Music. See to the right for examples24 hours of travelling covering approximately 1,800 kms was totally worth it. It was my great fortune to travel with the infamous The Others band on their extensive tour of Germany encompassing the beautiful cities of Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin and Munich. We were indeed lucky to have Uli Fisseler as our tour manager. His efficient skills in totally supporting the boys allowed them to be at total ease. Not to mention the perfect driving in the 24 hours that the wheels rolled. He entertained us with tales of his 25 years experience in the business. He has worked with a huge number of artists including one of my favourites, Dr Feelgood. I had a tear in my eye when he told me that he had gone to the funeral of Lee Brilleaux in Leigh-on-SeaIt was not a tour without problems. I supposed the first could be compared to riding a donkey over the Grand National fences. Due to passport problems, Johnny had been unable to make it. Many bands would have cancelled. I realised that first day of the tour in Cologne how professional The Others had become. They had 4 hours to rehearse a new bassist into the equation. But who could play the bass? I had known Mid, the guitar technician, for a while and I knew that he played the guitar…sort of (joke, Mid ;o)) But was he a Noel Redding? Under careful instruction, a 30 minute set was born. That first gig set the standard to a dirty, raw German sound which the crowds luved. I won’t bore you with intricate details. The biggest crowd of about 600 was in Berlin, the gig being broadcast nationally on Radio Eins. Back stage was always fun and friendly with plenty of beers going down the hatch. The nature of the tour was such that it didn’t feel that any band was the support. There was just an order. The Others, The Wombats, The Hedrons and The Pigeon Detectives will be huge bands that will do the whole sceneOf the music, the album, ‘One More Won’t Kill Us’ by The Hedrons on 10 plays is ace, my favourite track being ‘Be My Friend’ (remember Rosie ;o)The new album by The Wombats released in June (I think) will be immenseThe Pigeon Detectives produced a great set in Berlin which showed they are on to a winnerInward Parts by The Others remains my favourite album. Everyone I know who has given it a chance has luved itWith immense thanks for the company ofDom, Martin, Jimmy and Mid (The Others in Germany)Sally OthersRosie, Soup, Tippi and Chi (The Hedrons)Frank (tour manager of The Hedrons)Murph, Tord and Dan (The Wombats)Jimmi (The only Pigeon Detective I chatted with)Uli (The best tour manager you can have)Bernie (The happiest tour promoter )All the sound, lighting, promoting, radio, journalists and catering peopleWith special thanks to Tord for his dirty-bass rendition of Desolate in Munich which had me gob smackedThe Others next gig is at The Redbridge Green Fair: www.rgf.org.uk .I run the band tent. I hope you can all come. It’s free for starters ;o)Here are 276 photies of the tour. I tried to arrange them as best as I could but Yahoo uploads them in a strange way. If you reproduce any, please register and state where they are being used, maybe quoting the website address. Thanks(view slideshow is best)http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/joynson9/album?.dir=/3 b53scd&.view=t
My future wife. John Lydon. All people who don't have hang ups about things
The Others, The Wombats, The Hedrons, Joy Division, The Beatles, Sex Pistols, Joe Jackson Band (early), Buzzcocks, Magazine, The Jam, Dead 60s, The Coral, Generation X, The Damned (early), Arctic Monkeys, Adam Ant (early) The Doors, The Bluetones, Live Stax, Dr. Feelgood, Wilko Johnson, Steve Hooker, Eddie and The Hot Rods, The Kinks, Rezillos, The Ruts, PIL, Cat Claws, The Rifles, The Dude and about a million more
The Loved One, The Intelligence Men, Apocalypta, horror, twist films
Bilko, Mission Impossible tv series, The Invaders, Black Adder, Car 54, The Munsters, Life on Mars, Invasion, The Young Ones, Gerry Anderson stuff
1984. Music biographies and quotations
Jim Morrison, John Lennon, John Lydon, Wilko