4ft fingers 1st rehearsal for the 10 years of "From Hero to Zero" tour

Tuesday 22nd May-4ft fingers 1st rehearsal for the 10 years of "From Hero to Zero" tour


The history in short

From late 1997 to 2008 I played in a skate punk band called 4ft fingers.During that time,we toured pretty much constantly until the later years.We toured the UK all the time,Europe twice, California and played a show in Las Vegas too.We toured so much that we earned the reputation of being "The hardest working punk band in the UK".We were signed to Golf Records for the first 3 albums and Not on your radio records for the 4th album.They're all on itunes and spotify and our videos are on youtube so go check them out and buy them if you like them.

L-R: Me, Tom, Rob and Dougie

Hanging out in Californ I. A.

I left the band in late 2008 because I didn't think it was active enough.Rob (Vocals/guitars),wanted to get a PHD in graphic design and Dougie made the decision to not do the tour that was booked without Rob.I decided was going to do it.And Jon (Damned guitar tech/Reign of Fury guitarist and 4ft guitarist at the time) still wanted to do it too.

So,after a couple of calls,Darren our manager organised Ben Davis from More than Normal (now of Bottlenex) to stand in for Rob and I organised Kerry Warren to stand in for Dougie.Ben lives in Dover (Ben Dover,HA HA HA!) so rehearsals were gunna be a problem.I sent them both the albums with a set list and they set about working their arses off and learning them.After only two rehearsals we were ready to tour.At the time I was so pissed off with the situation and failure to me was not an option.I was extremely bitter and felt that Rob and Dougie had stitched me up and taken away my dream that we had worked so hard at to make reality.I'm extremely greatful for the work Kerry and Ben put in and I'm proud that I was in 4ft fingers with those guys.The shows were awesome and it was the end of 4ft for me.The last gig was in Cheltenham at the Frog n Fiddle on 11th August 2008 and it was the perfect ending to the tour and my time in the band.

L-R: Ben Dover,Magic Dave, Jon and Kerry at The Square in Harlow

I hadn't seen much of Rob or Dougie since the meeting to discuss cancelling the tour.Tom had left the band about a year before hand.Then, in April of this year Darren got in touch with everyone (Rob,Tom, Dougie and Me) to see whether we would consider doing a reunion tour to celebrate 10 years of our 2nd album "From Hero to Zero".We all agreed we would definitely have a chat and see what happens.Anyway,in an attempt to stop boring you and to get on with my point,we all got on well,no grudges were held and the result was "lets do it".7 shows have been booked for October and we've got some practicing to do.

The Rehearsal


We got to the studio and set up.I have to admit I was a bit disappointed that the guys still didn't know how to coil a lead properly,so I tried to show them.Much to their amusement.Tying them in a knot is not a good thing.
Dougie's bass is fucked.The input crackles like a crisp packet and the intonation is way out.(That's when it's in tune down on the lower frets but when you play the higher frets,it's out of tune).Everyone elses' gear was working well.Even Tom's.Back in the day,Tom would always have problems with his gear.I remember playing Blackburn once and watching him wheel his amp off stage mid song.He'd spent half the gig trying to get it to work to no avail.I'll never forget that pissed off look on his face.
We were a little rusty,which is to be expected after not playing together as this line up for about 5 or 6 years but we didn't forget any riffs mid song so all was good.Darren came along with Dougie to film it and we would catch him every now and then topping up his glass behind the amps with booze like a little school kid trying not to get caught.
The songs were nice and fast still. "Emergency Manoeuvre" and "Proud to know you" were a struggle but sounded  good while "Brickwall", "One for the Road" and "Last man standing" blew the cobwebs away.It was good to play the old songs again.
A quick break from the oven that was our rehearsal room brought the inevitable taking the piss out of me for being prepared and a quick photo session.

Click the link for a look at the piss taking session during our break:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pAGPbQ4k7jI

4ft fingers 

We ran through a few more of the "classics" and it all started to tighten up a bit.I recorded it so I'll be making a mistakes tally chart to go up on the wall.I've still got to determine who made the most mistakes but I'd say Dougie is winning at the moment.
So that was it.Pretty much half the songs ran through with loads of time until the tour so we should be able to  be back in shape by then.If Kerry and Ben could do it in 2 rehearsals then we've got no problem.Next rehearsal will be in about 2 weeks time.Maybe we'll be able to play something well enough for you lot to have a listen to.We'll see.

Magic Dave.

