Andy's Amp

On Saturday 24 October, 1998, Steve Clarke very kindly popped out to Andy's house on my behalf and collected an amplifier - in apparently shocking condition - which has been with the band since the mid-seventies days of The Helium Kidz, and which Andy offered to me as a gift. Unable to get myself down to Andy's place at the kind of short notice he required I asked Steve to do the honours and he did me proud. Andy, it seems, did Steve proud too and took time to make him coffee, talk music and even play a broad selection from the new album!

Though sick with envy I am eternally grateful to Steve for his help in acquiring this wonderful bit of XTC memorabilia. The amp has been repaired so that it can continue active service with me for a year or so more; here's a picture - taken by Steve on the day - of Andy and the amp in his shed... When I get around to it I'll put some RealAudio up here with the sound of me playing a little something, dreadfully, through it.

Thanks Andy, and thanks Steve!