Headbangers Balls Tour- Balls to the North

The 2nd half of the tour

As usual,I've left it late to update the blog.When I started blogging again I mentioned it was like doing homework.And I never did my homework.So I'm gunna try and roll the 2nd half of the Headbangers Balls tour into two posts.

Fri 2nd to Monday 5th August.Wakefield-Newcastle

Wakefield

New driver for this leg of the tour in the form of a guy called Jack.He manages a mates band called "The Black Bullets" and has an ex-riot wagon for a van,which was cool.It was a short wheel based van but we managed to cram our gear in and set off to pick up Jon and Bison, then off to the Snooty Fox in Wakefield.It was another sweltering day but the riot wagon had air-con!

New Driver,new van,same fuck wit band members and crew though!Geoff even managed to get his shadow in the pic.Incompetent fool.

We turned up a good 2 hours late thanks to Friday traffic but there was no real issue really.We had "Don't Drink Dave" Cleaver on sound so no need to sound check.We just set up the gear for the first band on,Line of Fire.

Snooty Fox is a great little venue.The owner lives for live music and does what he can for the bands that play there.He streams the gigs live on the net with a multi camera set up,he does the sound for the bands,introduces the band and for a small venue the lights are great.He has clearly put money into this place.He even has an old double decker bus parked out the back for bands to kip in after the gig.Most UK venues have a "thanks for the gig,now fuck off" attitude so this was great.

It was a small turn out but the people that were there really got into it and made us feel welcome.And once again the other bands,"Exit State" and "Line of Fire" played well.

Another stroke of luck (or so we thought) was that there was a kebab/pizza place outside the venue that stays open until 1am so we went for some food.I couldn't decide what I wanted,kebab or pizza,so I had a kebab pizza.Probably not a good idea.Bison had some weird thing that looked like a pasty that seemed to have fuck all in it whilst Cleaver had a pizza with extra processed cheese all over it.Fucking shit place.Definitely nothing like Woody's in Camden.Still,Manchester is the next day and they do awesome kebabs next door to Big Hands pub.

Mmmm,Kebab Pizza!

Extra cheese for Cleaver

Nice pasty,only it's not supposed to be a pasty.

We took our food back to the bus and pissed about for a while.Jon was playing his Simpsons game,Geoff was in bed before anyone,Cleaver passed out on his bed and I went down stairs and did impressions for a while.The others were sorting their beds out.

Geoff gets his head down before anyone.Or is that O.C?

Our hotel for the night

Eventually,after the owner joined us with a bottle of some very alcoholic black liquid we got our heads down.I think I might have been the only person who got a decent nights sleep though.I slept on a top bunk near the windows and there was a cool wind over me all night.

Manchester

We left about 10ish I think with that "we've just slept on a bus" feeling.The kind of feeling you get when you've been on tour for a week.It's a bit like the feeling you get after you've eaten a sausage and egg McMuffin,like you really need a shower.
We got to Manchester with plenty of time to spare so we went to the pub for a bit and took it in turns to destroy the toilets.The bus in Wakefield had the normal rule of no solids and after the crappy food we all really needed to expel the demons!

By now it was lunch time so after a brief visit to the music shop where I get a headphone amp for my in-ear monitors and Earl borrows a Bass,we head off to a Chinese restaurant and had lunch on Sgt Pilko.Greatly appreciated.However,I told everyone to make sure they left room for one of the best kebabs they'll ever have.

Lunch is on Pilko!

Earl loads in the essentials

We loaded in,prepped our gear and watched Xentrix sound check.Pilko is a huge fan of these guys and I had a feeling tonight was gunna be a good one.It was.Once again,every band was on it 100% and it was great to see Solitary play again,but the crowd were insane!The circle pit and stagedive is well and truly alive in Manchester.As the night went on I had a look around at everyone.The passion in peoples faces was really good to see.Whether these guys were there to support the cause or just turning up to see Xentrix play or whatever band they wanted to see didn't matter.This was a great gig,the atmosphere reminded me of the gigs I used to go to back in the day.I looked at Pilko and was very fucking proud of what he had achieved.And judging by his smile he was enjoying himself too.So I went and got some more beer.Great show.Well done Pilko.

Xentrix ripping it up!

