Summer tour update #2

We are in Raglan and after two weeks of rain following us around the country the sun is finally showing. I know that talking about weather is a bad way to start a conversation but when you are on a Summer Tour in the North island you expect a certain amount of grace from the weather man.

Since the last blog we have done a fair few gigs, Smugglers bar (Nelson), Mikey’s Bar (Picton), the Interislander Ferry, Medusa Music Club (Wellington), the Homestead Bar (Masterton), Butler’s Reef (Oakura) and now tonight we are doing an outdoor concert at Raglan Kopua camping ground. Progress up the country is good, music becoming more and more appreciated as we go, haha- probably because tour not only gives you sweet muscles but you cannot help but to improve as a band.

Tradition; a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting:

Tour tradition; press ups (everyday, improving by one each day until the end of tour), swimming (finding a wave, a river, a beach or a lake in which to dip thy body: everyday of tour), making obscure noises everytime you see a policeman, drinking beer (budweiser, tui, speights… or whatever we can find).

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention some important details that have assailed us thus far. So while in Nelson we met up wbhich my little brother and his mate who were coming up to meet us for a night or two and while my little brother (who is an athlete of more than 6feet that trains everyday) was around I decided it was time for a bit of a wrestle. I (who am a scrawny musician whose only claim to any aspect of toughness is a few tattoos) start by slapping him in the face and five minutes later a tie is called an I leave the hous panting – ready to head with the band to Picton for our next gig. Suddenly my hand is extremely hot and shaking and I realize with a sense of dread I have injured my hand. It felt similar to the time I smashed up my shoulder in a bmx accident so I knew it was bad. It turns out that I subluxted my carpal mettacarpal joint on the outside of my left hand. The photo below shows you the genius solution to the problem: I played the gig that night single handed on the drums while Tom played the guitar. A complete role reversal, although I still sang. Amy, my wonderful physio wife, managed to manipulate the bones back into order so they clicked back into the joint then waalla – next day just play through the pain.

There are plenty more stories to tell but the internet usage in this cafe is about to run dry so I will update you after a few more gigs. Chur

More blog to read by saturday night. Peace