European Tour Diary 2001 - Page 2

by Michael McKeegan

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Lagerhalle - Osnabrück, Germany (Nov 15th, 2001)

Nice old town and I go walkies in search of new contact lenses. It’s great over here… give them your sizes and “Hey presto” they sell you them. Not like the UK where you need a full-on eye test (and PAY for it) before you can get anything.

Our dressing room is right at the top of the building and is a fully-equipped conference room. We get the sound system working and in between making toasties take turns DJ’ing.

Venue is really nice and come show time it’s bloody packed (people outside were BEGGING for tickets). Unfortunately it means I can’t see any of the bands from the hall as everyone in Osnabruck seems to be 6ft tall.

Our own gig is good if a little subdued… definitely some people here who are new to the Therapy? experience. We give it loads and at the end everyone has their hands in the air. Nice one. Not a lot to do tonight but get on the bus with some pizza (thank you Mr./Mrs. Promoter), watch a movie and drive.

Outpost - Gottingen, Germany (Nov 16th, 2001)

Last one of the Jack Daniels Rock Nights. It’s been bloody hard work but very worthwhile. The other bands have been cool and we got to play to a load of people who probably hadn’t seen Therapy? before. That’s always good in a country like Germany where we’ve toured a lot.

The place is totally sold out and from the off they are totally mental. 4Lyn rock and Thumb are awesome as well. We’re all really tired but that soon goes when we hit the stage. The atmosphere is great and the crowd sing and dance along. Come the encores and various members of 4Lyn and Thumb rush the stage. They spray beer everywhere and even manage to hijack some of our instruments. Thumb’s bass player picks me up on his shoulders and carries me round a la Angus Young. Brilliant. All my rock fantasies come true!

There’s an aftershow party which is a bit dull… everyone is too tired to party. At one point 4 bottles of champagne appear and the Jack Daniels people sit and drink and toast themselves whilst the bands look on amazed. Fair play to Graham who begins to shout loudly “Fuck off, we did all the work”. Ah, the world of corporate politics. Later Graham is seen dancing furiously to Weezer in the club. Too tired to dance… must sleep.

Razzle Dazzle - Berlin, Germany (Nov 17th, 2001)

On first impressions the place is grim. We’re parked on what appears to be a disused warehouse, the ground is covered in oily water and broken glass and it’s very cold. Inside however it’s a really cool punk rock venue. We’re pleased… we like punk rock!

Gerry our manager is over to visit and he’s in great form. It’s good to see him and we chat away about how the tour has been and what all has gone on. Soundcheck is great and we hear the club will be packed which is always good to know. Chill out on the bus as the dressing room is too small for us and the support band Toxic Lies. They’re cool as they’ve been drafted in at 12 hours notice (Defenestration won’t be able to make the drive in their bus which is a pity—we miss them).

The show is really brilliant. One of my favourites so far and the crowd really seem to be up for it. See a load of Turbojugend shirts in the crowd so we play Denim Demon for them. Lots of good natured stage diving and rapport with the audience. As we have a long drive (potential for icy roads tonight) we get in the bus and drive straight away. Everyone is really exhausted and the thought of a day off is very inviting.

Day Off (Stuttgart, Germany) (Nov 18th, 2001)

Get to the hotel at about 3pm. Shower. Get some laundry done. Watch German TV. Discover a weird shopping mall with an Irish bar where we all dine and have a few beers. Early night in anticipation of the coming week.

Die Röhre - Stuttgart, Germany (Nov 19th, 2001)

Several of the crew have gone for the Roman Bath (tackle out) option and the band do a few Bulgarian phone interviews. Mine go great and remind me of what a great time we had when we played in Sophia. I think it was in 1998 and the hospitality of the fans and people in general was excellent. Make a mental note to try and get back there for a show.

Check out and sit on the bus waiting for Jon Walsh who has gone missing. Fear he may be involved in some weird orgy or something. Eventually he shows up, sweating profusely. I wonder…

We’ve been here before quite a few times as it’s a really cool venue. Reading the posters… Ash played about a week ago (loads of funny scribbling on the dressing room wall) and the Backyard Babies are here tomorrow. Bummer. That’s the way with touring you always seem to miss people by a couple of days. Funnily enough at about 2pm a big yellow tourbus appears and out pop the Backyard Babies. They have a day off and want to come and hang out at the show. Excellent.

