11 November - Gig@The End (Amsterdam)
Rather than take the Buckmobile from London to Amsterdam, our convoy of misfits opted for the train-ferry-train option. Along with new drummer boy Ali Bones - we were accompanied by Stef "Guns or Knives" Ketteringham and my sister Serena. We set off at the highly un-rock and roll time of 7 am for our 9 hour trek to the Netherlands. Ali Bones discussed his anxiousness and excitement about the coming weekend and we all lapsed into sleep and silliness for much of the journey.
Alice Bones - Buck Brothers' New Drummer
Buck Brothers first played in 'The Dam' in late August of this year. And when we were last there, we made incredibly good friends with Jason, Kevin and Andy from Absinthe. Although we've only known this Welsh-Scottish-Anglo 'Dam based trio for a short period of time - they've become an extended part of our family. This sense of family was apparent as soon as Jason Absinthe greeted us at Central Station with a big Scottish hug. Jase introduced us to his brother Adam (who was visiting from Glasgow) and his Glaswegian accomplice Stuart. Extended family was quite literally being extended, The same sense of warmness, however, wasn't felt when the Mannish Girl of a tram driver forced us off her vehicle when we tried to make our way to the venue. We blamed the "chucking off" episode on Ali Bones' appearance. For a brief moment, the new BB addition actually believed us. Until a cheeky grin from yours truly made him realise otherwise.
Tonight's gig was a warm-up for Saturday evening's show at 'The Winston'. It was also in aid of Kevin Absinthe's birthday. A chilled out affair after a long trek was just what the doctor ordered. Stef "Guns or Knives" Ketteringham kicked off the evening with an absolute blinder of a set. It meant the world to have him with us on this jaunt to Amsterdam. And the intimate audience (including Dan from Jersey/The Halloweenies/Lebatol and Joseph Jesus Coleman) were dead impressed.
An anxious Ali Bones kicked off the start of "Run, Run, Run, Run, Run" and the beginning of Buck Brothers first gig without Jack. It was quite emotional on a lot of levels. We naturally missed Jack (he's a lovely guy and a great musician too). And, naturally, we wanted tonight's gig to be a good one for Ali Bones' sake as well as our own. I'm pleased to say that newbie did us proud. He played with major power and conviction and to quote Stef - Bones hits the drums "likes he gives a fuck". And Stef's right. A good warm up gig. And a great way to introduce Ali to the glories of BB on the road.
Absinthe played a chemically charged set that oozed sleaze and dirt. Kevin, the Birthday boy, was clearly the worse for wear but solidiered on in the spirit of Keef Richards. It was a mellow set in comparison to their performance at the Garage last month. And quite a short one too. I initially thought that the three lads might have been saving themselves for Saturday night's show. Until the drinking and jamming commenced. Adam, Jason's Brother, joined Jason, Andy and myself for some Free covers. 70 per cent Absinthe was consumed in large amounts. Red wine was consumed. And the next thing I knew....it was 5.30 am and Ali Bones and myself were the last men standing at Chateau Jason Shaw. It was good to see our new drummer going the distance. In any case, because Bones was the last one in the Buck Brothers door - it goes without saying that he slept on the floor. :0)
Kevin Absinthe gets floored
And the same thing happened on Saturday night.....but even more so.
12 November - Gig@The Winston (and 'The End' too)
With a ridiculous amount of spirit within us, both of the aloholic and emotional variety, the 3 of us Bucksters made the trek into the centre of town at mid-morning in search of breakfast. It was about 2 minutes into our journey that, as a wind-up, Ali Bones was informed that his services as a drummer were no longer needed in the band. "You are joking aren't you?", replied the slightly nervous skin basher. Per added fuel to the fire with a stern "sorry buddy but it has to be this way". When I said, "we'll still use you for tonight anyway - just because you're here and all" - our new recruit got the idea that we were employing the rather vile form of humour known as sarcasm. Ali came back with "well, I'll just enjoy tonight's last gig with you guys then".
After getting sustinence from the same American diner that we visited the last time we were in "the Dam" - we took in the sights, sounds and smells of the City. We hooked up with our Absinthian brothers prior to sound check for a pre-gig tipple.
*Things I like about Amsterdam No. 1 (in a continuing series)
- The soundman at 'The Winston' bought US drinks prior to soundcheck. Yes, you read that right. He BOUGHT US drinks. "Now that I know the lineup for the evening and what's happening, let me get you some beers".
The venue got nice and packed by the time our friends from MA3 hit the stage. It was brilliant to catch their set once again. All three Bucks had "we think your friend's pretty hot" going through our heads. And all of the MA3 gang are really sweet too. Like Absinthe, we only met them in August but band feel like long standing friends now.
