After finishing the build up in pretty fast time, I managed to get out of the theatre for something to eat, as I'd not eaten in the afternoon with the band but rather opted for a large Pironi.
Jonnie James, my old ship band mate and one time dep on the circus of horrors last year was about so I met up with him and invited him into the meeting where everyone was very happy to see him. The meeting was conducted fast, some tosh about next week's travel arrangements was discussed and it was straight into the soundcheck.
Thankfully we were not burdened with the hassle we had yesterday in Gravesend and so it went fast. I did however decide to make a makeshift stand for the electric pad that I had taken the stand for back home having not thought it out that well. I did try to not use the pad in Gravesend but for the most part it okay. But the song (which name escapes me right now, not bad.. it's only been 5 weeks on the road) which I use the loop for sounded so empty without it that I was gonna try anything to mount the pad so I could fire it.
This is what my genius of a mind came up with.
Basically, it's my drum pedal case with LX tape... That's pretty basic. But it worked a fucking charm. I wonder now why I bothered with a stand at all.
Pre-show, Jonnie and I went for a beer in a nearby pub where he said the musos from Dirty Dancing come regularly as their sort of local (to the theatre they're in anyway) None showed up on this occasion. As John Blackburn was also coming to the show with Jonnie (another respected drummer) I didn't want to drink to much as I wanted to be on top of my game for the show. I was, kinda. Only my inner demons prevented me from playing as well as I think I can.
Still, I think I played okay in the grand scheme of things which is always good.
There seemed to be a lot more in this week than other weeks, they had the circle and gallery open, though sparsely attended. I think they were a decent crowd too, lots of squirming and looking away going on which is a decent sign that people are being repulsed with what's going on stage-side.
During the interval, I met again with Jonnie, and also John Blackburn, for a quick drink across the road in a lovely, but very small, pub called The Lyric. 10 or more people inside and you're walking about the place, to the shitter or whatever making crab impressions and such like.
Back to the theatre it was time for second half and then the pull down.
As I was taking Da and Matt home to Swansea, I had to set the kit down fast, repeatedly tell people not to take any of it to the truck, because I was going home, and set off to Wimbledon to pick up my car.
I got back there about an hour and 20 minutes late to find that everyone had fucked off, the truck, the whole cast leaving Matt, Da and a fuck load of shit to cram into my car at the stage door.
With is crammed to fuck (miracle it all got in) they playfully informed me of a game they were playing to pass the time. As the Lyric theatre is situated next to a strip club, the game was to guess who was going inside before they were near, and out of them, which ones would be refused entry. I don't know what was the points system or what, if any, was the prize. Nor for that matter, which one of them won.
Apparently, anyone female and white accompanied with anyone male and black, went in, barr none! At least during the time they were sat with all of our shit waiting for me.
The drive home was generally okay but my god, what is it with London and pointless road works and road closures at the moment? Seriously, I drove past, and was diverted as a result most the time, at least 10 sets of road work where there was about a mile of cones, 2 lanes closed to find toward the end of it, about 3 guys digging a hole, and that's if there was anyone doing any work at all! A little bit of over kill don't you think?
En route to Swansea Da recited countless Profanisaurus entries keeping us all amused. And then slept for the most of it having sunk enough Ale to shame Father Jack. Sadly, Matt's ass didn't sleep or even take a break. He was polite though, every time a window was lowered with no warning or explanation, you'd hear him say, "Sorry!" and genuinely sound like he meant it every time.
I dropped them off at 3:30 and got home myself about 3:45, got into bed by 4:00 and polished off my vodka. I think I was asleep by 5:00 I think?
Last night at the Lyric. I am there, honest!
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