Post by DAVE HURRY on Mar 23, 2008 15:36:47 GMT
HI-ON SOUTHAMPTON
Good Friday - I had completely forgotten that it was a public holiday, and as such worked my arse off at work last week so I could have the day off. Once I realised, I felt like a right tit but was relieved at the same time. I set off from home a bit earlier than would normally be necessary as I'd heard of signal failures on the line from Dartford to London Bridge, and after last weekend's debacle I didn't want to take any chances.
I met up with young Nicko "...but they'll see my wang!" McBrain Jnr at Waterloo where I'd been supping on a pint of Irish tar. I recounted last weekend's misfortunes, to which Nicko essentially said, "Hah, I was with Maiden". Git! We hopped on our train to Southampton and listened to some Bill Hicks (dead hero). In no time at all we'd reached our destination and hopped in a cab to the venue. Last time we played The Brook it was in danger of closing, but since then it's been turned around. Speed "magic door!" Harris had also just rocked up with Speed Jnr, meaning he didn't have to set up himself! The other two fifths of the band had been stuck on the M1, and had every single piece of gear with them so we had a bit of waiting to do. Speed and I amused ourselves with uncyclopedia.org (hours of fun!) until they arrived. Adrian "it went to the back of my throat I just had to swallow" Swift had been given a new hire van courtesy of Selectadrive of Hull (see the links page!), which was a welcome change from the infamous Van With No Brakes, while Bruce "esa bueno!" Dugginson was espousing on the virtues of the upside-down piano. We set up, soundchecked, and naffed off upstairs. This venue is becoming a particular favourite of mine - wifi, fresh towels, a nice bog backstage for us all to destroy with foul disgusting turds, everything! Then of course up the road you have Big George, who's small portion of chips seems even bigger this year than it was last year!
Some of the pals who came to see us at JB's decided to pop down to Southampton to see this gig, so catching up with them was fun - plus, we had an Eddie again! Always good to have an Eddie - we ought to take him everywhere! Nicko also had some family and friends come along, which is always nice. We went on about half nine and played really well, the crowd being much bigger than last time (160-odd sold in advance, and plenty of walk-up). I personally had a really hard time getting into this gig, and from chatting with the lads afterwards Mister Swift had the same problem. I'm not sure why it was, perhaps last week was weighing on my mind. It certainly wasn't the performance or the crowd. My gear died suddenly during Phantom for no apparent reason, and came back just as mysteriously. Someone up there didn't want me playing that nice slow solo! Swifty had done a bit of work on me guitar, and it was consequently even more spectacular to play than usual. Using the neck pickup on it is particularly awesome for that Dave Murray sound, but I still need a bit of work on the amp. A "bit of work" meaning BUY A NEW ONE!
After a bit of a chat with our adoring fans we set down and naffed off back to the Travelodge (we really need some sort of sponsorship deal) and had a few drinks / Pot Noodles / expulsions of intestinal gases before kipping down. The night passed without event, and I awoke the next morning to find everybody snoring except me (which is unusual). I made a cuppa and sat down to write this 'ere blog while Speed Jnr showed off his vast collection of shower gels...and why not?
We shuffled off to the Wee Chef for what turned out to be the second-best breakfasting experience of late (second only to the one after November's Milton Keynes gig - awesome, that was!). After that we said cheerio to the Speeds and got in the van for a traffic-fraught trip back to Southampton for me train. I got home around 5:30. All in all, a good gig, which was what we needed after last weekend. We've now got a weekend off, the first since the second weekend in February. I never know what to do with myself on those weekends. It can be a bit miserable waking up on a Friday / Saturday and realising you've got no gig to get to. I should talk to Dave Down The Pub about doing a gig there...
Until next time,
Dave "on all fours in the lav" Hurry
Good Friday - I had completely forgotten that it was a public holiday, and as such worked my arse off at work last week so I could have the day off. Once I realised, I felt like a right tit but was relieved at the same time. I set off from home a bit earlier than would normally be necessary as I'd heard of signal failures on the line from Dartford to London Bridge, and after last weekend's debacle I didn't want to take any chances.
I met up with young Nicko "...but they'll see my wang!" McBrain Jnr at Waterloo where I'd been supping on a pint of Irish tar. I recounted last weekend's misfortunes, to which Nicko essentially said, "Hah, I was with Maiden". Git! We hopped on our train to Southampton and listened to some Bill Hicks (dead hero). In no time at all we'd reached our destination and hopped in a cab to the venue. Last time we played The Brook it was in danger of closing, but since then it's been turned around. Speed "magic door!" Harris had also just rocked up with Speed Jnr, meaning he didn't have to set up himself! The other two fifths of the band had been stuck on the M1, and had every single piece of gear with them so we had a bit of waiting to do. Speed and I amused ourselves with uncyclopedia.org (hours of fun!) until they arrived. Adrian "it went to the back of my throat I just had to swallow" Swift had been given a new hire van courtesy of Selectadrive of Hull (see the links page!), which was a welcome change from the infamous Van With No Brakes, while Bruce "esa bueno!" Dugginson was espousing on the virtues of the upside-down piano. We set up, soundchecked, and naffed off upstairs. This venue is becoming a particular favourite of mine - wifi, fresh towels, a nice bog backstage for us all to destroy with foul disgusting turds, everything! Then of course up the road you have Big George, who's small portion of chips seems even bigger this year than it was last year!
Some of the pals who came to see us at JB's decided to pop down to Southampton to see this gig, so catching up with them was fun - plus, we had an Eddie again! Always good to have an Eddie - we ought to take him everywhere! Nicko also had some family and friends come along, which is always nice. We went on about half nine and played really well, the crowd being much bigger than last time (160-odd sold in advance, and plenty of walk-up). I personally had a really hard time getting into this gig, and from chatting with the lads afterwards Mister Swift had the same problem. I'm not sure why it was, perhaps last week was weighing on my mind. It certainly wasn't the performance or the crowd. My gear died suddenly during Phantom for no apparent reason, and came back just as mysteriously. Someone up there didn't want me playing that nice slow solo! Swifty had done a bit of work on me guitar, and it was consequently even more spectacular to play than usual. Using the neck pickup on it is particularly awesome for that Dave Murray sound, but I still need a bit of work on the amp. A "bit of work" meaning BUY A NEW ONE!
After a bit of a chat with our adoring fans we set down and naffed off back to the Travelodge (we really need some sort of sponsorship deal) and had a few drinks / Pot Noodles / expulsions of intestinal gases before kipping down. The night passed without event, and I awoke the next morning to find everybody snoring except me (which is unusual). I made a cuppa and sat down to write this 'ere blog while Speed Jnr showed off his vast collection of shower gels...and why not?
We shuffled off to the Wee Chef for what turned out to be the second-best breakfasting experience of late (second only to the one after November's Milton Keynes gig - awesome, that was!). After that we said cheerio to the Speeds and got in the van for a traffic-fraught trip back to Southampton for me train. I got home around 5:30. All in all, a good gig, which was what we needed after last weekend. We've now got a weekend off, the first since the second weekend in February. I never know what to do with myself on those weekends. It can be a bit miserable waking up on a Friday / Saturday and realising you've got no gig to get to. I should talk to Dave Down The Pub about doing a gig there...
Until next time,
Dave "on all fours in the lav" Hurry
