Mind The Gorge

I've been a little under the weather for the past couple of days.
I woke up the other morning with my head about to explode. I'll spare you the gory details and leave it at a case of an over night head cold. I don't get sick often but when I do ... well, lets just say I can be cranky.
So, last nights show in Hamburg wasn't a stellar performance for me by any means as I was trying to shake the congestion with a combination of Vitamins and over the counter cold remedies. I was out of sorts the whole evening so I apologize to anyone who noticed I was off my game ...
Sounds like the end to the story right? Guess again Batman ...
We left Hamburg this afternoon, got in our twin engine turbo prop with Captain John at the controls and took off for a two hour flight back to Manchester.
Everything about the flight was routine except, just after landing the plane started pitching and yawing to the left and right. Much more than normal. Enough to - in a split second - start raising eyebrows throughout the cabin.
Something was definitly wrong.
The plane continued swerving left and right for another five or so seconds and then made an abrupt turn to the left. It was akin to driving and realizing just a little too late that you should have made a turn, but you make it anyway.
The next thing we knew, the plane was off the runway and on the grass. We all knew this was bad but no one was screaming or yelling, we were all just stunned at what was happening.
From my seat twords the rear of the plane I could see the turf flying up as we barreled some 100 or so yards in the direction of a retaining fence.
We finally came to a halt about 75 feet from what I would later learn was a 500 foot drop into a river gorge.
My friends, I was scared. I was very very scared. What scared me even more was the pilots face after we stopped to check on us. The poor man was white.
At this point, we can see Fire Trucks and Police cars speeding their way to us in the distance and with the engines on the plane still running, we in the band were looking at eachother with the most helpless expressions you can imagine.
Once the Fire Trucks arrived and the engines shut down, we sat on the plane with the smell of burning rubber permeating the cabin. The Emergency Crews told us to disembark and leave everything on the plane. The enitre Manchester Int. Airport was shut down by now.
We were shuttled back to the main terminal and were met by Airport Security, given numbers and asked questions to complete "Survivor/Evacuee" reports.
There was even a Priest there to talk to anyone in need of guidance after an ordeal such as this.
I'm pretty sure what happened was, after landing, the hydrolics used to steer the plane failed rendering it impossible to keep the plane going straight. The aircraft basically went in whatever direction it wanted to ... all the Captain could do was apply as much brake as he could, feather the propellers in the opposite direction to slow us down and hope for the best.
Another 75 feet and it could have been a real disaster.
It's only now, eight hours after the event that I'm aware of just how close we came.
The good news, the BEST news is, Meats OK, Patti's OK, Pauls OK, Marks OK, CC's OK, John's OK, Bill and Cheryl are OK (I'm obviously OK, duh) and we'll be talking about this for a good many months to come.

Rastatt

Well, I didn't get to see TR. Big Waaaaa.
It had become apparent to Meat that we would have had to drive 5 hours on a show day in order to get here so he opted to do the drive on the day off effectively dashing my chances of seeing Todd and Joe Jackson in Munich. I was disappointed but understood the rational behind the decision.
My disappointment was tempered somewhat by seeing some very good friends in Rastatt on the bill with us. I hadn't looked at my itinerary and didn't realize we'd be playing with The Hooters tonight. I've been a huge fan of the band since they started and had a great time seeing both Eric Bazillian and Rob Hyman at the gig tonight. Eric and Rob are songwriters who have penned more great tunes than you could shake a stick at. Cyndy Laupers, 'Time After Time' and Joan Osbornes 'What If God Was One Of Us' to name just two. As a matter of fact, when I was trying to complete one song on Quid Pro Quo, it was Eric that I called for some inspiration while having trouble finishing a lyric. His advice to me was, "Calm down and let it come out naturally, don't force it." Words to live by.
Anyway ... Enjoy the pictures I took this evening ... Sorry I can't report on the TR/JJ show but I'm sure it was a good one .... AND I MISSED IT!

Fran, Bassist for the Hooters, checks out my new Bass 

Erik B. on stage 

Me and Eric Bazillian from the Hooters 

The Hooters .... Great band! 

What is that dog doing?? 

