This past February we had our first adventure up country. It was
fantastic but we were crammed into a blue combi from Cape Town to
Joburg for 19 hours. Now, this past Easter, just as finger-shaped
bruises on throats start to fade, we jumped into 3 cars with our
friends Verona Walls for a 2 date mini-tour up the East coast, dodging
kamikaze truck drivers and stuffing ourselves with Dagwood burgers
along the way.
Simon and I had flu and our conditions were temporarily worsened by
our arrival in East London. The place is nice enough but one cannot
help feeling like someone is walking over your grave. Even Steve, who
was born there, had no explanation for this curious atmosphere. Due to
the Easter time-warp and roadblocks afflicting our national roads we
had missed sound check.
Our first show was at the Art Theatre Club we shared a bill with a
number of local metal bands (whose names have escape us all it seems,
very sorry) and Horse The Band from the U.S. We arrived in time to
catch the first bands. One guitarist had the uncanny ability to sound
like the death phone ring tones from Metalocalypse. Us, Verona Walls
and Horse The Band played well amid technical difficulties and dealt
in our own ways with some who didn't know what to make of the
'not-metal'.
Not feeling well afterwards, I passed out almost immediately at our
backpackers while the rest made merry into the early hours. I woke up
the next morning feeling sickly and tender. I must have had one
Dagwood too many. We soon said fair well to East London.
Hours and hours later, we arrived at the doorstep of Cameron, owner of
Jester's, the next venue. Cameron kindly let us stay the night in his
big home. He's a fantastic host and great guy.
Jesters is awesome (great selection of potent shooters). Nearby i was
amused to see a club called Dagwood. While Dear Martyr very capably warmed
the crowd, Verona were preparing themselves for their performance by
sampling said shooters, pacing and crawling on the floor. Their set,
including a guest appearance by Simon, was so tight and full of energy
I was gobsmacked. Riding the wave they created, we played well. Marne
(Verona guitarist) joined us on stage for his favourite song
'Restriction'. He took photos sang and mooned the crowd. Speaking of
the crowd, we were surprised by their warm response. P.E really seems
to be full of friendly people. I hope to be back there soon.
After the show the partying started. Memorable moments include:
-A stop off at an Engen where Marne attempted to steal a Debonair's
Pizza delivery scooter.
-A terrible collision involving me, a shoe, a crying, one-legged
homeless man, an Engen bathroom and it's colourful contents.
-Much time spent beer funneling and absinthe lighting.
-Steve cling-wrapping a sleeping Adam's legs together.
At some point most of us passed out, have exhausted our quaffs, while
others went off to the beach to freeze their asses off.
Saturday next morning we had breakfast at a diner (I had my last
Dagwood) before heading home.
Arriving back at Kill City that evening, everyone off-loaded gear and
went for an end-of-tour drink at the Shack - except for me. I was
barefoot ever since the Engen bathroom incident and I managed to cut
both my feet open stepping on glass on the pavement outside Mercury. I
went home - barefoot and beerless, though ready to do it all over
again.
Much love,
Nic
