Much-needed update
Update on Scotland to come.
.....No wait, here it is!
Scotland - Thursday
Ok, so I didn't even go to Scotland on Thursday, but it was the start of the adventure. Micky and company arrived early, dumped their equipment off and went for a wander. So I saw them at 7pm when they came back. I remembered Micky, Tony (singer/guitarist for Stolen Bibles) and Sammy (bassist for both acts), and then also got to meet Chiv (Micky's drummer and Ozzy Osbourne's fucking twin brother), Michael (organ player for both acts) and Ally (drummer for Stolen Bibles).
So we were getting things ready and I accidentally overhear Sammy and Ally talking about stuff. It sounded as if they were wondering why there were playing at the uni or something, wondering what the point was. I asked Micky about it, as it felt like a bit of a 'bad vibe' and he told me I was wrong. If anything, it was good that they were playing in Lanky, as they dislike nights off during the tour. Fair enough.
So I played my set with Micky giving me a great introduction. I have a recording if anyone is interested, but cons include my voice being off and conversations being heard on top (it was recorded with a microphone, with someone standing right by it). Micky played and people were wowed and the same goes for Stolen Bibles. It was an alright crowd - nothing too huge but not exactly dead - but I think everyone present had a good time, even if they are not usually interested in live music. I also got asked to join them on Micky's song Sweet Rock N' Roll. Pictures to come.
As it was Tony's birthday, I suggested a night out afterwards to Sugarhouse, our student's union in town. It ended up being a disaster. We were meant to pick up Chiv but we forgot, who tried to come in later but wasn't allowed in. Tony wasn't allowed in because they asked to search him and he refused - he had weed in his pockets. So he went for a wander alone through the town and went to random bars. Michael scored with a girl and got laid, Micky went to bed early, leaving Sammy and Ally to enjoy the wonder that is a Lanky night out. I got properly wasted too.
I left when Chiv arrived (he wasn't let in because it was gone 1am) and then had to wait for the rest to come back safely. They got back at 3:30am after walking home from town. They got back, we all went to bed.
Scotland - Friday
Woke up with a killa hangover. Micky called me to say that there were going to pick me up. The van ride was horrible and I had to try so hard not to be sick or whatever.
Chiv had an entertaining story. Apparently at 5am or so, he went out in his underwear to have a cigarette, but then accidentally got locked out. He then had to wander around looking for a porter in just his underwear and finally got back in. Ironically he had forgotten his lighter, so he couldn't even have the cigarette in the end! Genius.
After four hours of travelling, we get to the border of the mainland and get a 35 minute ferry across to the Isle of Bute. What a landscape, especially from where we stayed! We were staying in Micky's friend's house. His name is Tam..... he is very much like Billy Connelly. His wife Jill is lovely and they have seven children - six sons and a daughter. Some of the younger sons are mad, the kind of kids that will run up to an adult, punch their leg and run off laughing. Little tykes! A great quote included "Mum, can I piledrive Finn?"
The venue, known as the Argyll Arms, is a pub dating back from the 1700s with the tiniest backroom. I think it could fit 100 people tops, with everyone squashed in like sardines. Interestingly enough, it has a late license until 1am (as do most of the pubs in Rothesay, the Isle's only town) - this meant that the live music could start at 10pm and end at 1:30am, which it did.
Micky asked me to open, but I didn't as I was a bit ill and to be fair, I just wanted to chill out for the first one.
A few of us ended back at Trish's house, a lass Chiv knew that he was staying with. This is where the real fun began. Obviously I was curious as to why Chiv was staying elsewhere..... I found out that he doesn't get on with Ally, finding him an unprofessional and egotistical drummer, and also doesn't like Tony because he is a little arrogant and expects everything to be done exactly how it suits him. We stayed up until 7am hearing Chiv bitch about how he feels like he is babysitting for them (Chiv is 48 years young and temporarily drummed for The Cult, so I think he has reason to say that!) and how it has been a bad tour overall. My presence was good, as I provided a neutral character that could be talked to at any point. Look at me, I'm useful!
Fortunately, these three dates in Scotland were the last of the tour. Possibly the last time Micky and Stolen Bibles will do a joint tour together.
Scotland - Saturday
After hearing Chiv's whining the night before, this time I was out with Tony, Ally and Michael. I was expecting to hear a lot from them as well, but they only talked about it briefly, unlike Chiv. I got a bad vibe from Tony, as if he was wondering why I was there and stuff. He's very tricky to talk to at times.
