This last weekend, I was fortunate enough to perform a couple of gigs with Josh Doyle. Josh was formally the frontman for pop punksters, the Dum Dums.
Josh came to the UK for 9 shows over the last couple of weeks. I joined him, along with Mark Hamilton and Paul Evans for the last two shows, in Birmingham and London.
Both shows were great fun, especially London! Josh’s new material is really strong and it was a real pleasure playing it on stage with him, with a few Dum Dums songs thrown in for good measure.
Birmingham was a bit of a school reunion really, as former Dummies (and I mean that in the most affectionate way!) Steve and Stu were in attendance. It was, of course innevitable that these guys were going to join Josh on stage and the first appearance of the Dum Dums in 8 years was happening!
It was a real pleasure seeing the old chemistry, banter and musicality happen on stage. It felt right somehow. It felt that these guys were able to kick back, have some fun and knock out these tunes together again. I’m not privvy to what went on in the band in terms of relationships, friendships or whatever… what I do know is that it somehow felt to complete things that night. Steve and Stu are in the full swing of Rogue States and Josh is forging his new career, but for that night, the circle seemed to complete.
I never really saw the Dum Dums “back in the day” or had much to do with them. My friendship with Josh, Steve and Stu happened after the band. It was good to catch a glimpse of what “was” by seeing them playing together. It was cool to see how well it was received by the Dum Dums fans in the audience too. This band obviously meant so much to so many people, it was a real pleasure seeing them get so much pleasure from it.
After the show, James, Steve, Stu, Catherine, Kelly, Sal and I headed back to our place to watch the fantastic DVD that Stu has created of the Dum Dums story. It was great fun watching Josh, Steve, James and Stu laughing so hard and remembering the fun. They achieved so much in such a short time, it was not without it’s hint of sadness that it ended so soon, as many great things tend to do. However, watching the old friendships rekindle with good nature and humour was a real pleasure. I’m pleased that the evening went so well.
I’m really pleased that the London show went so well. Josh was on form. The audience was really in to it, along with a great reaction to Josh’s new material. Hopefully Josh will be back with us soon, as someone who’s only really known him a brief time, I miss him already. He’s great fun to hang out with and great fun to share a stage with (if a little unpredictable!). If I don’t get the chance to play with him again, these gigs will hold a special place in my memory for some time to come.
