Chapter Forty-Five The backstage door opened and a disheveled man as tall as he was wide, stepped out. He sported a scraggly beard and his hair looked like he never combed or trimmed it. “Oi, who goes there, friend or foe?” he quipped. Ryan was already at the back of the van opening the doors. …
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Chapter Forty-Four I took the cash box to Ryan. “I made nearly five hundred quid for you blokes tonight, not that you appreciate it.” “Oh, great. Can you bring back the other boxes?” I glared at him. “You’re more than twice my size. You do it!” I went across the room and flopped onto a …
Chapter Forty-Three “I don’t fucking care so piss off!” Keith yelled back. “You better fucking care! This could be our break. You’re spoiling everything.” “Go on,” I said. “I won’t go until you promise you’ll be here when I get back.” I sat up and pushed the hair from my eyes. “I can’t go anywhere …
I picked up the small cello bag, not sure I really saw the small white pills showing through what was obviously marijuana. My heart sank to my feet. Darkness enveloped me. I lost all interest in finding the club and felt like catching the next train back to London. How could Keith be using drugs …
Chapter Forty-One I slept in installments all night, finally getting up around eight. As expected, Keith was still passed out. After taking advantage of the free breakfast, there were two hours before we were leaving. There was time to paint one picture. I wandered a bit before happening upon an art gallery. I seized the …
In the news report above, two reporters try to explain the punk scene versus the new wave music scenes of Seattle in 1981. Although the report was pretty shallow, it also tried to discredit punk the way almost all the media did at the time. The reporters mentioned punk bands liked to use shock tactics …
Chapter Forty I realized it was the Piss Ants’ van as it screeched to a stop inches from the throngs. Ryan rolled down the window. “Get in, quick!” We didn’t argue as Jimmy opened the back door and we dashed in at lightning speed. Ryan hit the horn, stomped on the gas, making the tires …
Chapter Thirty-Nine I woke a sleepy eye and and saw the clock. “La vache! It’s past eleven!” “Blimey,” Keith groaned. “We forgot to set the alarm.” Within seconds, Ryan banged on the door. “You need to turn in your key now or pay another night’s lodging!” “We’re coming!” Keith shouted back. “Don’t get your bollocks …
Chapter Thirty-Eight I was awakened the next morning by Keith’s kisses. “What time is it?” I moaned. “It’s ten,” Keith replied, still kissing me I sat up suddenly. “La vache! They stop serving free breakfast at eleven.” “I’ll buy us breakfast after I find a bank,” Keith said, adding caresses to his kisses. “We can’t …
Chapter Thirty-Seven Keith didn’t stir so I climbed down. Meanwhile Ryan kept pounding. “Get up. We have a ferry to catch!” “I’m up,” I yelled. The banging stopped, so I assumed Ryan was just getting us up. I breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the clock. How could it be six already? I …
Chapter Thirty-Six So much for sleep. It was four a.m. “Since you were involved, you’ll have to talk to them.” “I told you to leave it alone. If you had, then this wouldn’t have happened!” I screamed. “Well it’s too fucking late now, so get dressed. Thank heavens the van’s alarm went off. We’d be …
Chapter Thirty-Four The outside air washed over me and I was able to breathe after the stifling heat and smoke of the club, but it didn’t wash away my anger. I’d be taking a taxi again. I stood in front of the building until one came. “Take me to the Ascott Hotel, please,” I said. …
On September 25, 2011 I witnessed a rare gem of a performer who goes by the name Jonathan Richman. I only saw Jonathan Richman once before. That was in 1993 at the now defunct Backstage Tavern. Last night’s show, at The Tractor, another Ballard neighborhood tavern, was a rare treat. Jonathan Richman came on stage …
Chapter Thirty-Three By the time we hit the motorway, we were an hour late. Ryan drove and insisted we weren’t stopping anywhere. No one complained. They were all semi comatose, obviously hung over. I, however, was starving. I remembered when Keith got me drunk unbeknownst. My stomach felt tied in knots and I had no …
Yesterday, September 21, 2011, legendary rock band REM announced they were calling it quits. As a result, I was asked to write a reflection about REM. Being a fan, I was more than willing to do so. The first song I heard by REM was “Radio Free Europe” back in the spring of 1983. I …