I was up for opening this event, as Micky had requested before, but like the plum I am, I had forgotten my guitar! D'oh! I watched, enjoyed and afterwards we ended up in the only club to have a license until 2am. It was chav and thug central and ended up with the police already waiting outside and about three full-on fistfights. Well scary. Went back to Trish's again, Chiv bitched some more and we enjoyed some of Trish's whiskey.
Scotland - Sunday
Sunday was interesting. The last day of the tour, plus I finally got to open for them up in Scotland. I only did a few songs (This Is My Time, Jonesing For Jones, Good Times and Be Just Fine if I remember correctly) and ended on Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones. Mid-way through that song, Chiv hopped behind the drumkit, Micky grabbed the other mic, Tony grabbed his guitar and Michael went on the organ. We had a little jam..... it was awesome playing with such talented musicians. They then asked me to do Knockin' On Heaven's Door, which lasted about ten minutes. People loved it.
This set had started at 4pm. With my set, a full Micky Kemp set, a small set from their friend (I cannae remember his name!), a full Stolen Bibles set and then another small set from Micky, the music ended at 10:30pm. Six and a half solid hours! It was something else, I tell ya!
We ended up at Trish's once again, where I found out some crazy stuff about Chiv. He is actually a registered addict with the Government, which means they legally give him drugs that will help him, as they will stop him doing anything worse or in more quantity. Like a prescription! The whole thought of him taking a line of methamphetamine and it technically being legal is just weird.
A funny moment occurred when he fell asleep on the sofa, woke up in a clueless daze, whipped out his willy and was about to piss in the middle of the living room. Luckily we stopped him just in time!
Scotland - Monday
Today was the day that we were leaving. We said our goodbyes to Tam and Jill and made our way back to the mainland. I was finally able to talk to Micky properly during the ride home, as during the last few days he was either busy with the band, busy talking to others or was somewhere with his fuck buddy, a lovely young lass called Angela.
We got back to rainy Lanky (the weather in Scotland was gorgeous and sunny throughout, oddly enough) and then an argument took place between Micky and Tony. Michael came back to say hello to the girl he stayed the night with on Thursday, but then Micky allowed him to run off with her for an hour. Tony was outraged, wanting to go home immediately and not waste anymore time dossing about. The rest of us actually had to keep an eye on the two of them from a distance, in case it actually kicked off! We managed to sort out that Michael can leave for Heathrow from Lanky the following day, just in time for his plane back to San Francisco. I have no idea how he did in the end, but I hope he made it back ok.
So that was that. They headed off after that and the rest, as they say, is history. Chiv reckons it was the last tour with the two acts together..... Stolen Bibles may come back alone, but it was Micky who was pulling in the crowds. So that really is that.
At least I got on well with Chiv, as well as Sammy (who is only fucking 17 years of age!) and have been invited back in the future. Good stuff!
Funk band - Boo Boo Kiddee Funk
I had a rehearsal with a funk band yesterday, temporarily (or perhaps permanently) known as Boo Boo Kiddee Funk. Anyone who has watched Jay & Silent Bob will pick up on the reference. I would prefer it to be called Funkotron, which is the name of the planet in Toejam & Earl. I think some of the other guys preferred the latter name as well. But whatever.
I had already met Dave (guitar) and then got to meet Andy (a.k.a. Jave, bass) and Ben (a.k.a. McPot, drums). They have a good sound, are all really good and have three songs written, High Times, Just Like That and another one. So we practiced those. Some of the vocal rhythms are hard (one of them is almost like a rap) but they like my singing voice and think it fits in well.
So all is good. I'm on-board and the fun will start as of September!
Birthday celebrations
After the rehearsal, I was invited back to Pendle Bar to have a few drinks with the other band members. After that, I headed back to mine where current flatmates and housemates-to-be gave me big-ass cards with messages in, presents (mainly alcohol..... whiskey - two big bottles and one small one!) and a present involving an inflatable sheep and a pair of handcuffs, which I had to wear all night. I had funny looks from pub-goers that evening!
We went to Wetherspoons in town for steak night, then moved onto the John O'Gaunt for live jazz music. Liz joined us, which was great. By this time, I had had about eight lagers, so I was a little woozy. Stupidly, while talking to Liz, I managed to get onto the conversation of 'us', which is when she had something to tell me. Regardless of being the one who asked me out, she just wants to stay as friends for now. I was fine, appreciating her honest and that's that.
She headed off, we left the pub, then we went back to campus, opened one of my bottles of whiskey and had it at Martin's with everyone. I am so surprised I didn't get upset, angry, aggressive or all of the above. But I behaved, thank fuck.
So apart from that last bit, a great birthday..... and a great weekend! I have been very tired and fragile today!
