Tue 1st PM, Tour bus leaves for Reno but i'm not on it!

The bus headed off to Reno (Long drive, think there hoteling on route) about 3 hours ago, we decided yesterday that I would fly to Reno with Pete on Wednesday, we have both had the worse health problems and need a rest.
So flight at 13:00 tomorrow, then straight from the airport to soundcheck at Sparks.
Going out tonight to Pete's favorite restuarant, hope my appetites ok!

The final five dates below, then fly back to the UK on 6th!

Apr 1 2009 7:00P SPARKS.RENO. RENO, Nevada
Apr 2 2009 7:00P WHISKEY DICKS LAKE TAHOE, California
Apr 3 2009 8:00P THE CROSSING- PALMDALE PALMDALE, California
Apr 4 2009 8:00P HARD ROCK HOTEL LAS VEGAS, Nevada
Apr 5 2009 7:00P AMERICAN LEGION 79 ~ RIVERSIDE RIVERSIDE, California

Caracus Pic & Brasil video

I am really pleased with this pic I snapped from behind Pete,

Youtube footage from Brasil, there's actually a lot of footage from most of the gigs all over youtube.

This clip has me in it removing some kid from the stage, we don't get much of that and it's usually harmless stuff, I really like this track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHv9vwIWJNM

How to shop without money, the Adicts method.

Monkey and errrm Monkey, but which is the real one?

Had yet another fantastic lunch (food in Brasil is the best) and then Fokker took us shopping.

we said we wanted to check out some record shops, so he took us to that district, therre were just loads of stores selling, CD's T'shirts, you know all that stuff.

The first one we came to had an Adicts T'shirt on display, see pic above, spot the fake!

Oi FOKKER! have a word with them will you, there selling counterfeit T'shirts,

The owner of the shop seemed excited to have Monkey in the shop and anxious about his dodgy goods, he asked us if we would all like a free t'shirt each, thanks very much mate, Monk and some of the other's signed Adicts stuff and we left the shop. after similar episodes in a further half dozen shops we had enough t'shirts and were getting bored so returned to the bus. I would say the Adicts are pretty big in Brasil, the amount of Adicts merch for sale compared strongly against much bigger bands.

Hoggy was asleep in the bus so missed all this, we have been having a long running disagreement over which band is most punk, the Stranglers or the Clash. Every time we see some one with a stranglers shirt or if a stranglers track is played at a venue Hoggy gets a point, I gets point's for the Clash. Anyways I thought it wrong for Hoggy to miss out on the shirts so I got him one.

He took the bag from me on the bus, "thanks a lot Dave" It was a clash t'shirt and yes it cost him a point!"

So your thinking this is childish yes? well your right but it amuses us in quieter times, some of the band are also getting caught up in the debate.

I am looking for some ammo so Rikki, Pete, Andy, Jon or whoever please post a comment saying why the clash are more punk than the stranglers, if anyone prefer's the stranglers don't bother posting, I only delete it. I am fair like that!

Oh, and Pete has the blog address and has said he is gonna link it from the Adicts site and call it Bastard Roadie Daves blog, let's see if it happens!

Mon 31st PM

Got up and went down to the bar had a couple of coffee's, when everyone appeared Fokker turned up with the bus driver to take us for lunch,

Now I haven't mentioned Fokker yet but he is the brazilian guy who is responsible for looking after us during our stay in Brazil. When we were introduced to him at rthe airport a ripple of excitment went around the tour party, was there really someone called fokker?

Well yes, no word of a lie that's his name and he's a fantastic guy, very street wise really looked after us and of course no excuse to speak to him went unexploited, " hey FOKKER, what time is it here", or "OI! FOKKER where we going now" or a shout from the back of the bus "FOKKER! how long till we get there"! you get the idea, t'was brilliant fun even if that reflect's poorly on our mean mental age.

We all really liked fokker, great guy, he knew someone everywhere.

Thats the Fokker, between kid and Scruff in the Pic.

In case anyone reading doesn't know the band from left to right:
Hoggy, (Roadie for 30 years)
Monkey of course
Shahan, Standing in on Bass (Mel having a back op)
Yours truly
Pete Lead guitar
Dan Keys, Fiddle
Kid drums
Fokker
Scruff Rythm guitar

Final SA gig Easy Sao Paulo and the gay bar

Pete with his guitar.