Andy, Martin and I wander down into the town as soundcheck will be a while. It’s a nice town and we search in vain for razor blades (still ALL about the toiletries!). All we need is a German equivalent of Boots… still we plod on. It’s bloody cold but as I have nothing urgent to get I enjoy the aimless wandering. Eventually we get the blades of glory and head back to the venue via McDonalds (1st one this tour—we’re doing well!).

Snow-Gemil (Nov 23rd, 2001) Chris Leckie (our old sound engineer) appears for soundcheck. Chris worked with us from ’92-’98 and is a very funny, cool Liverpudlian. He’s doing monitors for Travis who are playing up the road in the enormodome. He tell’s us a few hilarious (and potentially libellous) stories about the Travis tour and then he’s off again. Short and sweet.

Stick Turn into the set as we feel it needs a little refreshing to keep us on our toes. Gig is great. No barrier and various Backyard Babies and their crew heckle throughout. Get a bit freaked out when one stage diver hits the floor and comes up covered in blood but he gets looked at after the show and is AOK apart from a cut on his head. Frightening.

Afterwards have a shower, chat to Dregen and Nicke about how it’s all going and then retire to the bus. Realise we’ve known them for about 6 years which is amazing. We first met Dregen in 1995 at the Circus in Stockholm via a mutual friend, Biffen. Nice that being in a band you get to meet so many cool people. They regale us with tales of the AC/DC tour they did (sounded ace) and how all the Hellacopters and Entombed chaps are doing. About 1am I do the lazy thing and slope off to my bed.

Batschkapp - Frankfurt, Germany (Nov 20th, 2001)

Played here many times before so it’s a well familiar sight getting out of the bus. As I go into the small catering room the toastie machine is in overdrive. The smell of burnt cheese is heavy in the air. Cheese for brekkie anyone? Defenestration will at last join up with us again… We’ve missed them. It’ll be good to get the touring party all back together.

Soundcheck looms even though Andy’s amps seem intend on picking up US radio interference. Nothing too juicy, sometimes you can pick up short wave police broadcasts on them or once we got some weird Russian newscaster. We were in Randalstown, Northern Ireland at the time!

After soundcheck were off to a radio station to ‘present’ a show. As I’m no Terry Wogan or Chris Evans for that matter I think it’ll entail us playing some records and talking about why we like them. A rough list has already been drawn up so it’ll be interesting to see how many of the records they actually have at the station.

Examine all the graphitti Ash have left behind for us. They played here 2 days ago and by all accounts had a great gig. We examine a setlist they’ve left behind in the dressing room… it hits us how many great songs Ash have. There’s very few UK bands who could boast such a rocktastic setlist.

After soundcheck Birgit from Motor Records takes myself and Graham off to the radio station. It’s great fun and the one hour soon runs over as we try to play all the music we want to. The host is really cool and lets us ramble on. Back to the venue where Defenestration have just gone onstage. They rock and the crowd really seem to get into it. I wander down the front to try and catch someone’s eye and maybe freak them out a bit… no such luck.

Our own gig is pretty cool, mental crowd for a Tuesday and they all scream along. Major cock up is Grahams setlist which doesn’t have Turn included. Jon ‘Flaming Sambuca’ Odgers is to blame by all accounts. A few big stage divers manage to scramble on but thankfully no-one gets hurt.

Afterwards a few brave souls venture to the bar downstairs where they are witness to the finest ever rendition of Lou Reed’s Perfect Day courtesy of Reece from Defenestration. He’s immediately rechristened Lou Reece.

Back on the bus Pete’s prog back lounge has gone too far as we find ourselves listening to Ian Paice’s complete drum solo from Made In Japan. Certain drummers are in their element!

Downstairs lounge has hit upon the idea of remaking The Who’s Tommy in a Speedo Menace stylee. The film will be condensed into ten or so minutes and will be shot on the next UK leg of the tour. Gareth is cast as Tommy (or rather Timmy) and Pete is appointed musical director. Andy is to direct. Other band members and crew will feature in cameos.

Karlstorbahnhof - Heidelberg, Germany (Nov 21st, 2001)

Beautiful, beautiful city with a huge castle looming on the hill and a river running through the centre of town. Go for a long walk on my own away through the city centre. It’s good to get away from the whole touring party and see some different stuff. Keeps the old brain active. It’s bloody cold so after about 2 hours wander back and check out the venue properly… It’s great, modern small theatre kind of thing.

Soundcheck goes well and we retire to the café upstairs for dinner. Nice also. I enjoy it when we can all sit down for a meal as it’s usually really good fun… listening to everyone banter and take the piss out of each other. Plan to have our Xmas meal in Edinburgh on the day off. That’ll be cool.

