“See these bandages? THIS AIN’T FUN!”

So I saw Seasick Steve last night. I now consider him a god. He is a truly charismatic man, who is very kind to his fans and an excellent showman. But before I properly get to that, I’m going to bore you with everything else I did. Hey, it’s my blog, I can do what I like.

Also, I did not take my camera. That was a stupid thing to do. Eh. I'll try and get a small camera for such occasions. For now, you just get my ramblings.

So we arrived at the Komedia about eight thirty ish after having an excellent (and expensive) dinner. After getting in, I made a beeline for the merch stand. I got myself a limited edition print (number 60 of 60) of the ad poster, and a T shirt. All in all, £25. That is very very good. When FourEyes went to the Lostprophets, they charged 40 quid a hoody. That is very very bad. Anyway, back to the gig.

First came up the support act, The Gemma Ray Ritual. They were good. I mean, serious, end of tour good. Yeah. The band consisted of Lead Singer (I think she is the Gemma)/ guitarist. It was a little surreal, seeing a woman in a blue sundress playing hardcore rock on a bashed up black Tele. But awesome. Then there was the guitarist. Boy, did he have presence. I mean, there was the hot girl up front, but this guy was completely out of control! He was fucking sliding everywhere on his boots, falling to his knees during really intense passages, spinning around. Basically, making up for all the movement the singer couldn’t do because of the mic position. He also had the most awesome beat up sunburst Tele. Then there was the Drummer. Boy, was he HAPPY! He was smiling the whole time, obviously having a blast, and it showed with the crowd (Well, those who were listening. Support bands never get the attention they deserve. THESE GUYS WERE AWESOME, YOU DUMBASSES!). Then there was the bassist. He had an alpine white Thunderbird. Need I say more?

Anyway, these guys were really awesome. And LOUD! After just two songs, my hearing started to go fuzzy round the edges. God, they were good. I recommend them to anybody who likes indie rock that really rocks out when it wants to. Winkwinknudgenudge Stargirl.

http://www.myspace.com/gemmarayritual

Alrighty. After a spectacularly dramatic ending to their set (guitar thrown at amp for feedback anybody?), there was a short interlude as they demolished their gear. Now, this will be nothing new to anybody who’s ever been to a gig before. But I haven’t. So I thought it was cool.

Then Seasick started, out of nowhere. Literally. The music began, and he wasn’t in his chair. So everybody got confused. Then I realised why there was a wireless transmitter on one chair – he was coming through the crowd. True enough, he entered, walking through the crowd on the left hand side and up to his chair.

This man is a god.

I say that a lot. But this time it’s actually true. He is such an excellent musician. The tunes are awesome, and he interacts with the crowd wonderfully. He has CHARISMA. Take this for example:

Drunk dude: “Unintelligible Scottish swearing”

Guy near front: “Oh, that means – um – ‘Play us another song, oh wise man’.”

Drunk dude: “More unintelligible Scottish swearing”

Seasick: “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood tonight son, ‘cause I ain’t gonna be throwing no bottle at you right now”

Everybody laughs

…That guy is awesome when it comes to hecklers.

During the first song after his intro, he plays half a bar and then stops. He looks down, looks at the guitar, then looks at us.

“Aw, now I just gone broke a string!”

This was absolutely hilarious. The whole crowd (500 odd people) laughed. It was truly awesome. So we got see his guitar tech (who is also the first DJ to play him in England) take it away and change the string within two minutes. That is what guitar techs are for, I say.

Anyhoo, he continued on with an EXCELLENT set using the Three String Trance Wonder (“This guitar is the biggest piece of shit in the whole universe, I swear”) an his two other…things. Then he asks all the girls in the audience to “come on down to the front” cause he “don’t wanna see anymore of the ugly old guys (I see one everyday in the mirror)”. Sure enough, there was an influx of girls to the front. Including one who didn’t move at all. No emotion. Just sorta stood there, pouting. That shit just ain’t right.

Unfortunately, there was a little part near the end of the set when a bunch of Frontline Soldiers came down, dressed in full Seasick uniform (denim overalls). If you’re reading this (which I seriously, seriously doubt) then you guys SUCK ASS. You may love Seasick (too much), but that doesn’t give you the right to shove all the way up front. That ain’t right. Also, one of them looked EXACTLY like one of the Hitler Youth. EXACTLY. I’m not even kidding. He had the whole Ayran thing going on, as well as slicked back hair to make him look even MORE like a Nazi supersoldier. That was some freaky ass shit right there.

After his encore (playing Dog House Boogie) he came out to sign stuff.

Now this is where it gets interesting.

Now I got myself a SIGNED limited edition print. Yes people, I now own some awesome merch. I yam more awesome than you!

Anyway, I am now very tired (I am typing this at 2AM, with the gig ending about two hours ago.), so I am going to wrap this up. But not before saying that I shook his hand twice.

…Yes I am that much of a fanboy. Leave me alone.

I was instantly reminded of this comic from Questionable Content. Thankfully, there was only one fashion whore (but a whole loada Frontline Soldiers). Check it out.
http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=16

In (semi) related news, FourEyes got a stroke from the lead singer of The Gemma Ray Ritual. There. I said it. Now he'll stop hassling me about it. But he won't stop talking about it. Bastard.


Sraen Out.


P.S. Don't kill me Stargirl, please!