry I’m sorry That I wasn’t there for you I promise I promise That I will be there until We lose our teeth And lose our minds But we’ll never lose The spirit of The Fight --- Video Credits: Directed & Produced by Andrew McKenzie DOP Mark Pullon thekingblues.org