Been There, Done That

So after an eventful week, this was my final day on the road with The Dead Daisies.

As with a lot of these tours, there’s more hanging around than anything else. At 3pm I left my hotel with ‘Coldtrain’ the bus driver, this guy is a big personality and I hope the boys are fortunate to have them driving them again in future.

We picked up the band and headed for the venue.

There was a buzz of activity in the air when we arrived as sets were being erected and gear was being checked. After finding the dressing room I took a wander towards the stage to find Pat and Lee. Def Leppard was doing their sound check so I watched ‘Rock of Ages’ from the back.

Walking back to the dressing room I bumped in to none other than Paul Stanley minus make-up, I only read his book two weeks ago!

Tonight the guys had a sound check and watching side stage you knew they were going to kill it. Before I ran around the venue gathering the guys I was introduced to Eric Singer (drummer with Kiss) by Marco.

After sound check I grabbed some food from catering then headed side stage with boys for their second night on the road. They were on fire, and the constant water spray Brian had from Jon didn’t cool it down but created an amazing effect ever time Brian hit the soaked drums.

After playing their full seven songs set tonight they then had one of their best ever turn outs for signings. I handed button badges out to the kids in the line while Kat took some of their pics.

The last few hours were quite amazing. I met Def Leppards legendary road manager Mortimer who is a small Welshman with a big voice, Paul Stanley again, this time with make-up and Marco took my picture with him, then one of my all time favourite guitarists Phil Collen whom I also had a pic with. Then Gene Simmons appeared and the banter went in to overdrive as he dry humped Marco before asking Brian if he was the guy from ManoWar. He tapped my arm as he went past then we all went side stage to watch most of their show. I’ve seen KISS five times in 30 years but never from this angle!

We then headed back to the hotel on the bus and I said my farewells and had a pic taken with the band. So until next time, hopefully Europe before the end of the year, all fingers crossed, that was it for my second time out with boys.

I’m With The Band

Showday had arrived!

Mori and John who work on marketing (and many other things) picked me up at my hotel in Manhattan and we took the long drive down to Atlantic City running in to tail to tail traffic and one point!

We arrived at the Hard Rock Café to meet up with the band who was doing a short acoustic performance, which the customers lapped up. Marco went round and posed for pics after.

Then to the gig. It is amazing the amount of people, activity and equipment that goes in to putting a show like this together. For that small window of entertainment, there is the best part of 24 hours preparation.

With it being the first night of the tour, there were some delays before the band could go on-stage which cut there set from seven songs to five, but they killed it never the less. At least half to two thirds of the arena were full, and judging by the reaction they loved The Dead Daisies.

Afterwards the band met fans and signed autographs before getting ready to bus it to Philadelphia.

I caught most of Def Leppards set from the side of the stage then walked past KISS as they were about to do their meet and greets.

We jumped on the bus at about 9.30pm and drove to Philadelphia, the band play Camden tonight which is just over the river.

The Wheels on The Bus

Last day of prep and rehearsal. The road crew arrived mid morning to check out and fix any issues that may become problematic before Jon and the band arrived.

For me, it was a morning of working on biography material for the website and preparing material for the band to sign for the fan club.

When the band arrived they started working through any technical challenges before starting up and running through the set a few more times.

My afternoon was taken up with various tasks. Firstly I helped Mori with merchandise, counting t-shirts (How many t-shirts you want me to count!!!-see pic below) and cds preparing them and packing them in containers ready for the tour. This was followed by a small stint as a roadie while I helped transport some of the gear to the awaiting the truck with Lee and Pat.

After waving the band off on the bus (we meet up at lunchtime in Atlantic City tomorrow) I headed for a hot-dog and then an early night as I had to travel to Atlantic City with Mori on Saturday morning.

Now its Showtime!!!

Getting Ready to Rock

So we arrive at first day of rehearsals for the up-coming tour. Tommy and the guys (Lee and Pat) arrived at SIR in New York on Wednesday night to start preparing the gear. Myself, and Mori (Dave the managers trusted and dedicated assistant/PA/second in command!) popped in to drop off some gear and say hello.

I arrived back at SIR at 11.30 in the morning to catch up with everyone, work on various promotional items for The Dead Daisies and watch the rehearsal.

Met David Lowy for the first time on this tour as he had just flown in during the early hours.

The band ran through their thirty minute set a few times just fine tuning it and using the in-ear monitoring system they will be using on this tour.

Once rehearsal time came to an end, everyone dispersed to do their own thing while I caught a cab to the band hotel with Tommy, Dave Edwards and Marco then went out to dinner for some Sushi.

After a pleasant evening, I took the long stroll back to my own hotel enjoying the Manhattan nightlife.

One more day before show time!

Storming the Radio Airwaves

So after 24 hours of travel and a five hour time differences, a sudden change to my personal schedule. After a quick chat with Dave (Daisies manager), I met up with the band at their hotel and headed out to New Jersey for a live appearance on the radio at WDHA 105.5.

Catching up with the guys on the bus while sitting with Jon and Dizzy, they updated me on how well the Bad Company/Lynyrd Skynrd dates well as well as sharing some Kiss fan stories with drummer Brian Tichy.

Sat with the band while Jon, Marco, Richard and Brian went over some acoustic renditions of ‘Yesterday’, ‘Lock N’ Load’ and its ‘Gonna Take Time’ in preparation for the radio appearance.

This followed with the radio appearance featuring ‘Washington’ and ‘Face I Love’ being played live along with an interview by DJ Terri with Jon.

We then made our way back to Manhattan where myself and Marco had a long chat about music and the philosophies of when it feels good to be in a musical situation when its all coming together.

The traffic jams in the Lincoln Tunnel were horrendous but we all arrived back just in time to relieve any added pressure (go for a wiz)!

As ever, it always strikes me how down to earth and completely relaxed and chilled the guys are, just like you and me apart from that awesome music of course!

Tomorrow is Rehearsal Day 1.

Incase you are wondering who the guy in the Lonsdale t-shirt is, thats Tommy, he is the guy who makes it all happen when the Daisies play live! and he is one of the coolest dudes on the plant!