TROGG
Born 1964 - July 21st 2008
TRIBUTE - It should go without saying - this zine is dedicated to the memory of Trogg, a top bloke who I feel I never got to know as well as I could of but the times We spent together chatting about this and that are cherished memories now. More than anything I will miss his openness and it goes without saying his sense of humour. No idea when I first met Trogg - it could ohly of been after 1998 when I reckon that I first saw Contempt play at the Water Trough in Walsall at a Punx 4 Pussys bash, where the sudden influx of punk rockers resulted in the pub being drunk very nearly dry - I think there was some sherry left! One daft incident t do recall occurred during a gig at the Bear Tavern in Brum back in February 2000 when they supported Vicious Rumours - Trogg played most of one track unaware that his bass was unplugged - never missed a note though, time for Contempt to go acoustic? Priceless. One of best and longest chats I had with him and Mark was at Primrose in Leeds waiting for a gig to start in November 2001.
Just how popular a bloke Trogg was became obvious by the huge number of people, mainly punks, who went to his funeral in Birmingham oh August 11th 2008. His sense of humour' and positivity shone through via the three speakers, humanist service and choice of music. It was the music more than anything else that brought a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat, quite eerie hearing 'what kind of world' (Contempt), 'wasted ('Drongos For Europe) and Tina's choice 'don't go' (Contempt) played at a crematorium. What really did it for me was that for a Blues fan Trogg's final choice of music was the tune that the Wolves come onto the pitch to at Molineux - 'hi-Iio silver linihg' (Jeff Beck) - you crafty sod Trogg, ever the joker to the end that had me snuffling towards the exit, nice one mate! Many tales Were related in the speeches, in particular by Mart who let on why Trogg was so called - he was the first lad in his school year to get hairy legs, so Trogg was the troglodyte! Trogg was a smoker and then some, as a result anyone who did not smoke and went on tour with Contempt (or the other bands he was in - Sensa Yuma, Police Bastard) would end up with a wracking cough after time in the van with trogg, his comment to Mart Was a pearler "I don1t want to sit by you Cos i doh't want your cough!" No idea how long into the night the party afterwards went on for at the Wagon and Horses but I would say we gave him a really good send off.
My thoughts go out to his family and friends, especially to his wife Tina and his band mates in Contempt. Cheers mate, no more pain and keep on punk rocking.
RIP (1964-2008)
Tom Freefall
('Freefall Drunk Punk Rantaphon' # 3) |
