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Tour Diary
By Phil Langero
Kilkenny 5th October:
Our own self applied exclusive door policy meant a lot of the common
folk weren't allowed in and thats just fine. Kept things intimate
and ... well: nice. I think we will never go back there though unless
it's Rhythm n' Roots time and we can play in a restaurant at midday.
Things being quiet Ten Past Seven put in one of their best performances
I reckon and I even threw a chair at them. Later on we went over to
the Zoophile club for some Horsing with Brucey who is the man about
town of Kilkenny. Our embedded press junta, Enda and Larissa, brought
us back to their semi delapidated mansion for some rustic kitchen
action none of which I remember. Woke up on the landing near a grand
piano.
Tralee 11th October:
It was a bit daunting to have to go back to Tralee after our shabby
imposters sullied our name here about a year ago but it all went well
in the end. Of course Matts bass cab went at sound check and Joes
was in Cork but we got one from some helping friendly folk in a nearby
mansion and slid into the gig all sleazy jazz style. Nice to play
Sexy again although Pedro didn't realise thats what it was. The gig
was a blinder really and Ten Past Seven were so good I had to get
my belt out and whip Ger into the climactic frenzy. Afterwards my
merry bunch of Langeros made their home and I retired with 'the Tenners'
to the aforementioned mansion where they recorded a session for Phantom
FM.
Killarney 12th October:
Got coffeed up to the hilt in the morning and went for lunch at the
greyhound with the glitterati and general movers and shakers of Tralee.
Chips AND mash! Hmmm. After locating all the gear it was off to Killarney
with plenty of time for a stroll in the woods and a kip in the van.
Los Langeritas Rosie Lang Lang and Mrs Jones are in town tonight so
it's a class affair. Killarney is full of tourists and teenage tinny
merchants, knacker drinkers if you will. Strange venue but a fine
gig nonetheless. There was no mansion on offer so I mage my way home
with the Jones' and left the lads to their own devices. Just as well
really as Joe woke up alone in a derelict house on the wrong edge
of town. The lady he had got there with was long gone and he was in
bad need of a jobby.
Cork 18th October:
Oh no the late license has fallen through at the last minute and we
have to finish at 11.30. Not the night we planned but it went swimmingly
all the same. Our door was diligently (wo)manned by Becci (thanks)
and whats up with the tight arses who say they can't afford to pay
in but go to the bar for pints all night? We can better use your money
than the barman. It was a great night and brilliant to play the Cruiscin
again with the lads. We had the Vagina Horns over from Lester giving
it a classy dimension and the lovely Langeritas to cap it all off
nicely. Also featured was special guest security man on stage for
a few numbers. Thanks. A whole lot. Ben Jammin provided the post gig
location and what a hooly we had. Thanks.
Dublin 25th October:
Damn it the venue is goin for double door takings by stopping this
gig at 10.30 and gettin a club on. So Queen Kong do a brilliant job
of starting things off. Then we get on, get tequilaed up and toast
that marshmallow for the few punters who can pay a tenner in to get
turfed out early. I have invented a new reverse off stage/on stage
backflip and unveil it tonight to mild bewilderment. God bless the
sound. The three Tenners get on and kick ass, Killarney refugee style.
Very impressed at Rorys new run around the room manouevre. Taking
notes. Great craic was to be had in the Sin E later with table dancing
to Elvis. Back to Niamhy G's for a few sips outta Banditos big bucket.
In the morning there was pints and coffee and traffic and traffic
and traffic all the way home. "What the fuck have you done to
the traffic Phil?, it's a disaster!" - Pedro Dolphino 26/10/07.
Clonakilty 28th October:
Debarras, Clonakilty, Sunday afternoon:
The gigs are gettin earlier as we go on. Cork finished at 11.30, Dublin
at 10.30 and now we must strut our stuff in the cruelly honest light
of day for the youth of West Cork. This doesn't suit our own unique
brand of hedonistic country trash goat punk, although the Three Tenners
have pulled it off well. Pedro manages to find that after closing
time feeling with a little help from God knows where. The demographic
profile of the performances is quite interesting. The first band is
a young talented blues outfit in the blushes of budding talent and
potential, Ten Past Seven are still young but on top of their game
with the world ahead of them. We are perhaps on the other side of
the meadow, a fine example of what could go wrong to any band with
a taste for the high life but without the finances to back it up.