We packed up the gear after Xentrix and organised a photo,however while we were waiting Earl tries to take me on.He managed to get me on the floor but wrongly thinks thats the end of it and makes his mistake.It ended with him in the wrong end of a move called the Juji-Gatame (arm-bar) and he tapped out.

The Juji Gatame

R.O.F,Xentrix and Solitary

After the photo it was time for Big Hands pub and a great kebab,but it was not to be!I couldn't believe it.All night I'd been going on about Big Hands and the kebab house and now I was being over ruled because we've got an early start in the morning.Not happy.Fuck it.Late night McDonalds at the travelodge it is then.

Don't Drink Dave shows us why we call him "Don't Drink Dave"

After McD's,we made our way to our rooms.Cleaver was sharing with Geoff and Ed.As he disappeared into their room,I heard Jon whispering "Dude!".He had just stopped Cleavers door from shutting all the way.
"Lets wreck his room" I said,so we stormed his room and trashed it,stripped the beds,threw the mattresses around,threw their bags around beat up Cleaver and left.He came knocking for revenge but we just ignored him.I contemplated climbing out of the window,sneaking across the roof and wrecking their room again but I thought it might turn into one of those moments where R.O.F. will have to explain how their drummer died and it didn't seem like a cool way  to go.Besides,I didn't think Jon and Jack would let me back in and I didn't fancy spending the night on a corrugated iron roof.

Back in the room,me n Jon traded the usual insults of "Wanker", "No you're a wanker", "No,you are" and "Bender","No,you're a bender","No, you are" and "Fuck you,twat" and so on and eventually settled down to sleep.
Glasgow tomorrow.

Glasgow

Long drive up to Glasgow but whatever you do,don't fall asleep!Cuz if you do,you can guarantee someones gunna get a pic.We played the old caravan game where you name yourself after caravan names with Cleaver becoming "Super Sprite Cleaver" and everyone else getting equally shit names except for Bison who became "Senator Bison".It gets fuckin' boring after a while.

We were staying at our friends The Finnie's place tonight so we stopped off there first had something to eat,met the dogs and cat and checked out Val's shotguns.Ed found Vals Jackson Randy Rhoads and persuaded him to let him use it on stage.

The Finnie's Feline Friend

Playing with Guns

We made our way for load in by 3 and found ourselves caught up in the one way system.We could see the venue but couldn't get to it.It reminded me of the days before sat-nav.When you drove to the town/city and spent the same amount of time driving around looking for the venue.The other great thing was the fucking stairs.I love loading gear up stairs,not.
Still,nice venue.Missy was up in Scotland for a Hen do the day after so she came along too.

Gig was good again and each band had a different sound.We were the fastest and heaviest of the night.I'd been looking forward to seeing "States of Panic".They play quite sleazy rock.The drummer managed to break his kick drum pedal so I lent him mine (drum tech kicking in) but apart from that they were spot on.

After I AM I,we loaded out.It was a fucking bitch!Loading down 4 flights of stairs is never fun.We headed straight to Mel and Val's and ate until we couldn't eat anymore,played with the cat and ripped the piss out of each other,as usual!Everyone had claimed their beds for the night but shock horror,that still left me with an air mattress!!!Pilko fit into the kids sized bed perfectly and Earl managed to get the double luxury air mattress.

The next morning,we got up earlyish and ate as much breakfast as we could.Bison and Earl were outside playing with the dogs.Bison witnessed the cat catch a mouse then while the cat was playing with it,one of the bigger dogs stole it and proceeded to tear it apart.Just what a vegan needs to see in the morning.
Val had asked his brother to bring his .22 and .308 bolt action rifles over so we can let of some rounds. .308 calibre is the civilian version of a 7.62 round.That's the same round as an AK47 so me,Bison and Pilko were quite excited.
Val set up balloons and bottles of water to shoot.I did well with the .22 but aimed too low with the .308 whilst the others missed with the .22 (except Earl) and scored with the .308. We were buzzing and leaving slightly late because we were shooting stuff did not bother us in the slightest.Thanks Val.Get the shotguns out next time.

.22 on the left .308 on the right.

Pilko and Bison get all tingly

One Shot,One Kill Bison is what we call him.

