The Search
25/11/99
The Haven - Crawley Down
The rehearsal for a new drummer was poop, unless you wanted to listen to the same beat throughout each song, and play only two drums out of the whole kit. Nothing really inspiring, but give Jason (?) a few year's practice with other bands and he will make it. He just doesn't have enough years behind him yet
Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet
Eating her curds and whey
Along came a drummer……Alan
Alan has now done two gigs (Worthing and Pulborough), neither of which I have been able to get to, but from what I hear he seems keen to join and plays very well. It's sods bloody law that I am also missing The Queen Victoria Hospital gig, again due to prior arrangements. Shame, because it's always a good one.
Ralph has apparently phoned Terry to talk about rejoining the band, or playing particular gigs. It's a bit awkward, seeing as Alan seems to be settling in quite well, and you can't rightly say, "Sorry Alan, we don't need you on Saturday because our old drummer wants to play that gig!"
Seeing as Ralph works there, will he go and watch Euphoria when they play at the hospital? What, if he goes, will be his immediate and final verdict on Alan? Will Ralph start his own band? If Ralph is in the Queen Vic audience, what will Euphoria's reaction be? Do I care?
Find out in the next thrilling instalment of 'Princess - a roadies tale'
Next day
I found out that Ralph had not made an appearance at the gig. From what I heard, Alan did a great job and the whole night went down really well.
We've got a wedding to play in Midhurst in two days, which should be good, and the week after that we are playing Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday! A full diary.
Two days later….
This is the first time I have seen Alan play. He seems aware of what the other band members are doing, and is always watching for any changes.
Sunday the following week was double-booked. Pulborough on the Saturday was empty.
The next gig is a Triple Birthday Party - 18th - at the Haven in Crawley Down. Alan cannot make the gig. He is quitting Euphoria for reasons I do not know. Shame. Doug has agreed to drum this evening. As again I couldn't make this gig (happening quite a lot recently - Ed) Rick volunteered to do the sound with his super-dooper equipment. Unfortunately, he thought that the gig was the evening after, so was later than planned with the gear. Chaotic stress ensued, but the show finally got together with seconds to spare.
If you have three birthday parties, on the same night all together, you should have well in excess of 150 people. Well, this night was the exception with around 50 people in TOTAL. Hmmmmm! But by all accounts, the band put on their usual high-class performance. The three birthday dollies spent half their evening jumping around the stage with tambourines and maracas. That's what it's all about - fun, fun, fun…
Saturday, 15th January 2000
Tomorrow begins the search for a new drummer (again). Audition (s) are being held at The Haven at 6.00pm. What will the God of the Big Bass Drum bring us this time? More uninspired, inexperienced crap? Let's hope not.
Sunday, 16th January 2000
This evening we have another drummer to try out, examine and probe. Steve Wild from Cause and Effect.
Upon my entry to The Haven, I saw what I took to be one of the Martian tripods from War of the Worlds. No way this kit was going to be kicked over in a fit of pure rock adrenalin. It was huge! We ran through a few songs, to give Steve a gentle breaking in before we take him out and get him gently paralytic. Is he the one? He certainly seems very keen on the song list, and keen to play with Euphoria (on a musical rather than a physical sense).
8th February 2000
We all went round Steve's for a rehearsal / jam session. Finding the trouble spots in certain songs, and then weeding the buggers out. Euphoria some more of their own material, new covers and set lists being sorted for Euro March trip on 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 March.
Tune in next time for answers to these vital questions: Can Steve crack it? Will he cope? Will he run home crying? How will we fit his drum kit into the van? Will he beat Terry in the 'chatting up the ladies' area? Oh yes, this is going to be fun….