Jon Spencer Blues Explosion & Bloodshot Bill @ The Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC

Road Trip.  Back to Asheville, this time to see the great Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at the Grey Eagle.  A near 18 years since last saw them (at the Coogee Bay Hotel - I remember it was the night of Princess Diana's funeral).  It was a hard drive, as the pouring rain made it difficult to see anything, but I got to the Hampton Inn with barely enough time to put my stuff down and head over to the nearby Stone Ridge Tavern for a quick burger and a beer before heading into Asheville.

It was dark so I'm not sure where I am, but the Grey Eagle is a little west of downtown (apparently by the river).  Just a small venue I walked in and Bloodshot Bill was already onstage.  This guy was incredible.  For starters I never would have picked him as Canadian mainly because he sings like he should be from the backwaters of Alabama somewhere.  Armed with a guitar and a kick-drum this yodelling-country-blues-looneytunes-punk captivated the audience and put on a show deserving of a larger crowd.  Both gracious and funny with his banter, Bloodshot Bill's enthusiasm shone through in his music.  He got a great reaction for a call and response song near the end of his set and even played a song I knew (Crawdad - off one of my kids' music class CDs).  I will keep an eye out for anytime this guy comes close to Charlotte in the future.

I love being in the second row of a small venue and not feel crowded out.  That's where I stood, in front of Jon Spencer, and watched this New York trio tear Asheville apart.  Starting with 2 Kindsa Love, JSBX had there foot on the gas from the start and did not slow down for the next 80 minutes.  Their catalogue was so extensive that the first song was the only one I recognised,  but the energy and musicianship of this band had me (and the crowd) enthralled.  Spencer only used his theremin for one song.  I would've like to see more of that (very rarely do you see someone play this instrument)  They finished their set in a flurry but came back for a blistering 3 set encore.  How in tune are these 3 with each other.  There was not a setlist on the stage to be found afterwards.  I'd hate to think another 17 years would pass before the opportunity arose to see these guys again.

Jon Spencer @ The Grey Eagle

The Crap Facts:

This is my 385th concert.

The Grey Eagle is the 106th venue I've seen a concert in.

This is my 2nd concert in Asheville.

This is my 34th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 193rd concert in the USA.

Bloodshot Bill the 458th band I've seen.
Bloodshot Bill is the 50th different band I've seen in North Carolina.

This is my 3rd Jon Spencer Blues Explosion concert.

Helmet @ The Visulite

Unbelievably it has been over 20 years since I last saw Helmet (they opened, and blasted, the Beastie Boys off the stage).  I couldn't believe they were playing the Visulite - just down the road.  Mike and I were psyched to pretend to be in our early 20's again and listen to a band that, as far as I'm concerned, were an under-rated force in a time of grunge.

After a quick bite at the Peruvian Viva Chicken next door, we headed into the Visulite and got a great spot by the lighting person.  A perfect line of site to the stage in this oddly shaped theater.  (Really - tables and chairs - it Helmet for Christ's sake).  And tonight I every so gladly remembered earplugs.  I know my ears are probably shot by now, but I knew this would be louder than I needed for the naked ear.  

A little after 9pm the band emerged and with little fuss and just plowed into their 1994 record Betty, from whoa to go.   From the very first notes of Wilma's Rainbow I knew this would be a great show.  Even though guitarist/singer Paige Hamilton is the only original member, Helmet are tight and loud and crunchy and powerful.  Just like I remembered them.  The Betty album is not my favorite of theirs, but in honor of the 20th anniversary of its release, Helmet were going to do that album and then a set of everything else.  Biscuits For Smut and Milquetoast were fantastic.