Newcastle

After a morning of shooting stuff we made it to Newcastle on time.Today we were supporting Hatebreed.We'd managed to hijack their show.We had booked a Headbangers Balls show in Newcastle on the same day.Realising that no-one would be at our show we asked if we could join our shows together. They said yes.Wicked!They even moved the drum kit with no issues too!

Hatebreed are one of Bison's fave bands so he'd been looking forward to this for a while.It was awesome!It was good to see a couple of friends there too.Rachel and Nick.I met these guys whilst teching for The Alarm and they came along to see us.This was prob the heaviest show they'd been too but it looked like they were enjoying it.

Hijacking the gig

Hatebreed takes control

Afterwards,we packed up quick time,had something to eat and fucked off to the hotel.Another early morning so we could get home at a normal time the next day.
When we got to the hotel,Paranormal Activity was on.I started talking to Jon and Jack about my experience with the paranormal.After about half an hour of watching and talking all things unexplainable,jack then tells us he suffers from night terrors!Great.
Later that night after we'd been asleep for a while,I get woken up by Jack screaming at the top of his voice!He's having a fucking night terror!This happened at least 3 times during the night.Crazy.He slept quietly after that.

We left nice and early but a couple of miles down the road we had to go back cuz I forgot my sleeping bag,but apart from that it was a normal trip home with plenty of piss taking,pre-noon beer drinking, throwing shit at each other and Jon constantly trying to kiss Ed.I love this band.

Next blog: The final part-Liverpool and Brum.

Magic Dave

For Geoffs photos of "Balls to the North",click the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.516425981768425.1073741837.441190955958595&type=3

The Headbangers Balls Tour- Days 4,5 & 6

Friday 19th July -Day 4
Nottingham- Rescue Rooms

We'd had a few days off so after a quick check on Miss Piggy and Gonzo (two frogs that shelter in an old washing up bowl in my garden when the weather is hot) I set off to Geoff's house about 11:30ish to be picked up by Fudge for the next set of dates.I thought I'd bloody forgotten the chess board so I turned around to go back and get it,but then I realised I didn't forget it so I resumed my journey to Geoff's again.Of course,I turned up late.Cleaver,Geoff,Ed and Fudge were waiting.We set off to pick up Earl,Bison and Jon from Earl's.Pilko was meeting us in Nottingham.
We got to Tewkesbury shortly after and greeted each other with the usual "Wanker!" shouts and piss taking and loaded up some extra bits of gear.Earl had picked up the T-shirts so we had a bit of merch to sell too.Now,I've explained before,anything Earl has is broken in some sort of way.It all works but you have to hold it in some kind of way to get it to work.When I left the T-shirt suitcase in the lock up,the zip worked fine.But when we picked it up from Earl's house the case was being held together with bungees because somehow the zip had broken!Typical Matt Earl.

We got some fuel and food and began the journey to Nottingham.Extreme tour chess game two also began.It was an intense game with moments on both sides that could have made the battle go one way or the other but in the end,I managed to secure a checkmate this time.

We got to the Rescue Rooms in good time and loaded in straight away.It was absolutely roasting again and we were all dripping with sweat before anything had been set up.We had a brief sound check and we then handed over the gear for the 1st band.

Incinery did a great job in opening the show

The night yet again went really well.Plenty of Headbangers Balls T-shirts were being worn and people turned up early to see all bands.The atmosphere was brilliant too and it was a real pleasure talking to different people and learning why they were there.Everyone has been affected by Cancer at some point in their life whether directly themselves or someone close to them, and having strangers come up to you and tell you exactly how it has effected them and why they support our cause is a sobering experience.

Duel Wielding Guitars

Drum risers are not just for drummers

We had a really good show again with a really good response from the crowd and all the bands yet again were on top form but the band of the night for me was Bull-riff Stampede.Nice n heavy with great riffs.And awesome on stage.Their drummer is 2 years free from testicular cancer and you could tell from their performance that they were well into what we were trying to achieve by doing this tour.Great band.

Bull-Riff Stampede

Karybdis

We packed up after a great performance by Karybdis and darted off to the hotel.Camden Underworld was the next show and it was another half dayer so we needed to leave earlyish.Fudge's turn on the double bed.I got the sofa bed.There's always a dodgy film on when we get to the hotel and tonight was no exception.Hooper,starring Burt Reynolds.It was shite.

