Roadie Blog: 2005-06-12

Crazy Days in Milton Keynes, UK

Friday, June 17, 2005

We have two huge headlining shows this weekend in Milton Keynes, UK, both sold out, 65,000 people each day. We have been working non-stop since Tuesday. Tonight is a full dress rehearsal. I will try to post more soon, time permitting.

London, UK - Day Off

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Up around 9. Still chilly here, so I have to wear a jacket, but at least it's not raining. Off to the Starbuck's across the street for a Chai Tea. Unfortunately, no Green Tea Fraps. Walk around the High Street (shopping area) and check out a few camping/outdoor stores. Find a case for my new camera, but I need to change more money to get it, plan on coming back later.

Back to the room for a while. Catch up on some emails and stuff. Then head out for a Thai lunch of Pad Kra Pow (Spicy Chicken with Basil). I tell them to make it hot, and they do!! Very Hot!! Good though. More window shopping, then back to the room again.

I walk into Kensington Gardens / Hyde Park in the afternoon and get a shot outside of the Royal Albert Hall. The park is beautiful in a Central Park kinda way, lots of squirrels, kids, dogs, pigeons, etc.

On the Bus - Austria to UK

Monday, June 13, 2005

Long Drive day today on the bus. We set off at 1am and finally arrive at 9:45pm. Wow, almost 21 hours!! Spent most of the time reading, a little on the computer, and some sleeping. I find out the reason it took so long is the German Immigration searched all the bags in the bay and on the bus, well at least they didn't wake us up. We take the Chunnel (Eurostar Train) and arrive in the UK in 30mins or so from France. Beats the ferry as we're already 20 miles inland when we disembark.

After checking in, up to the room, quick shower and off for a Curry with our English merch guy Joff, also Hans and Brenda. Luckily it's directly across the street. I get the Chicken Tikka Masala, which is now the offical National Dish of England. Who knew? It is delicious and expensive. Now that we're in the UK the dollar sucks really bad, pretty much $2 to a Pound. Prices in pounds are about what we pay in the States, but double in dollars because of the exchange. Gotta watch my money.

Off to the pub after dinner, as no one is tired from sleeping all day. Finally pack it in around 1am, after switching to the hotel bar, as pubs in the UK close at 11pm. Find some motorcycle racing on the tele, Speedway Grand Prix, watch that till I fall asleep.

Novarock Festival - Middle of Nowhere Austria

Sunday, June 12, 2005

At the Novarock Festival in Austria today after a 12hr bus ride from Italy. Festival is in the middle of a field somewhere in Austria near the Hungarian border. My friends Bob and Aron where here already this week, as this is the last day of a 4 day festival. We are the headliner tonight.

For being out in the middle of a field this festival isn't bad. WiFi and showers, as well as decent Euro catering. EDIT: Make that INDECENT Euro catering, as the serve the exact same thing for lunch and dinner. EXACT. Our wardrobe girl said she was here for 4 days once and they did it everyday. Geeez.

First band doesn't go on till 5pm, so not much to do today. I uploaded all my pics from Bologna, click on the Flickr link on the right to see them.

Aftershow tonight we have a 750 mile drive to London, that's a 15+ hour drive plus a ferry ride. Ouch!! Well, at least we have some time off in London, hopefully.