A nice small creek backstage in Rastatt 

Metal Loaf 

Paul warming up 

Paul with his Bat Guitar 

Paul and Randy share tips 

Randy doing what he does best .... looking handsome. 

More Hooters 

The Hooters on stage 

Munich / Aftershow

Wow, was it hot there tonight.
We got to the gig around 4:30pm for the first soundcheck we had a chance to have and while it was very nice outside, the temperature inside the tent set up for the concert was inching up ever so gradually. We knew that by the time we got on stage with a full house, it was going to be brutal.
Our fears were justified because by the time we took the stage it must have been 90 degrees in the venue. I immediately became sweat drenched before the end of the first song.
Amazingly enough, the only person NOT sweating profusely was MEAT! You see, he keeps his dressing room hovering around 100 degrees with 100% humidity so for him, it was practically cool on stage!
Randy nearly fainted, Patti nearly collapsed, CC nearly threw up and I must have lost 3 pounds during the set.
However, all the uncomfortability didn't matter because the German fans appreciated it and made it known just how much by being totally into it from the first note to the last.
We always love playing here and our enthusiasm is matched each night with a new crowd in each town.
I understand there are a lot of German girls who are enjoying the pictures of Randy and are asking me for more, more, more.
I can tell you this girls, a sweeter guy does not exist.
Enjoy the pictures below that I took today!

Cheryl and Bill at work in the production office 

TC at the Monitor desk 

Charlie and I go over some Bass issues 

Randy on stage during soundcheck 

Kaz ...... put the camera away PLEASE. 

Heres a shot of my Bass Rig 

Charlie hands me my spare bass to check out 

Another design conversation 

Charlie and I discuss a problem with the input jack on my guitar 

Billy S. and Charlie on stage before sound check 

Bill our tour manager says , it's about THIS big....  

Immortalizing the hand prints for the Munich Walk of Fame 

Signing the hand prints 

Still signing ... 

Still signing...... 

Still signing ............. 

Whew, FINALLY DONE! 

The finished product 

Paul and Mark backstage in Munich 

Munich - Day One

First day here in Southern Germany. It's a really cool vibe here in Bavaria and I'm looking forward to the show tonight in Tollwood.
I dinned al-fresco this afternoon with Mr. Alexander and had a nice chat over coffee and sandwiches in the local square. Clock towers and Churches abound along side of Diesel, Channel and Hermes stores. No more shopping for me!
Todd Rundgren is performing here tomorrow night and I'm looking forward to dragging a few band members along with me to the show. I'll file a full report on it afterwards.
It'll be good to play tonight and attend a party back here at the Hotel later tonight.

Sunday on Grafton Street

Below are some pictures I took while roaming the streets of Dublin...
Well, not streets ... ONE Street. Grafton St.

These guys were playing Hungarian Rhapsodies 

Looking down Grafton St. 

Any suggestions for the caption here? 

I wonder if you make more with another guy? 

Busking on Grafton Street in Dublin 

Ardgillian Castle, Dublin IRE

Check out some pictures below from last nights gig.
It was a really nice evening outside Dublin. Weather was great and the crowd the best so far. Meat said after the show that the sing along on "Took The Words" was the best he's heard ever. I know he meant it too.
This was our last show with Mel C and her band and we'll certainly miss those guys.
HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all the Dads out there.

L, K

Check out Patty playng her Daisy Rock Guitar. 

Randy and Paul hanging out backstage 

I must have been mad at something here. 

Mel C on stage. This was our last show with them. We'll definitly miss these guys. 

Patty and CC 'making up' pre-show. 

Me and Randy during the opening. 

The Irish Sea looking out from the backstage area. 

I tried a new position out on stage tonight, I didn't like being up there. Too removed from the audience 

"Come on Charlie, take the shot already!" 

Meat, me and Patty during 'Whore' 

If you squint hard, you can see the Castle 

This was our view from the backstage area ... not too bad huh? 

Behind the scenes 

Stop posing, start playing 

Kaz ... put the camera away please 

Belfast / Raven Hill Rugby Grounds

Hi,

I still haven't really gotten this posting thing down yet. Below you'll see some pictures from last nights show.
Enjoy!

