Wild Winter Part 1 of 3.
Three back to back gigs leading up to Christmas and the first one kicks off with a revisited trip to the one and only Giffard in Wolverhampton.
My alarm woke me at 04.50 as I needed to get ready and load my gear and then head off to work. I generally don’t like working on gig days. But hey ho. The reason.. I really do enjoy the trip to the venue with the other members of the band. It’s always an adventure and good fun singing along to songs or just having some nutty banter back and forth.
But today I would finish work at 16.30 and then head straight to the venue on my own.
As it was, it wasn’t a bad trip down and I kinda knew where I was going after being here for the first time only a few months back.
I reversed up the dead end road and squeezed my car into a space.
It seemed I was the first here. So I unloaded my car and headed in to the venue with my guitar and amp.
I was met with the smiley faces of Tanya and Terri and had big hugs from both of them.
The main band were loading onto the stage to start their sound check and by the time I looked round Spice and Grace had arrived. We helped bring their gear up the stairs and we milled about for a bit.
I decided while there wasn’t much to do, so I would downstairs for a bit just to soak up some of the atmosphere. I really do like this place as I said before in a older blog. It just reminds me of places I used to hang a few years ago in previous bands. There still is some good rock pubs about but they are getting less and less.
So I ordered a cider and just sat there for 10 mins.
I then headed back up stairs and Spice had already set up his cymbal stands.
The main band were still sound checking but it was ok as it was 18.30, doors open at 19.30pm and we had over a hour before we were due on at 19.45
Another ten minutes went by, Kings of Lies finished with their sound check and we then started loading onto the stage.
We started to set up and we were told we had to go on at 19.30. This was a surprise to us all as we had been informed our start time was 19.45. I had a conversation with the promoter to discuss why it had been brought forward. As always we keep things professional here on the website and.. Well, we decided it was, what it was, and I messaged a few people to say we would be on 15 minutes early.
Our apologies to anyone who didn’t make it down in time and to Steve who only caught our last two songs. We'll make it up to you.
On a lighter note we saw Alan Hodgkins who we met for the first time at the last gig, two weeks back at the Sunflower Lounge supporting the Ramonas.
It was real nice to see him again and we chatted for a while. I later learned after the show he had travelled from Leicester to come down and see us again.
Anyway we hit the stage at the new time of 19.30 and I gotta say we had a blinding set. We have been really pumped for these series of gigs and tonight was no different. In fact we have been on a high since the Ramonas gig.
The sound engineer did an amazing job at giving us such a large sound and it felt amazing.
The vibe was perfect, the energy was perfect and it was a great gig.
I got to give a quick shout out to Tanya, she had a accident with her knee earlier in the week and was in tears just the day before in pain. She messaged the band chat and explained she was in pain, but she wanted to soldier on through the gig. She did sit on the side of the stage for a short time, but she nailed her part and during the set Grace explained to the audience that Tanya had damaged her knee.
Tanya, you were awesome \m/
The sound engineer did also pass a comment on my new amp. He said it sounds so much better than my last amp lol (my old Marshall amp has now retired) Hmmm we never did blow it up..
We finished our set and we pretty much decided to load the cars rather than leave the gear kicking about.
Huge thanks to Steve and Alan for helping us with our gear down the steps and into the cars.
We would normally stick around and support the other bands.
But as Grace had to be up at 4am for work and I had been up since 5am we were all ready to head back home and crash.
I did catch up with Ian from King of Lies outside. We got chatting about promoters and how they wanted to open the door to more venues.
I said I would send over some numbers who have supported us over the last year or so. So look out for them in a town near you. I think it’s always nice to share information. I mean if someone puts us onto a new promoter we are always super grateful.
We were then stood outside the venue chatting and Alan then requested a picture of us all.
I got to admit this picture makes me smile. Thanks Steve for taking it.
I think we are all a little crazy lol.
Alan had also ripped a poster from a wall in the venue earlier that night and asked us to sign it. Which is super humbling. Actually thinking about it, we signed a set list for Phil back in Derby. Actually.. now thinking about it, that would have Jake's signature on it.
Hmmm I might actually get a signed set list for myself lol.
It would be nice to frame and keep for safe keeps I reckon.
Anyway I’m waffling.
Tanya decided she was going to stay and enjoy the rest of the night with her sister and friend. I think she ended up in The Foundry and arrived home gone 2am.
Spice, Grace and Grace’s dad jumped in my car as Grace had parked her car near Sainsbury’s. We had a giggle driving and missing turnings. I think we drove round the block twice. I still don’t know Wolverhampton very well lol.
Then me and Spice headed back home while Grace dropped her dad home, then back home for her and her 4am start.
A wicked night, we had a fantastic show and met with some great people, old and new friends.
Now we look forward to our friends Tinfish and thier Christmas party in Shirley, Birmingham.
See you there,
Until next time,
Keep it Wild
KT x