Post by DAVE HURRY on Nov 4, 2008 0:33:25 GMT
HI-ON DUDLEY
JB's again - home! I've always considered this to be the home match - despite the disperate spread of the band these days, it formed in the West Midlands and the big room at JB's had to be attained. It was also the site of my first gig with the band as Manic Gers, back in the day (the day being November 2003). Every time we play here, it feels like the first time all over again - there's nothing quite like waiting to go onstage here for me. Even though crowds have dwindled over the last year or so through the credit crunch, smoking ban and lack of proper advertising, we still pull a decent crowd and see friendly faces.
The heavens had opened in Dartford, and I was very lucky to arrive at the station just as a train (running 40 minutes late) pulled in, which was to be the last one for quite some time. Had I not left when I did, I would not have made it to JB's in time for soundcheck. We had a couple of new songs to put in the setlist (well, I say new - new to us, very very old to Maiden!), and my confidence level with Purgatory left something to be desired. I would have to rock it at soundcheck and hope it works...
Thankfully the late-running train, in it's hurry to reach it's final destination, decided to miss several of the less busy stations along the way and I made it to London in plenty of time. I even managed to get on an earlier train to Birmingham New Street than previously planned, allowing plenty of time for other things to go wrong. It seems that a little bit of rain or wind and all manner of British transport comes to a grinding halt. A sudden downpour has more effect than a dead cow on the line would!
I have the final piece of new gear for my wonderous amp setup - a brand new MIDI footswitch - to add to the rig. Much more dedicated to it's job than my Boss GT-8 is, this Behringer should be just the ticket. I'll also be able to bring my Boss back home as, while it's not ideal for gigging, it's pretty good for recording.
Clambering on the train, bound for Birmingham New Street This Is Birmingham New Street, I set me bags down and wandered off for a coffee. Asking if the shop was open, I was greeted with a grumpy "She's about to do an announcement, of course we're open". I then paid for my coffee and biscuit with a ten pound note, apologising as I did it but nevertheless being met with a rather over-the-top sigh. I don't deal with impoliteness very well, (especially not on public transport) so replacing my usual "Thanks very much" with "Sorry you're so miserable, bitch", I walked cheerily back to my seat. It was time for a bit of swotting up on the newer additions to our song list.
I arrived at the venue to find Speed "I got bored" Harris had beaten me to it. We sat around waiting for the Van to roll up, which it duly did a little while later. I'd had a bit of a Blond Moment with my new MIDI pedal. The power plug was a two-pin Europlug, something I hadn't even thought of checking! Thankfully I still had the Boss in the van so no worries there. An adapter to be purchased this week! After feeling like an idiot for a few minutes, I set about setting up my gear. My amp had been left on LOUD from last week's huge stage, which caused the sound and monitor folks some amusement (and ringing ears). I had me earplugs in, so I didn't really give a flying! Once volume had been managed, soundcheck continued unabated with a few new tracks tried out. Flash O' T' Blade worked marvels, having only had one previous outing with us recently. Charlotte the Harlot also worked a treat, so these tracks could become regulars (hopefully!). The onstage sound at JB's is always top notch - Martin Monitor is king of the monitor mix, and it was spot on as usual. It makes life onstage so much more comfortable when you've got a monitor man of that calibre.
Myself and Bruce "What? Oh no!" Dugginson wandered up to The Fellows for a couple of pre-gig drinks with the folks from the boards - familiar faces, plus a few new ones which is always nice to see. Upon arrival, one end of the table were talking about killing, and the other side were talking about Dexy's Midnight Runners. It was going to be one of those nights!
Gig time rolled around, and the crowd wasn't exactly huge but fuck me, they were LOUD! Thank you JB's - even dwindling in number, you never disappoint! Personally, I had a really good night playing-wise. Even solos that normally elude me seemed to work tonight, and I've never known my fingers to move so fast! Duggers was on top form, and young Jonno Lodge put in a stellar performance as Clive Blurr. Adrian "batteries fell out of the Sky remote!" Swift spent the early parts of the gig sporting a rather fetching witch hat, kindly donated by an audience member who'd been to a "shit" Halloween party! Last time it was balloons and skulls....always something to play with at JB's. We were also treated to another cracking Eddie performance from Dave's Tall Twin - top man!
A very enjoyable night for yours truly, with some great performances and great friends in the crowd to get pissed with afterward! After packing the gear into the van I said my goodbyes to the band and set off to Dog Bummer Towers to kip down for the night.
Ruskin Arms in a couple of weeks time - I need to start practising!!!