Go for another walk into town just for some fresh air and to see the castle lit up at night. Awesome. Gig is really good. We play pretty much straight through with little or no chat. It’s quite relentless and the crowd seem a wee bit taken aback by the ferocity of it all. Pretty crazy mosh pit down the front but at the back it’s a much ‘older’ crowd. Do the usual two encores and they’re still shouting for more as the house lights go on.

Afterwards have a quick drink with Bernie from Scorpio (our German Booking Agency) he’s cool and we’ve had a lot of fun with him on these German shows. His sense of humour is very similar to ours so he’s a master at taking the piss. Several rounds of Jägermeister appear for the crew and it all gets a bit messy.

Defenestration’s bus is still playing up so they request a push from any able bodied people. A bunch of us bale off our bus and line up to get it going. Fuelled by the Jägermeister someone shouts “GO!” and before we know it we push the van straight into a brick wall. Unfortunately Jason (Defenestration’s Tour Manager) was trying to get in the drivers door when we started the push. Oops!

Not too much damage to the van so we eventually get it road worthy. Later Pete plays some early Genesis (whilst playing air-drums, air-keyboard and air-cape) so a ban on songs over 7 minutes is put in place on the back lounge stereo.

Rockhouse - Salzburg, Austria (Nov 22nd, 2001)

Played here about 18 months ago with the mighty Clutch and it was very cool indeed. Not too much happens in the afternoon as its cold and we’re a little bit out of town. Soundcheck is cool—we rehearse Wicked Man and Bad Mother for the set tonight.

The one we have is perfectly cool but it’s good to change it up a wee bit so as not to become complacent. Dinner is great and afterwards we look through the guest book and see all the other bands who’ve played (and been fed) here. Ash are in there again! It’s sooooo funny how we always seem to miss them…

Do a radio interview before the show which mostly comprises of the girl telling me how she has split up with her boyfriend and is considering becoming a lesbian. Begin to feel like an agony aunt at one point. I mean, would YOU trust my opinion?

Defenestration sound good today. The crowd is very good-natured and a couple of guys in black metal T-shirts windmill furiously throughout. It’s a short drive so they all seem excited about hanging out for a little bit afterwards.

Gig is good… the changed setlist dips a little in the middle but the crowds energy carries us through. After we shower and hang about for a bit. The rain which started early in the evening has now turned to snow which may well prove a problem with travel.

Hafen - Innsbruck, Austria (Nov 23rd, 2001)

Wake up to find the whole place covered in snow. It’s quite beautiful though the crew seem concerned in loading the equipment through the ice. Inside it’s really cold and a mouse has been spotted lurking in a basket of bread. Not a very appetising thought before breakfast. Pete points out that mice are worse than rats due to a lack of bladder control… they piss everywhere.

Diamond and Martin scare the local crew by dancing to Madonna’s Ray Of Light in a rather ‘sexy’ manner. Nothing better than scaring the locals. We have a day off tomorrow in Prague so hopefully the weather won’t slow or hinder our travel.

Everyone’s having a bit of an off day. People are freezing and everyone is in the grip of some kind of cold or flu. Sometimes it all becomes a bit tiring so we try to get in the mood for a rock show. Myself and Graham go down the front for Defenestration’s set and try and grab their legs whilst throwing devil signs and generally behaving like idiots. Andy joins us for a few songs and Gen even dedicates a song to us.

Just before the show Alex, our Austrian promoter, turns up and presents us with Shameless gold discs. We are totally gob smacked. It’s to mark 8 years of working with his company Rock Productions West. What a cool thing to do. It’s nice to be able to build up a relationship with people who are so supportive of the band. It’s people like Alex (and they exist in every country) who take a chance and bring bands like us to play all over the world. They enable us to keep coming back and play for our fans. Thank you very much Alex.

Therapy? and Alex Rock of Rock Productions West (Nov 23rd, 2001) Our gig is a strange one. There’s a pillock in a Machine Head t-shirt who was at the merchandise stall earlier mouthing off at Dave. Just a drunk idiot, but that’s how most problems start. Half way through the first song I spot him over at Martins side, leaning over his pedals and turning them on and off. Wanker. Martin takes it all in good nature and kicks him off.

He then goes off to the bar and weaves his way back with a glass of beer and composes himself and begins to aim to throw it at Andy. Fair play to Martin who drops his guitar and dives in, knocking the beer out of his hand. Next thing half the crew are in the crowd and the pillock gets carried out.