Monk.

Got up about 10:30, good sleep, feeling better rested now. Sat down stairs as monkey was asleep still, and chatted with Pol on Skype.

Promoter picked up the 2/3rd's of us that had managed to get out of bed and took us to a lovely restuarant, finally I am eating properly again. Then back to hotel to pick up guitars and missing persons and off to soundcheck.

Was an early show today, went really well, I'm pretty much on top of the job now, although I did throw a bloody great beach ball which hit Pete's mic and bounced of and hit him on the head while he was singing, sorry Pete if you ever read this.

Incidently the band are aware that I am doing this blog and Genna, Scruff's girlfreind is using it to keep up to date, Hi Genna, but as far as I am aware the rest of the band have not seen it, it's not really written for them although there is no reason why they shouldn't see it if they wanna.

Gig finished by 21:00 so when we got back to the hotel we thought we'd go to a local bar for a couple of beers. being Sunday night not too much open but we soon found a cosy little place.

Once inside we got a round of beers and as I looked around noticed people were looking at us a lot and that they were mostly muscley men in white sleeveless t'shirt's. Started feeling a little uneasy and then we were told it was a GLS club. Apparently common in Brasil it means gays, lesbians and sympathisers!! Arghh help! Couldn't look at anyone cause if you did they would fix a stare and not look away, it was genuinly awful, I found a safeish spot with my back to the wall and started calculated the best route out of the place, then Hoggy the bastard made me jump out by pinching my arse, (must say Hoggy looked quite at home in the place) you would need to be there to understand the atmosphere of the place, I could just about remember the way back to the hotel, so I beat a retreat, I told everyone I was leaving and Dan said he'd come too so we left together, or he would have except they wouldn't let Dan out as he hadn't got the slip of paper you needed for free entry. Thought about going back in to help, but decided against it, it was everyman for himself now as far as I was concerned.

BTW I am not antigay at all, it's just that this particular place was very oppresssive.

Got back to the hotel and then Dan arrived, unlike me he had ommitted to get his room key from Shohan, never mind mate see you in the morning I said cheerily as he disappeared from view behind the closing lift doors.

Just got settled im my room and there's a bang on the door, it's Pete.

Pete. "have you nicked my f'ing bottle of wine"

Me. "corse not don't even drink the stuff"

Pete. "Come off it, I know you had one before now what you done with it", his eyes were darting around my room.

Me. "Pete honestly mate I ain't touched you bloody wine, what would I want with it."

Pete. "Look I know you had it your the only one back."

Me. "Dan's back too!"
Pete. "did he have a friend with him"?

Me. "Dunno but there were some funny noise's coming from up the corridor!"

Pete. "OK, where you hidden the wine?"
Me. "oh all bloody right" I pulled it out from behind the telly and gave it to him, "ain't got a corkscrew though!"

We got it open with two knives and a book, it tasted horrible so Pete warmed the bottle under a tap explaining that this was how you turn crap wine into good wine. It was marginally better but still undrinkable, Pete then added some coka cola to it "this'll do the trick"

We gave up and went to bed.

So that's it for SA, flying tomorrow evening back to LA via Dallas, I have generally enjoyed it down here although slightly marred by the health problems especially Argentina for me. Brasil is the pick of the three, great hotel, great restaurants, the promoter really looked after us.

Gonna be nice to get back to Pete's, get some washing done, try and get a hair cut, and meet up with the rest of the guys again to prepare for the final 5 gigs.

Off to sleep now but don't feel very tired.

Hello Mick Whalesby

Noticed you were a follower mate, how the bloody hell are you, great to have you along, I know you like this sort of malarky!

First gig Sao Paulo

Aiport to a very nice hotel, then half hour later the promoter is wining and dining us in a very nice restaurant! Note Kid waving maturely to the camera!

Monk liked the chicked hearts, can you count how many chickens it took to produce those two skewers! I would but I can't be arsed.

Great, enthusiastic crowd.

The whole band aways seem to give it 100%

Monk and Pete.

Lay in in the morning, whoopee!, it's now midnight, quick shower then bed, set my alarm for Midday. as Phil would say Faaanntastic! nearly fully recovered from the stomach bug, feeling much better. Early gig tomorrow night then another lay in!