Til then,
Dave "the stronger soaker upper" Hurry
JB's again - home! I've always considered this to be the home match - despite the disperate spread of the band these days, it formed in the West Midlands and the big room at JB's had to be attained. It was also the site of my first gig with the band as Manic Gers, back in the day (the day being November 2003). Every time we play here, it feels like the first time all over again - there's nothing quite like waiting to go onstage here for me. Even though crowds have dwindled over the last year or so through the credit crunch, smoking ban and lack of proper advertising, we still pull a decent crowd and see friendly faces.
The heavens had opened in Dartford, and I was very lucky to arrive at the station just as a train (running 40 minutes late) pulled in, which was to be the last one for quite some time. Had I not left when I did, I would not have made it to JB's in time for soundcheck. We had a couple of new songs to put in the setlist (well, I say new - new to us, very very old to Maiden!), and my confidence level with Purgatory left something to be desired. I would have to rock it at soundcheck and hope it works...
Thankfully the late-running train, in it's hurry to reach it's final destination, decided to miss several of the less busy stations along the way and I made it to London in plenty of time. I even managed to get on an earlier train to Birmingham New Street than previously planned, allowing plenty of time for other things to go wrong. It seems that a little bit of rain or wind and all manner of British transport comes to a grinding halt. A sudden downpour has more effect than a dead cow on the line would!
I have the final piece of new gear for my wonderous amp setup - a brand new MIDI footswitch - to add to the rig. Much more dedicated to it's job than my Boss GT-8 is, this Behringer should be just the ticket. I'll also be able to bring my Boss back home as, while it's not ideal for gigging, it's pretty good for recording.
Clambering on the train, bound for Birmingham New Street This Is Birmingham New Street, I set me bags down and wandered off for a coffee. Asking if the shop was open, I was greeted with a grumpy "She's about to do an announcement, of course we're open". I then paid for my coffee and biscuit with a ten pound note, apologising as I did it but nevertheless being met with a rather over-the-top sigh. I don't deal with impoliteness very well, (especially not on public transport) so replacing my usual "Thanks very much" with "Sorry you're so miserable, bitch", I walked cheerily back to my seat. It was time for a bit of swotting up on the newer additions to our song list.
I arrived at the venue to find Speed "I got bored" Harris had beaten me to it. We sat around waiting for the Van to roll up, which it duly did a little while later. I'd had a bit of a Blond Moment with my new MIDI pedal. The power plug was a two-pin Europlug, something I hadn't even thought of checking! Thankfully I still had the Boss in the van so no worries there. An adapter to be purchased this week! After feeling like an idiot for a few minutes, I set about setting up my gear. My amp had been left on LOUD from last week's huge stage, which caused the sound and monitor folks some amusement (and ringing ears). I had me earplugs in, so I didn't really give a flying! Once volume had been managed, soundcheck continued unabated with a few new tracks tried out. Flash O' T' Blade worked marvels, having only had one previous outing with us recently. Charlotte the Harlot also worked a treat, so these tracks could become regulars (hopefully!). The onstage sound at JB's is always top notch - Martin Monitor is king of the monitor mix, and it was spot on as usual. It makes life onstage so much more comfortable when you've got a monitor man of that calibre.
Myself and Bruce "What? Oh no!" Dugginson wandered up to The Fellows for a couple of pre-gig drinks with the folks from the boards - familiar faces, plus a few new ones which is always nice to see. Upon arrival, one end of the table were talking about killing, and the other side were talking about Dexy's Midnight Runners. It was going to be one of those nights!
Gig time rolled around, and the crowd wasn't exactly huge but fuck me, they were LOUD! Thank you JB's - even dwindling in number, you never disappoint! Personally, I had a really good night playing-wise. Even solos that normally elude me seemed to work tonight, and I've never known my fingers to move so fast! Duggers was on top form, and young Jonno Lodge put in a stellar performance as Clive Blurr. Adrian "batteries fell out of the Sky remote!" Swift spent the early parts of the gig sporting a rather fetching witch hat, kindly donated by an audience member who'd been to a "shit" Halloween party! Last time it was balloons and skulls....always something to play with at JB's. We were also treated to another cracking Eddie performance from Dave's Tall Twin - top man!
A very enjoyable night for yours truly, with some great performances and great friends in the crowd to get pissed with afterward! After packing the gear into the van I said my goodbyes to the band and set off to Dog Bummer Towers to kip down for the night.
Ruskin Arms in a couple of weeks time - I need to start practising!!!
Til then,
Dave "the stronger soaker upper" Hurry