Andy asks the crowd to cool it and to be careful as there are lots of girls and younger people down the front who might get hurt. All goes well until a big guy with blonde hair launches himself right over Andy’s monitor and knocks the microphone into Andy’s face and pushes him right over. Fucking idiot. AJ handles it really well and as the crowd is very rowdy we play a totally impromptu ‘jazz’ version of Knives. That’s fun and the mood lightens a bit. Diamond Dave comes on for the second encore and does a sterling version of War Pigs before we finish off with Nowhere.

Anyway, back to the 2 idiots who seemed determined to spoil everyone’s night. I hate this kind of thing… it sours the whole night. By all means come, get drunk and have some fun. We love rowdy crowds but when it gets dangerous for audience or band members then we need to be careful. Therapy? have never had ANY problem with moshing/stage diving/dancing but when it begins to interfere with anyone’s safety or the actual performance then it needs to be addressed.

If a big drunk guy gets on stage and knocks the mic into Andy’s face then the show is over because Andy will have his teeth knocked out. Simple. If the same guy comes on stage and knocks my effect pedals then the leads will pop out and fuck up the sound. Likewise if the drunk jumps feet first or falls on someone who didn’t see him coming then that innocent audience member will get their head split open. Also if the guy dives and no one catches him then he’ll hit a concrete floor and end up in hospital.

Sorry to come over all ‘right-on’ but music is about enjoyment and for the audience and the band to enjoy. It’s about respect… we respect you, respect our equipment (and teeth) and most importantly respect each other. Look out for each other. We’re all in this together.

Afterwards have a few drinks with the Defenestration posse and end up in a salsa club next door. Gareth reveals a hidden talent for the tango and certain Defen’ people get in trouble for dancing on tables and juggling(?) with oranges.

Day Off (Prague, Czech Republic) (Nov 24th, 2001)

Great city. Nice swim and sauna. Nice food. Perfect day off.

Roxy - Prague, Czech Republic (Nov 25th, 2001)

Feel fully refreshed and up for the show. Ivo, the promoter, shows up and gives us a lift down to the venue. He’s another good man… promoting us for years and very passionate about music. Venue is great. An old cinema with a balcony and a big high stage. Lots of problems with the PA and lights but the crew get it all sorted. Early show, curfew is 10pm so it’s all a mad rush.

Jason (Defenestration’s Tour Manager) thinks he might have broken his leg. Apparently he fell off a podium last night whilst dancing to techno. He’s in bed so I offer to roadie for Defenestration. I’m only half serious but Scott’s strap rips in the first song so on I bolt and tape the strap back on. He’s pissing himself laughing as is Gen. They do good and the crowd seem to like them.

Our show is really brilliant. It’s odd that the barrier is about 15 feet away from the stage but the crowd go for it nonetheless. It so great. It’s very rarely we play a bad show but this is one where everything clicks so well. It’s brilliant to see so many happy faces in the audience. I get a bit tearful at one point. Life can hardly be better than this. Ivo is dancing like a madman stage right, the record company people are dancing down the front and up on the balcony I can see people playing air-guitar. Two encores and everyone goes home happy.

Meet an Irish guy called Derek who leads a few hardy souls to an Irish bar for a drink. Sadly at 1am we drive on out of Prague. Prague, you rock. I hope we’re back soon.

Metropolis - Munich, Germany (Nov 26th, 2001)

Back in Germany and we’ve played here a few times before and it’s always been cool. They’ve totally done up the backstage area—the dressing room is called the Buddha Bar and has a nice ambience.

Soundcheck is good and we head down to a nice restaurant for dinner. All goes well until it becomes apparent that my order has been forgotten. Usually this always happens to Martin but tonight it’s my turn.

Gig is great. Munich has always been good for Therapy? and tonight is no exception. Afterwards pack up and go as we have a 14 hour drive to our last mainland European show.

Hedon - Zwolle, The Netherlands (Nov 27th, 2001)

Lovely town and a great club to boot. Everyone is very friendly and I get the impression that not many rock bands play here. A few of the Dutch faithful are coming tonight as it’ll be the last time they’ll see us this year. Good people and no hassle… René, Ronald, Iris—we salute you!!!

Gig is sold out and suitably mental. Quite a few people all over the stage but all very good natured. Play Gimme Shock Treatment during the encore and a few other covers. Yet again no hanging out as we’re all back to London for a day off.