Roll on Mullinbleedingar!
Mullingar 9th November:
Mullingargle:
We finally managed to get to a gig before the Three Tenners and are
sitting in the warmth of the front bar enjoying a pint when they arrive
and want a hand with their backline. We are obliged to help as well
coz Keri caJones is out of action this weekend with dodgy knee ligaments
and Ger Past Seven has agreed to sit in with us for both gigs. The
Stables is a great venue, good size room, low stage and a VIP beer
garden out back but no-one in Mullingar has bothered to come to this
gig apart from a few select music fans. Fare play to them. Dave is
doing this gig and we haven't seen him since we played with The Original
Frying Pan and Foot in Mouth in Ballymahon. I'm doing the door while
the Tenners are doing their thing. They're goin on first this weekend
to ensure we don't waste Ger for their set. It's a rare thing to get
to hang out with any band this much and I still never tire of watching
the lads. Seems to change every night. Ger does us proud when it's
time and there's lots of table action out front. Tommy has given me
a deal on the tequilas out front - nice one. All in all a great gig
to a small crowd. The real action is reserved for Alans cottage later
on when there's singing, shouting, pseudo violence and a guy with
a dog. Alans kitchen table suddenly and mysteriously has became collapsed
and very broken.
"Woke up in the fireplace, slept like a
log" - Julian Cope. In the morning I hitch to town for breakfast
commodities and return in the Langermobile. Alan went to town for
work before remembering it was Saturday. Turns out he's delighted
to have his table destroyed by such Alpha Males as ourselves. In return
(or revenge) he turns us onto a hot tip for the 3.10 at Doncaster.
We promptly throw the combined earnings from the night before onto
the horse and thats the end of that. Then I'm driving to Belfast and
Pedro and The Nodge are drinking like hell.
Belfast 10th November:
It's some crack driving round the centre of Belfast getting Jase to
listen to directions and attempt to repeat them to me. He's way too
interesting for that. We get to the Pavilion in good time for a pint
and Jase tells every stranger he meets that he wouldn't be here today
if not for marijuana. Eventually he sleeps in the pub,we hang in van,
first band Tin Pot Operation goes on;'Belfast is Bored of You'. Deadly,
catchy stuff. Lobotomies do the best spiky punk I've heard
in ages and their dancer can go durty sideways. The place is empty
andthe stupid punks leave after their mates have played. Ten past
seven ago on first and it's like they scored smak on the Falls road.
Well out-there set. Matt is thrashing mic stands, walking on tables
and Rory is writhing all over the gaff, What the fuck? We're next.
Dygos! Avant garde like fat Elvis meets Sun-Ra in a headspin. I have
a whitey at the end like an amateur whirling dervish. Jase is phenomenal.
Pete and Joe hate it so we fire them. Back in Cormacs there is hilarity
in spades. Eyeballs! Licked! We take the lads back on and Joe celebrates
by drinking all the rum. Then he vomits in his sleep but lives to
blame the dog. Chuky our lager!
Galway 16th November:
After the avant garde brinkmanship of Belfast last week, we've decided
to pull out the stops for a straight up kick ass show in Galways hallowed
Roisin Dubhs tonight and dividends are reaped accordingly. We're on
after the openers Music for Dead Birds who I've missed in an attempt
to score coffee but I've got a designated-driver La Salsa latte on
my amp. It's the best one I've had all week and as it kicks in the
gig is bloody great. Keri Cajones is risking his knee for this one.
73 year old Mark puts the young folk to shame but theres some tasty
dancing here an there. Niamhy G provides the doo wops and I'm glad
we can swing from fat Elvis to kickin mofos so well. Ten past seven
are shaking their asses tonight and theres a swagger creeping in to
the swing. I intercepted Rory mid runaround in a ballet manouevre
unintended to fuck his timing up.
