These were truly life defining times and solid and long lasting friendships were made - even with supporters of PNE 😂 You should get back on the horse kid . . following the mission is still a thing 😎 However the freezing hitching has been substituted for trans Atlantic flights and boutique hotel rooms have replaced the sleeping bags laid out in car parks 🤣🤣🤣
What fantastic adventures we had on the road, road sign messages still make me laugh. It was remarkably safe considering how many risks we were taking. I still tell the story of our lift off Norman Whiteside from London to Manchester. He drove his flash car into Hulme, a week later we watched him play for Everton against City, where my love for the greatest team began xx
Lovely stuff Steve. I've just written up a similar piece for a new fanzine type project from the Vive Le Rock people, mainly based on hawking my kit bag around for the first Death Cult tour.
Yes. Those 2023 dates were good. Recaptured that sparseness and anxiety of the sound before it got swamped in rockisms. I'll send you over a copy of the article
What incredible adventures. I would have loved to see The Mission UK and The Sisters of Mercy back in their prime. I did not get to see The Sisters till the early 90's and I saw them twice, in L.A. and a few years later in San Francisco. I saw The Mission UK in 2013, here is my phone video https://youtu.be/NwSE4fk6AK8?si=3J_r91l7wVQ0Jp3y
Did you ever see The Chameleons? One of my all time favs and Mark is an old friend.
Thanks Lori! The Chameleons are my favourite (current) band - seen them over 40 times, starting in 1984 and going to their annual Xmas gig this year. I posted about it recently, so will send the link, also, spoiler alert but doing a Chameleons special soon!
Holy Moly that's incredible! I got to interview him when he released his book around 2010. That was the last time I saw him in Portland when they called the band Chameleons Vox. He has been back a few times but I haven't been out much lately.
I had these similar experiences in the Midwest with REM between 83-87. From St. Louis through and down to Dallas. Over and over again. In a small church, in a big theater, to a huge ass amphitheater. Giving Bill Berry one of my jackets. Probably 15 times in all that time. Going back to Rockville, because love ain’t got a choice.
I love this, Steve, and it reminded me of my own rock and roll travel tales. Between the ages of 16 and 20, I was on the Grateful Dead bus and followed them all across the US. And, in 2006, I designed a poster for the Brian Jonestown Massacre and went on their entire UK and Ireland tour as well as a couple of European dates working merch and selling my poster. I have both stories started. One day, I will finish them and share them on my Substack.
These were truly life defining times and solid and long lasting friendships were made - even with supporters of PNE 😂 You should get back on the horse kid . . following the mission is still a thing 😎 However the freezing hitching has been substituted for trans Atlantic flights and boutique hotel rooms have replaced the sleeping bags laid out in car parks 🤣🤣🤣
Large Faces…all of you…
What fantastic adventures we had on the road, road sign messages still make me laugh. It was remarkably safe considering how many risks we were taking. I still tell the story of our lift off Norman Whiteside from London to Manchester. He drove his flash car into Hulme, a week later we watched him play for Everton against City, where my love for the greatest team began xx
Without leaps of the imagination we lose the excitement of possibilities Steven old son … good memories
Supported Los Fastidios (from Verona) last night - they reckon they play as many as 300 gigs a year … ooof ! 😅
Bloody hell, more than our kid!
Lovely stuff Steve. I've just written up a similar piece for a new fanzine type project from the Vive Le Rock people, mainly based on hawking my kit bag around for the first Death Cult tour.
Cheers, would love to read that. Just missed original DC but last year's dates were sensational
Yes. Those 2023 dates were good. Recaptured that sparseness and anxiety of the sound before it got swamped in rockisms. I'll send you over a copy of the article
The kit bag days. A great post that made me smile.
What incredible adventures. I would have loved to see The Mission UK and The Sisters of Mercy back in their prime. I did not get to see The Sisters till the early 90's and I saw them twice, in L.A. and a few years later in San Francisco. I saw The Mission UK in 2013, here is my phone video https://youtu.be/NwSE4fk6AK8?si=3J_r91l7wVQ0Jp3y
Did you ever see The Chameleons? One of my all time favs and Mark is an old friend.
Thanks Lori! The Chameleons are my favourite (current) band - seen them over 40 times, starting in 1984 and going to their annual Xmas gig this year. I posted about it recently, so will send the link, also, spoiler alert but doing a Chameleons special soon!
Holy Moly that's incredible! I got to interview him when he released his book around 2010. That was the last time I saw him in Portland when they called the band Chameleons Vox. He has been back a few times but I haven't been out much lately.
Still great, aren't they? And the book is an epic!
It was sad when the drummer passed away although he and Mark did not get along well..
https://open.substack.com/pub/mymusicalchairs/p/musical-chairs-03c?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=ldbun
I used to get about a bit for gigs and raves but that is mental!
Brilliant
Makes me almost go back touring 😁. You’ll meet a bunch of people, some weird, some lovely but mostly very dedicated people. It’s been a blast !
I had these similar experiences in the Midwest with REM between 83-87. From St. Louis through and down to Dallas. Over and over again. In a small church, in a big theater, to a huge ass amphitheater. Giving Bill Berry one of my jackets. Probably 15 times in all that time. Going back to Rockville, because love ain’t got a choice.
In fact, 37 years ago tonight was one of those shows. With The DBs in KC, MO.
I love this, Steve, and it reminded me of my own rock and roll travel tales. Between the ages of 16 and 20, I was on the Grateful Dead bus and followed them all across the US. And, in 2006, I designed a poster for the Brian Jonestown Massacre and went on their entire UK and Ireland tour as well as a couple of European dates working merch and selling my poster. I have both stories started. One day, I will finish them and share them on my Substack.
Fab times meeting fab people..
I was with you at the UEA :)
That was a wild gig!
Kid/mate, the best of times, indeed. Too many memories to share but those that know, know 👊
Kid/mate, the best of times, indeed. Too many memories to share but those that know, know 👊