Day 14 - Bristol, Thekla:

I did not want to get out of bed. It was very, very, very cold, and we 
were playing on a boat. In addition to this, the load in was difficult, 
involving moving all of our gear around the periphery of a car park, and 
then eventually down a large flight of stairs. It can be horrible, but 
if you just get on with it, and have an upbeat approach, it's over so 
quickly, and you've done a work out......all good.................. in 
theory. It wasn't until the next day when my arms and back ached that I 
realised how horrible the load in was!

I have never in my life played on a boat, and this was a very quirky 
venue. The live room and bar was far bigger than I expected, and the rest 
of the public areas and bars on the vessel were great. It made a nice 
change that's for sure. 

As the day progressed, and we started rigging up our lights, and setting 
up our gear, it became apparent that it might be a bit of an unusual gig 
for me. The speaker stack for the main PA system encroached on my side of 
the stage, meaning that if I stood in just the right place, it looked 
like I had a row of speakers instead of a head. It also meant that if I 
wasn't careful during the gig, I would quite easily knock myself out. 
The fun didn't stop their. I also appeared to have the smoke machine 
right next to my feet, thus meaning that on occasion, I would be engulfed 
in dry-ice, unable to see or be seen. Awesome, should be a giggle.

After catching up with my emails, myspace messages etc, I take myself off 
to the hotel room to get showered and generally just try to relax before 
the gig. Sometimes when you are surrounded by people all day everyday, 
it's nice to take a short amount of time on your own. The hotel room 
however was extremely depressing, and stank of old Febreeze, so after 
showering and pretty much flooding the bathroom, instead of hanging 
myself, I decide to head back to the gig.

After a run-in with an extremely unhelpful security guard I manage to 
finally get back onto the bloody boat! I have an access all areas pass, 
and told him I was in the band, and that we were playing in half an 
hour.......he didn't seem to either care or understand. Maybe I'll write 
it in crayon for him next time.

The boat is very packed, and we could sense the anticipation in the room. 
It felt great walking out to such a good reception, and as the set moved 
on, it again, only seemed to get better. I however, had a bit of a 
nightmare towards the end of the set. Just before Animal began, I saw a 
small metal 'washer' land near my feet. Experience informed me that it 
probably came from my guitar strap, and if so, my guitar will fall off my 
shoulders any moment. I do a very quick, but what I considered to be, a 
very thorough check of the straps attachment, and everything seemed fine. 
It wasn't. Typically, I managed to get three quarters of the way through 
the song, and at the point which is my favourite to play, the damn thing 
gives out and comes flying off. Being nothing to do with the England 
cricket team, I catch it before it hits the ground. I then play the rest 
of the song to the front row, crouched down with the guitar on my lap. 

Thankfully Noddy - our ever alert guitar tech, sorts me out with another 
strap before we play 'All The Love In Your Hands'. This is where problem 
number two arises. I have recently altered the way my bass equipment is 
set up. Instead of using my mute pedal to cut the sound, I now have to 
use the button on my amp. This is an easy enough thing to remember, but 
not in the heat of the moment, when your guitar strap has just come 
flying off. Hence, I forget to 'un-mute' my amp. I'm stood there waiting 
for the song to 'kick in' and then thrash out the first note when it does, 
only to hear nothing......OH SH*%!

Never before have I spun around so quickly and hit my mute button. Other 
than that though, everything was great. I generally don't panic if things 
go wrong, I just laugh...it's the best way. If anything, it makes the gig 
a bit more unique.

All in all, it was a fantastic gig, and we just couldn't wait to start 
lifting some disgustingly heavy boxes up stairs again.

Next stop London, for a day off at home.....absolute bliss!!!!!



Day 15 - Day Off, London:

Nothing to report here, just a very chilled out day off at home watching 
movies and stuff with the missus. Oh yeah, my arms and back hurt like 
hell from the load in/out at the Thekla. 



www.lewisslade.com/thirteensenses