Last night we went to see Rob Dickinson, formerly of Catherine Wheel, at Southpaw in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Brilliant show. He of course played a bunch of songs from his latest album Fresh Wine for the Horses, including my favorites My Name Is Love and Oceans. He also played a lot of old Catherine Wheel favorites as well, like Black Metallic and Eat my Dust You Insensitive F**k.

The night started out at Long Tan for some dinner, and then I took my friend Q and her dad Bas over to O’Connors, this great old bar that I used to hang out in when I lived in Park Slope. O’Connors hasn’t changed, still has cheap beer and a great jukebox with lots of oldies, and the place was a real hit with Bas. He’s been working in the music business for many years, and he actually was the one to sign Catherine Wheel in the states after hearing Black Metallic for the first time. So he and Rob go way back. Bas also knows Pat Benatar, the guys in ZZTop, and Donna Summer to name a few. When I told him I was from New Jersey and that I liked Bon Jovi he said oh, Jonny’s a great guy!

We went to the show, danced, drank some guinness, and had a real laugh. Later on Rob came out and after a bunch of fans met him and took pics with him, Q, Bas and I got to say hello. So what does one say to Rob Dickinson? I just told him your music has meant a lot to me over the years, and he smiled broadly and gave me a hug. The 3 of us chatted for a while and some Frat boys from Virginia tried to pick us up, but I flashed my wedding ring and that was that.