Munich

59:1 Club in Munich has a great stage that protrudes out into the venue so as a spectator you can actually watch bands from behind them almost. Anyway, the stage is also pretty damn small if there is already a full band’s backline including a huge harp and various other percussion instruments that have to remain where they are. We got ourselves fitted on to the stage after a long wait in the afternoon. We could only have vocals, piano and a sax go on the PA so it was old school rock and roll – with just the amps and drums blasting full out. Had a great show even though I could not move my feet 5 cm in any direction. Afterwards we packed up in the cold cold hallway outside – thankfully not out in the street because it was snowing. Didn’t stick around to long even though we had a day off the next day.

Pictures by Sely Friday 2009

Getting Lost and Getting To Vienna

Tuesday

We had an address to stay for Tuesday night east of Prague, all arranged and everything. We found out later at 1am that there was another town under the same name about 2 hours drive back away from Vienna. We’d also left a little late so couldn’t really look for a house in the pitch black dark. Weirdest thing was that parts of the directions we had received to get to the house we right!? Left at the church, left bend up a small hill, right turn and past the telephone cell. We lost it there because we couldn’t find (or see anything in the dark). Did find a house that did kind of look like the one we need to get to, and it had the same number but a huge dog came running up towards Martijn and I when we started opening the gate….. Eventually at the local (closed) bar we found out we were in the wrong town. We just said fuck it and drove towards Vienna and eventually found a hotel outside of Jihlava (I think).

Wednesday

It was snowing fiercely when we started driving towards Vienna. About an hour from Vienna we got a call from the venue that we might not be able to play because the stage was too small and Florence and the Machine couldn’t move any of there gear for us (there was no space for that). So spending two days driving to Vienna we finally got to the venue anyway and checked things out for ourselves. Not that much space but we still got things sorted somehow on stage. I stood behind a harp, effects board and computer rig. Joppe was off in a corner. It was a great show though. Great reactions.

Pictures by Sely Friday 2009

Berlin

Very strange show. Got to Berlin a day in advance so we would be in PLENTY of time. When we got to the Postbahnhof in PLENTY of time we heard that FATM’s bacline had burned in a fire the day before so things would be a little delayed today. Well, we waited until an hour after the doors should have opened. It almost looked like we would not get to play. 9pm and the doors opened. At 9pm we put our gear on stage in 2 minutes flat. Then we waited around for the stage guys from the venue (who were a little stressed…) to plug in and patch the cables. This took 45 minutes. All the time we stood on the stage in front of a full venue, no music from a DJ or anything. Interesting. So got to play but various vocals and sax could not be heard. Anyway. Had fun.

Pictures by Sely Friday 2009

Luxor Koln/Cologne

We stayed with Sophie’s mother in Luneburg and it was fantastic. Martijn and I were up pretty early as usual and so we walked around the city center for a bit. Got some flowers for our lovely hostess who had left even earlier to get to work. When we got back the rest were up. Had a great big breakfast all together seated at the table. Martijn cooked up some tasty eggs. Shorter-ish drive to Luxor in Koln/Cologne. Started raining when we got to Luxor. As usual we waited around for our time to set up and soundcheck. Stage was even tighter than yesterdays. Joppe was really crammed in the corner behind my amps. Fun show. We had to load out directly. At least it was inside. Packed up and hung around until after FATM’s set so we could sell some merch. Some friends and family had driven down from Amsterdam/Utrecht to see FATM (and us) play. I started to get a bad cold – I guess it’s the sweaty loading out into the cold night directly after our sets that is screwing me up. Quick drive. And if anyone can read German something was written about the show on Triggerfish

Pictures by Sely Friday 2009

Thanks Enschede

(Can’t seem to upload pictures at the moment).
-There was some confusion among our ranks when our tour manager sent us info by accident that we had to be in Hengelo for the Enschede School party. But we got everything sorted.
-Before we could even unload we were off for something to eat. Mussels and fish soup it was and it was very very good.
-Gobbled food to see Miss Montreal play.
-Very crowded Old Market Square with eager young student minds ready to party (and learn later the rest of the year)
-Backstage was in the activity room of the church. Run by two lovely people; Willie and a girl who’s name I’ve sadly forgotten.
-Backstage was also the gathering room for all the Emergency Service People. It was fun to be drinking beer in the midst of all sorts of the local police enforcement having their coffee.
-Backstage was also the watering hole for two police horses. Their names I have also sadly forgotten.
-We held a little boat race during our set between two students that had to bring food to our sound man FOH Martijn. The girl stage right capsized and sank about midway. The guy stage left made it all the way and kept going past the FOH desk….
-Miss Montreal had some confetti canons. I think we need some as well.
-It was a long drive back. The back seat people napped.
-Back in Amsterdam we were followed around by a Police car. They finally stopped us after we drove into two dead end streets looking for parking spots. I dunno what they thought we were doing at 3am other than looking for a freaking parking spot in Amsterdam (An impossible chore). They had no sense of humor though.