Ocean - London, England (Nov 29th, 2001)

First time at this venue and it’s really amazing. Fully kitted out… lights/PA, big dressing room, showers for days, nice dinner etc. etc. Have an easy day. Hang out, chat with Gerry (manager) who’s over and then watch a bit of Defenestration. Gig is insane, it’s the least ‘London-like’ of any London show we’ve done.

As the venue is in Putney it seems only true die-hard Therapy? fans have made it out. There’s no barrier either which means 75% of the audience end up on stage. Some are cool, some are pillocks who seem content on knocking into stuff and/or stealing stuff. Overall a great gig and later have a few drinks with Defenestration and Nerve then back to the hotel for some sleep.

Leadmill - Sheffield, England (Dec 1st, 2001)

Today is the start of December and my Xmas shopping. Or it was, until I see everyone in Sheffield has the same idea… TOO BUSY! Head back to the gig and meet Hug (ex-Group Dog Drill) who is in great form and fills us in on all the local gossip.

Soundcheck is cool and we do a few interviews before we get our buy-out and get some lovely fish and chips for dinner. Damo (ex-Group Dog Drill) shows up and lets us hear his new band who rock severely—watch out for them this year.

Our gig is great and we particularly enjoy the crowd chanting “You fat bastard” as if it’s going out of fashion, which indeed it is. Afterwards we hang out for a bit and I even manage to get myself a black-eye… lovely end to the night!

The Cockpit - Leeds, England (Dec 2nd, 2001)

Today is an all day indoor ‘festival’ with about 8 bands playing. It’s chaos inside so we make ourselves scarce until much nearer showtime. Watch Defenestration (good show, bad sound) and The Alkaline Trio (great show, bad sound).

Come showtime the place is mental. Everyone is drunk (including some band members) and when we start it just goes off. Boots in faces, mics on the ground, guitars in ribs etc. etc. I feel like I’m in the Dead Kennedy’s circa 1982… wish someone had videoed the gig. As we finish the gig the sweat is dripping off the ceiling and Andy announces that from now on he’s to be known as Adolf Dracula. It’s been one of those Sundays.

Rock City - Nottingham, England (Dec 3rd, 2001)

One of our favourite venues in the UK today. The list on the dressing room wall informs us that exactly 10 years ago to the day Nirvana played here. Equally impressive is that 20 years ago Rory Gallagher trod the boards. We resolve to make both Mr. Cobain’s and Mr. Gallagher’s spirits proud of our show.

Therapy? and tour manager extraordinaire John Adkins (2001) More attempts at Xmas shopping which means we all go to Selectadisc and buy CD’s. Soundcheck is short and good. Our old tour manager Roger shows up with his wife Minna and lovely baby boy Sami. It’s good to see them all. Roger is the man who helmed the madness that was the Infernal Love tour. I now know why he’s bald.

Have a great curry for our dinner, bands are always well looked after at Rock City—thus bands respect it and love to come back and play.

Gig is brilliant (I know I keep saying this, but it was!) and it’s amazing how many young kids there are in Slipknot and Papa Roach shirts. Great for us to play to a relatively new crowd… either that or the promoter has put a sign up outside with “NU-METAL NIGHT—under 18’s free”!

Andy’s brother is here and in very good form as is a quite inebriated Roger. The dressing room is way too crowded so I escape off to the bus where there is yet more food.

Wulfrun Hall - Wolverhampton, England (Dec 4th, 2001)

It becomes apparent I’ve agreed to some insane drunken suicide pact with Sean Brady/John Adkins. Apparently I have to wear a West Bromwich Albion shirt during our encore. Bearing in mind there will be many Aston Villa/Birmingham City fans in the crowd some kind of death wish is required to wear it.

In the hall upstairs The Human League are playing and it’s amazing how many crew members are attempting to blag passes in to see them. Didn’t realise Phil Oakley held such an attraction for front of house sound engineers. Curious.

Gig is pretty hard work for us. We’re all a bit tired and the crowd don’t go for it as people from the home of Heavy Metal should (Sabbath, Zeppelin and Priest were all local boys!). We give our best shot and at the end everyone has their hands in the air screaming for more. The West Brom shirt even seems to go down quite well, they probably think I’m just mental to do such a stupid thing.

My sister Elaine is here tonight (she lives here) so have a good chat with her and then we all get kicked out about midnight and we begin the drive to Scotland.

