VITORIA-GASTEIZ 9/1
One of your mellower Big Star shows, I think the crowds of Spain are mellowing, based on the two shows I played this weekend. I think both the Big Star show and the Posies show were played, and both crowds were incredibly calm. The Neurotica-era Redd Kross lineup were triumphant, absolutely top class. Steve McDonald’s soft-shoe, soul-man stage moves are very hot! And Roy McDonald--fergit it. He is, I think, the perfect fit. The other vintage punks, the Misfits, were less inspiring I’m afraid. It seemed at any one time they were all playing different songs, and singing in yet another key. 2/3 of the band was actually vintage Black Flag, meaning, they should have just made Jerry Only play Chuck’s parts be the Rollins-style side of beef that he is. I missed the Young Fresh Fellows’ set, but I’m sure it was genius. Having them around is like having 4 very intelligent puppies that like to drink whiskey—constantly wiggling, making jokes, and commanding your attention and affection, all while pounding the beer and Marker’s Mark, in the most jubilant way. It was nice to get some Seattle news as well. As for Big Star, we played well--I’m not sure very many people new our songs, and they sure as hell don’t know Patty Girl, but we did our thing. Alex was as healthy and cheerful as I’ve seen him in years. Thanks to Luis for the tennis! And the coffee liqueur, which I donated to the Posies rider the next night.
ALAQUAS 9/2
I didn’t know when I arrived to this festival that the previous night’s international acts, Super Furry Animals and the Raveonettes both cancelled at the last minute. SFA was doing this small festival, in a dusty (and mostly industrial—putting the dust back in industrial, in fact) suburb of Valencia, as a makeup for canceling the previous year as well. So, I believe they are persona non grata in Alaquas, which they may not give a shit about. Having heard more details than I am at liberty to repeat (it is hearsay after all) I still think of them as pretty uncool after that. I had very compelling reasons to be home (see above) and was needed at home, but couldn’t bring myself to cancel these shows. Knowing what I know now…good move. Not that it was my favorite Posies show or the best show we’ve done in Spain, but, the gesture meant a lot. And of course we made some money, I know my bandmates were happy to get paid (our tours don’t always net much in the end!). The show was kind of sloppy, the audience a bit sedate, but the gear was good and I could hear well onstage, and the environment was well run and friendly. And the hotel was 100 meters away! And I had a 4pm check out the next day! I managed to get some decent rest, having declined the party that engulfed the dressing room after the show, and had the unheard of benefit of a 4pm checkout. I slept til 2.30 in the afternoon, only rising briefly for breakfast just before it finished at 10.30.
In the afternoon I had time to meditate, have a very entertaining lunch of two jamon and manchego sandwiches with a glass of white wine made by the very friendly woman who single-handedly ran the bar and restaurant—this was above and beyond the call, as it well after lunch and long before dinner, but she pitied my plight and took the extra step. I am sure in France this would not have been the case! The cultures have very different views of service. In France, the server assumes a position of authority, almost like a cop patrolling a beat of tables. In Spain, the server assumes a position of importance to the community: having a paternal or maternal pride in the level of quality of life he or she provides the hungry mouths in their care. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and the quality of the French and Spanish table is so high as to make this a petty, hopefully amusing observation…
My extreme gratitude to the Cosmopolitants must be expressed for accommodating my personal need to postpone our recording this month. Indeed they are kind and sweet gentleman all.
I have had other things to ruminate on since getting home other than posting this blog. I did take time out to go see Music Liberation Orchestra with Charlie Haden and Carla Bley last night. It was soothing, inspiring, and subtly defiant. Ah, and I saw Archie Shepp blow horn, sing, and softly play piano as the accompaniment of a frenetic dancer/shouter/uncategorizeable artist, all in a charming and chilly old theatre.
My complete gratitude and love to Dominique and Aden.
Love
KS
Paris