Then it's back to the good old USA. Really missing the family now, but the Harry & Charlie are on hol when I get back so were gonna do some good stuff!

Sat 28th at hotel sao Paulo

Good flight, I was asleep before it reached altitude and woke when it was landing, result!

Still feel a bit crappy.

The people amongst who drink a lot beer seem in better condion than the rest, we think the unmarked bottles of water in Caracus may just have been tap water. There's a moral there! Beers better for yuou than water!

Off to sound check now.

Sat AM. back from the gig.

Got a couple of hours sleep after sound check. Great gig, great audience, Wierd to see them singing all the songs when the band are on a country they haven't been to before. we didn't sell much merch as they had bootlegged the T's, I have one!
Feeling slighty better, maybe adrenelin helped. Haven't eaten or drunk beer for 24 hours, Kid says my colour has come back and I am starting to feel hungry. think I have never drunk so much warter in my life, yet hardly ever go to the loo, it's so hot I think we are all dehydrated.
Monk and Dan not well now.
05.30 start in the morning.
Were in San Paulo for two days so we can all get lots of rest, can't wait.
Then in back to the US for the last phase of the tour, Phew! We will be flying from San Paulo to Dallas then onto LA. that'l be the end of the flying then till I head for the UK.

Friday morning ( i think) at hotel Buenos Aries

Finally got to hotel about 11:30 AM, we were all wasted. Everyone went straight to bed to try to get 2 hours sleep before sound check.
Were all up now, walking Zombies, both Pete and I can't eat and feel like we've been punched repeatedly in the stomach, drinking tonnes of bottled water.
If we can get the sound check done quick maybe we can come back here for some more sleep before tonights gig. Need Sleeeeeeeeep!
Flight to San Paulo is at 10:00 so an early start tomorrow too!

Departing Hotel for flight to Buenos Aries

Ok we are now at the airport and checkin for our flight to Argentina, I think the next 48 hours will be the toughest yet, depart at 19:30, 4 hour flight to Lima, Peru, then after a couple of hours flight to Buenos Aries another 4 hours. Then hotel to get ready for the evenings gig, then at 10 the following morining we have flights to San Paulo.
Heard from the Alex the promoter that the nutter from last night got nicked!
Will post ASAP.

26th Thursday 11AM Venesuala

Just got up, wild show last night, fighting outside the venue before the gig, no front of house engineer so I had to do all that, was out at at the desk waiting to start the bands intro music when got a message to go to the dressing room, arguments over payment, I grabbed a coke and left them to it. Band finally went on half hour late, the gig was wild, Couldn't see the band for the first 3 songs as security guys right along the front of the stage. Got the sound pretty good considering I wasn't familiar with the equipment, nice and loud.
The audience were completly blown away by the band, they even had me signing autographs despite my protestations "but i'm not in the frikkin' band" people kept coming up to me at the desk and getting photo's of me with them "but i'm just the sound engineer"
I think this was a big show for Venesuala. At the end of the show hoggy and I had to frantically clear all our gear from the stage as the wanted to nick everything, the picks had disappeared off the amps while the band were playing.
Sat in the dressing room for an hour after the gig drinking beer and chatting with Hog whilst the band met with fans and a couple of journalist's
Pete wasn't feeling well and tried to leave early but someone tried to pick his pocket and in the ensuing struggle Pete's right hand got mangled and it looks like there maybe a broken finger at least, luckily it's his strumming hand!
When we left the gig there was still a crowd outside and one of then tried to steal Shanan's jacket, took a couple of us to get it back off this character who kept hanging around looking threatening.
We told him to f off but he didn't, got every one in the van and as the door shut Pete saw this character pick a bottle up, we sped away and the bottle smashed on the road by the van. Don't matter where you go there's always one nutter!
Didn't get any photo's it was all to frantic but asked the radio people to mail me there's so we will see if they do.
Flying to Buenos Aries later, gonna be a long day again! This is a crazy life style! but fantastic in a funny king of way.
Polly has been mailing tourist advice info. and I have been reading it out to the party when were sat together, it's useful to have background when going into these places.
Hope you got the flowers Pol x. Email prob's so will phone later.

