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| Posted By: Nick Dagger |
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Truro 7th May 05
We left London at 8am for Truro and although an unearthly hour for us night birds the mood was good. A nice sunny crisp morning and the thought of breathing in clean country air made for the positive attitude. We rolled into town at just after 1pm and after nearly taking out several stalls of the visiting French Farmer's market we parked up at the Hall for Cornwall.
Once we'd troughed a quick pasty ( made in Newquay apparently ) in the nearby Three Rivers Cafe, the tribe split up for a bit of retail activity. I needed earplugs and a can opener and nearly lost the will to live whilst waiting in the Boot's queue. No wonder as a store chain they're not doing so well. I have exactly the same problem in Chiswick. I think the new young trendy management have got it into their heads that night clubs who do the best business are the ones with the longest queues and therefore stores need to create a similar vibe. Pillocks!
Once I'd escaped I thought a quick visit to the aforementioned French Farmers Market might be the place to purchase some post show snackeries. One loud fat git was selling two for one and although nearly put off by this "lamb burners" gob I couldn't resist the bacon and potato pies: just the job for a five and a half hour journey home.
Just before the show I received a note handed back stage from an old mate and colleague from 30 years ago. This happens a lot. The younger tykes in the band find it amusing that I have friends I haven't seen for longer than they've been alive. But now here was my dilema. Do I invite him back to the dressing room for the three decade catch up and be in danger of having to share one of the pies or do we chat in the wings immediately after the show.
Sorry Norman but it was a five and a half hour journey home and I couldn't take the risk of you being hungry. Norman and I once shared a house with six other geezers ( all playing in bands ) and you can imagine that with us all being in our early twenties, the female traffic in and out the place was pretty high. Quite often girl friends were shared then, but one of my pies: no chance. It was great to see him though and catch up as best as we could in 15 minutes and oh what a lovely daughter too. Just like her Mum when she was in her twenties.......hmmmmmm!
Got home knackered with an unquenchable thirst. Bloody frogs over salt everything.
luv
Nick x
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| Posted By: Nick Dagger |
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Quaglinos Thurs 5th
Property in London as we all know is astronomically expensive and whether you be a humble flat owner or a multi billion pound company the space you've bought cannot be wasted. Hence the plight of any performer playing the Capital : dressing rooms are not a priority high on the agenda of places of entertainment.
We've played some of the most exclusive and popular establishments over the years and I've always been amazed at the variety of broom cupboards the mangers of these venues hail as their offices. In my early naive days when I spent hours on the phone trying to muster up gigs from West End clubs I had this vision during the conversation that I was dealing with a suited Mafiosa type, chewing a cigar in a walnut panelled suite with a blonde secretary filing his nails. What a disappointment to find a pony-tailed Roadie sharing space with a hoover and mop and bucket. There'd be a mountain of cassettes and fag ash and usually the petty cash box stuck on ring stained table in a windowless tomb stinking of sweat and bleach What hope then for the visiting Artiste's quarters?
The disillusionment of the glamour out front to the squalour back stage took some getting used to but at least it meant that on consecutive visits the manager became your mate and not the Boss. A discrepency on the door-take can be reasonably discussed with a "mate" but not something you'd raise with a sartorial yeti.
So it was that we found ourselves preparing for the stage in a room full of stacked chairs and tables for the Election night special in Quaglinos: one of London's most poshy-most gaffs. We're an experienced band and go into action like a well trained special force unit. Each member resourcefully claims a bit of space and sets out his armoury of stage make-up, wig and glitzy kit. What we weren't prepared for was the appearance of the Queen.
There we were down to our jockies and in she strides. Being used to other celebrities bothering us just as the fruit and veg is out on display, I hastened to steer the alighted Monarch from the war zone. We've played for the Palace in the past but were a little surprised that her Majesty should choose to come back stage before we'd played but maybe she'd heard that our wigs travelled in tupperware boxes and was keen to compare prices.
It turned out the damned woman was a bloody look-alike. The nerve of it all. After a short but very effective 45 min set we were hustled back to our changing room with that bloody ragin' Regis hot on our tails. AFter barricading ourselves in with the, now very useful, tables and chairs the SAS Stones quickly reverted to civvy dress and via a secret exit, were lead to six steaming plates of superb bangers annd mash.
This delicious and surreptitious feast gradually eased the indignation ( and strained groin ) I'd suffered from having to strip wash in the waiters' locker room. It's not easy holding a conversation with a Slovak with one leg in the sink and a flannel round yer "jacobs". Still we were in one of the most exclusive parts of London and in a Victorian age would've been considered "below stairs". Maybe the modern term for confined performers in London's hot spots should be "over theres".