.....No wait, here it is!
Scotland - Thursday
Ok, so I didn't even go to Scotland on Thursday, but it was the start of the adventure. Micky and company arrived early, dumped their equipment off and went for a wander. So I saw them at 7pm when they came back. I remembered Micky, Tony (singer/guitarist for Stolen Bibles) and Sammy (bassist for both acts), and then also got to meet Chiv (Micky's drummer and Ozzy Osbourne's fucking twin brother), Michael (organ player for both acts) and Ally (drummer for Stolen Bibles).
So we were getting things ready and I accidentally overhear Sammy and Ally talking about stuff. It sounded as if they were wondering why there were playing at the uni or something, wondering what the point was. I asked Micky about it, as it felt like a bit of a 'bad vibe' and he told me I was wrong. If anything, it was good that they were playing in Lanky, as they dislike nights off during the tour. Fair enough.
So I played my set with Micky giving me a great introduction. I have a recording if anyone is interested, but cons include my voice being off and conversations being heard on top (it was recorded with a microphone, with someone standing right by it). Micky played and people were wowed and the same goes for Stolen Bibles. It was an alright crowd - nothing too huge but not exactly dead - but I think everyone present had a good time, even if they are not usually interested in live music. I also got asked to join them on Micky's song Sweet Rock N' Roll. Pictures to come.
As it was Tony's birthday, I suggested a night out afterwards to Sugarhouse, our student's union in town. It ended up being a disaster. We were meant to pick up Chiv but we forgot, who tried to come in later but wasn't allowed in. Tony wasn't allowed in because they asked to search him and he refused - he had weed in his pockets. So he went for a wander alone through the town and went to random bars. Michael scored with a girl and got laid, Micky went to bed early, leaving Sammy and Ally to enjoy the wonder that is a Lanky night out. I got properly wasted too.
I left when Chiv arrived (he wasn't let in because it was gone 1am) and then had to wait for the rest to come back safely. They got back at 3:30am after walking home from town. They got back, we all went to bed.
Scotland - Friday
Woke up with a killa hangover. Micky called me to say that there were going to pick me up. The van ride was horrible and I had to try so hard not to be sick or whatever.
Chiv had an entertaining story. Apparently at 5am or so, he went out in his underwear to have a cigarette, but then accidentally got locked out. He then had to wander around looking for a porter in just his underwear and finally got back in. Ironically he had forgotten his lighter, so he couldn't even have the cigarette in the end! Genius.
After four hours of travelling, we get to the border of the mainland and get a 35 minute ferry across to the Isle of Bute. What a landscape, especially from where we stayed! We were staying in Micky's friend's house. His name is Tam..... he is very much like Billy Connelly. His wife Jill is lovely and they have seven children - six sons and a daughter. Some of the younger sons are mad, the kind of kids that will run up to an adult, punch their leg and run off laughing. Little tykes! A great quote included "Mum, can I piledrive Finn?"
The venue, known as the Argyll Arms, is a pub dating back from the 1700s with the tiniest backroom. I think it could fit 100 people tops, with everyone squashed in like sardines. Interestingly enough, it has a late license until 1am (as do most of the pubs in Rothesay, the Isle's only town) - this meant that the live music could start at 10pm and end at 1:30am, which it did.
Micky asked me to open, but I didn't as I was a bit ill and to be fair, I just wanted to chill out for the first one.
A few of us ended back at Trish's house, a lass Chiv knew that he was staying with. This is where the real fun began. Obviously I was curious as to why Chiv was staying elsewhere..... I found out that he doesn't get on with Ally, finding him an unprofessional and egotistical drummer, and also doesn't like Tony because he is a little arrogant and expects everything to be done exactly how it suits him. We stayed up until 7am hearing Chiv bitch about how he feels like he is babysitting for them (Chiv is 48 years young and temporarily drummed for The Cult, so I think he has reason to say that!) and how it has been a bad tour overall. My presence was good, as I provided a neutral character that could be talked to at any point. Look at me, I'm useful!
Fortunately, these three dates in Scotland were the last of the tour. Possibly the last time Micky and Stolen Bibles will do a joint tour together.
Scotland - Saturday
After hearing Chiv's whining the night before, this time I was out with Tony, Ally and Michael. I was expecting to hear a lot from them as well, but they only talked about it briefly, unlike Chiv. I got a bad vibe from Tony, as if he was wondering why I was there and stuff. He's very tricky to talk to at times.
