Extra sleep and breakfast too,Surely not?

Thursday 14th June-Travel Night

After a few days off,we headed down to Falmouth.Because it's a long journey for Martin,we decided to head down to Exeter a day early and do the rest of the trip the following day.The guys picked me up just after 9pm,which was good cuz Springwatch was on, and we arrived in Exeter about half 10.
Thinking Exeter was gunna be alive with activity,we promptly made our way into town to find a bar.How wrong were we?We found a bar with 3 people in it,ordered a round and then they closed.Great.
Not admitting defeat,we wondered into town and found another bar slightly livelier.However,half an hour after we turned up,everybody started leaving.Still,me and Jon had enough time to get slightly drunk.We left the bar within an hour of arriving,got some food and went back to the hotel.

Friday 15th June-Falmouth


It was just a short trip of about 2 hrs to Falmouth from Exeter.We left at about 11ish and got to the venue early.Jon and Martin love to load in early but I'm more of a fan of waiting for the humpers to get there so they can do all the hard work.But,I did need to change Pinch'es skins on his kit so maybe loading in early wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Skin change day

After the usual crew sandwich,the band turned up and sound checked.The over head projector for the back drop was playing up so Pinch and Jon fixed it.Outside I noticed some Gull chicks on the roof of a nearby building so I took some photos.

The rest of the guys watched the England match in the dressing room while I went to meet my Uncle Jim.He lives only a few miles away so he always come to see me when I'm down here either teching or playing.He'd brought my Cousin Katie too and this is to be a first Punk show.

Just before the guys went on stage,word came through that tomorrows show in Portsmouth had been cancelled.Something to do with the promoter fucking things up.For an official statement from the band,go to The Damned's facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Damned-Fan-Page/174019602646922 or visit http://www.officialdamned.com/   

Unfortunately for the band,stage time was during the match but hey,that ain't gunna stop Pinch from watching it.Chris set it up for him and he watched it whilst drumming,giving everybody updates as it was happening.The only trouble was he was into the game so much, he forgot to start drumming in one of the songs!

Watching the game

The only time you'll see Chris onstage during the gig.

The football ended,which allowed Pinch to get back to playing the drums and the rest of the gig went without a hitch.
After,I introduced Captain to Jim and Katie,got a photo of Katie on Pinch'es kit.Then we packed the gear and me,Jon and Martin back to the Hotel for some drinks.Jed and Chris joined us shortly after.

My Cousin Katie 

Uncle Jim and Katie meet the Captain

A few Bloody Marys later I went to bed.But not before ordering room service breakfast for the morning for a mere £3!!!We could get extra sleep and have breakfast in the morning,Bang on!!

Room service!

No Portsmouth show in the morning so travel day home.And I don't think you lot need to know how boring that was.But at least I got dropped off first.

Magic Dave.

Jon "The Annoying Bastard" Priestley!

Monday 11 June,Travel Day


Yep,another night with Jon and yes he did get some punches and pillow hits. (See my last blog "Too Close for Comfort" for details).We were supposed to leave at 9:30am but we overslept and left about 11:00am instead.Jon paid £4 for a shitty little bacon roll at the hotel bar too!

This was going to be a long journey for us all.But Martin,who lives in Liverpool was gunna have the longest journey of all.He had to take Jon back to his place near Leamington Spa,then me back to Cheltenham,then himself back to Liverpool.
It pissed it down with rain most of the way,the wind was stupidly strong and Jon found a button on the dash board that he decided if anyone presses it,including himself,he would make a siren sound until somebody turned it off.Fucking annoying bastard!

Martin noticed the mile counter reached 666.6 miles since he hired it a few days ago so being bored and nothing else to do and it being the number of the beast and all that, I seized the opportunity to get a photo.But I bloody forgot to take the 10 second timer off and just on the 9th beep of the timer,it went onto 667.0 miles despite Martin's attempts to slow down,unbelievable!