Ta Ta
Nick x
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| Posted By: Nick Dagger |
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Gravesend to Farnham
There were 6 shows from Gravesend to Farnham and saw us flung from the eastern outskirts of London to the Yorkshire Moors only to finally settle in Surrey. You've all been marvellous. Ilkley was a long day as we drove there and back without an overnight stop but it didn't take away our love of the place, one iota. All the shows have done good business and although the audiences vary a little bit in accent and waistline, in the end they all get up on their feet and boogie.
Tonight is Election night and we're playing a posh place in London called Quaglinos. The clientele wil mainly be made up of people with big houses and no mortgage and our job is get 'em going before the first results come in on the big screens spread about the gaff. It might not be our easiest gig and I'll be very grateful for the dressing room champagne that's been promised. Angela Rippon will be there and maybe she'll start kicking those famous legs out nice and early. I just hope if she does they're in reasonable nick. There's nothing worse than two streaks of Danish Blue hanging out of a party frock.
As the news item has mentioned we were in the studios recording for this Brian Jones movie. That was a most enjoyable experience. Lots of movie connected people hanging out in the control room behind dark glasses and making lots of Big Deal phone calls. We should know whether we can make formal announcements tomorrow.
I have this terrible panic that the film comes out, Hollywood discovers me,
I make quillions of pounds and Kennedy gets in and takes the f***ing lot back. Just when I could have a big house and no mortgage.
Ah well Pasty Land on Saturday. Truro here we come.
Ta Ta
Nick x
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| Posted By: Nicky Popkiss |
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Notes from the back of the stage.
Well we've started and there's only one way this is going to end.
By us finishing it.
So far the four venues we've done have given us a great reception, it's nice to see all you Counterfeiters out in force for us.
And the shows seem to be running smoothly, we haven't had a major technical hiccup yet. Everything's going great....
Which worries me.
Usually when a tour starts off there'll be some teething troubles that you get with tours that use as much technology as we do (all the video clips, various amplifiers, guitars, etc.). So far we've escaped the dreaded meltdown and it's starting to get to me. I keep going into the gig thinking "Is that the night?" and the longer it goes on the worse it'll be (in my mind at least).
Still what an achievement it would be to get through the tour completely unscathed and I sincerely hope that we do.
But for now I'll sign off
Yours warily
Nicky
xx
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| Posted By: Nick Dagger |
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Shrewsbury Wednesday 6th April 05
This was our second visit to this lovely little place and apart from a minor bout of bus sickness, ( brought on by the meandering cobbled roads ) the journey was very pleasant. We'd driven through various weather systems but once in Shropshire all was bright and sunny. Lunch and grabbing the best dressing room was on everybody's mind as we finally pulled up to the Music Hall. All was going well until my mobile phone flew out of my pocket and then got crushed by a following car. That'll teach me to be the one on the back of the bus handing out the luggage to other band members. Not only did I lose a phone I also lost the "dressing room" grab.
I'll not pretend. I was in a bloody bad mood. I calmed down when I found out there was a Car Phone Warehouse 5 mins from the theatre and conveniently placed near a selection of troughs.
Where I live in Chiswick, the Car Phone Ware House is a definite no no at lunch times. I've wasted far too much time in the past waitng for ever to be served by a spotty kid in an ill fitting blue suit; but a quick look on the way to our chosen diner and yippee!, an empty shop.
The others went off to form a bridge head in ASK pizza while I opted to get the new phone problem sorted. The look on the SKIAIBS (see previous paragraph) was one of John the Baptist meets Jesus. It had been a very quiet week and I was to be his first proper customer. There'd been the usual droves of information only customers but I went in knowing exactly what I wanted and 20 minutes later I was heading off for lunch.
There was a real spring my step as I ran through the mouth watering menu in my head. It was perfect timing.Just as I sat down the waiter was ready to take my order. Everybody was feeling good and even after 20mins without the drinks arriving we were happy to put it down to a healthy Shropshire laid backness. After 50 mins and still no food: horns were growing. I wanted to abort the mission and go somewhere else but the others were willing to give it another 5 mins.
They made the deadline with a minute to go. I realise now why it's called ASK. You have to keep ASKing where your order is. We've eaten in these establishments a lot but these pizzas were not good. The texture of crust was about the same as the plate it came on and when I first cut into my Napoletana it sounded like I'd cracked the crockery. Popkiss had ordered the special which was a goats cheese pasta and, miffed by the lack of cheese asked the waiter for a top up. It arrived back on a side dish. Not exactly Gary Rhodes presentation. " Just take what you want," grunted the SKWAC ( spotty kid without a clue ).
