As flat as an oatcake...

Last night was our 2nd show in Newcastle in the last 2 weeks. We tend to space gigs in the same area out a lot more than this, but we are never one to turn down a show. In hindsight we probably should have turned this one down...

Due to an accident on the road I turned up at the venue later than the rest of the lads. I thought I would have missed sound check but it seemed like the sound guy was only just setting the drums mics up, which was a little concerning as ime was getting on. I believe the sound guy wasn't very well, but he totally seemed like he wanted to be elsewhere. I gave him some feedback on what I thought needed changing with the sound and he humoured me with some button pressing.

Hayden (guitarist) was sporting a new guitar and his clean sections sounded real crisp during soundcheck. Dave (other guitarist)was still playing through his line 6 combo although he has recently acquired a line 6 head. I think a cab unit can’t come soon enough for him. You can tell that he is desperate to try out some new settings.

I started to become concerned about how the gig had been promoted when my dad (Steve) pointed out that all the posters in the venue didn't make any reference to this gig. I became even more concerned when the other band informed me that they too hadn't heard from the promoter and that he wasn't at the venue.

Instead of worrying about the lack of people in the venue I start sort out our new merch stand which Steve had built for us. There is a weird feeling of pride in a tidy little merch stand that is probably perceived as quite sad by anyone other than the band. 

I found out that the bassist of the first band had decided he wasn’t coming to play the gig because he had too much college work. I thought this was shocking. I am also a student under immense pressure from deadlines at the moment, but organisation and communication should stop this type of thing from happening. The band went on without a bassist and I felt really sorry for them. Being let down my a band member is like being let down by a family member.

Another gig in Newcastle and another idiot who can’t handle his ale in the crowd. This time he was mumbling and stumbling in front of the other band on the bill. Thankfully he was ejected before we went on stage.

The venue was pretty empty other than a few people that had come to see us. Regardless of this we played a pretty tight show and got a really good reception. I approached the manager of the venue following our set and expressed how disappointed I was in the lack of communication from the promoter and the lack of promotion done for the show. Why do venues expect bands to do all the promotion? Although we had been told we would get paid for the gig we once again left with nothing but emptier pockets from petrol, fuel and drinking funds. Great.

I did receive probably my best compliment to date off  a lady who most certainly wasn’t what you would class as a fan of the more extreme side of music.  She said “You were sexy in scary kind of way”.  That will do for me.  If you can’t win them over musically, scare them.

I  decided to drown my sorrows in a bottle of jim Beam on the way home which probably wasn’t the best of ideas as read and writing this blog is starting to give me a headache.

Next week is a gig with a band I have a lot of respect for called Oh Sleeper. Also on the bill are Haste the day. Both of these bands have proven records and playing with these bands will be a great little challenge for us. Time to level up again!

RIP Pete Steele