Missed photo op

As you can imagine,it was a boring journey.Jon got even more annoying by continuing to make siren noises in my fuckin' ear and apart from the Buzzards and Kestrels there was not much happening in the way of photos.Here's one of my favourite slogans on a truck:

Remember,there's not much to do when you're travelling home 

 About half an hour before we dropped Jon off,he noticed there was another 3 buttons next to the "siren" button.So the annoying bastard decided to create even more noises to go with them and him and Martin proceeded to press them at random intervals for the rest of Jon's journey.Luckily,I knew we were dropping him off shortly,thank fuck!

Jon fucked off finally then I was on the home straight.Only an hour to go.We got within 20 mins of Cheltenham and hit a traffic Jam.And it wasn't moving.I couldn't believe it.We were sat there for a good 20/25 mins.I even started to calculate how long it would take me to Yomp it back home from where we were.It was pissing with rain but I had waterproofs and my bag has a waterproof cover too so all my gear would stay dry.I know I can run a mile with a 4 stone bag on my back in 7 mins so I could alternate between running and walking every mile.I'd be home in a few hours.Luckily the traffic started moving so all was good.I was then home in the next 20 mins.Poor old Martin had to then drive back to Liverpool.He didn't bother in the end,he stayed at a hotel in Cheltenham instead.
And that's the crazy rock n roll world of travel days.

Falmouth report next.

Magic Dave

Too close for comfort!

Sunday 10th June-Glasgow ABC,Home of Snow Patrol's massive mirror ball!


Once again Me and Jon opted for extra sleep instead of a shitty hotel breakfast.Believe me,listening to Jon choking and snoring through the night and having to punch him or hit him with a pillow will force anyone to opt for extra sleep if you can get it.
On the way up,I buried myself in my book,"Operation Certain Death",about how the SAS, SBS and the Paras kicked the arses of Sierra Leone rebels "The West Side Boys" in 1999.
We got to Glasgow in good time and started to go round in circles despite Martin and Jon apparently knowing exactly where they were going.So ending up in couple of dead ends must have been all part of the plan.We eventually got to the ABC and yet again,Scottish crew didn't disappoint.They are always ready and waiting,and will always take the heaviest gear first and sometimes even take it out of your hands so you don't have to carry it!

We set the gear up and then blasted one of our (Reign of Fury) new songs,World Detonation, over the P.A.It sounded awesome!9 mins of pure metal blasting that loud will always sound awesome!
After a good sound check,I sampled the new Chinese takeaway next door.Wok to Walk.There's nothing better than having a Chinese takeaway next to the venue.10 out of 10.
Jon disappeared to watch the football and I read my book until gig time.Rock n Roll!

Another good gig, which featured D.V. crawling under the drum riser for "Under the Floor".Now and then D.V. will have these unpredictable moments.I remember at one gig,someone asked Captain before the show for tips on how to grow an apple tree.Captain had given an apple core to this kid at a previous show and the kid took it home and planted the seeds.Captain waited until stage time to ask D.V. on behalf of the kid on how to grow it properly.D.V. then started giving the kid advice down the mic,for all to hear for the next few minutes.Very random!
Here's a few shots of the show:

For someone who doesn't like drums much,he likes to get close to them

D.V. emerging from under the drum riser during "Under the Floor"

35th Anniversary shield

Jon trying to get the guitar back before Captain breaks it

Happy Talk anyone?

After the show,once again the Scottish crew did most of the work.I briefly went back to the dressing room to find Pinch doing "Strobe Illusions" in there.Of course,I had a go.Google it!Basically,tripping without drugs! Then we went back to the hotel.Me, Martin, Jon and Monty had a drink but I could hardly stay awake so I went back to the room and Jon retired shortly after.Again,the beds were stupidly close together!Only this time,we couldn't move them.I don't understand it.We have a twin room so there is 2 beds.That's because we don't want to share a bed obviously (well I don't but Jon might).So why would you put the 2 beds that close together.Another night of punching and hitting Jon with a pillow to stop his choking and snoring again.

Too close for comfort!

Travel day home in the morning.That should be a laugh,not!

