Political Confusion: Cocktail No. 44

Paul Griffiths on a psychedelic cocktail at the Old Orleans

Accentuating

Once upon a time hairy flippers and braless elephants use to kick and punch their way to the brashness and ferocity of the riot grrrls. Their screams confused and scared lipsticks who used to shiver beneath their high street neon signs. Nowadays... Fairytales, myths and political confusion copulate above the cocktail bonanza of Cardiff’s 'old' Orleans pub. A rebellious corner that protrudes from the tentacles of 'Top Shop' glamour. It stars the FAG Club, a collage of drama and musical oddities from the underbelly of the art world.

As I swung the doors open, chewing over an apple pie Mcflurry clone, I noticed a dusty school table seating three broads and a Christmas banner named "F-man". Through the cracks and specks of Cardiff I’ve yet to witness the adventures of F-MAN; perhaps a Welsh super hero? I scanned the dusty corridors looking for a man with hypnotic feet and eyes of frozen yoghurt. I was mistaken; F-MAN is Cardiff’s Feminist Media Action Network's newsletter. A paper blob; expressing the views of our beloved Cardiff feminists, accentuating global political mischief.

Scattered beneath Sergio Leone’s wooden signs sat disparates divulging in chocolate cookies. Two avant-garde surrealists torched their instruments to the sights and sounds of a John Schlesinger acid trip. The lead guitarist turned his back on us fielding a decaying Gary Moore pose, grinding his industrious chords to his grazing companion. A pop interlude from the Rastafarian soundman gave way to two female framework companions. They perched like an apocalyptic owl on their chairs glaring into the silence of the audience, whilst their chatters and murmurs talked of organic fights with lost lovers. Their synchronized soap opera grew roars and toots from the crowd; shattering cocoa the clown’s smile in the back row.

An electronic keyboard drags its tall princess towards the dribbling crowd. Her red pointy shoes catapult her slender frame into the limelight. With such glamour, panache and damn unencumbered talent, the pair of shoes deserve their applauders. With shoes, clowns, and a handful of cookies, Cardiff’s found it’s newest psychedelic cocktail.

© 2007 Paul Griffiths

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