Casual Six @ Karli's 21st

After the dust had finally settled about whose car was going and who was driving (well kind of) we set off to collect various members from various locations.

BB took the opportunity of reacquainting himself with an old mate at Tiliis with a bit of friendly ball sniffing and then we were off to collect Eldo. Tilii decided now was as good a time as ever to put his music and running sheets together (an opportunity unfortunately missed by Duman) on the way.

After much confusion as to the whereabouts of Andrea's house  we finally lobbed to collect SBassman. DaSheila was unceremoniously dumped into the cargo hold (as we knew that we would still be able to hear her from there) and we set off. Rarely has so much debate ensued over what particular brand of junk food was to be consumed, when, where and by whom,  although with this band it is patently obvious no decisions are straightforward.  

All discussion about food was abruptly cut short once Tilii had finished his bookkeeping and declared it was time to find a drive though and lager up. Some “Hollywood car chase” driving from BB saw us lose Vito, however  Eldo was quick to get in contact and organize a rendezvous. The plans worked well and we caught up with Vito just as we were making a detour  to Maccas. After a disgraceful display of junk food piggery with the engine room devouring four sleaze burgers between then and BB almost losing a finger in the process we were on the road again.  It was good to see Vito back on solids after all this time having realised it was the pickles and onions that made him crook. Obviously vegetables are the problem rather than greasy, fatty animal by-products.

Finally we arrived at the party and with some exquisite trailer reversing we were ready to set up.  Any concerns about the wind and rain and colds effect on the night’s proceedings were instantly shelved once we encountered the splendidly unique “veranda” the Stones had provided for the party and our stage area. After we were welcomed and introduced the squeaky wheels of the C6 machine ground into motion transforming the veranda into a stage complete with its customary morass of equipment lights and wires. All was proceeding according to plan until  a scream of “turn it off, turn it off!” shattered the relative calm.

Upon turning to see what the problem was I was greeted by the sight of BB holding the light chaser and shaking it like a 5 year old trying to extract the last 20c from his money box. He managed to throw it clear and disappeared out the back to recover from the shock. The rest of the band was left to consider whether he was going to die from heart failure or Tilii was going to die from laughter. Once it was clear BBs heart was still beating, (although faster than his solo in Joker and the Thief), we continued setting up.

The sound check was the first song as far as the party goers were concerned and the crowd was into it. At this stage Duman decided to start a couple of songs in a particularly rare jazz key  and was considering putting his finger into the light chaser to see if he could jolt some activity back into his brain. Finally something clicked and the aliens let him have the use of his brain back and things proceeded smoothly. Thoughtfully supplied with drinks from our lovely hosts we played out the first set. A break and some speeches and cake cutting. We were informed that Plod had made a visit and asked that the band be turned down. This isn’t a fcukin radio Plod! Luckily they must have had some real work to do and bothered our hosts no more.  Fingers took the opportunity to ask, after downing half a dozen vodka jellies, if they were alcoholic. Too late she cried but there was no harm done.

One of Karli’s mates (we think it was Adam????) was in fine form having obviously started the party earlier than some and was an enthusiastic, welcome  supporter. After requesting four or five songs we were unable to oblige with he picked a couple of favourite’s from the set list and requested some stage time. For reasons that will remain a mystery  we actually resisted changing the set list (WTF!) to accommodate his requests and despite his pleas that he needed rest urgently and could we play his songs now we persisted with the list as written (did we really do that? J). He then finally joined us for Come Out And Play and did a great job considering his level of medication.

Another break and Karli’s mate (fcuk I’m good with names!) re-emerged again pleading with us to get Rebel Yell out the way so he could take some well earned down time.  Rather mischievously we told him that it was all up to Tilii who we were too scared to ask to change anything. Upon his return to the debate Tilii instantly granted the favour and this keen party goer joined us again for a stirring rendition of Rebel Yell. Top stuff! Various members of the audience were invited to the stage including the birthday girl who maintained she was no singer but everyone got into it in the end.

A carelessly situated beer was unfortunately dislodged from the top of Fingers amp (well I wasn’t going to put it on the Mesa!) and broke on the ground however the band pushed on bravely overcoming the tragedy. The last set, as so often happens, was not enough and we proceeded with a fourth set of slapped together songs including one train wreck of Folsom Prison Blues and a couple that Duman furtively turned down his guitar for as again the aliens took his brain (guys there’s nothing to see here!). 

Eventually all good things must end and the band had to end the show. With usual efficiency the Stones veranda was transformed back into a, well veranda and the trailer was full and we made our goodbyes.  Our hosts never relented in making sure we were looked after and can’t be thanked enough for making the night thoroughly enjoyable and another one we will remember fondly.

In an act of randomness Eldo decided that he needed to p!ss before we made the front gate and disembarked leaving a loud and typically pretentious air biscuit inside the cab. The ride home saw  Eldo share his Maccas again with the unfortunate occupants of the car and the decision to allow freezing air inside the car to wash away the fetid warm air was a no brainer. 

A pretty successful night I would say and I thank my fellow band members for the opportunity to enjoy such outings with them.

2:45 PM - 7/7/2008