Magic Dave

Mixing Desk Mishap and Asda bitter

Saturday 9th June-Kendal


Martin and Jon picked me up at half 9.I knew their breakfast was not gunna be as good as mine so I made sure I told them my breakfast was awesome.Pork and Leek sausages with poached eggs on crumpets.

I seem to remember it taking quite a while to get to Kendal.Probably due to it pissing down with rain and stopping off at every other services again.So to cope with boredom,we decided we needed new Caravan names. I became "Calypso Dave",Jon became "Jubilee Jon" and I think Martin became "Marauder Martin"
We got to the venue with time to spare and I was knackered.That was due to getting up early to cook my awesome breakfast,so I got a bit of kip in the van before load in.

Trying to Kip before load in

After we set up we went to the dressing room and had our crew cheese n pickle sandwiches.The band turned up shortly after and sound checked.All was good.What could possibly go wrong?

Sound check

Sound check fuel

 

Me and Jon got some air outside and Dudsy came over.We tried to get him to get the beers in but to no avail.But we cant really drink before the show anyway.

I retired to the dressing room and D.V. came in shortly after.One of the 35th Anniversary Snare drums was in there to be signed.It has tickets from Damned shows printed on the shell,one for each year of the bands 35 years history.Chris pointed out a Glasgow ticket from the 70's and asked if he remembered the show.He did.He said that was one of the scariest crowds he's known and the security were crazy too.D.V. has some great stories.He told me about the old days when him and Rat had to climb a tree to hide from some bikers who wanted to beat them up,and how Captain talked his way out of  trouble.He would start talking rubbish until they thought he was mad.Then I told him Punk Britannia was on the night before and they showed their Old Grey Whistle Test appearance.He said he said he was pissed off with Captain after that performance because the keyboard Captain smashed up was his, not Captains and I don't think he'd had it that long either.

Anyway,the support band finished and we did the change over.Everything went well,except halfway through the gig,a punter spilt their beer all over the front of house mixing desk causing lots of crackling to come out of the PA system making it useless.Luckily Martin knows his job well.He started to reorganise some cables from the monitor desk and ran the gig from there.So after a 5-10 min delay,we were back in business.
Captain was drinking some locally brewed beer on stage.Stu loved it so much he kept sending me over to keep topping up his glass.Captain proceeded to top it up for me,forgetting he wanted some and ended up with no beer left.So Jon had to top the jug back up for him.Jon only had Asda bitter with him so he started to fill it up with this behind the amp.What Jon didn't realise was Captain turned round to see where his beer had gone and caught him in the act!Brilliant.

Jon getting caught topping up Captains Jug with shit bitter

Curtain Call intro.Time for Stu to rest.

After a good show despite the mixing desk mishap,we packed away and went for a dirty burger,then went back to the hotel and discovered mine and Jon's beds were way too close together again.And Jon's snoring is fucking mental!Glasgow tomorrow.

Magic Dave.

The Short Straw,Spare time and another Hippy Fest

Ireland,High Wycombe and Bath.


No report on the Irish shows from me.I wasn't there as I was working for my Girlfriend.I stage manage her theatre show "The Missy Malone and Friends Burlesque Revue".At her show I get to sit at the side of the stage and watch Burlesque dancers take their clothes off.I call it "Drawing the short straw" because it's completely the opposite.I'll do a blog on it at some point.

Missy Malone

Jon said Ireland went well although a car pulled out in front of the van and he had a smash but it got sorted out all was good in the end.
The next 2 shows were cancelled for reasons beyond The Damned's control.Bath Punk Jubilee and High Wycombe.I don't know enough to put my thoughts across here so I won't comment.