I was up for opening this event, as Micky had requested before, but like the plum I am, I had forgotten my guitar! D'oh! I watched, enjoyed and afterwards we ended up in the only club to have a license until 2am. It was chav and thug central and ended up with the police already waiting outside and about three full-on fistfights. Well scary. Went back to Trish's again, Chiv bitched some more and we enjoyed some of Trish's whiskey.
Scotland - Sunday
Sunday was interesting. The last day of the tour, plus I finally got to open for them up in Scotland. I only did a few songs (This Is My Time, Jonesing For Jones, Good Times and Be Just Fine if I remember correctly) and ended on Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones. Mid-way through that song, Chiv hopped behind the drumkit, Micky grabbed the other mic, Tony grabbed his guitar and Michael went on the organ. We had a little jam..... it was awesome playing with such talented musicians. They then asked me to do Knockin' On Heaven's Door, which lasted about ten minutes. People loved it.
This set had started at 4pm. With my set, a full Micky Kemp set, a small set from their friend (I cannae remember his name!), a full Stolen Bibles set and then another small set from Micky, the music ended at 10:30pm. Six and a half solid hours! It was something else, I tell ya!
We ended up at Trish's once again, where I found out some crazy stuff about Chiv. He is actually a registered addict with the Government, which means they legally give him drugs that will help him, as they will stop him doing anything worse or in more quantity. Like a prescription! The whole thought of him taking a line of methamphetamine and it technically being legal is just weird.
A funny moment occurred when he fell asleep on the sofa, woke up in a clueless daze, whipped out his willy and was about to piss in the middle of the living room. Luckily we stopped him just in time!
Scotland - Monday
Today was the day that we were leaving. We said our goodbyes to Tam and Jill and made our way back to the mainland. I was finally able to talk to Micky properly during the ride home, as during the last few days he was either busy with the band, busy talking to others or was somewhere with his fuck buddy, a lovely young lass called Angela.
We got back to rainy Lanky (the weather in Scotland was gorgeous and sunny throughout, oddly enough) and then an argument took place between Micky and Tony. Michael came back to say hello to the girl he stayed the night with on Thursday, but then Micky allowed him to run off with her for an hour. Tony was outraged, wanting to go home immediately and not waste anymore time dossing about. The rest of us actually had to keep an eye on the two of them from a distance, in case it actually kicked off! We managed to sort out that Michael can leave for Heathrow from Lanky the following day, just in time for his plane back to San Francisco. I have no idea how he did in the end, but I hope he made it back ok.
So that was that. They headed off after that and the rest, as they say, is history. Chiv reckons it was the last tour with the two acts together..... Stolen Bibles may come back alone, but it was Micky who was pulling in the crowds. So that really is that.
At least I got on well with Chiv, as well as Sammy (who is only fucking 17 years of age!) and have been invited back in the future. Good stuff!
Funk band - Boo Boo Kiddee Funk
I had a rehearsal with a funk band yesterday, temporarily (or perhaps permanently) known as Boo Boo Kiddee Funk. Anyone who has watched Jay & Silent Bob will pick up on the reference. I would prefer it to be called Funkotron, which is the name of the planet in Toejam & Earl. I think some of the other guys preferred the latter name as well. But whatever.
I had already met Dave (guitar) and then got to meet Andy (a.k.a. Jave, bass) and Ben (a.k.a. McPot, drums). They have a good sound, are all really good and have three songs written, High Times, Just Like That and another one. So we practiced those. Some of the vocal rhythms are hard (one of them is almost like a rap) but they like my singing voice and think it fits in well.
So all is good. I'm on-board and the fun will start as of September!
Birthday celebrations
After the rehearsal, I was invited back to Pendle Bar to have a few drinks with the other band members. After that, I headed back to mine where current flatmates and housemates-to-be gave me big-ass cards with messages in, presents (mainly alcohol..... whiskey - two big bottles and one small one!) and a present involving an inflatable sheep and a pair of handcuffs, which I had to wear all night. I had funny looks from pub-goers that evening!
We went to Wetherspoons in town for steak night, then moved onto the John O'Gaunt for live jazz music. Liz joined us, which was great. By this time, I had had about eight lagers, so I was a little woozy. Stupidly, while talking to Liz, I managed to get onto the conversation of 'us', which is when she had something to tell me. Regardless of being the one who asked me out, she just wants to stay as friends for now. I was fine, appreciating her honest and that's that.
She headed off, we left the pub, then we went back to campus, opened one of my bottles of whiskey and had it at Martin's with everyone. I am so surprised I didn't get upset, angry, aggressive or all of the above. But I behaved, thank fuck.
So apart from that last bit, a great birthday..... and a great weekend! I have been very tired and fragile today!