Why? I hear you say.
Because Spiny Norman, top Welsh covers band, was invited out there to take part in the first Big Jam weekend in the Tunnel Rock Bar.
To be honest, Delbut was a little negative about it to start with. (Only because we had to fly out at 10pm and, having to stop in Istanbul, Turkey to re-wind the elastic band that was the engine, before flying on to Ercan airport landing at 5am.) but that soon lifted when we got through customs with guitars in tact and Delbut had his first fag in 7 hours.
Taxi to the hotel was waiting for us and we get there in time for breakfast. A quick kip and off to the tunnel bar at 3pm for a sound check. This is where we started to think we were a little out of our depth. Massive P.A (anything over 600w is huge for us) good equipment, big stage and in a line-up with musicians that know their stuff.
(Spiny and Red Raw conceal the fact that 12 televisions have been thrown into the pool. how childish).
Which brings me to the other bands on the bill. We flew over with a great Scottish band, Red Raw who, to be honest, had an even longer trip to get there than we did, a local blues band whose name escapes me, and resident band. Funky Monkey. Top, top band made up of a Welshman, Scot, Cypriot and Turkish musicians. These guys seriously kick arse and were also the promoters of the event.
First thing we had to do was to sink a couple of lagers, which we begrudgingly did, do the sound check From here on, it got a little surreal, to say the least. Big Al, (bass/vocal) trotted off to do an interview for Cypriot radio. What? Then, during lunch, we were told we had to Turkish TV. interviews. What the fuck?
Apparently, this was a big thing for Northern Cyprus, who have not had too many travelling bands call in. Stupidly, Delbut volunteered along with Egg (guitar) to do it. Even more stupidly, I suggested that to make the most of this one time opportunity, we must elect a word that we had to sneak into the interview. Egg gave me “pineapple”. Never playing this game before, I gave Egg “transit van” and “bread”. Which, on reflection was rather too easy!
(Egg talks bollocks to a t.v man from turkey).
Anyway, apparently, Spiny Norman will be playing at the world-famous Pineapple festival in Birmingham in the summer, and Egg enjoyed breaking bread with some good people and is looking forward to chucking the gear in the back of a transit van and touring the world.
Friday’s gig.
Spiny Norman became the first western band to officially play on Cypriot soil. We were second on and already sunk enough of Jonnie's Tequila to fill a bass drum. But it went well. No, it went spiffingly well.
Red Raw was on next and they were absolutely fab. A great band but better than that, a great bunch of guys.
Ok. With a collective sigh of relief, we then watched Funky Monkey. I’ve seen a lot of covers bands in my time but these guys are a cut above. And gorgeous Anna on guest vocal added a bit of glamour.
(Um, what chord is it?)
Saturday.
Probably got to bed about 4am. I was up at 8am. Ears ringing from last night, I needed food. Eventually, when everyone got up, Spiny and Red Raw were on a mission for an English breakfast. We found Molly’s. The best brekkie ever. It was here that we decided on the plan for the day. Andy (guitar/vocals) and Al had to go do a radio interview. Ok, what word must Andy get in?
To be fair we were democratic about it. Give me a number, says Delbut. 48 says, Al. K, turn to page 48 of yesterdays Times. Number from 1-3. 3, says Al. K. Number from 1 –8. 8. K. Any number up to 20.- 10 he says. Cool. Stamford Bridge. (football stadium). Apparently, we have a secret 5th member of the band. Suffering with snow blindness. Stamford couldn’t be with us on this trip but we wished him all the best.
The gig on Saturday was again great fun. More people there and a great atmos.
(The fab Anna does her Mel C impersonation).
Sunday was a day off and we flew back on Monday.
We have been invited back to play in July at Big Jam 2, which promises to be as good but with even more tequila. Where will all this jet setting end? Apart from the newly-invented Pineapple festival …and a wedding to play?
