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.