Chapter Thirty-Two We were awakened the next day by pounding on our door. “Wake up. We have to be out in half an hour!” Ryan shouted. He pounded again. “Are you awake?” I sat up. “We’re up,” I yelled, hoping he heard how annoyed I was. I looked at the clock. It was half past …
Chapter Thirty-One I looked up and saw Keith’s father. The shock and horror on Keith’s face was something I’d never seen. “Who the fuck let him in?” “I saw your show. You’re quite a performer although I’m not a fan of the music.” “I don’t fucking care. Get the fuck out of my life!” Keith’s …
Chapter Thirty I looked up and my heart skipped a beat. It was Keith’s father. He had the same raven colored hair, but with flicks of silver and though the room was dim, I could tell he had the same blue eyes. “It’s Brigitte, isn’t it? You don’t know me but . . . ” …
[Update 3/3/2012: In the half year since this was originally posted, Holly has found a photo signed by Ray Davies, upon which he drew a moustache on his face and a copy of the dollar off coupon for “Give the Public What They Want” which was given away at the concert.] [Ed. Note – Shortly …
Chapter Twenty-Nine “This band from Liverpool saw us play there last year and caught our show last night. They asked us to jam at some club across town. Jimmy and Billy are keen and so am I. Apparently they’re as big in Liverpool as we are in London, so this is a fuckin’ honor.” “But …
Chapter Twenty-Eight Keith was comatose on top of the sheets, fully clothed except for his shoes. The smell of beer oozed from every pore as he snored away. Well I won’t stick around. I want to see York, maybe paint a picture or two. I took my time getting ready, hoping Keith might wake so …
Chapter Twenty-Seven I wished we could stay in Scotland longer. But we had another gig in another town. We made it to York in plenty of time and went straight to the club for sound check. I needed an art store. Ryan dug a pass from his faded denim jacket and handed it to me. …
Chapter Twenty-Six Keith woke me in the morning with several kisses. “Wake up, sleepy head. It’s already ten.” I opened one eye. “No, let me sleep. Je pense J’ai la crève.” I wasn’t kidding. I ached everywhere and my face felt like it was inflated it with a bicycle pump. “I fixed you breakfast.” Keith …
Chapter Twenty-Five A one-hour flight dropped me at Orly with enough time to grab a chocolate milkshake before legging it for the flight to Brest. I sat down to drink my milkshake, stashed my bag under my chair and wrapped the straps around my legs. I kept a wary eye out in case any scoundrels …
Chapter Twenty-Three (Continued) Keith chuckled. I grabbed a pillow and whacked him several times. “That’s not funny, you twit!” He pushed me back onto the bed. “What’s your hurry? I want to shag all morning.” “I need the loo, and I’m starving. Is there room service?” “Oui. What do you fancy?” “Surprise me. Should we …
Last night, September 6, 2011 I ventured out to a little club called The Highline. It’s a very friendly, cozy little place up a flight of stairs on Broadway in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. There I had the pleasure of viewing three great acts. First up was Pascal Briggs. This is my second time seeing …
Chapter Twenty-One “Bloody hell! How could you forget that?” “Me? You’re the one pouring champagne down my throat. For some reason you find amusement getting me drunk. La vache! I better not be up the duff. A baby would spoil everything.” “Fucking right about that. What about that new pill that prevents pregnancy?” “I’d be …
Chapter Nineteen I sat stunned. Did I hear right or was I wishing so hard I imagined it? I was catapulted back to reality when everyone with me yelled, “You won!” Keith grabbed me for a quick kiss, whispering something like love conquers all. My mother took about a hundred pictures and I was sure …
Chapter Seventeen “All our fucking instruments were stolen. The van is all smashed. Bloody hell!” Ryan continued. “Everything’s fucking gone! How the hell will I explain this to my dad.” “We’ll meet you in the lobby,” I said. Ryan left and Keith slammed the door. “Fuckin’ aye! My brand new Telecaster! I’ve wanted that guitar …
Chapter Sixteen I heard my father’s spoon hit the floor. “When did this happen?” “First of the month, on his nineteenth birthday.” “What on earth made you go back to him?” my mother asked. She looked horrified. I looked at them both. “I’m in love, that’s what.” “You have deceived me the whole time, haven’t …