January 21, 2001 21:09

JJ72 - CRUTCH WITH EYELINER!

Mark Greaney performed a solo set as drummer Fergal Matthews hobbled along to the gig on crutches...

JJ72 were forced to kick off the NME BRATS tour tonight (January 21) playing an acoustic set without drummer Fergal Matthews, after he hurt his ankle last night at a warm-up gig.

Tonight's opening gig at Glasgow QMU went ahead, with Mark Greaney performing a solo acoustic set. Amen stepped up on the bill to headline the show, while Alfie and Starsailor made up the remainder of the bill.

Fergal was injured as the band finished their set at Derby University last night, where they had just played a warm-up gig for the tour. To leave the stage they had to go via the photographer's pit at the front, and as they jumped into it after an energetic set, a fan grabbed Fergal and he badly twisted his ankle.

He was taken to the local casualty department, where he spent four hours getting examined. Now on crutches, he plans to stick with the band and is currently training up a replacement drummer, Glenn Rowe, a friend of the band from London. It is anticipated Fergal will rejoin the tour by the end of the week.

The remaining tour dates are:

Newcastle University (January 22)
Leeds Met University (23)
Sheffield University (25)
Liverpool University (26)
Manchester University (27)
Oxford Brooks University (29)
Leicester De Montfort University (30)
Norwich UEA (31)
Cardiff University (February 2)
Bristol University (3)
London Astoria (4)

See our other story on the Brats to find out more about our fantastic two weeks? coverage leading up to the NME CARLING AWARDS on February 6.