May 23 1991 Ogre, Shred, Stone Pony, Tension – Fox + Pheasant
May 30 1991 Grown Ups, Onion Breath, Jam Jar Jail, Pet Lamb – Fox + Pheasant
React was 7 issues old and had grown to 2000 copies per month. It was now being printed by Atko-print, Miriam’s cousin. He had his own printing business. He also printed some fanzines out of his sister’s garage. Since the second Fugazi gig, there had been a fund that we used whenever there was a surplus or deficit at gigs. All ‘Hope’ gigs were not-for-profit in that any money made could be used for other projects. This could be used to help cover a band’s costs at a gig without being completely dependent on the numbers of people attending. Other projects became “loans” to fanzines to help them print their first issues. They then paid back the money out of fanzine sales if they could. Printing React cost money which ads from the record shops Freebird and Comet didn’t cover.
As React was a tool for publicizing gigs it used some of the ‘Hope’ fund but I felt awkward taking money every month. I was building up a list of interested people that would get REACT and fliers for impending gigs – a mailing list. I asked people to take out a 6-month subscription for £2 and got about 75 replies. That paid for one issue but it also meant that people would get their copies posted; therefore, money needed to be found. As an aside to the regular afternoon Charlie’s events I asked bands that had previously asked for gigs to play a benefit for REACT.
Two weeknights in the Fox + Pheasant were organised. Bands were willing and some people went. However there was a mix-up over a drum kit at this first gig and Ger, from Tension, really complained about the whole thing. I suppose this gig and the fact they played to 20 people the previous month didn’t enamour ‘Hope’ to them. A low point.
I don’t remember thanking the bands who did these two benefits. If not I apologise and am grateful they took the time out to play and support REACT for no monetary gain.