Video from last night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50HYd4EwNuk

Wed 25th 10am, just woke up

Just had one of the best sleeps I can remember.
The promoter took us out last night. went ta a steak restuarant which was great plenty of wine and beer and enery time you ate your steak they brought you another, I had 3,
Monk , shahan and I were then taken to the local radio station, we were late so the journey across Caracas was like a high speed pursuit, me and Monk in the back were giggling like children (nothing to do with the wine and beer of course), when we got got out Monk thanked the driver and told him we hoped to have him for the return journey.
They interviewed Monk and I even said a bit, wasn't asked to but can't keep my mouth shut. Then were whisked to a bar, where the rest of them had already been taken to. Kid was blithered, and before long Monk was pretty much the same, I was sensible, dunno what's wrong with me, getting old! no to be honest it's the lack of decent beer and I didn't wanna drink the local rum. BTW Kid is lovely and a proper punk in everyway, he is the really nice to people. Calls me the school teacher! draw your own conclusions why, I am not totally sure.
Killed a cockroach in my room when I got in.
The promoters coming at 13:00 to take me and Hoggy to the Moulin Rouge which is tonights venue, were gonna make sure we are happy with everything. Sound check is scheduled for 16:00 so probably wont get the band over much before then. Think were changing hotel today but i'm not that bothered, the beds ok and thats most important, I could have lived with the rest. I have had much worse.
Looking forward to gigging tonight after 2 nights without.
Gig is at midnight tonight, think there playing indie music till then as no support bands.
Dunno what time we are flying in the morning.

At the hotel

I New I could rely on you Rob for a sympathetic response to our predicament.
Anways we woke the booking agent in the US up and finally made contact with the promoter. The excuse was they had the wrong itinery, they didn't and were given short thrift by both Kid and Pete, Once the bollocking was complete the bus went quiet, a few minutes later the promoter plucked up courage to speak,"have you been here before guys"
YES 5 FRIKKIN' HOURS AGO! was the reply.

We are now at the hotel. they have us in the Savoy.. yeh, I know what your thinking, sounds a bit plush dunnit. Well if I tell you there are two kinds of Savoy's in this world Good ones and bad ones you may start to think again.
Our Savoy has a SHOWER and BATH but unfortunately no hot water to go with them, it has air conditioned which manages to both make the room warmer and contravene the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
To be fair we have a fridge, unfortuantly there's fuck all in it, i'm gonna leave the door open and see if it cools the room down a bit!
At least we have a tele although when we checked in they gave the room key and a tele remote, being tired I immiediatly dropped the latter on the floor and it broke into 5 different pieces, (don't think they noticed) gonna get my new soldering iron out later and see if I can fix it!
Gonna get a couple of hours sleep now, were all meeting in reception at 18:00

Problems

We are stuck at Caracas airport, the promoter hasn't turned up and we can't contact him, it's not looking good.

Ready to go!

Just been out shopping with Monk, bought a soldering iron and test meter and bits n bobs.
We have packed everything so im just preying I have forgotten nothing. So a chicken dinner and then were off.
Spoke to the promoter in Caracus he swears they have everything I asked for, worries me, Haven't had a single query from them. We will soon find out. I told him to double check and mail me anything no matter how trivial that isn't as contract.

I forgot to mention Kid bumped into that bloke out of 24, actually outside the viper room, walked straight into him, sutherland or whatever his name is. Also famous people at the gigs but I can't remember who they said, sorry.

Key club video

Really like this one, puts you in the crowd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqwZpgLUAMU


Also, fortunatly finishes before 'the kiss'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW_wWZKQxw4

Thought's of the first week

Been here a week now, my body doesn't have a clue what time it is, and I don't normally have a clue what day it is. The jet lag created by the 7 hour time difference has been compounded by the fact this job is in effect a night shift, you go to work in the afternoon and get home at 3 or 4 in the morning, I may just be getting adjusted now but it's too late, tonight were flying to Caracus, Venesuala. which is 3 hours different to here. Flight departs 22.30 and gets into Miami at about 5.30am, we then have to get another flight on to Caracus which I think is about a 3 hour flight.
We then have time off in Caracus as the gig is the following evening... sleeeeeeeep!