After Betty was done, Hamilton finally spoke to the crowd.  Band introductions, and a couple of stories about what the rest of the show would be like and their last performance in Charlotte, incidentally at the Visulite.  Just as they were about to begin the 2nd set, Hamilton realized they had last night's set list.  He wanted to make sure each night was different so decided they would wing it for the rest of the show.  This meant every 3 songs the crowd was given a small relief from the onslaught of music while they sorted out what was to be played next.  Ironhead, Unsung, Give It, FBLA II were so good to hear again.   After an hour and a half, Helmet left the stage to thunderous applause, only to come out for a 4 song encore.  The band high-fived and briefly spoke with those up front before finishing off the night in a fury.  The last 2 songs were my 2 favorite Helmet songs.  Just Another Victim from the Judgement Night soundtrack (minus the House Of Pain rap) and the ever brutal In The Meantime.  That cacophony of guitars at the start of the song is so distinct, for it come to a crescendo and then a great riff just thump you in the face and Hamilton's deep, screaming vocals.  I actually took the earplugs out for that song (I just had to hear it au natural).  Man, I was blown away!  No way will I wait another 20 years for my 4th Helmet show.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 384th concert.
This is my 6th concert at The Visulite.
This is my 31st concert in Charlotte.
This is my 33rd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 192nd concert in the USA.
This is my 3rd Helmet concert .

The Whigs & Amigo @ The Visulite

Could this be the best show I see this year.  The very first show of the year has set a high standard if any band wants to better it.  The Whigs were fucking awesome!

Bonus start was to get there in support of A's cousin and see Amigo open.  It seemed like an odd pairing of bands, not of Fuck Buttons/Pixies proportions, but still the country rock twang of Amigo didn't really match the flat out rock of The Whigs.  Slade and the band held up there own and played a great 45 minute set.  They have a tour coming up that sees them take in SXSW in Austin.  Hope it all goes well.  Slade talked of wanting to record again, will be great to see them throw in some new songs into the set.

The Whigs hit the stage running.  I got to see them play an early arvo set at Riot Fest back in September and remember being impressed.  That show had nothing on tonight.  The Whigs hit the stage and played their four-on-the-floor flat out rock from the get go.  I'm still not familiar with song titles but the set played out with songs rocking harder as the night went on.  There were occasions after some songs, that Sanders, Mike and I looked at each other with jaws agape after some of the most incredible drumming I've ever seen.  A 2 song encore that included Friday Night and David Bowie's Rebel Rebel was a fantastic end to an amazing show.  

Glad I got to see them in a small, but disappointingly only half full venue.  It is a bit of a shame that rock is not as relevant in the music landscape as it used to be, because I truly believe that The Whigs would be one of the bigger bands around if that was the case.  It is a big call to say the 1st show of the year will be the best for 2015, but I can't wait to see someone top that.  When is the next nearby Whigs gig?

The Crap Facts:
This is my 383rd concert.
This is my 5th concert at The Visulite.
This is my 30th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 32nd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 191st concert in the USA.
This is my 3rd Amigo concert .
This is my 2nd The Whigs concert .
The Whigs are the 50th time I've seen a band in Charlotte.

Oxnard, CA

What a day!  I was an emotional wreck leaving Mum's place, as dad drove me to the airport. A and the boys rode with K.  And then a mess again as I had to say goodbye to Dad and K at the airport.  After 3 weeks of a high, it all came crashing down in one fell swoop.

Check in on the way home was so much easier than getting here. 14 hours is a long time for those boys to sit still on a flight, especially since we left at 11 am.  But they were champions!  A lot of Thomas, Peppa Pig and World Word was watched, and they did get some sleep in.  Though I feel as though I didn't.  Actually can't believe how good I felt when I got off the plane, considering how shit I felt during it.  I sat with Barrett, who wasn't 100% well, and I couldn't sleep or get comfortable.  I swear I had a migraine with only 2 hours left to fly.

A & L - SYD to LAX

After the joys of summer, we land at LA at 6am and it is only 37 degrees.  We're still in shorts and t-shirts here.  That was definitely a shock to the system.  Getting our rental car also seemed easier this time.  Maybe we were delirious from the flight and time change.  I don't remember much about the drive to Oxnard to AC's but I remember be grateful to be there, and the opportunity for a late morning nap, was not gong to be missed.