Phil saved the day with a tupperware box of his mum's homemade rock cakes. Ta Mrs Isaacs. Phil's been bringing homemade tucker for some time and it don't arf go down well.
The gig was a sell out and the unique low stage in the Muisc Hall means you get to see the audience eye to eye. It can be a bit daunting but when you have such a warm crowd as we had it was very enjoyable and made a change from looking down on everyone.
We had a healthy rowdy section made up of a couple of birthday parties but it was all very good natured. We got 'em all up: not bad for a Wednesday in Shrewsbury.
The shower was a Triton : aaaaaaaaaaagh. Scald/Freeze/Scald/Freeze. You know the type I mean. If anybody out there can tell me what the controls on these bloody showers do, I'd be grateful.
After a bout of bus sickness getting out of the town we hit the motorway and got home about 2.30am. A new phone, sore teeth ( from trying to eat a clay pizza) and full of rock cakes. I slept like a baby.
Ta Ta
Nick
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| Posted By: Nick Dagger |
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High Wycombe Sat 2nd April
High Wycombe actually sits at the bottom of a Bucks crater. It was probably named "High" when it sat on top of a peak, but back in those Merlin days of dragons and spells a giant has somehow sucked hard and inverted it like we've all done on a Mr Whippy cone.
Being the ever green chap that I am, I delight in turning off the engine to glide silently, congestion free down to the Swan theatre. Maybe that's how the venue gained its name: countless other motorists have switched off and coasted down the side of the crater into the theatre car park.
It's definitely one of the band's favourites. The facilities are second to none and the crew and staff make you very welcome. Any theatre that serves tea and oatmeal biscuits at a reasonable hour gets my vote.
We see lots of familiar faces here too. The Stones' original security guy and chauffeur, Mr Tom Keylock, always comes and has been priceless in his stories of looking after the band in its 60's hey day. Chris Eborn reputedly the biggest owner of Stones memorabilia in Europe, Penny the Nurse, Gram, Val and Stu, Karen. These and many many more have become our "road family " and maybe Wycombe is on a ley line and they are spiritually drawn here.
The second night of the tour and the machine was running a little smoother and come the second half : it was hips and t..s agogo!
Not a bra or pair of smalls lobbed on stage but what a sexy audience.
Miss you already. Can't wait to come back.
ta ta
Nick x
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| Posted By: Nick Dagger |
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Nick Dagger says...Friday 1st April 05
Yes a risky day to be the first date on THE BOURBON JUNGLE tour. Friday 13th and APril Fool's Day can attract all kinds of mishap. Thankfully nothing disastrous occurred. Although launching a new show is sometimes a little shakey I'm glad to report that the love and kindness from the Chelmsfordians settled all that : it was most definitely
a rockin' evening.
The day began with a sunny drive and all was well until the usual one way system which council planners ( planners.. ha... f..king ha ) put together and do more to create congestion than anything else. There was some bloody annoying red tape issues to deal with at the venue because that too has council ruling and some of the pettiness would've put the old Eastern Bloc to shame. Next to parking wardens those gits that operate barriers to let you into civic buildings are the dilating rectums of society and the prole who made me drive right round the town centre is on my voodoo list. I have a pen pal in Haiti who keeps a large stock of chickens and a sharp knife : beware Dagger rattlers!
The eatery chosen by myself and a couple of the others was called the Stage Coach and even at peak lunch time we were the only diners in there. The grub was very good, a bit stingy on the portions and the service very android. We were spotted in our civies leaving the establishment and this fact has been remarked on in the guest book. The spotter seemed a bit surprised at our difference in appearance. Hey come on you lot even SUperman needs to be Clark Kent for a quiet private life.
For an artist the stage at the CHelmsford Civic is very good. You get a good view of the audience and the sound is solid. The pressure in the showers was good and if it hadn't had the congealed hair and soap from the countless performers before us, it may have even drained properly. I really do wish theatres would clean the back stage area more thoroughly. There's nothing worse than standing in a pond of scummy, pube ridden water. Ugh....
SOmebody should make more use of the pedant turds on barrier controi and instead of unnecessarily blocking the roads outside they could unblock a few of the dressing rooms sinks.
The audience were great and we'd love to come back.
Love Nick Dagger
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| Posted By: Nicky Popkiss |
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Notes from the back of the Stage
Well we're just about to embark on our new tour; what wonders await us this time.
Will we be able to find a decent eatery in all of our towns (Feel free to let us know which cafes are the best in your neighbourhood)?
How long will it take before we broadside our Crew?
Which town will I take a massive detour to get to?
