We Do Adventure

Before you ask, no, of course Jajce doesn't have a real Hard Rock Cafe. Unlike Mostar, it doesn't even have a place pretending to be one. As someone who has visited Hard Rock Cafes in London, New York and LA – yes, the original one is in London – I know it takes more than a few guitars and a Jimi Hendrix poster on the walls to qualify as rock'n'roll's finest eatery. Nevertheless I share the photo because it makes me smile. Who wouldn't want a bright orange (fake) Hard Rock T-shirt was a birthday present! That not the real reason though. As we head into the week that should see our first public rock'n'roll performance in our new town I thought is was a great way to get back in the live music mood. Moving has meant we've gone a few months without practising altogether. We're either in for a pleasant surprise or a horrible shock when we crank it up for rehearsals over the next couple of days!

'Is this the set list?' I put down the cable I was coiling and glanced up at the table where the bar owner was pointing. I nodded. 'And you wrote all the songs?' I replied that, yes, apart for the obvious inclusion of some U2 and Lenny Kravitz, I'd written all the rest. (Truth be told, I co-wrote three of the track with musician-friends from previous bands, but I felt this was unnecessary detail at the time!) 'Good. Very good band.' My denim and leather clad critic pointed to the first track and then somewhere towards the bottom of the set list. “These song are the best. Very good.” We not the only band to receive such praise. “U2. Very good. Not heavy metal but very good band.” Iron Maiden are his favourite. U2 and Dire Straits make up his list of good non-heavy-metal bands. Then came the comparison. I've always had mixed feelings when people start down the 'that song sounds like...' route. As a song writer you know what's in your record ...

According to fake T-shirts sold the world over ever city worth its salt has one. They don’t, but this franchise does have a legitimate global presence. Born in London, we’ve found the real deal in Edinburgh and LA, Birmingham and New York. There are plenty more besides, but those I can personally vouch for. Yes, we’re talking about the Hard Rock Cafe ! I’m a fan, as much for the memorabilia as the burgers. We once stayed in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas – and would recommend it to anyone who wants to find a decent sound system in their hotel room! Today I stumbled upon Mostar’s 'Hard Rock Cafe'. They had gone to the effort of matching the original font on the sign stuck to the sliding glass door but there was no question this was not anywhere near being an official enterprise. There was a reasonable collection of rock posters adorning the walls but not an instrument or gold disk in sight. Still the coffee was cheap and there was no attempt to flog us a knock-off T-shirt!