Working with Pete is also challenging, (possibly one or two of the others are pleased to have me looking after Pete) I am not a person for biting my tongue but I have done on more than one occasion, Pete is a complex guy who can be easily misunderstood, the way he speaks to people is extremley direct, sometimes rude, and often amusing (unless it's directed at you), theres no doubt who's in charge when Pete's about. On the other hand the attributes are without doubt what has driven the band and without Pete there is no way they would have achieved what they have. He's also been really kind to me. So all in all no prob's.
Actually getting on well with everyone. It's bloody fantastic not being 'the boss'
It's also nice to work with a drinking band, you hear so many horror stories about drugs in this business.

3 weeks is a long time but apart from the first spidery night I have really enjoyed it, the next phase will present a whole set of new challenges without doubt. We are only taking guitars so will be at the mercy of whatever equipment is there, I have tried to deal with this with contracts but it remains to be seen how effective it has been, I am expecting problems but will deal with them one way or another.
The laptop with Skype has been brilliant for keeping contact with Pol and the Kids, this is nothing like the eighties when I used to 'dissapear' into India, (remember no mobiles or internet) and Pol wouldn't hear from me till I got back to a major city 1 or 2 weeks later.

Some pics from house of blues san diego, specially for Pete and Rikki

The Dickies are brilliant

What is the Dickies bass player wearing?

Schedule

Kid nScruff get some kip on the bus

Pic inside venue has uncanny resemblense to Monk, Creepy

Arrival at the venue 16:30, we were on the drag but did a really fast setup so no probs

I can't leave stage during performance so only rear shot's

23rd March 0300

Just got back from San Diego house of blues, smaller audiece maybe as its sunday, still lot of people though. I am very tired.

This is effectively the end of the first phase of the tour. So we say goodbye to Arron, Randy, Luke & Gerald, and all our equipment, its just the band, 4 guitars, Hoggy & I that are heading south

We are now flying to Caracus tonight, we have a 22:30 flight.

gotta unload the trailer and sort gear we wanna take on the plane

gotta sleep, will do big post tomorrow with lots of pics from 2nite.

21st Mar, 2nd night at the Key club

Pretty much same as last night, sold out gig, scruff was absolutely blithered on Jack D by the end, he was hilarious, Scruff is truly great, were been getting on really well!

Got in at 03:00 and slept till 11:30, got up quick shower and were off in a minute, 3 hour drive to San Diego, Were playing House of Blues which is on the coast, will be nice to see the ocean finally.

gonna be a really late night but then couple of days off before we head to south America.

Last night the band got a load of girls up to dance for a song, three formed a queue behind Monkey and kissed him as they left the stage, I was stood at the back of the line to escort them off the stage, anyway as the last one finished Monk grabbed me hugged and kissed me infront of 1000 people, just praying the footage doesn't show up on youtube, if Rob gets hold of it i'll be a lamb to the slaughter. Still on that subject I'm sure I spotted Rob today, was a dead likeness, are you over here Rob? if so give me a call mate! managed to snap a picture as we drove by him! (see above pic)

Hoggy solves a big problem!

Due to the warm weather the beer gets warm very quickly once removed from the fridge, I went out to load the trailer only to discover a delighted Hoggy proudly displaying his solution to the problem.

1st night at the Key club 20th March

Lively audience kept us on our feet all night!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MYkWha9F6Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wILb5OgTnsA

House of Blues (19th March)

There is video of the gigs appearing on youtube, the clip below is from Thurday nights gig at the house of blues.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apfFH-mRiTc

1st night at the Key club, Sunset boulivard 20th mar

The pic is downtown LA from our bus on the way to the key club.

It's now 10 to 4 in the morning and we just got in, made cup of tea and some toast, how rock and roll am I? really tired so bed when I have drunk the tea. The others are having a drink out the back but I can't face it, only problem is I can't go to bed till they come in as the are right outside my room and there noisy buggers!
Had a brilliant night, all went smoothly, sold out gig as it tomorrow night. Band was great and so were the Dickies, think there gonna support in San Diego too.
Got everything done in time after Pete told me I was too slow yesterday! although the only reason I was quicker was not needing to restring any guitars. Loads of people kept getting up on stage, some girls got hold of Monkey and wouldn't let him go and near the end the same happened to Scruff, it was all harmless and if anything added to the atmosphere. Pete turned up today with a bottle of London Pride for me which I saved till after the gig, god it tasted good! The temperature on the stage was incredible, drank 2 bottles of water and two cold beers just during the Adicts set! you can only imagine what it must be like for the band who are very active during their set.

