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Thin Lizzy Tour Blog: Newcastle It's a wonderful sunny morning in Aberdeen today although it is very chilly; kinda like like the weather here in New Jersey presently although it wasn't -10c. After pruning ourselves and loading Lollipop we headed south for Newcastle's City hall. We had had a good show at the Music Hall in Aberdeen last night and were looking forward to the show tonight. Newcastle has always been a good for us and me. Even when I couldn't remember the intro to 'the Prince' back in 02 they were a great. We were looking for a place to have breakfast and came across a Wal-Mart with a cafeteria that was serving breakfast; we all piled out and headed for the food troughs. Thankfully it was well within the budget and we all tucked in.. One thing you learn on the road is that you never know when your next meal may come.. So you stash stuff and grab any food and drink left in the dressing room.. It all sounds a bit caveman like but it's amazing how the hunger suddenly creeps up on you. With Lollipop full of water, soda and beer along with munches and the odd sandwich from previous shows and a full stomach from breakfast we headed for Newcastle.. Nick was driving today and the drive south was very picturesque. We were planning on a 6 hour drive to Newcastle and it all seemed to well until the rains came which slowed us down completely.. We arrived at the show in darkness and heavy rain.. Thankfully the local crew helped us in... We were back to a sitting venue again... I know as kid I used to go to Birmingham Odeon which was a siting venue, however I just can't remember people sitting as much..Maybe it's because we're getting older..Thankfully the young guns and a few die hards reminded us how to rock at a show.. We made our way to the stage and the Lizzy crew were making small adjustments to the stage so we could not get on the stage... I'm not sure which member of the P.A. crew told us; it may have been Stan our FOH (front of house) guy. Some of the American crew were dumb founded as to why we were covering so many Metallica tracks.. The P.A. crew promptly let them know that: 'It's Electric, Helpless and Am I Evil' were all Diamond Head tracks.. It's interesting to note that I have had several heated discussions/arguments here in the US over the authorship of these tracks....But I'm digressing from the show. Once again Jason would be selling Merch for us and that we had to remain quiet about it because his boss may be around.. Anyway he had no change for his float and the venue was not co-operating with him and he looked really stressed.. thankfully we came to the rescue with notes and coins for him... With this simply gesture our relationship took a 180 degree turn. He started to hang with the band and even watched a couple of the shows.. and yes our merch sales shot up when he was allowed to sell merch opposed to the venue concessions people who were obviously concentrating on the Thin Lizzy merchandise. Again we arranged to eat after the show and we made plans to leave a.s.a.p after eating due to the long drive back to the Midlands The lurgy was starting to take a strong hold on the crew and members of Thin Lizzy. Tommy Aldridge was feeling pretty rough, the canteen staff were not feeling well and members of both lighting and PA crews looked somewhat green. I was hoping not to get the lurgy as I seem to suffer with severe chest infections if I get a cold and I can't shake it.. I had a horrible time with serious illness on the Megadeth tour as some of you will remember. Any way I was holding up and thankfully everybody in the band was also. Well, we stormed into our set and were given a rapturous welcome by the Newcastle crowd. Nick commented on the last time we were in Newcastle.. a Club venue called 'Trillions' this received a great raw from the crowd.. Again it's clichéd but when an audience is send so much energy at you you can't help but send it back. At every show we were attacking the set with such fervor that you would had to have been dead on your feet not to have seen the amount of electricity and energy coming of the stage.. The crowd saw and heard it. And the crowd sent it right back...Thanks. The drive home was along one and we were feeling somewhat drained I was at the helm of Lollipop and Andrew was co-piloting. After dropping Andrew off in Chesterfield I dropped NIck and Abbz. Brian drove me to Mom's house and finally dropped Eddie off before returning with Lollipop to Port Tatler. A good three day run for us all... Look out Sheffield here we come.. Peace from DHQ Karl |