All the Young Punks (New Boots and Contracts)

Anti-Woodstock

Getting on that stage took a lot of balls, especially after the Sex Pistols. There was an ocean of french youth with hairstyles of all kinds glaring at us waiting to be entertained. I took a deep breath and used my nervous adrenaline for good, singing and playing loud and proud.

The anti-Woodstock came to an end once the moon rose and The Clash screamed the last words of "I Fought The Law" into the now saliva-covered mic. It was an energizing show, to celebrate there's a party in some underground club where only the bands and their "guests" are allowed. Joe, Paul and I think it's stupid but Mick insists so we assist anyway. Piper goes to the party with Dee Dee as her date while Paul brings the girl from this morning, Rachel.

Mattey, Mick, Joe and I take a cab there and almost as soon as we arrive my lovely boyfriend comes up with an idea.
"Mick lets go introduce ourselves to the Ramones!" he says.
Mattey and I face each other with a look that mouths: fuck.
"Its too soon yet, lets get a drink first" he replies.
"Don't act so proud, you've been talking about meeting them for months."
"No I haven't" he says as if trying to protect his bad-boy reputation, Mattey laughs at this, "if you say so babe, Candy you wanna go to the ladies room with me?" I nod.

"Fuck! What are we gonna do now?" She asks as soon as I close the restroom door.
"Don't worry I don't think they'll say anything, at least not that they slept with us. Plus Piper's with Dee Dee she probably told him to keep his mouth shut."
"I don't know, Piper's dumb"
I laugh, "you're fucked up, lets go find out."
"Hey have you seen that girl Paul is with? She looks like his little sister" she says as we walk out.
"Yeah, well he must know what he's doing and its risks."
***
"Should I go talk to him?" Asks anxiously April clinging to Lily's arm.
She looks away from Topper to face April, "who?"
"Well who else?! Johnny!"
"You fancy Rotten?!" Asks Topper taking his lips from his beer.
"He's so attractive and exciting"
"Go for him then, he doesn't like mind games or flirting, he'll like you if you straight up go and ask him to dance."
"Are you sure? I'm nervous."
"Stop being a pussy, go!" says Lily pushing April forward, she fixes her hair, looks back at her two friends one last time for reassurance then continues her way.

Across the club are Paul and Rachel sitting at a table, Steve Jones and his date sit with them conversing.
"I'm bored, lets dance" she interrupts.
"later" replies Paul taking a drag from his cigar.
"now" she whines slipping her hand between his thighs and her face into his neck to kiss it.
"Relax little lady, the night's still young" jokes Steve.
"She's a fuss"
"Shut it Simonon you didn't think that last night"
Steve laughs again, annoyed she gets up, Paul follows. He pulls her arm dragging her to the dance floor with him.
***
Mattey and I glance across the room when we find Mick and Joe missing from where we left them, then we spot the two waving at us from a booth. Sitting with them are a girl, Johnny, Tommy, Dee Dee and Piper.
"How fucking wonderful." I say,
awkwardly we walk towards them with weak smiles.

Joe stands up with a bright grin, "Candy this is Johnny, Tommy and Dee Dee, they're the guitarist, drummer and bassist of the Ramones. Guys this is my girl, Candy." They smile at me and shake my hand, I think relieved for a moment that perhaps they forgot about that night in Scotland. Until Dee Dee says
"We've met before, also her, Mattey right? Yeah lovely girls" he smiles whilst drinking from his whiskey.
"Yeah, Mattey's my girlfriend. How did you meet?" Asks Mick facing Mattey confused.
"Through me" interrupts Piper saving me from an anxiety attack. "Dee Dee and I had gotten together before so we all met the Ramones, right?" She looks to her left with arched brows waiting for Dee Dee, who had his arm around her, to agree. He lets out an amused little laugh then proceeds, "right."
"Right" says Joe exploring me, ugh I wish he didn't know me so well.

We sat with them and took a couple drinks, I get up when I spot Dave and Draven at the bar.
"Hey!" I say tapping Dave's shoulder, he faces me and smiles "Hello there!"
I hug him and her, "How's it going?"
"Its all well, and you?" Replies Dave.
"Pretty much the same" I say smiling.
"We saw your band play, you guys are real good shit!" She says flattering me.
"Really? Thank you! We're nothing serious really."
"No one here is serious" laughs Dave.

We spent a while conversing until Joe came and asked me to dance, they joined us at the floor. The evening was wonderful even with the awkward encounters here and there between The Angelfucks and The Ramones and Rachel and Piper. I met new punks with adventures to tell, spoke to old friends and danced with Captain at some point. Joe didn't even seem jealous, a great step forward. I'll never forget tonight, I can't wait till we're all back in London for another reunion or "anti-Woodstock."