So,what does this Drum tech and his Burlesque girlfriend do with all this spare time?!We go Tank Paintballing of course!Missy bought me the expierience for my birthday.We went up to Leicestershire and had a go at driving,aiming the gun and firing the gun.Then we had a battle with another tank.And it was awesome!Thanks Missy.XXX

A day off well spent

The Gun Team

More Tank Paintballing Photos:   http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.423021637738132.96729.100000908980144&type=3


Friday 8th June-Cheltenham Racecourse,Wychwood Festival


This is my home town so it was gunna be nice and easy.I won't have to leave early or go and get the gear.I just meet up with Jon and Martin later and we do our thing.I'm pleased to say thats exactly how it was.It was a complete Hippy fest though.But at least I could stay in my own bed when we're done.
On arriving though,Sam,the tech for Cuban Brothers told me some sad news.A fellow tech,Joe Devlin died about a month and a half ago.Joe or Buttcrack Joe as he was known to me,The Damned and the Twisted Cabaret girls (Missy Malone,Kitten on the Keys and Mimi Le Meaux) was my mentor on my first ever tour as a technician.He taught me everything I know about the job.I hadn't spoke to him since that tour in 2007 but he will always be a great memory for me.

Me and Buttcrack Joe 

Me and Jon had a look around the fest.Not much happening of interest to me so we went back stage and sorted the gear.The Cuban Brothers were good,they were on before us.I've never seen a dude on rollerskates go on before The Damned before.Then The Damned went on and played a good show.

Guess which one is ours.

The Cuban Brothers

Monty doing his dance in "New Rose"

After the show I was determined to take advantage of being at home for the night so I went to Tesco and bought some food for breakfast.No crappy hotel sausages for me in the morning.
Job Done.Pick up at 9:30 in the morning,we're off to Kendal.

Magic Dave

Reign of Fury.New Album in the final stages and Rehearsal report.

Thurs 7th June 2012

We've been working on our new album "World Detonation" for a while now.It is finally mixed and now sent off to be mastered.That's the last stage of finishing the audio side of things.We send it off to someone (in our case it's going to Ed from "Goodlife Recordings" in Belgium) and it comes back sounding even better than before.I don't really understand it myself.It is now time to start organising a decent set list which includes songs from the new album that we have never played live before.We've got two sets to work on,one for our album launch/Bloodstock warm up (date to be announced shortly) and one shorter set for Bloodstock on Sunday August 12th 2012.

Typical.Our room starts to leak!

Bison and Ed share a moment

Organising rehearsals for this band can be a fuckin' nightmare.No-one answers their phone and it takes ages for anyone to reply to e-mails.We don't live in the same areas either so advanced organising is key.Full line up rehearsals are rare as juggling time around everyone's jobs is fuckin' hard too.But the difference with this band is that everyone does their part by practicing on their own.We record rehearsals and when we need to,we can get copies of any of our songs out to any band member and they'll play along with it at home.Then when we play together,it all clicks together like Lego.So long as each member knows what their part is and plays it the best they can,the team works.

So,no Matt Earl means no Bass guitar and with no Bass guitar our songs sound empty.Especially with the twin harmonies in "Heaven Waits/Hell Takes".But we got over it quickly and all was sounding good.Trying a couple of the new songs was strange.We've been playing the EP songs for a while and have them down but songs like the 9 minute title track "World Detonation" takes a bit more effort.After a couple of runs through  though,it was sounding good.

Ed.If he hasn't got a guitar in his hand,he'll have a can of cider instead

Next dilemma was trying to write a short set with songs that are 5-9 mins long.A half hr set is nearly impossible with this band.No 2-3 min punk songs here.Even our punky songs like "Born to Die" and "Disconnect" are at least 5 mins long,but a couple of little tweaks here and there and we're confident it will be a blinder. Writing an hrs set for our album launch will be allot easier though.

Jon with Bison in the background looking interested

Trying desperately hard to cram our songs into a 30 min set

Jon really needs to get a belt

After 4 hrs of practicing,talking business, ripping the piss out of each other and discovering Jon really needs to buy a belt we called it a night.We even managed to organise another rehearsal,although Matt won't be there.Still,the good news is,our album will have a release date very soon.In this business,you don't want to put a date on anything just in case you jinx it.I'll keep you informed.

Heres a couple of links to our videos below.Hope you like em.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGe3jWr84p8  "Infernal Conflict" Unmastered.Taken from our new album "World Detonation". Coming soon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV8fmbeRAWY   "Disconnect". Taken from our EP "Psycho Intentions".  Available on itunes now!

Magic Dave.