We'll drive back down to LA tomorrow night to stay near the airport so we can get our early morning flight back to Charlotte.  As much as I loved being home at Christmas, I now am, finally, looking forward to getting back into my own house and back into a routine.

Bateau Bay, NSW

This is it!  Last full day in Australia.  It started with breakfast for A and I at the Surf's Up Cafe at The Entrance with Barnesy.  After 3 weeks of the summery, outdoor life, I'm sure it's gonna be hard to adjust to the Charlotte winter when we get back.

We bought the boys back down to the water park at the Entrance. We took Mum and Nan with us and met Lindsay and Val, and Dad and Kathleen down there. Wanted the boys to see the pelican feeding, but there were so many people around, it was a miss for them.  The kids got one last ride on the carousel, something Nan so desperately wanted to see.  The kids were only glad to oblige.  Mum drove Nan home, so this was our last goodbye to her.  It was tough.  And hard to explain to the boys why dad was crying.  After Nan H and Granddad F not ever meeting the boys, having Nan do so was the most important part of this trip for me.  And makes me resolve to get back sooner rather than later.

 L, LF & B - To The Carousel

We stopped for dinner at the Entrance Leagues Club.  Again because there is a play area for the kids to go wild in, while the adults ate.  I like that this is where we spend our last light at home.  I ran into Bairdy, from the old soccer days, it was somewhere A hadn't been to (Still can't bring myself to take her to the Ming yet - maybe next trip) and I saw a club that is unrecognizable from when we use to come here as young adults and hang out.

I really am dreading tomorrow.

The rarest of photos - Mum & Dad, Me & K and the 4 Grandkids

Bateau Bay, NSW

Because the boys love Thomas, and the tram in Charlotte, I thought I'd take them, and Mum, out for a ride on the train.  Just a quick one - Tuggerah to Woy Woy and back. We were out at Tuggerah at 10ish, later than peak hour.  Shouldn't be a problem right?  Except that it's New Years Eve and every man and his dog is heading to Sydney for the day / night.  The train is packed to the rafters , so we only got as far as Gosford, before we jumped off and came back.  The train back was great, pretty much had the carriage to ourselves as the boys enjoyed the view and the thrill of being on a train.

B, Nanny & L @ Tuggerah Station

We picked up A on the way back to Shelly Beach to eat lunch.  A stop at Blythe's Fish n Chip shop (my favourite food place on the planet) had me over order for one last time as we set up on the grass at Shelley.  Uncle Lindsay and Aunty Val also came down to join us.  Here is another activity I'll miss - the luxury of always being so close to the beach.

After lunch we went down to Kincumber, to the K & J's, for LF's Birthday Party.  K & J have a great house for hosting and have put on a great do for family, neighbours and friends.  B loved the opportunity to hold some more animals again (hold a crocodile - sure!) while L was in his element on the slip and slide.  King Of The Kids, J, had everyone entertained all day.  While K put on a spread that was fit for kings.  No wonder her business, Yummy In Their Tummy, is a success.

K, LF, M & J on LF's 5th Birthday

Bateau Bay, NSW

Today we celebrate LF's 5th birthday, so Nan, Mum, and us meet K, J, LF & M at the Davistown RSL for lunch, where the kids can play outside.  The kids, especially the birthday girl, had a great time.  A great park for kids to play in, while we sat outside in the shade.  Typical RSL food and good drink prices made for a fun day all round.

Me, Nan & Kel @ Davistown RSL

I have only noticed since being home how different the Pub / Club culture is here compared to the US.  Here the focus is on the family.  Come and have a beer, some food, we'll let the kids play in a dedicated area outside.  I just can't think of anywhere in Charlotte, or Vegas for that matter, that is that way inclined.