Warriors,Hippys and Goslings

19th May-The Damned,Derby,Bearded Theory Festival

We forced ourselves up 9:00am and managed to get downstairs for breakfast.I wish I hadn't bothered cuz it was shite!The scrambled eggs tasted like powder,the bread was the cheapest cardboard they could find and the sausages were worse than a tesco cafe.The croissants weren't bad though.Martin was already up as usual then D.V. came down and joined us.
After breakfast we set off to Derby.We wanted to get there nice and early so we could get shit sorted in good time,plus it was a festival so we shouldn't get too bored.
On the way,we discovered that Jon and Martin's caravan names were makes of caravans not models so that meant they didn't qualify and we had to find new names.So,for Martin,using the rules explained in my previous blog post became "Charisma" and Jon became "Wisp".Then we found the perfect caravan name for D.V. He became "Lunar Eclipse"!Perfect.
We stopped off at another services,probably one of Jons favourites, and had a bit of lunch.Jon had a car park tour shave and I spotted some Warrior APC's.Jon was good enough to drive around them so I could get some picks.

Tour shaving

Warrior APC's being transported

We set off and got to the festival at about 13:00.It was a Hippy fest.When we got there,Martin discovered there was a txt from Chris (tour manager) saying,no rush,we're on at 10:30pm and there won't be much to do when we got there.Great,I don't really like festivals unless it's a Metal or Punk fest and I'm definitely no fan of Hippy festivals.Still,maybe it won't be that bad.So we went for a walk to see what was going on.Yep,my worst nightmare.Hippys everywhere,lots of different colours all around,market stores selling hippy tat,a dance tent and the worst crime of all,no distortion on any guitars of any of the bands playing!!! I thought I might spark off a protest just for wearing leather gloves and boots.
We decided to go backstage for a while.As luck would have it,we were next to a lake which was swarming with Geese and there goslings and Swallows doing some amazing acrobatic displays.As I love animals and taking pictures of them,this kept me busy for a good few hours.Here's a few that turned out ok.

Proud Parents

I could watch these for hours

This one was running back to it's parents after struggling to get out of the lake

Eventually,after all three of us had a kip in the van,it was time to load in and set up.

Boredom kicks in

We set up after Dr Feelgood finished and The Damned took the stage.The Smoke machine went mental and it was a fucking good show.No problems, but even if Pinch was having problems,I couldn't seem him through the smoke for most of the gig anyway.In fact,when I did go on stage to help Monty with something minor,I got stuck on stage in the smoke not knowing which direction to go.I nearly ended up flat on my face tripping over a monitor.

The smoke machine going mental

My view of Pinch through most of the show

Stu in the moment

D.V. making use of the monitors

After,we packed up and headed off straight away.This was another show that was close enough for us to go home from.I txted into Radio 2 again but got no mention this time.I got home about 3am and was forced up early (only joking Missy) to go to the Sunday Market at  Cheltenham Racecourse in the morning.All good though cuz I managed to get a load of desert camo gear cheap.Bang on!

Magic Dave.
Next Blog: 4ft fingers report of 1st rehearsal for 10 year anniversary tour.

Smash it up and Caravan names

May 18th-The Damned,Cardiff 


After spending a few relaxing days in a gypsy caravan in Cornwall with my girlfriend Missy, it was back to business with The Damned for a couple of days.We'd managed to keep away from all things work with the most stressful thing being lighting the wood burner.Which took fuckin' ages. Then I realised I had the air holes closed not allowing any oxygen to the flames.Once they were opened,we were sorted!Then after 20 mins burning we had to shut it off cuz we were too damn hot.Anyway that's a different story.Checkout Missy's blog for more details.

Rock n Roll

http://missymalone-behindtheglitter.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/rambling-rose.html?spref=fb

I made it to Jon's in good time,what I mean by that is:I made it to Jon's and the van was already packed!Sorted.Then we headed off to Cardiff. There was traffic problems on the M5 so Jon tried to take a short cut.Jon assured us that the sat-nav will recalculate and we'll miss all that shit out.Then,after 20 mins of satisfaction knowing we're missing all that traffic,we realised the sat-nav was taking us back to the motorway.Typical.Still, all looked ok so we got back on.2 mins down the road,traffic jam.We were stuck in that Jam for a good 45 mins I reckon.
When you're stuck in a van,your mind starts wondering and we noticed that caravans have got the most unsuitable names.Names like "Ranger" and "Pegasus" and  "Super Cyclone".Names that try to make them  an awesome adventure to be staying in one.So naturally,we decided we needed caravan names.We took it in turns to be allocated names.To qualify,you were nominated,and we had to be overtaking the caravan of which was to be your name.I was lucky,I got "Maverick",Jon got "Pegasus" and Martin got "Swift".We then decided some of the others need names too.Pinch got "Challenger",Jed (Merch girl) got "Magnum" and Mr Arrex (OHP operator and drum tech when I'm not there) got "Vogue". We informed them of their new names when we got to Cardiff.Like I said,being stuck in a van makes your mind wonder.
We loaded in and sound checked.All good again.Not much happened between sound check and the gig so nothing to report.Here's a photo of Jon waiting for the action to kick off:

Jon being friendly 

The gig itself was a good one,nothing much to be done so that meant we'd done our jobs properly.Former bass player Paul Gray was at the show too so in the encore he got up and played "Generals" with the band.

D.V. and Paul Gray during Generals

Then it was time for "Smash it up".For those of you who don't know,this is the song the fans have been waiting for.This is also the time me and Jon grab the stage towels and prepare for chaos.Just before they started,Pinch dedicated it to Wakey from English Dogs.Then Captain called him on stage, where he proceeded to "Smash it up"! He tried to grab D.V.'s mic but he held on to it protectively,so instead he grabbed Captain's.Then threw it into the crowd and it was never seen again.

Wakey Smashing things up!

He then tried to pick up the monitor and throw that into the crowd but Captain stopped him by wagging an index finger of disapproval! He placed it back on the floor carefully.Then he started jumping around the stage and fell off into security and Jon who were all trying to recover the mic.

Wakey falling off the stage!HA HA HA!

That was the chaotic ending to the show.The Damned carried on regardless and the crowd seemed more than satisfied!Job well done.
We packed up sharpish and tried to avoid the biggest piss heads I've ever come across at a Damned show then headed off to the hotel.Chris bought a couple of rounds at the bar and then me and Jon decided to retire for the night.
Did we get up in time for breakfast?Did D.V. get a caravan name?Did we have an exciting time at the hippy fest in Derby?Find out in the next episode of Magic Moments tomorrow.

Magic Dave

Weird dreams and Cabin fever

May 3rd-Holmfirth.
Home of legendary sitcom "Last of the Summer Wine" (and metal band EVILE), we're always expecting to see some old bloke riding in some old tin tub uncontrollably down a hill screaming whilst being chased by another 3 old blokes on a motorbike and side car with failed brakes!But no.Although spending time with The Damned can be like an episode of last of the summer wine sometimes.
We (The Crew) arrived and proceeded to set up.Then Martin disappeared for a cig.That left the PA open for some Reign of Fury full blast!Jon grabbed his iphone and whacked it on,and it sounded good!Martin came back and turned it up louder.The house crew seemed to like it but our ears were fucked for a while afterwards.

After sound check we went for food and had whale on chips!I know you Yorkshire folk love your mushy peas with fish n chips but I can't stand it.We tried to get Dudsy (The Alarm blog master) who was sitting on the next table to pay but he wasn't having any of it.Stingy git.

Whale n Chips!No mushy peas!

Jon with his normal face

Crew tea

All went well with the show.No drummers falling off the drum riser this time.Here's a couple of shots.

After the show we packed the gear and went next door for some drinks.This is where we discovered Captain has a hidden talent for beer mat throwing!We had couple of drinks with some friends and decided to retired to our hotel.We were off to Fife the next day so we had to leave early-ish for the long drive.

May 4th- Fife.The Big Stooshie Festival


We left about half 10 and stopped twice on the way.As Martin put it "Once to feed Dave,the other to ease his pain".I woke up late so didn't get any breakfast and had started to develop a huge headache.But that is more Jon's fault I reckon,due to him going on about his favourite service stations again (Yawn).We also discovered Martin has a weird fascination of taking photos of fields full of cows.For the sake of my own sanity,I buried myself in my book,Gunners Glory and tried to blank out anything around me for the next few hours.

Cabin fever is starting to creep in

Life on the road

Eventually,we arrived at The Big Stooshie.We all wondered what Stooshie meant and came to the conclusion it meant "pasty" or "cake" or something.Later,my girlfriend Missy,who is Scottish,later confirmed it meant "fight" or "brawl".Do you really want to be stuck in a place called THE BIG FIGHT surrounded by Scottish people?Luckily,she told me after the show.

Plenty of wine on the Ryder tonight,due to a mix up so we all grabbed a bottle each for later,before the mistake got rectified.

