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