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Sad or what? It's my birthday, and I'm sitting here doing this. Still, you're only 32 once. Which is what I was on this day 17 years ago. So, that makes me 53. History=not strong point.
Back to work... Started again at Guildford, hot, my mum and sheep woman present, plus various saucepans, friends, etc. Back home, packed to start European tour, which was prefaced by rescheduled Oxford show, everything fine, gig OK. Woke up on bus next morning. Rick comes down and shows this claw like thing which used to be his left hand, and announces that he can't move it. Crikey! Flipping heck! Drat! Two or three specialists later, we discover he's slept incredibly awkwardly, and in a kind of freak situation has crushed a nerve in his arm. Cue one totally pissed off Reverend Rock Parfait, followed by rest of band, plus of course the inevitable question, will it get better. Yes, but completely in it's own time is the answer. So, hurry up and stop. All back home next day. On behalf of the band, we would like to apologise to all of you who had tickets for shows we're not going to redo, like Carlisle, it was as you sometimes read, due to 'circumstances beyond our control'. Specially to those of you that had booked time off work, or traveled to see concerts which didn't happen. It turned out that Oxford was in fact the swansong of one Mr. P. Hirsh, rabbi of this parish. On behalf of Quo, we'd like to thank him in a big way for stepping into the breach the way he did at such short notice, and doing such a brilliant job until Andrew came back. Such a funny man and great guy, I'll never look at food the same way again, after watching him molesting it! As luck would have it, we didn't have vast amounts of touring lined up when the Curse of the Claw came amongst us, (so to speak), because the project that has now been finished called Heavy Traffic was due to start after the rescheduled gigs. So, as Rick's hand began to improve, we started the album, albeit quite slowly at first, then picked up apace as the weeks went by... I can tell you, without giving away too much, that it's all been written by different band members and Bob, who as you know has written various bits. We do have one song not written by us, but it's an original. Anyway, that's your lot on the record for now, can't give too much away yet, as it won't be out for a while. 
Back on the road, after 4 months off, seemed like a very long time, plus the welcome return of the Man from Barnes. He's really had a couple of dreadful years, but, as he said, it's time to go back to what he does... What a great vibe to be all together again, though a few pairs of brown strides were in fact purchased at various retail outfits throughout the EU, in readiness for the first show we'd done for nearly 2 and a half years. When we saw the itinerary, Rick was saying, "look at that, what a great way to start, a club in Barcelona". We all agreed, got to the club, nice stage, sold out 1500 gringos and conchitas, lovely weather, uh-oh. Lovely weather = heat. Lights about 5 feet above your head = heat No air conditioning = uh...heat, 1500 people crammed into a room = lots more heat. We left a lot of weight on that stage boys and girls, let me tell you, but all nerves were soon left behind in the struggle to actually live through to the end. Me, I loved it. Class. Which is actually like the clap. You've either got it or you ain't... The Spanish fan is ab fab. Makes a lot of noise, dances around like a nutter, and has such a good time. It's an absolute pleasure to perform to them. Next day, on to Zaragossa, a gig we played in 1991 or 2, not so hot weather wise, and a proper gig. We have a new/old sound person by the way. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mike 'Bunny' Warren, who left us in 1992, but has come back while Andy Taylor takes a break for a while. Better sound and all that, but I preferred the sweat box in Barcelona. Driving in Spain is fantastic, talk about changed. 20 years ago, it was more like being in a horse and cart than a car, the roads are fabola now, but it's the views, you're never far from a stunning vista (isn't that a South African frozen curry manufacturer?) It's rapidly becoming my favourite European country, really love the people, food, lifestyle, weather, and of course that dreadful wine they have there. Oh, and the beer's really piss awful too.. 
After the gig, which as I said before I personally found a little indifferent, it was on to Sala Gares, via a spectacular journey. I would have called it a one horse town, but I saw 2 horses with people on them outside a bar, they'd gone for a bev on their horses. Why not? I aglee, (scouse) it's just that you don't get that in Teddington. But it was Saturday. This was a true test of character, tiny stage, couldn't even put the gear in the right way, Matt was on one side of the stage, actually it was a st.. The only way to get on to the st. was through the middle down some stairs, bit like Sunday night at the East Cheam Palladium. Backstage only had tiny chairs, as the staircase was so narrow, you couldn't get anything else up. The OMMORS were less than impressed, gig was brill actually, and whilst they might not admit it, we were fantastic. It's sometimes v. pleasant to just stand and play, so that full concentration on the groove is the main thing. I don't think, even after so long, the OMORRS realise just how good they are at what they do, it doesn't have to be the big rock show all the time, anyway, that's just IMHO (I hate that!!!!) Top, top, totty also, did help. The power was also subject to wild fluctuations, I don't know what that means either... Beautiful small town, really really nice, bandit country so I found out afterwards. 
2000 people appeared from nowhere, great night. On to the bus for a ripper (overnight journey) to Gerona. Off the bus lunchtime, couple of hours before gig, so what did the then 48 year old Rhino do? Went for a swim in the Med of course. Work, work, work...
Gig on an industrial estate, went to a local Restaurant for dinner, I could have stayed all night the food and atmosphere was so good. I LOVE IT HERE!!! Great gig, good to see our friends from the new Spanish fan club, "powered by Quo" What a great name that is... Josef, and all the other people whose names I don't remember (I'm 49 now, y'know) Good to see y'all again, we shall return. Right, it's my birthday again, and as we're in Germany, it is a public holiday. I thought that was going a bit far, but I'm honoured nonetheless. Ciaou ciaou.. Bloke at heart surgeon's funeral, above the casket is a big heart, signifying his occupation. As the casket is being carted off, one of the mourners starts laughing hysterically. "What's so funny?" the person next to him says. "Well", says the mourner, "I've just been thinking about my funeral" "Well why are you laughing then" "I'm a gynecologist" Think about it. More soon... 
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