The Beat

The Beat's Drum kit

Bruce Foxton "From The Jam"

The Actual stage was in a big barn or huge cattle shed.And it was bloody cold.It even started to snow at one point.The show went well with pretty much no problems but that meant we (the crew) didn't have to do anything really.So we sat there and got cold..But that meant it was a good show.

Pinch trying to stay warm

The Big Stooshie Set

We packed up asap after the show,and once again Scottish crew proved to be the best.Then we headed to the dressing room to see if there was any wine left.There was.We grabbed some bottles,Martin dropped his whilst having a cig outside,resembling a murder scene,then we went back to the hotel,where we had a drink with "The Beat" and "from the Jam's" crew.It was still early and there was another long drive tomorrow so me and Jon opted out.

Now,(this is where the cabin fever kicks in) something weird happened because all of a sudden,we started making up our own German style language,which is a cross between German,English and stupid words.We call it "Germglish".That kept us amused for a good hour before we fell asleep.But little did we know it will keep me and Jon amused for the next few days (and drive Martin mad).

This hotel by the way,had the most comfortable beds we've ever slept in in a hotel.But we had to get up early so we we weren't  able to relish in our new found comfort for long.

May 5th-Warrington 


We woke up about 8:45am with greats in our new "Germglish".The beds were well nice.I had a weird dream,that I was called in to help some people who were under attack from Russians I think.I spotted 3 snipers and killed them all.I went over to check the bodies and one was still alive.So I had to strangle HER to death.Reinforcements turned up and that's when I woke up.Must be the books I'm reading.
Once again me and Jon opted for extra sleep rather than breakfast.Martin stayed in a different room & had already eaten breakfast by the time we met him.We threw our personal gear in the back of the van and wasted no time in informing Martin of our new language.Then we set off for the 4hr + journey.Jon again pointed out his favourite service station while Martin tried and failed,again,to get a picture of the trees shaped like a cock on the side of a hill near the Scottish/English border.But he managed successfully to point out "Metal Bridge".

The weird horn thing on the M8 near Livingston Scotland

A few more coffee stops later and a shit load of Germglish phrase repetitions later we got to the venue,loaded in and sound checked.All good again.

Sound checking Pinch'es drums

The show itself went well,with a girl called Eloise coming up on stage for the song Eloise.Here's a few shots.

Eloise on stage for Eloise

Show done,gear packed,back to the hotel.We got pulled over by the police but all was good.We stayed in the bar and drank.Extra spicy Bloody Marys for me Cider for Jon and Stella for Martin.We drank until they stopped serving us and Martin was wasted.We decided to call it a night and got in the lift to our rooms.Martins floor first,the doors opened and he disappeared.Me n Jon went to our room,watched some Boxing,talked Germglish and fell asleep,I think.The beds were bloody horrible and so were the pillows.I had to replace one pillow with my towel for a more comfortable night.Strange how the more expensive the hotel,the worse the night sleep is I get.Fuck it.Last day of the mini tour tomorrow so no problem.

May 6th-Leamington Spa


The Assembly in L.S. is a great venue.Jon only lives 20 mins away from it too so it's a sort of home gig for him.It was a short drive compared to the other days so that's a bonus too.We loaded in and set up in good time.Ozzy (Promoter from Birmingham but lives in Brighton) is doing the show too which means good sandwiches.
Gear set,another good sound check then a chance to check the play count of our 1st video(Reign of Fury,Psycho Intentions) on youtube.We broke the 10,000 plays barrier so that's another mile stone smashed for us.

Check out the play count bottom right

We just had time to chill out with Evile Weazle,and talk metal and fighting,then sort the stage for The Damned.Good show again with the best light show so far.Monty was well lit for once.

Bison (our lead singer) and his old band Gash (which Jon was also in) were here tonight too so it was good to see them again.I couldn't miss out on that photo op.

Members of 4 bands in one photo.3 members of Reign of Fury,3 ex-members of 4ft fingers,3 Members of  Section 13 and all 4 members of Gash

Me,Evile Weazle and Jon.Check out Evile's T-shirt co. 666HCLtd.

For some reason the bar didn't open so after we chilled out briefly me n Jon went home.I only live an hour away so I'd be able to get home for a day off and I got a mention by Ben Jones on Radio 2 on the drive back.

Job done.
Magic Dave.

P.S.
Check out my Girlfriend's blog too:   http://missymalone-behindtheglitter.blogspot.co.uk/