Well, this guy, Kevin wants to get a grant for a sort of youth recording studio in chapel. Thats not important though. He organised a gig at New Mills school to raise money for the studio and he asked us to play. (Then we had a drink and a twix) Ok pretty cool, a free gig and it was going to be professionally recorded, apparently.
On the 17th we spent all day at school, using excuses like: -
"We have to move all the drums and amps into the hall before lunch,"
To get out of lessons as you do. Anyway a few hours later we waited for a late Kevin to arrive with the PA and recording stuff. We were promised a one or two K rig for the night (one or two K means very powerful PA, thats a good thing) so we were a bit pissed of when he turned up with a 300 watt PA (thats a bad thing). 300 watt was just too small for a room of that size. As we did sound checks i realised that it sounded really crap. The vocals were too loud, there was loads of bass and no drums what so ever. Me being the prick that i am decided to say something to the sound guy. Probably a bad idea but oh well. Eventually we got him to get the levels right and it sounded slightly better. We were unable to mic up the drums or any of the amps because of the PA being so small. Toms mum made us a really cool banner which we hung up on the back curtain and folded over so no one could see what is said.
The first band came on at about 7 ish. I forgot to mention that there were five bands playing and we were headlining. So "Lost Cause" come on and we all go out for say, something to eat. After a lot of eating we came back to catch the end of "Ratsiraka" who were amazing. I think they were by far the best band there, including us. You might not think so. After a painful half an hour of the "Chaps" we realised that we were on next. We ran around looking for our guitars. We had six guitars between three guitar players and we didn't know where most of them were. The "Chaps" play their last song and we head on to the stage, maybe to a crowd of screaming girls i forget. Me and Tom undo our banner to a massive cheer. All ready and full of the live gig buzz once again we start with the fastest version of "Know" you've ever heard. As we went through the set list a bunch of little kids started diving off the stage. Thats a good thing usually but when about 20 kids are on a pretty small stage cramping the band it gets pretty annoying. Anyway we managed to get rid of the kids and we finished Our Souls to cries of play "Wake up" and play "Donut". "Donut" was the next song in the set list but we all hate it. So we played "Wake up" for the crowd. Somewhere along the way, one of Johns recording mics fell onto his kit. The last song once again, and the last ever time we were to play it live was "Hallowed Be Thy Name". I thought we had never played it better. Some didn't think so and it was down to the live recording to find out.
This recording only came to us two days ago. Unfortunatly the levels were once again all wrong and my guitar was far to quiet considering i was playing the solos. So professional my eye is all i can say.
Thanks to all the guys who helped organise the gig and all the bands who played.
"Lost cause", "Death by boarding"," Ratsiraka" and "The Chaps".
Joe
Ever noticed how things have a habit of leaving themselves at Nick's house? 30 minutes into the drive to The Roadhouse, he realised he had forgotten his strap (cheer/ groan). Luckily, we manged to borrow a strap for him.
This was by far the most proffesional gig we have ever played. When we arrived, we could only see the two other support bands sittiing around. We later found out that "Violent Delight" were locked away in the changing room having food brought to them. Anywho, one of them, (VD Tom) came out to chat after a while. Seemed like a nice guy.
So, on to the sound checks. "VD" went first, and the drummer, (who didnt seem to be able to speak english), started complaining about something, but i dont know music so i dont know what it was. As soon as they finished they ran away into their little hidey hole again. (wimps, too scared to stay and watch the competition).
"Lazy Jack" were next. These guys were the nicest band there, and saw through our youngness. After "Lazy Jack" it was us. (yay!) I was more nervous singing in front of two other bands than a room full of people. But it went well, and we even got some applause. I Can't remember what "Isodor" were like, so i wont say.
So, at about 8 people started pouring into the venue. We started to get nervous and exited. "Lazy Jack's" set went pretty well, except for some fat bugger who was drunk and tried to steal their guitar. About two minutes before we went on, Nicks dad showed up with his strap. And then we were on.
From the first note of "Toxic Crusaders" we could tell the gig was going to be good. We had a pit going from the start, thanks to Mill, and the crowd seemed to be enjoying it. Judging from the crowds response, "Mayhem" and "Donut" were the best songs of the night, with "In The Way" coming a close second. Nicks plan of sending the crowd to sleep with our last song didnt work, because the crowd went as crazy to that as they did to the rest!
When we came off stage, (to raptous applause), we were mugged by some people who had never seen us play before and asked to sign autographs. Personally, we all think we got a better response than "VD", but we were told this so dont think us big headed. Definately the best gig we ever played, and we hope to go back there again.
HYdE