Will Nick's ego be able to get into the venues we play?
Will Keef stay vertical for the entire tour?
All will be answered in the next three months.
I have to say that it's nice to be doing this tour at a more leisurely pace. The tour two years ago was quite brutal in that we had about three days off for the entire run.
When you're bombing up and down the Motorway from town to town it can be very tiring. We were all zombies by the end of that one.
Well must dash loads to do to get ready for the first date.
TTFN
Nicky
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| Posted By: Nicky Popkiss |
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Notes from the back of the Stage
Well we've done it. God knows how but we have survived yet another jaunt around the sceptred isle.
There's been thrills, spills, the occassional misdirection (yes alright I'm still getting stick from the guys about the driving directions - or lack thereof), but by and large it's been very enjoyable.
The last gig of the tour was a very pleasant surprise. As told before, we were re-directed by the local constabulary to one of the most torturous routes I have encountered (and this includes the aforementioned re-directions). When this sort of thing happens then alarm bells start ringing. A sense of foreboding comes over the group as trouble rarely comes alone.
This time however it did and we entered the lovely town of Bridgnorth and found it to be most most delightful (the Dickensian language continues, it's mandatory with this kind of town I'm afraid).
A slight set back was encountered with the 2pm cafe incident and there's nothing more heart breaking than seeing the look on Mott's face when he has been denied food by antiquated rules and especially when they are strictly enforced.
It makes you weep to see that crestfallen countenance upon our rhythm king. However, that was quickly rectified and the features returned to their natural glory as we had "banked" another eatery on the way down.
For those of you not in the know "banking" is the process of saving a place found early in an foraging raid so that other venues can be explored without fear of ending up empty handed (or stomached).
Food was wonderful (if a little gas-inducing) and the staff very friendly.
The gig itself was quite intriguing but apparantly that's how you guys do it so who are we to argue. We are merely vessels for your enjoyment (Stop blabbering and get on with it! - Dagger)
So all in all a roaring success as intimated by most of the punters we spoke to.
Here's to 2005 and all the merriment it'll bring.
See you then
Nicky
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| Posted By: Nick Dagger |
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Sat Nov 27th 04, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
Well there we were heading off from London at 11am for the last date on this Autumn leg of the " Doo Dahs " tour. It's all gone so quickly. What a wonderful crispy day it was to end a tour. Well it was to begin with. More later.
I always come over all Dickensian at this time of the year. It's funny how I never associate Dickens with anything other than cold weather. I'm sure there must be mention of other climatic conditions in his novels but I never get this Dickens syndrome at the height of a heat wave in August.
Our journey was very smooth up until the last ten miles on the road from Stourbridge. A police car was parked across the A 458 and with no hint of a reason or diversion we just had to turn left across country. One glance at the map told us we would be navigating a rally route and, in a large mini bus, this wasn't going to be pleasant or quick.
We rocked and rolled our way like a horse drawn phaeton round roads not much bigger than dirt tracks until we finally reached the A 442. At last we entered Bridgnorth. What a delightful place and very very Dickensian. I hadn't expected such a quaint historical treasure. Already observing an abundance of great looking pubs, the slaverings of the stage coach passengers became a chorus.
We parked up at the Leisure centre. Unloaded our luggage. Delivered the now traditional welcoming insults to the PA crew and set off to gorge on Pickwick fayre.
After one nasty upset at an Inn that stopped serving food 5 minutes before our arrival ( 2.05pm ) we descended on the Swan in Bridgnorth High St. One look at the menu and it was pies and bangers ago go. We were very happy bunnys by now. The extra cold guiness and the open fire with a biting wind outside made for a very cosy scene. Was that Ebenezer with the ghost of Christmas future gazing on our ribaldry? No it was two locals arguing over the Australia/England game.
The gig was unusual in its format. Tables and chairs set out like a cabaret club, with a dance floor reserved in the front of the stage. I'm never that keen on gigs with a gap in front of the stage. It always takes longer to connect with the audience but this is how they run their shows and who are we to argue.
I was a biit perturbed though when I realised we'd be playing two sets with an hour in between. It's very hard to muster the same level of adrenaline twice and during a normal interval of 20 minutes that's fine - but an hour? That's dicey!
The crowd needed time to scoff their jacket spuds, hence the long interval. We were very well looked after though and when heaped platters were delivered to our dressing room and despite not being able to eat until after the show, it certainly was something to look forward to.
We found the two halves of the show very different but most enjoyable. The audience were great and we'd love to go back next year. We left about 12. 40 and I was at my front door by 4. 30am.
I didn't see Jacob Marley on my door knocker though.
Fare thee well
Nicholas Daggerby
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