L, K

Randy warming up (again) 

The bands meet to discuss politics and finances 

John M and TC our monitor mixer outside the dressing rooms. 

One more shot of me and Kim Khahan. If I ever needed a Bass Player for a band, I would definitly want her in the rythym section. She can play and ..... she's SO cute too! 

Me and Mel C. After hearing her live, I'm going to buy her CD's. Shes a great singer and her band ROCKS. 

Kaz, put the camera away please. 

Me and Kim Khahan. She's Melanies' Bass Player. 

Mel C on stage 

Status Quo in action 

Status Quo on stage. You might know their biggest hit ... "Rockin' All Over The World" 

Here's Charlie my tech. He's the best Guitar Tech on the Planet. 

Billy our Lighting Designer, Bill and Joe Lenaine our Production Manager. I worked with Joe on Hall and Oates and we've been friends ever since 

Bill our tour manager woth Mark and John 

Shot of the Rugby Field 

Heres a shot of the tent we performed under 

Belfast / Raven Hill Rugby Grounds

Hey,

Here are some pics for you to view from yesterdays show!

L, K

Retail Therapy

Finally a show day. The days off were killing me as I had to resort to 'retail therapy' in order to pass the time. For those of you who aren't familiar with this term, it basically means spending your way through a day. Now, that wouldn't be so bad BUT ... the exchange rate (dollar to the pound) is SO horrible right now that it makes any kind of purchases extremely expensive.
I'm seriously thinking about busking yet again. This time I'll leave the guitar case open.
The other night was a star studded event in the hotel bar as both Motley Crue, and U2 were staying in our hotel. That along with a stop over by R.E.M. made for an interesting array of liggers in the lounge.
A few band memebers went to the shows of the above mentioned but I begged off refusing to interupt my boredom.
We're on our way to Ireland today for a show in Belfast and I'll be taking some pics to post after I settle into our ultimate destination, Dublin.

L, K

Arrow Rock Festival

Hi,

Was going to wait till tomorrow to post but I figured, do it now. Just got back to Manchester after 9 hours of traveling for a 75 minute show... whew.

The plan was to get there early enough to catch a few acts, Styx, Lou Grahm, Little River Band and CSN.
Alas, when we finally did arrive, we missed most of the above and only got to see CSN. They were great and it was a treat to see an old friend of mine playing bass for them, Dave Santos. It was Dave who originally turned me onto the Tommy James gig that kept me busy for a year a while back.

The only drag on the day was, bus to plane, plane to bus, bus to gig, play show, bus to plane, plane to bus, bus to hotel and well ... here I am.

I managed to get a minute with Dave after he came off stage and he told me TR was staying at the same hotel as them last night and that he was in the lobby of the hotel until 5am on his laptop. It seems I'm just missing TR by a few days here and there but I'm sure I'll get to see him before going back home.

So, I did take some shots for you to peruse, hope you enjoy them!

L, K

Patty and Cheryl 

We're on our way home 

Randy on stage 

Meats gear pre-show 

Umm Kaz? Enough with the camera in the dressing room 

Randy working on his pose 

Warming up 

Randy with mag 

Me and the guys from Sydec who make my recoding gear 

Crosby diggin in 

Steven Stills - this guy has been around a long time 

CSN getting into it 

Dave Santos 

CSN 

Landing in Munster 

John as Kieth Moon 

Are you guys coming? 

Saturday Morning

Heyhey,

Congratulations to Pebbles and Yvonne who successfully picked me out of the polaroid line up on Phil's wall. You both win tickets to see Adam Sandler staring in the new production of Hamlet at Gennaros Pizzaria in Boise, Idaho.
Just kidding ... you really don't win anything but thanks for playing!

FINALLY! A grey day here in Northwest England. I was beginning to worry that I really wasn't here ... that it was all a dream. You see the weather here had been warm and sunny for three days running. Even the locals were questioning this uncommon event. I feel much better now that the sun can't break the cloud cover and theres a slight chill in the air. The only thing missing is rain, which I'm sure isn't too far off.

