Part 3: Back To Fax

Disaster strikes! Well it has in a way, my F****** laptop is F****** F***** ....it got dropped, and doesn't want to be my friend anymore. The screen has gone, (see pic), and that's why this log is late, cos I had to wait until I got home to get my stuff off of it, which included part two of my Oz-log. So this part (part 3) was written by hand and sent in by fax (see other pic) and I've got to get another laptop. It's really weird writing by hand again instead of using the old Word 97, good though because if you are like me and cannot be bothered to keep changing what you have written it is there cast in stone for ever more (cont. page 94). We're flying from Adelaide to Perth at present over most amazing coastline and tomorrow's the last show (in Perth). We each of us like to get home but this tour is going to be a real wrench. I find myself a bit of a stranger when I phone the family. It's going to take a while to be dad and hubbie when I get there but at the same time I can't wait. I think I'll just finish Townsville, sooo... We almost didn't play in Brisbane, there was the most amazing thunderstorm at about 6.30pm, apparently it wasn't that bad by local standards but I've never seen anything like it, all of a sudden the electricy went, power cables had been hit or something, it got fixed but only just about. The voltage was up and down like a toilet seat at a mixed party. Huge meet and greet - about 100 peeps - chance to grab a couple of glasses of vino before the gig and have a bunny. The Aussies are pretty gregarious, so it's easy to talk to them, one other thing... I am repeating myself but how come there are so many f*** off good bands over here, I'll tell you why... they can do gigs! It is so hard for a band in the U.K. to get a gig, let alone one where they get paid. For instance, my two Rhino's Revenge gigs cost me about £2,000, I did it properly and all that, but most people can't afford that kind of dough. In Oz,I'm told it's dying (the live music circuit) but you could have fooled me. Outback Hippies, our opening act were a great band, nice people - how far are they going to get?? I dunno, there's lots of competition. Great Billy in Brisbane, one bloke kept shouting "Where's Alan", I thought - exactly... Biggest audience so far, good atmosphere and I didn't fall over! Had to say ta-ta to some new friends Neil and Veronica and Rowan and his lovely missus, Seeyez! Gave someone a handy hint by the way, you know Listerine? not the mint, the original flavour. In a quiet intimate moment with a loved one, take a swig from a fresh bottle, warm up your mouth till it's almost in flames and then apply yourself to where you think needs hotting up... Works for boys and girls, don't be shy now, ring of confidence? Sorry it is 14.05 local, I wasn't going to drink today, but I've alrady drunk a bottle of wine. Whey hey! Next gig, I just realised I already did Brisbane in Part 2, what the heck, here it is again. Brisbane - great gig, meet and greet (continued page 94). Running a bit short of paper here, so I'll go straight to Melbourne, my favourite city in Australia. Not long enough there (no pun intended) but a great walking town, more laid-back than Sydney, but still very cosmopolitan, Rod Laver Arena, met Jeff Goldstein, the only person who had the faith to bring us over in 1997, he is a top geezer. You Oz fans, if it wasn't for him, this latest trip would have been the first tour in 23 years. I'm not digressing of course, it was also time to say Bye to Dennis and Mia, Denise and David Catteral,of our Ad company and Hotel chain, Saville Suites and a big High 5 to Hayley from Quantas, great meeting you all. Also did some of Junior's Wailing - my favourite show so far. Lots and lots of top,top,totty, Rick is still having murders with his sound balance, but you got to crack on and rock on, someone said I looked about 24 on stage, only cost me $200 ... We've also done quite a few in store appearances, nice to meet your public, Frame and Rick are always moaning about doing them, largely 'cos it means getting up early, but they really enjoy themselves once we get there. You really are a nice lot, you know. We get some funny things to sign, like tits and bums, but the strangest was a bloke in Adelaide who wanted us to sign an AC/DC album, and a jacket covered with AC/DC stickers. Shome mishtake shurely.... Right, I'm pissed and crashing out, I mean it's 2.40 in the afternoon, I know you'll understand. I'll finish this log when I'm back on the UK tour, my wrist hurts from all this writing (shut up there in the back row!) Later ya'll,

All photos on this page were taken at Brisbane by Dave Coulson © 2000

To the UK 2000 Tourlog: Part one    Part two     Part three     Part four     Part five

To the Oz 2000 Tourlog: Part one    Part two    Part four