The Aftermath - Post tour traumas

October 31^st 1999

White Hart - Ardingly

Tonight is the first proper gig - aside from the Java and Jazz - that we have played since our return from the tour. It is a particularly shit start to the evening as there are only eight other people making up the numbers (almost into double figures, almost). A slightly disappointing return to reality. Well, the reality of the English music scene.

Earlier in the evening I was speaking to Ralph, and I mentioned the fact that out of the nine or ten gigs we did out in Europe, only two wanted the music louder. The others kept on asking me if I could "turn it down a bit so people can talk", or "it's a bit too bassy".

Fuck me, it's rock music not a relaxation lounge in a poncey hotel wine bar! Anyway, I then said that none of the English gigs have ever asked us to turn the volume down. Good old Brits!

Fifteen minutes into the first set and one of the barmaids came round. "Could you turn the volume down, please?" BUGGER!!

The sound was great, nothing wrong.

One table was occupied by three men and a woman. The woman seemed to be enjoying the music - smiling and singing along with those of the songs she knew. Terry noticed that she was enjoying herself, and smiled back (perhaps with a nod and a cheeky wink), much to the chagrin of her apparent boyfriend, who was a jumped-up, cock-sucking, chutney-ferret (well, it's nice to bitch). At the end of the song, the over jealous boyfriend proceeded to call Terry a 'cunt' in a rather loud voice. I took this as an indication of his dislike for rock music, and realised that he was the type that would be better off watching the Teletubbies or sitting alone in a dark room with his knob in one hand, a box of Kleenex in the other, watching videos of young men that he recorded whilst on holiday.

Anita then decided that as the music lessened she would call him a wanker. Well done.

Monday, 1^st November 1999

Evening:-

Terry phoned me to let me know that Ralph had left the band. I never thought that he would do it off his own back. Ralph has got a lot coming up in the near future with a house move (very heavy house), college, exams etc…

Terry said that he will be trying to organise an audition for a drummer on the 14^th November, even though there is a gig on the 13^th??!!

Thursday, 4^th November 1999

Evening:-

Ralph phoned me. He basically tells me what I had already heard from Terry, and adds that no one is the reason for him leaving. Just to ease any guilty feelings we may have. Ralph still wants to write songs for the band, and will be playing the wedding in December. He hopes to rejoin the band early next year when he's got the next two or three months sorted out. Ralph still wishes to retain an active role. Rather like a silent partner?

Friday, 5^th November 1999

Evening:-

Terry pops round, just as I'm running about like a headless chicken getting ready to go out. He looked a bit upset that I didn't have much time to sit and chat. "You can't even give a mate five minutes?" he said. Well, no not when I've got to be out the door in three!

Terry showed me a new desk (music, not school - Editor) he is thinking of buying. It's only twelve channels. Sixteen would be better. Or even 1000 CHANNELS, yes imagine that! Too big, though. Twelve channels will be used up with no room for expansion in the future. But, it did look like an improvement on the Peavey, and I can't wait to start twisting all those faders, sliding buttons and pressing knobs.

I look at Terry as he leaves and think, "Ahhhh, bless him. It's not his fault."

I hope to God that he shaves soon - ungawa, Terry, ungawa.