Big day today. The Arrow Rock Festival in Holland. We'll be traveling there this afternoon and I've got my trusty overpriced digital camera with me. I will document the day and post here when I return early tomorrow morning.

Just as a small tease, the song I've been working on with Phil T. does have a title, "Yellow Cab" and if I can convince myself I'd do it justice with only Acoustic Guitar and Voice, I just might perform it on July 4th.

Check back later (MUCH later) today for the promised pictures and overly detailed synopsis of the day.

L, K

Nice Work

Someone I'm very close to says quite frequently "allow me to Gush". I'm going to borrow that phrase now ...
Allow me to Gush ... Phil Thornalley is amazing. His take on how to record a song is as far from my 'do it till you drop' approach as one could possibly get.
While I'm comfortable working at my own glacial pace, Phil refuses to let the performance rule the song.
I arrived at Shabby Road around 1pm after a crowded early morning train ride. I immediately dove into a lead vocal on the tune and after about six or seven takes with some excelent direction from Phil on feel and attitude we started putting backing vocals on the track.
Broke for lunch around 3pm, had a nice chat and then back to work recording Piano, Bass Guitar and Acoustic.
Probably the fastest recording I've done since the last Utopia record.

I tried posting some pics here for you but I'm not sure I did it right. If not, they'll be on my website as soon as I get them to Dave.

I don't want to go into any details on the song itself suffice to say, I like it a lot and consider it a real honor to have one of Phils songs on my record.

Thanks SO MUCH Phil!

L, K

me and phil 

Me and Juan 

Juan the Assistant 

Shabby Road Studios 

Me and Phil 

Can you find me? 

((((((((((((((yawn)))))))))))))))))

Good morning everyone...

Up early for my train ride to London today. I'm Off to Shabby Road Studios in West Hampstead for a day of Lead Vocals, Piano & Bass tracks.
I did some work on the tune while I was home, sent the stuff over to Phil T. and hope to finish all the 'tracking' this afternoon.
If I can figue out how to post a picture here, I will when I get back this evening.
As I said before, assuming all goes well with the recording, the song will be added to QPQ when released on Sanctuary. Hopefully within the next three - four months.
Has anyone noticed my new Bass Guitar?
It's called the K-Bass made by Archer Guitars out of Milwaukee. These guitars will be available for purchase later this year. Perfect for the young and older players and the price won't put you back a weeks salary.
More later today ...

L, K

Thanks!

Wow, lots of comments on my first foray into blogland. Thanks to all who posted.

First allow me to address one post in particular ... someone named Dirk? Doog? ...
something like that.
I believe it was a hot summer night, on a beach, fog crawling over the sand
and all that I was walking my pet Iguanna, Stanley when accosted by a rather
unkempt sheepish fellow wearing a dashiki.
He introduced himself to me as Doctor Imadummy from Somalia. He told me that
he needed to find a sympathetic person in the US with a bank account to which
he could transefer 20 million in US dollars. Because of the recent revolution in
his counrty he was storing the cash in his socks and needed a safe place for it.
In return for placing his money in a US bank he assured me I would never have to
mow my lawn again.
Needless to say I was suspect as to the truth involved in this suggested
transaction so I pulled a fiver out of my pocket and told Dr. Imadummy to bugger
off (notice how I assume the language of whatever place I happen to be?).
He cried ... I laughed and haven't thought about it again until this imposter
shows up on my BLOGSITE.

Go away Dr., your kind isn't welcomed here.

L, K

Something New

Hey hey hey .....

Look at this! I am now a certified blogger. Dave has set me up with this site and I plan on making good use of it while I'm on the road.

First three shows have gone really well. I mentioned in my last email to you that we were packing a lot of punch on this tour and since the shows have already started I can tell you that we're somehow fitting everything into a 90 minute 'power-set'.
Three new songs, one new Jim song and different arrangements on the standards.

I'm gonna try and keep these post on the short side. This way I won't 'write myself out' in one or two sittings
So for the next three days, I'm going to be here in Manchester with a trip up to London to record a new song for QPQ with Phil Thornalley. I think thats gonna be on Thursday.

All for now!

K

Welcome weary web traveller...

I'll be posting details of the Meat Loaf tour here. So, check back.