It was all a dream!
Almost all tour vehicles are (of course) referred to as 'The Beast'
Our particular beast was Franky's four-wheeled monster - which was to become our war machine for the next ten days.
Introducing the rest of our rock and roll tour posse - the mighty MESSENGER - from Germany, who were already at the venue when we arrived.
We played Saarbangers Metal Festival in Saarbrücken with Messenger a few months back, and it was great to see them again, with the evil DJ, with Silke, with Selina and with a bus full of drums and amplifiers.
Heavy!
Thursday - 15th September 2011
De Verlichte Geest: Roeselare - Belgium.
De Verlichte Geest: Roeselare - Belgium.
I really must start to write this stuff down as it happens, because inevitably - there is so much I can't remember after a few months.
A quick rehearsal before the first show, and then the madness was underway!
It wasn't full by any stretch, but at De Verlichte Geest, it was great to see some familiar and friendly faces.
A solid venue, with awesome staff & solid people who make a big noise. We salute you!
Blue Devils Bar: Arras - France.
The next day was just a short 100 k skip to France, where The Blue Devils Bar was waiting!
A super cool watering hole, in the beautiful town of Arras, where the beer was frighteningly strong and the music was frighteningly loud!
We were joined on this bill by some continental compadres, the mighty 'Women in Iron Form'Four metal maidens from Le France, playing Maiden! Everything from Children Of The Damned to The Clairvoyant to Be Quick Or Be Dead! Loud and heavy! A tough act to follow, but next up were Messenger to make their point!
Leather, spikes, swords and so much shredding in such a small room had me worried!
There was only one way out, and these men play so fast it could cause a fire!
Outrageous levels of skill and musical perfection, and to top it all off - frontman Sigi was armed to the teeth with a sword and a mean look in his eye!
Be warned - stay well away from Sigi if you're a DJ!
Messenger went down a storm with the Blue Devil's Bar clientele, and they made us work hard to follow their set!
But 15 minutes later, we were saddled in and ready to roll.
A mega hot room with a mega-mad audience of righteously loud lunatics. We had to keep turning up the amps just to hear ourselves over the noise.
It was HOT in the Blue Devils Bar. I think we all lost some weight during the show, but it was worth it. Super cool people!
After the show, we had some beers with Women In Iron Form, and generally chilled out.
Best wishes to Hélène, Sibylle, Lynda and Hélène!
New friends and a good show!
Chez Paulette: Nancy - France.
The next morning, Franky bravely harnessed the beast, and drove across 400 km of hardpan desert terrain to the incredible Chez Paulette, à Pagney derrière Barine!
This place was unbelievable.
The people who lived there were amazing, and treated us like family.
These people were so cool that they even took care of our washing. Yuk.
Such an amazing, kind gesture like that helps to save your sanity when you're traveling all day, and sweating up clothes every night.
The show was of course flawlessly arranged by Laurence and Sébastien, who took care of every detail. Beautiful people, and it was a pleasure to see them again after a couple of years.
There were four bands on the bill: Blaze, Messenger, AVery Bad Story and We Take No Prisoners.
A total mixture of different styles - from groove to speed, so hopefully something for everyone.
Yukon Bar: Collombey - Switzerland.
450 km later!
Flanked by massive cornfields at the foot of the Swiss alps - in the idyllic environs of Collombey Switzerland,
The Yukon Bar is like a fantasy. An impossibly beautiful location for a rock bar.
Introducing Pascal, Tatjana and Marina! Three of the most amazing people in Switzerland.
Three of the coolest people in the world. Scientifically proven!
After the last few days of shows, both band's live sets were rocking and rolling - and tonight was no exception.
As usual - Messenger kicked much ass.
It was a pleasure to watch them deliver the goods every single night.
During each show we watched them turn people's heads and get them onside.
A rare skill.
By the end of Messenger's set - everybody knew what was what.
Setting up - I remember some technical problems with power! Switzerland power points are seemingly different from everywhere else on the continent, but the multi-skilled Pascal dealt with the situation by hooking up some interesting wiring :)
After everything had wrapped - we had the chance to enjoy some late drinks & good music.
Tomorrow was a travel day and we knew that we were sleeping at the venue tonight.
There was no show scheduled for the next evening - so we packed down quickly after the show, and chilled out in the bar for a few hours with Swiss royalty, Pascal, Tatjana and Marina.
It was the first time I'd met these folks, but right away it was just like hanging out with old friends.
Good conversation, good wine, midnight food at the bar & awesome company.
Thank you so much for taking care of us!
One of my favorite nights of the whole tour.
Tonight we also say au-revoir to the Messenger Clan for the next few days, because they are returning to Germany, - destined to meet us again in Poland two days later.
Oh yes - they kidnapped Claudio too - and took him with them! If only they knew what they were letting themselves in for.
At this point, we also say goodbye to Messenger guitar man, Frank - because he wasn't coming back for the remainder of the tour. See you again, Frank. Cheers to you!
AND - we also had to say our goodbyes to the real Messenger boss ladies, Silke and Selina.
These amazing people kept everything running like a machine, and made sure nobody got into trouble! Tschuss, Silke & Selina. At least for now.
The next day was a VERY early start. On the road at 7 am, and a 1500 km drive lay ahead.
God damn.
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