Ben Handysides landed on my doorstep on Thursday. We ate and then immediately set up a tiny drum kit with a pad on the snare and box for a bass drum. This was down in the kitchen mind.
Al came round not very long after and plugged in the bass. Then we played loads of Zadok tunes to Ben and he made notes using a pencil. He sometimes spoke, using words like “Please Repeat that Section” and “Train beat here, yes?”.
Then the next day (being Friday) we went down to the studio and set up our amps and drum kit. Al had his recently acquired 1000w cabinet and I repeatedly said “Turn that down please Al, my hands are starting to melt as I shield my ears” and he was alright with it. He also had two fuzz boxes. It was class. Then we started to practice for the show at The Sage Gateshead.
On Saturday Ben amused himself and I headed off to do a dress rehearsal with a workshop group who were also performing at the Sage Gateshead the following day. It was intense because unfortunately one of the sub groups weren’t ready to do the gig and I had to tell them, and then their Dad came round later on to talk to me in the outdoors, but it was OK in the end, I came back in, and we got the stage times together.
On Sunday I headed down to the venue really early to sort out the workshop groups. We unpacked the vans etc and then got everyone soundchecked. the afternoon shows are another story not for here. They went well in the end is for sure. Iplayed drum kit for ‘riot on Cell Block 9′ and nailed a ONE NOTE FILL. Poff! the Reason were great. Eddy did split jumps. Everyone worked the cameras like total prima donna rockstars. Carrolly did a sweet electronic set once the laptop was going. Something different. Of course all I can hear is the hum of the machine. One day I’ll get around to synthesis. But for now we have to truck on with strings and callouses and sweaty frickin’ thunder fuzz bass alliance.
We soundchecked at 7.50 or so. It took us 5 minutes. Just had to set the fuzz bass up and get a good clangy guitar tone. I was stupid and didn’t set my lead tone high enough but it was ok in the end.
We went on at 8.15 and kicked off the show.
We played Unit of Judo part One, Analogue Space Battle, and Caltrops (for dessert). Some people didn’t know what to do but a lot of them seemed to like it. After all, it was totally class y’see. My Nana was there so I was a bit nervous. It was really nice to see messrs Mordue and Miller, there introducing their other halves Christine and Lynn to the medieval grunge folk.
Dee’s Ma came up to me wanting a word about the Analogue Space Battle. I thought I was going to get bollocked for Dooming Out and facilitating the use of brutal thunder bass fuzz. In fact she totally enjoyed the Elizabethan vibrations in the first section. Said it was lovely and tuneful! Thanks, Kathleen!
My Ma and Pa came down too, also Si Richardson was there, Jan van Rezner, other assorted heroes, thanks for turning out.
Now Ben has gone home after doing a belter job in the drum chair, and once again the search is on for a killer stick man.
Thanks to everyone who came down. Abbs and Jonny, you still owe me for the tickets you bastards. But thanks for coming down. I will find you.
Ben’s mate Greg is riding around the world on his bike. That’s commitment to the oily reality of transport.
CM
Zadok: Progressive Grunge-Folk. 