Welcome back boyz! Tonight’s return to Letchworth’s Plinston Hall is a very special occasion. As well as being the band’s second gig of the year in this small Hertfordshire town, an unprecedented event in Plinston terms, tonight’s show also marks the launch of the band’s new album, their first new recording in ages!
   There will be a special ‘after-show’ party upstairs in Plinston’s Gardens Gallery at which the new live CD ‘Life in San Antonio’ will be showcased. The band will be on hand too to autograph copies for their diehard fans. In recent days, fans logged onto the Budgie Yahoo Chatroom have been talking up the prospects for the Plinston show. Like the band, they treat our tiny Garden City as hallowed ground; proof, if proof were needed that Letchworth is truly legend, at least in Budge circles.

So, with the scene is set for a great evening, its up to local powerhouse trio Full Circle to provide a suitable aperitif to tonight’s main course. Their particular brand of southern fried boogie served with a large helping of overdriven Fender really hits the spot - see menu elsewhere on this site for the write-up on their full three course feast! Congratulations guys! Give my compliments to the chef!
   OK so Ray has spoken of great things emanating from the fabulous Roadmender venue – Northampton’s very own jewel in the crown. The Budge flew in there earlier this month. I missed that flight and in truth hadn’t been able to catch this bird since a chance encounter in my native Manchester. That was back in August and the word was that the set had now moved on!

Cue walk-on music like something from an early WWF bout! Change! No ‘crime’ to kick-off! But what’s this – ‘ Panzer division destroyed’? Wow! The sound from the front is crystal clear. The simmering days spent on the road have distilled this band to perfection point, like a fine malt whiskey. The chemistry is simply intoxicating. What a brew!

The next number begins loosely. It reminds me of the feel of those legendary cuts contained on the ‘Bandolier’ album, still my favourite. What will it be next? Andy, Fender on a lead, treads carefully. A space here, a lick there, another space, another tasty chord there. Whatever next? Wow! Suddenly the groove tightens as the band launches into ‘Melt the ice away’. Brilliant! This number has everything. Light, shade and a riff that moves up and down by the semitone (sorry folks, sad muso commentary, I know).

Next up, ‘Gunslinger’. Burke dedicates this song to John Thomas. Sadly, JT is not here tonight. He was here back in May ’99 for that now legendary show, which helped to put this rocking band back on the map in the UK. His replacement, Andy Hart is an absolute knockout choice and a fitting successor to the great JT. Rock on, John!
   ‘Crime against the world’ comes next. At the risk of losing a thousand readers here, I have to say this is one of my favourite Budge numbers. Why? The crowd know the words! OK apart from the semi-political message of the lyric, great to relieve those ‘bad news’ days, it contains, at its heart, an incredible yet magic, ‘hell for leather’ riff.
   Thunder and lighting strike. The rain begins to fall, a wail here, an echo there. It’s ‘Black velvet stallion’ time. Cue Paul Cox. After a stormy introduction, the sun returns to allow a little light to shine through in the form of Burke’s pulsating bassline. One of the songs of 2002, ‘Velvet’ is an ideal vehicle for the lyrical, harmonic and fluid guitar styling of Mr Andy Hart. Featured on the new live album recorded in Texas earlier this summer, it has been a highlight of every UK show too. Wow!

Home straight. ‘In for the kill’, ‘Napoleon’ and ‘Wildfire’. Before signing off, Burke gives a warm vote of thanks to the audience and, in particular, one man who is not in it but who is largely responsible for the Budge in Letchworth – Mr Ray Cordell. ‘Cept he’s not here. ‘As got a gig. Ironic hey?’ says Burke. Nevertheless, the message is heartfelt and will be relayed! But there is no way Steve, Andy and Burke can dash off stage just now! ‘Parents’ is the first up encore followed by the band’s signature tune - ‘Breadfan’. It all finishes too soon.
   Minutes later we are all upstairs in the Gardens Gallery. An orderly queue forms and the signing session begins. First off, a chat with Andy and his news that our mutual hero – one Mr Steve Lukather is back in action with 80s rock funksters Toto (PS. check out their new covers album ‘Through the looking glass’ now! PPS. See you at Shepherds Bush Empire, 18^th Feb 2003?). Next? A chance to connect the missing Mr Ray Cordell (gigging at Hitchin Town Hall) with Burke by mobile! And so the evening comes to an end. Another great show at Plinston Hall by our favourite band. Yes, the Budge are back but better than ever before. Don’t leave it too long! Words and pictures by Alan Howard, November 2002.