Back in the Old GDR

After a 7 hour drive across the country, we arrive at the club in Dresden. Since the original gig had been cancelled (like so many others), this was a fill-in gig. Grateful to play, and in need of cash, we drove this far east even tho we had to drive back to Aachen in the west the next day. Once again, we played at a club that was completely inappropriate for us. It was a hardcore punk club, with most everyone sporting mohawks, spiked collars and jackets, and complete inebriation.

Now at this point, we're all really drained, but still eager to play. I have a really bad cold, Jerry is getting over his, Noli's voice is questionable every day...Travis is actually looking good (bastard). We played the show, and it was solid. It was by far the worst piece of crap drumset I've ever played, but somehow we managed to rock. Some of the punks had been harassing us onstage as we were setting up, and I was afraid they'd get nasty if they didn't like the show, but they all stood there captivated as we ran thru an abbreviated set. Even tho we weren't playing their type of music, I think the fact that the band is really tight right now, and Noli is a spectacular performer, they couldn't help but enjoy themselves. After the show, a couple of kids interviewed Noli for their fanzine, and Travis and I hung out with Conny, who we had met at the hostel in Dresden last week. It turns out we had no lodging (Marc strikes again - or fails to), and it was quite a scramble at the end of the night to get situated.

So the pattern was once again followed: drive, arrive, stand around confused for a few hours and drink a few beers, get someone to translate what the fuck is going on, try to avoid the resentful stares from the locals, chat with the friendlies, eat whatever the club has prepared, wait nervously for our slot and wonder if we'll make it out alive if they don't like the show, play a slamming show, relax with the locals who are now a bit more accepting, stay too late, find a place to sleep, stumble around town trying to find something to eat, get about 4 hours of shut eye, get up and do it agan. Rock 'n roll.

Two more shows, which have been scheduled all along, so they should be more of what we were expecting.

Until then,
Shambo