The Adicts use Schecter guitars which are fantastic. Pete the lead guitarist has just had a signature guitar produced by Schecter making him only the 3rd punk guitarist to have a signature guitar, the other two were Jonny Ramone and Joe Strummer. It's a beautiful very high spec guitar with Adicts playing cards inlaid into the frets and Monkey at the twelth fret, and Monkey on the control knobs. I have been working with these for a week they are excellent. Anyway Schecter turned up at the gig tonight and Pete and the Schecter guy presented me with one of the first produced fully flight cased, can't believe it they sell for over $1000.

And now...Competition time

Last night Hoggy, Kid, Monkey, Scruff and me went for a walk down the strip, found a nice bar and had a drink, on the way back a certain person who will remain nameless lay on the pavement outside the Viper rooms, pretended to be dead and shouted joyfully "who am I doing an impression of"

Who was the impression of?
Leave your answer as a comment, the first person to give the correct answer is a right sad case and clearly spending far to much time on the internet.

Didn't take any pictures at the gig as I couldnt be arsed, will get some of the Dickies at San Diego.

Youtube

There's some great video of the Victorville warm up gig here, obviously filmed from the audience,
You can spot me on the right (if you have nothing better to do with your life)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5hOdITYW60

House of Blues

Friday morning 02:00.

Gerald turned up this morning with a truck loaded with Hoodies, trainers and socks, a gift for the band from designer clothing Company Circa. We were all told to choose some and if they didn't have our sizes they would get them. I got a nice hoody, trainers and some socks. Nice.

Lazy morning then left for the venue at 15:00.

Sell out gig at the house of blues, was so weird being in Disneyland without family, really missed Polly and the girls. Gig was fantastic, the band are more popular than I realised and the venue was brilliant with state of the art sound and lighting systems, loads of crowd surfing going on, the bouncers were busy most of the night but it was all good natured. 3 support bands including a varient of the skulls. Pete gave me a nice 'bastards hoody' to go with the T'shirt. So all in all a good day. Not drinking much, either too busy or put off by crap they call beer, loads of exercise! if i'm not careful might lose a pound or two.

Laater on 14:00 departure for two nights at the key club on Sunset Boulivard, both nights are sold out.

Gonna be nice having 2 gigs in a row at the same place so the crew can get a bit of a break.
Better get some sleep.

where we are living

Pete's mother in laws house!


It's Thursday lunch time sitting outside, gonna walk to the local shops in a bit.


Was kids birthday yesterday.. he is still unconcious, heard the next gigs are sold out, big one tonight! Tomorrow night the Dickies are supporting, be great to see them.


Hi to all following this Blog, hope your felling well Michael and Evelyn's OK.

P.S. if you click pic's they get bigger!

First gig

its 10 past 3 in the morning, we got back an hour ago, really tired, great warm up gig.

Had to cross the mountains with some great scenery, the bus started overheating climbing them so we had to kill the aircon. was very hot today, guess in the eighties. we had nice thai meal at next door restaurant while the support bands were playing. Gig went smoothly, I am still sussing out my job but i'll soon get the hang, Randy has taught me some great stuff about guitars.

knachered going 2 sleep now, we dont leave till 1500 today so got lie in. tomorrows gig is the house of blues which is actually inside disneyland, large pro venue, should be good. only 20 mins from here

Rehearsal

Got to the rehearsal studio at 13:00 and Hoggy & I sorted all the gear out and we all set it up.

The owner of the sudio (Rick) did us a barbeque and I went out and got some proper beer, I'm can't drink the plastic American Lager! Had a result in a large liquor store and scored myself some bottles of London Pride, unfortunatly others also decided these were better than the lager.

First gig tommorow Karma in Victorville, about a 2 hour drive, think we are leaving about 1300.

oh, and the gig in Chile has been cancelled due to the promoter being eaten by his mates, actually don't know why it's cancelled but my explanation is a distinct possibility!

First day in the US

Well i'm still here and did get some sleep, the widows are everywhere and kid told me he met a Possom in the garden one day and it freaked him out, gonna stay well away from these creatures!

