www.Higher-on-Maiden.co.uk

[Manic Gers]

HI-ON MAIDEN - SCUNTHORPE & KNARESBOROUGH
13 & 14 April 2007

Once I'd got meself to Quicko's nearest railway station (via a heavy night in Coventry), we were on the road to Scunthorpe. Quicko provided Eloy, Santana, Genesis, Trevor Rabin, and Dream Theater on tape - a great drive. The old sat-nav seemed to be taking us away from the town, but eventually proved itself right and we checked into the hotel (a stone's throw from the venue).



Myself, Big and Quicko had played here a few years before when Speed busted his wrist (too much wanking) and Swifty Mark 1 filled in the bass shoes / wig. A sizeable stage and an impressive light show sorted the look, and our sound was good (if a little loud). The stage set looked 'kin impressive with all the sandbags deployed and amplifiers hidden behind the amazing backdrops.





After a chippy and a classic rock set from the DJ, we wigged up and started onstage. We all played well (despite some more pedal tomfoolery from my indecisive feet!), and I played with me earplugs in for the first time. No ringing in the ears today, absolutely marvellous. A classic comedy moment just before we returned onstage for the encore - just by stage right there was a set of fire doors which, we were told, we could use between main set and encore as a brief escape. What we didn't realise until it was too late was that the doors had no handles, inside or out! And the tape was already rolling!!! Swifty the Second managed to get the doors open just in time and myself and Speed started Number Of The Beast only a few beats later than usual. Classic!

The crowd was small again, which was a bit of a let-down but more or less what I was expecting (we had a similar sized crowd last time at this venue). One bona fide nutter and a few LOUD Maiden fans made the gig that bit more enjoyable - it's a pain in the arse playing to an unresponsive small crowd, so it's good to have some positive reactions. Even if they WERE yelling for songs we'd already played!

Quicko and I went to our beds, and the rest of the lads drove on to Swifty's gaff in Kingston Upon Hull (Smells Like Death). In the morning - after a fine full English - we headed off to Knaresborough. Quicko dived straight into the nearest bookies and I had a wander around. eventually settling in the pub for a pint of Ruddles County and to knock out this blog 'ere.


13:10



(Free coffee refills! What more could a tired guitarist want?)


A twenty minute chat with recently departed band-mate Rob and a wonderful pint of Daleside in my new second-favourite pub in the world (the first being the Whitefriars in Coventry) have added a certain edge to the day. Best not drink too much - we're being filmed tonight! A cheaply made DVD is just what I want - I've currently no record of myself playing live with this band (save a dodgy tape from Loughborough which Big refuses to part with, no matter how many times I've asked!). I ought to keep a clear head for the gig tonight, though one more can't hurt now, can it...?!



The venue is upstairs above some shops, and a quick chat with some locals in the pub has revealed that the sound might be a bit crap but it's a nice venue that has had several acts that we've had at my place of work, The Mick Jagger Centre in Dartford (Hayseed Dixie and The Damned, amongst others). So I'm on the same touring circuit, bringing me that bit closer to home. Given last night's performance I'm confident I'll play well, just have to make sure I watch my feet on the pedals!!!

18:07








(Time And Relative Dimension In...Knaresborough- TARDIK!)

Sat upstairs in the venue at the moment waiting for onstage power to appear. We're all set up...small stage, big room - hope we fill it.


THE NEXT DAY..

The crowd was the best I've had as Dave Hurry (which, in all fairness, isn't saying a lot!) but I thoroughly enjoyed the gig. The cameras were a little off-putting, and there were mistakes left right and centre. Despite that, it was a good laugh, and a decent crowd. After the gig I said me farewells to the rest of the band (it was a year between gigs last time, who knows how long it'll be this time!), then Quicko and I headed off back to Brum. I kipped down at Castle Quicko and am now back in Coventry in the glorious sunshine enjoying fine music and cheap plonk. 'Kin marvellous!
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I don't do mingers. Often.

[Jason]

you should have bummed it at ours!
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I wish I was beer.

[Manic Gers]

I'm not bumming anything of yours...!!!


My personal favourite photo from the weekend...



Speed: "Aaagh! *spooge*"

Swifty: "Er...bollox....where's me pick?"

Manic: "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
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I don't do mingers. Often.

[Wittmann]

Who pissed on speeds leg then?
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[Steel]

speed........
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HARD AS IRON, SHARP AS...