Mr. K and his dyed ginger dreads
Stef "dyes his dreads ginger" Ketteringham was up next. To shut-up a room full of chatting and drinking Netherlanders is no easy task but Mr. Ket did it with his playing. Just him. His voice. And his guitar. He really is that good. And he's a lovely guy too. And a dear, dear friend. So dear, in fact, that I am getting bored about things being easy with him. I've spent loads of time on the road with Mr. Ket. Yet not once have we argued or had a fight. As a result, I spent the entire weekend urging him to "step out with me" so that we could have a "bit of a chat". I reckon he'd flatten me. But that's not the point. Contemplate our respective fighting prowess by visiting his patch of myspace at www.myspace.com/gunsorknives Stef said that he wasn't very pleased with his performance at 'The Winston' due to some guitar problems. In the same way that a great comedian can make an audience laugh even when he/she is feeling down, Stef was able to transfix the venue despite feeling that the gig was a bit iffy. It makes me want to fight him 'that' much more.
Hollering in Holland
We really love Amsterdam and 'The Winston' is a great venue. Since August, we've met many great people that call this fair city their home. As a result - we had the perfect hybrid of an audience; great mates and total strangers. And it was great to see both contingents enjoying themselves. Ali Bones bashed the drums like demonic John Belushi. When I indicated that it was Mr. B's second gig with us during my banter, 'The Winston' gave a massive round of applause. And deservedly so too. I then added - "thanks Ali Bones for playing with us. You're sacked". We enjoyed the gig and it was great to hear people singing and dancing along with us.
Ali Bones in the house.
A few autographs were requested. One person named Patricia, who was really sweet, asked me to write "something nice" on our CD. So, I wrote "something nice" above my name. Peter Sellers did the same. And Mr. Bones got the chance to sign his first BB autograph. And, sadly, his last one too. :0) In all seriousness, a lot of people in the audience were/are big Jack Buck fans and it meant a lot to us to hear their praise of our new recruit. Well done once again Mr. Bones.
Absinthe were on next and started off their set with a Jesus And Mary Chain wall of mighty noise before Jason's wah wah infused riff kicked off their set. It was at this gig that I proclaimed that Andy Absinthe, the band's Welsh drummer, is the Richard Burton of Rock & Roll. They gave a right rocking set and the highlight for me was "It's gone all pear shaped". In the words of Kevin Absinthe - "to all the wasters of the world - God Bless Us". And he means it.
Before setting off to 'The End' for the second gig of the evening, we decided to hang around 'The Winston' for a drink and a dance. While wandering around the venue catching up with friends, I got the chance to meet a number people that knew me (Meeeeeeeeee!) and my "brothers" through our music/website but that I had not had the pleasure of meeting before. It's an awkwardly comfortable experience having a chat with a stranger that knows more about your musical endeavours than you do. "I see that WRIR in Richmond, Virginia have put you guys in their chart and you're up two places in Cleveland". Errr......thanks. My name is Andy.
We met a dynamic duo known as the "2 LouLous" (well, they're not known as that but we simply don't know both of their names) who missed our first set at 'The Winston' but were keen to come along to the second Buck helping at 'The End'. And so they did. So it was 'End or Bust' as we walked down the street with our instruments.....
3 am. 2nd Show. Living the life.
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When we turned up at 'The End' - the venue was packed and rocking to the sounds of an Anglo-Dutch band who were taking no prisoners. Jason Absinthe nodded to me, said something quite affectionate about feeling like brothers, and ordered a massive round of Volcano drinks for virtually everyone in the room. I've never had a Volcano before (it's a flamed up drink containing Baileys, Chocolate Liquer and Sambuca that you have to drink with a straw) and I must admit that it was damn fine to use a Twin Peaks reference.
Stef's set at 'The End' was absolutely brilliant. He had a great crowd of newbies for an audience. Played really well and the sound was as lovely as something awash with loveliness. He used the Buck Brothers' silver Gibson for one of his tracks and the slide-work cut through beautifully. For the first time, I decided to watch Stef's show from the back of the venue. With a PA speaker right behind me, and a crowd separating me from my ginger dreaded partner in crime - I really feel that I had the best bit of floorspace in the house.
Buck Brothers' set went really well. I really, really enjoyed this gig and it was great to have a hybrid of friends and strangers in the audience. Seeing MA3 and the Absinthian extended family in front of us meant the world to us and there were some touching sing-a-long moments too. Our new friends, the two Lou Lous, certainly got into the spirit of the gig too. In short - good stuff.
Absinthe played next. It was probably the most rock and roll set I've seen them do. Raw, Messy and with some members facing the other way - it was the musical version of drunken sex. And, knowing my Absinthian brothers the way that I do, I think they'd be dead chuffed with that reference.
Jam sessions took place for the rest of the night. By 4 am, virtually every combination of jam lineups graced the stage and a good time was had by all. Dancing, drinking, chatting ensued until the venue chucked us out at a few minutes shy of 5 am.
We all returned to Chateau Jase n Gillian and cracked open another bottle of Absinthe.
At about 6.38 am - Alice Bones developed something that would later become his trademark: farting against load supporting walls. He would later repeat this 'trick' on the train back home.
At around 10 am, with no sleep and plenty of hangover - we all ventured to the American Diner and had cure-food before setting off back to the UK.
And we'll be back for more in the 'The Dam' next month. Bring it on.