My big night out with "The Cuban drug dealer". The Fun Loving Criminals at Grimsby Auditorium by Diane

What a beautiful warm September evening to travel first class over the Humber bridge to Grimsby to see the wonderful fun loving criminals. As you may have guessed already, I am their Number 1 fan! I also saw them recently at the Hells Angel's Bulldog Bash, where they were superb. But this night was just a dream come true......

As we approached the auditorium I could see there was ample and safe parking and wished almost immediately that I'd come on my Harley Davidson (that would've been ultra stylish and, if I say so myself, pretty cool). We got inside and headed straight to the bar and then to the FLC accessories stall. The man who sold me a FLC hooded sweatshirt and the tiniest vest you ever saw was one cool dude. I spent a fortune - I was determined to have it all!

As we mooched about we met some of the security men. Some looked unapproachable and mean and so we decided not to pretend we were press from the Grimsby Telegragh. Instead we smiled and asked if we could take a picture of the big man eating his sausage. They were all ok, but said I couldn't take pictures inside whilst FLC were performing. 'No problem', I thought.

The sound of applause took us to the support band which were called "The Love Gods". They were great. The lead singer was a guitar playing woman - raunchy as hell with a voice to die for. The guy to her right was French with an equally good voice and my pal said that he was to most certainly to die for. The Love Gods had a got a real atmosphere swaying and did a couple of welcomed encores. Then, a strange, trampish looking guy appeared on stage. Everyone thought he was the local Grimsby busker, gate crashing the top ranking Criminal concert. As soon as he opened his mouth, showing his decaying yellow teeth, the most beautiful noise filled the room and every one was cheering him on . the evening was well on it's way. I knew then it was going to be one hell of a night. continued below

The Fun Loving Criminals at Grimsby Auditorium continued by Diane

We went out side to the foyer where a few people had gathered and were chatting and having a laugh with The Love Gods. We also asked for their autographs and they were very pleasant to meet. The lady singer was Australian and as I said earlier the guy was French. We bought their CD which was a well worth £5, said our thanks and could feel the movement and the vibe that at long last the fun loving criminals were coming on stage.

They looked so fab as they strolled on the set like an adverts from a 1950's black and white movie, smoking a long cigarette. They opened up with a sound number, UP ON THE HILL and straight on with LOCO, BIG NIGHT OUT, BACK ON THE BLOCK and so many more - the crowds were rocking and everyone seemed in that uncontrollable party mood.

I danced to every song but called out at the top of my voice 'BARRY WHITE'! This is my favourite number - I just couldn't believe my eyes when Hughie winked my way and began singing 'BARRY WHITE'. I thought then that this just had to be a dream ….. I was simply buzzing now as song after song was just getting better and better and I thought, 'Am I really in GRIMSBY, the giver of fish the giver of one great night to remember?'.

Hughie and the guys continued with their cool performance and then finally played what I call Scooby Snack and the crowd was going crazy. One little lady tried in vain to jump the barrier and kiss Hughie but security beat her to it and sent her on her way. I'm glad it was her and not me as it did cross my mind - phew! After a few encores sadly it was time to go and I was wet with sweat from top to bottom. I needed air quite badly so outside we went but not the one we had come in. To my amazement I saw the bands pink truck. WOW this was the way out, alright! We saw a couple of autograph hunters.

A girl I met - funny little thing called Emma - was eagerly waiting for Hughie and the gang so we 4 (including Emma's dad) had a real laugh with the roadies. The head roadie kept insisting the band had left ages ago and we were wasting our time, but he was quite chilled and in the end let us through all the instrument traffic.

Then it happened - the most amazing thing happened and I will never in my whole life forget it - the one and only Fun Loving Criminals' HUGHIE was standing straight in front of me! I flung my arms towards him and we embraced like long lost friends (I wish). He was so, so brilliant and for a moment I was speechless (so unlike me!) and then we posed for a couple of photos. I was in rock n' roll heaven! He gave me a massive 'smackaroonie', right on my cheek!

What else can I say about one absolute fantastic night? Just before he bid farewell, I said 'You are one pretty cooool guy' and when I looked again they were gone - but I wasn't sad - It was one happy lady who drove all the way back to Hull! And guess what? I can't remember the journey back and I haven't slept since.

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