Day Off (Edinburgh, Scotland) (Dec 5th, 2001)

Lovely, lovely Edinburgh… wet as anything but always a pleasure to visit.

Get a load of laundry done and even a bit of proper Xmas shopping. As Diamond Dave has spent a bit of time at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival he pronounces himself ‘King Of Edinburgh’ and leads us off into the night. We have a lovely Chinese meal and Dave bravely heads out to enjoy the nightlife.

The Liquid Room - Edinburgh, Scotland (Dec 6th, 2001)

Early in the day word begins to filter through about Dave’s Herculean feats of drinking. Most well received was when he asked 12 rugby boys on a stag night out for a fight. Apparently they were hassling a girl at the bar and Dave stepped in to protect her honour. Nice to see the guys backed down and left the bar with Diamond flying the flag for chivalry.

It’s an early show tonight and we don’t bother with a soundcheck as Graham has flown home to a funeral. Play(?) a bit of bass with Nerve during their last song which is fun and then get ready to do our thing.

Great crowd and we have a lot of fun, biggest cheer is when I tell the audience about Dave’s brave behaviour last night. I reckon he’ll get a few free drinks out of that one! My sister is here again so chat with her until the club gets too spidey and then onto the bus to re-watch Chopper.

Mandela Hall - Belfast, Northern Ireland (Dec 7th, 2001)

Terrible nights sleep. Up and down, on ferries, off ferries and a particularly rowdy back lounge see that sleep is tricky.

Into Belfast early and I get up and head down the BBC where I’ve to do some ‘voice-over’ stuff for the radio. Don’t worry I’m not about to go all Radio 1 on you but I’d been asked to narrate a history of the Across The Line show. It’s basically Northern Irelands best (only) alternative music show and have been very supportive of Therapy? from day one. The recording goes well and I head off to meet my friend Robyn for lunch (cheers big ears) and to hear all the local gossip.

No soundcheck again as Graham is in Dublin today and will drive up for the gig. Throat replace Nerve for these last two days and I’m really looking forward to seeing them. My guestlist is big tonight so I’m nervous as there’s a load of friends and family coming. Introduce Defenestration in my new Grim Reaper outfit and enjoy their set for one of the last times.

Soon enough we’re onstage and rocking. Not too much chat and we just fly through the songs. Crowd are totally ace… for a homecoming gig it couldn’t be better. There is an amazing amount of goodwill directed our way in Ireland and we really appreciate it. Some people even have made Therapy? banners which is a first for us in Belfast. Someone even throws an Evil Priest (my pre-Therapy? death metal band) banner up onto the stage. How bizarre is that?

Afterwards have a good few drinks with the family and friends before we all get kicked out of the bar and go our separate ways. It was good to be home, even if it was for just a day!

Ambassador Theatre - Dublin, Ireland (Dec 8th, 2001)

Sadly this is the last Therapy? show of the tour and our last gig of 2001 (later turns out to be Grahams last show playing drums with us as well). Nice relaxed day, everyone is sad but I imagine glad to be going home in a way. First time we have ever played here and it’s a great big theatre. Lovely. I think we’ll have a lot of fun.

Hang out at the gig all day. Dublin centre is just too mental on a Saturday. Chat and get our shit organised off the bus. Soundcheck with Jon Odgers on the kit, Graham is away again and it sounds ace.

Brilliant gig all round. Throat are brilliant and go down really well. As it’s the end of the tour ’tis customary to mess with the other bands set. Our crew very cruelly play a sample of ‘booing’ through the monitors during Defenestration’s set. They look really confused as the crowd seem to love them, but all they can hear between songs is jeering. Sorry folks.

The show is sold out and it is such an awesome way to end the tour. I always get tearful on last nights, especially after a long tour with everyone working so hard. One never knows if they’ll see the other bands or some crew members again. Best not to think about it and just enjoy the gig which we all do. Definitely in the top five gigs of the tour. The Dublin crowd is brilliant from start to finish.

During Screamager Defenestration come on naked apart from some strategically placed toilet roll… truly frightening. Stacey has fashioned himself into an Osama Bin Laden type whilst Jay has some weird ‘dangly-bit’ between his legs. Andy can barely sing he’s laughing so hard.

Lots of champagne afterwards and we drink and toast what has been a great tour. Definitely one of the best and most satisfying tours I’ve done in years and I’d like to thank everyone who bought a ticket or a T-shirt and supported Throat, Nerve, Defenestration and Therapy?

Until next time folks, see you down the front…

Crew

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