Claude picked us up at the MTV studio after we had done taping our plugs for the “Rising Star” teasers. We had finished late in the evening. This was two weekends ago. She wanted us to surprise Orange and Lemons and show up unannounced at their gig in Conspiracy in Quezon City.

We arrived as O&L was playing their first set. We deftly picked our way through the floor and chose a free table at the side portico where we could still glimpse the stage. By this time, Clem and the band had recognized us and gamely acknowledged our presence. So we pulled a surprise on Clem but before the night was through though, little did I know he'd pull one on me.

The drinks arrived shortly. Cold beer and smashing live music. After a long weekend, it couldn't be better. We had always wanted to see O&L do a long set. The only other times we had seen them was in shows where bands only got to play a few songs so this was the first time we got to experience O&L do an extended set. And as it turns out, they were to do two that night.

After taking a breather and shortly before they climbed back up the stage to do their last set, Clem suddenly pulls me aside and asks me if I could jam “Suedehead” with them. Without giving it much thought, I said yes only to realize later I had forgotten much of the song's lyrics.

That's how I suddenly found myself in front of the Conspiracy crowd singing a Morrissey classic backed up by no less than Orange and Lemons.

“Why do you come here? And why do you hang around? I'm so sorry…”

Somehow I managed to remember the lines just at the last moment I had to deliver them. Still, in spite of my lackluster memory, I actually enjoyed myself up there. The crowd certainly showed appreciation.

“Still it was a good lay, good lay, it was a good lay, good lay…”

One night only. Sheila and the Lemons. Or was it Orange and the Insects. Bravo. Not bad for surprise number.