Saturday 20th July- Day 5
Camden Underworld

After getting up earlyish we got a bit of breakfast boarded The Chopper and made our way to Camden.Extreme tour chess game 3 ended with Cleaver beating me.Now it was 1-1.Load in was 12ish I think.Unbelievably,there was no real problems on the way to the venue.Just the odd scag head walking past but that's it.We set up the back line and left the headliners to sound check while we went off for food.I reckon Camden is not only the best place in the UK to get a Kebab (Woody's grill over the road from the venue) but it is also the best place in the UK to get Chinese food too.There is so many little stores side by side that need to be good to compete with each other.They hand out free samples as you walk past.You could actually walk around the markets trying the different free samples and by the time you get out of the other side you've had a free meal! Still,I was tempted by one restaurant by the calls of "bang bang chicken,bang bang chicken!" and called the guys over.£5 for a decent amount was good enough for me.

On the way back to the venue,we past the usual punk rocker holding up billboard signs for the Dr. Martins shop and Earl bought a few T-shirts.
We got back to the venue,had a drink in the "Worlds End" and went back down stairs to add our stickers to the dressing room and toilets.Pilko had set the merch up and the barmaid was busy building a water pyramid which personally I thought wasn't a great idea.But nobody managed to "accidentally" knock it down so all was good.

Stickers are a must for the Underworld's dressing room

Doors opened and again the crowd turned up early which is really good to see.We met a few of those who'd come to see us had a few photos.These early doors shows can be hit and miss sometimes but lately people have been showing up early.There was another good mix of bands too,with bluesy southern style rock- full on crazy heavy as you can get it metal.Another great line up sorted by Pilko.The reason for that is Pilko has a passion for this shit.A lot of promoters don't give a shit and just want to make cash for their back pocket.Some promoters that is, NOT ALL PROMOTERS!

It was great to play The Underworld again.A few of us in R.O.F. have played there before with our old bands and the place hasn't changed a bit.It's still the Punk Rock venue it was all those years ago.The only crap thing about the place is the Super Disco Load out/Extreme Hot Extraction! Once the headliners finish,you have 30 mins to get out!Then the security will start throwing your gear out.For the headliners,that is shit.We managed to load out in 20 mins.Then it was time to go for the best Kebab you'll ever have!Woody's Grill.I'd been telling the lads about it all day.They agreed.If you're ever in Camden,get in there and get one.Well worth it.

Off to the hotel again without Pilko as he lives in London and had to do a few things tomorrow and surprise surprise,no extra pillows or duvets!Even though we passed a room full of them.We tried to get our arms in to grab a few but to no avail.So we raided one of the storage rooms instead.

Another dodgy film later and Jon walking around in his boxers and we went to sleep.I think I managed to con the double bed out of everyone again too.Bonus.

Sunday 21st July- Day 6
Oxford Academy 2

No Pilko for this show so Earl was tour manager.
Another great venue.Again a few of us have done this venue before in the old bands.We got there slightly early after I lost another chess game,so we went to a pub down the road for a beer.They had a BBQ going too so we got in on that.

Pre soundcheck table tennis

We went back to load in about 3pm.One of the guys from Jackass had his "band" playing and seemed to be attracting a bunch of fuck ups so we got our stuff in as quick as poss and sound checked.It was another sweltering day too with a serious lack of air conditioning.

My stage gear prepped

Earl randomly starts talking about castles

After an interview we tried to chill out in the heat.We watched the bands and got ready for our show.The crowd were on top form.They knew the songs and the participation was spot on.We had a great time and it was another successful night for The Headbangers Balls tour.Each band again putting everything into their performance.

We packed up and got Kebabs and burgers.After Woody's Kebab, I regretted getting this one but you have to take the rough with the smooth.The shit ones make the good ones better.
We set off back home as it was just up the road,had a few discos on route and dropped the gear off.This was Fudge's last show with us so we got a pic and he dropped us all off in the early hours of the morning.
10 or so days off and then we're back to it but so far the tour has been amazing.There's a real buzz and every band has been top quality and put 110% into their performance.Absolutely loving it!

Next Magic Moments- Wakefield,Manchester,Glasgow and Newcastle.

Magic Dave
Pics by Geoff Baehr unless otherwise marked.