I have never... seen Iron Sphincter. Yes Really.

A text appeared on my phone. My friend assumed that I had never seen a zombie band and asked if I's like to. I put aside the fact that I didn't know what a zombie band was and agreed - well it was tough to say no to. Not only was it due to be a gig in which the band performed as the undead, but the lead singer is the man who runs the bouncy castles at the park.

So what to wear to see a band called Iron Sphincter? I went with black. My zombie costume was at the dry cleaners.

We got there so early that we were the only people in the pink wipe clean PVC clad booth at Plug. Goodness only knows why they have refitted it like that, unless they are trying to compete for Spearmint Rhino's clientel. A couple of pints of crap lager and lots of chatting followed and I my zombie band virgin fears aside.

We watched a band called Das Chip Shop, who were somewhat bizarrely fantastic. I wasn't sure about the song with the miaowing but when the guitarist joined in on barking backing vocals I was sold.

The main act came on and I stood resolutely on the side balcony. This was due to the warning we'd had. There was due to be lots of fake blood. I'm enthusiastic about new things but not stupid. Can you imagine finding your small daughters still awake greeting you on your return home as you dripped with fake blood? It's the stuff of nightmares. It was a shame in retrospect because the blood cannon malfunctioned. There's a sentence I never thought I'd write.

On stage was a cage which I think held the famous pop musician that the zombie band then ate. Their essence was channelled by the zombies playing thrash versions of pop classics. I rather liked Ra Ra Rasputin by Boney M and the Clapping Song was a triumph.

As the zombies played their instruments men in crash helmets kept them in line by looking menacing with baseball bats. I wondered if they pleaded to be in the band despite having no musical ability and were subsequently given a Bez like role to keep them happy. All five of them. It certainly was crowded up there.

Te whole night was a real laugh and musically great, if totally bonkers. I was out with lovely people and chatted to other people I knew, one of whom I hadn't seen for ten years.

At the end my friend pointed out the drummer from Pulp who was clearly enjoying the zombie music. As he was smartly dressed, and the drummer from Pulp, she felt we should warn him about the fake blood. Which then of course didn't happen. He must have thought we were lunatics. On the upside I'd never warned a famous band member about being splashed with fake blood before so it ended up being a  triumphant evening on the new stuff front.

Overall it was a fantastic night with lovely people and oodles of new things to boot. The lesson here is don't turn stuff down thinking it sounds too weird for words. You might have the best night out in ages.