It's a free gig tonight and I'm all for it. Theres even an apt to
stay in (I discover after the coffee and sobriety) and random Paul
climbs in the drain like some clash fan. Beer keeps flowing, we're
all happy enough. Early days. Me, Becci and Rocket got the double
room and retire 3ish to listen to the madness next door. Ger drags
not one but 4 lassies back to the apt and then they head off to a
party but come back soon enough.
Joe Bandito adds: " I followed some chicks I know to a club,
now I'm in a livingroom. Someone gave me bzp and rum. Mmm Dark rum!"
Sligo 17th November:
It's pissing rain all morniin and day in Glaway which kind of cancels
out the strolling round town option. I get on the alpha breakfast
and take care of the flock with eggy bread, waffles, beans and tea,
lots of lovely tea. Then meself, Becci and Rocket drive on up to Sligo.
We have a stroll on Strandhill before headin to the town where it's
Rally mayhem, lots of sporty boy racers, a carnival and crepes. Tonights
venue, Coolera House, is outside town a few miles and it's a bit like
a community centre. I'm driving back to somewhere tonight to crash
so it's one tasty pint of Guinness and no more. The Nodge and Pedro
are definitely NOT driving anywhere else tonight however so it looks
like van/carpark action for them. Jasper of Poo Promotions is doing
tonights show and he's done a great job with posters and rustlin up
the usual crowd of UK refugees and brew crew head d balls as well
as a good bunch of young folk from Sligo. Ger's got to play drums
for us tonight again and he is rewarded with pints, whiskey and flowers.
It's a great gig I reckon with lots of dancing and falling over. Jasper
joins us for a ropey rendition of Dutch Moderation on stage doing
the synched dancing with meself and the Nodge. Then it's pack up and
drive to Clodaghs idyllic cottage near Drumshambo for the night. I
bring Ger along and he's babbling away in between falling asleep in
the back of the starlet (or am I just too sobre?). By the time I unwind
with a few beers, it's 5 in the morning and well time to crash. Pedro
and The Nodge have been whisked away to a crusty bash in Swinford
with Mantua Mike and don't return to Cork for 36 hours. God be with
them.
Limerick 24th November:
Last gig on this tour. We're all in the van. Nodge is self-designated
driver. Bakers Place is the venue. After Soundcheck we join the Tenners
for a pint next door in the Chicken Bar for a good ol natter. It's
late (11.30) before we play coz there's 2 other band on first. Megasus
Distro is here with all the releases from Barry Benefits label. I
finally get hold of Terrordactyls EP and so does Rory. I consider
swapping it for Adebisi Shanks but I like the Terrordactyl cover.
The gig is rough and rockin with all the Tenners filling in on backing
vocals for Doo Wop. I have a mental photograph burned on my retina
of Matt on an amp shaking a tambo while The Nodge solos. The audience
is pleasantly surprised and quite impressed with us. We haven't played
here for years (w/ Original Fryin Pan in High Stool). During The Tenners
set Ger is doing the usual Los Langeros/mountain/tour/craic blagh
and then to my genuine shock asks us to do animal dancing on stage
for their single track (it's called anifiliad -Welsh for animals).
Me and Joe are right up front and can hardly decline especially seeing
as they've done so much singing for us on this tour. Luckily we were
feeling the altitude alright and made proper asses of ourselves in
the name of rock and roll. Joe has the brilliant idea of gettin the
lads a round of tequila which I heartily endorse and, well thats it.
We drive home with The Hightown Crows blasting out, Keri sleeping,
Pedro blabbin away and Nodgo sobre and together. Joe stays in Limerick
with the lads and has a quiet enough night followed by a marathon
lie-in a la Ten Past Seven.
It's over. I'm sad. But Glad we did it. We climbed the highest mountain
in Ireland, recorded a single, released it together and toured the
country. Fair fucking play to us!
If you joined us for any of this, fair play to you, thanks and we
do hope to see ye again somewhere down the road. |
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