Woke about 9 and chatted with pol and the kids on skype, had the web cam on and Charlie could see me and said 'there's something behind you dad' very funny Charlie, thanks for that, you just blew your present!

We loaded the trailer with all the gear for the tour and set off to rehearsal studio.

Nasty Surprise

Got a tour of the house (and pete's guitars) and had a look at all the gear in the large garage. We have to load it all into a Uhaul trailer in the morning!
Whilst in the garage I had a nasty surprise, people who know me will be aware that I don't like creepy crawlies at the best of times!

Yes that is a frikkin' Black Widow, and yes I don't like it!

Met Pete's lad Luke and his mother in law, (Grandma) who's lovely a cooked us all a nice meal.

Spent the evening out the back sipping Coronas.

Went to bed absolutely shattered but keep getting up and searching the room for Black Widows, shit i'm so tired but one might get me when I am asleep. This isn't good! Hence I am am sat here typing and keeping an eye out for them when I should really be asleep.

In the moring we have to load the Uhaul trailer ready for the tour and afternoon were going to rehearsal studio's. Must try get some sleep, gonna need it!

Flight and arrival at Pete's

Early start then Taxi ride was smooth so we were in the airport in good time, couldn't check in bags so had no choice but sit in the bar for a couple of hours. Plane which was half empty so we all got a couple of seats each. Got a little sleep. Towards the end of the flight so beautiful scenery from the plane, clearly not done justice by my photography! Pic is of the snow covered Rockies.

Randy (record Co) picked us up and it was an hours drive to the house

Saturday, packing the bags whilst recovering from last night gig!

Just done packing my bags, really feels a bit strange now, bit apprehensive about the 3 weeks away but I always feel like this before a trip, soon as I leave the house I just get on with it! Polly's used to it so no probs there! Taxi's coming 04.45 Mon AM.
Had a great night at the boat last night, was there with Suspect Device supporting the red nose charity gig, £500 raised, nice one Val and all concerned, Ballistics, Rikki, Scruff and others also supported the event. Scruff sang Steam Roller with us and Rikki joined us for Complete Control. For a laugh we played Abba's SOS and Sweets Blockbuster which Andy forgot the main riff of and played 'status quo' style, hilarious. I won't take the piss too much as Andy is one of the best guitarist's around. Spoke to Kid earlier who said we should be in the bar at Heathrow by 07:00 to begin 'preperations' for the flight. It's then straight off the plane to rehearsal studios in LA... what have I let myself in for!!
OK, guess next post will be Monday from LA so cheers till then.

Rock n' Roll

Well after months of planning and preparing a week on Monday (16th Mar 2009) I am finally off on tour with one of my all time favorite bands, The Adicts.
Were gonna be away for three weeks on a 15 date tour which kicks off on the 18th March in Victorville , California and after 5 dates moves to South America with dates in Venezuala, Chile, Argentina and Brazil before returning to california for dates including Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel! The tour finishes on the 5th of April in Riverside, California.
The purpose of this blog is to keep my family and friends up to date with my movements and to share this rare experience. 3 weeks is along time to be away from my lot and I have to admit I would have preffered the tour to be shorter!
My wonderful Charlie set this blog up for me and has shown me how to operate it, she tells me a blog is an online diary, well I am ok with PC's but I struggle to keep up with technology, I don't really listen to radio or watch TV! TV pah! outlaw it and ban it! sorry Pol! I digress.

I first saw the Adicts way back about '78, it was at Kesgrave youth club supported by The Degraders from Woodbridge, it was apparent even back then that this was no ordinary band! The band enjoyed several indie chart hits and although never being big in the UK enjoyed significant success in the US. with two band members marrying American girls and relocating to LA.
I became reaquainted with the band in 2007 when they rehearsed in my studio's and I arranged a gig for them, their first in Ipswich for 15 years, it was a special night not least as my band Suspect Device supported them along with the excellent Red Flag 77.
This led to the band asking me to be tour manager/gofer for this particular tour.

So in a weeks time were off, I have mixed feelings, gonna miss the family but i'll have my netbook and MSN so should be able to maintain daily contact. On the other hand should be an adventure that i'll remember for the rest of my life!

Check in regularly and follow the tour, gonna be posting photo's and gig review's etc and anything of interest.