The leaving-blues are hitting harder and harder each day, so much so that late this afternoon I got a migraine and had to nap it off.  Meaning little was done in the evening.

Bateau Bay, NSW

Today I wanted to spend some time with Nan F.  In the last year and a half I've lost Granddad F and Nanna H, so any time spent from now on with Nanna F is precious.  I drove her out to Palmdale, where Granddad F is buried.  I hate that I didn't come home for his funeral, but I wanted to make sure that I got out to see where he is.  It's also a good thing for Nan.  Such a mixed day for feelings.  I miss all my grandparents, alive or not, so to be with Nan (on my own - awesome) where Granddad is laid to rest (sad) made for a emotional day.  We sat at the cafe at Palmdale and just hung out and talked in the good weather.  It will be hard to say goodbye to her when we leave.  We went back to her place and spent the afternoon doing the thing she loved, watching the cricket. A good day for me.

Granddad's Plaque at Palmdale

Late in the afternoon, A, the boys and I drove around to have dinner with Dad, Manuia and Kathleen.  I can't believe dad's place.  It is literally on the Wamberal  Beach.  Only 20 yards of grass separate the unit from the sand.  Salmon and a mango salad was a perfect dinner for a summer's eve.  I wish the surf hadn't been so rough so we could have let the boys have a swim.  

Wrapping up this holiday is starting to get hard.  Only a few days left to spend with everyone, and who knows when we'll get to see them again.

Bateau Bay, NSW

After breakfast with Robbie, Linda and Toby we (with Robbie and Toby) headed into Darling Harbour to wander around with the Barnesahans.  A last catch up before we head home later next week.  A nice day and the kids had fun playing in the park and the water.  We took the train (for the boys sake) over to the shopping area where we had lunch and then walked back over the Pyrmont Bridge to where the car was parked.  It has been great seeing the Robbie & Linda, and Greg & Jill and meeting their new families.  The same can be said for everyone on the trip (Reggae & Phil, Benno & Jane, Creany & Katy, Brooke & Adam, and Luke & Nikki), living so far away and not having the opportunity until now to see old friends in a different place in life has been amazing.

L&B @ Darling Harbour

The drive back up the Coast was uneventful, just another trip down memory lane.  The boys napped a bit in the car and were well up for a visit from their cousins in the afternoon at Mums.  We stayed in and ordered Thai.  K stayed for dinner, but the kids went home early, very tired.

Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers @ ANZ Stadium

This morning we drove down to Epping for our biggest adventure of the trip. Epping was the venue for Tex's birthday. A beautiful park where the kids had a blast and we got to catch up with Reggae & Phil, Barnes, Matt, Creany & Katy, Robbie and his folks (another we hadn't seen since I left Oz in 2000).  

Katy, Creany, Me & A

Thought we'd run the boys ragged and they might relax as we drove to Reggae and Phil's for a barbie lunch.  But there was no stopping them.  Even Tex powered through with a couple of buddies to run around the backyard with.  It was great to have just some alone time with Phil and Regs.  They've been great friends over the years and nearly 3 years since we'd seen them.  Not quite the same as before, now that there are 3 kids between us, but great fun.

After lunch we drove to Robbie and Linda's, where we are staying tonight.  A and Linda are staying at home as the boys are off to the cricket with a large crew.  I wanted A to come, but she didn't want to leave Linda to fend for herself, but any excuse for her not to go to the cricket.  We went to the 20/20 match (my first - this format has only come about in the last few years) at ANZ Stadium between the Sydney Thunder and The Sydney Sixers.  Thanks to Paula we have the luxury of the Commonwealth Bank's private box, right behind the bowler's arm.  The irony of being in the best box, owned by Commonwealth Bank, in ANZ Stadium, is not lost on me.  The most phenomenal seats with an awesome crew - Bob, Dave & son, Mick & Lara, Brooke, Adam and Mrs Summers, Buddha and Panos, and Philby.  The Sixers won by 16 runs, which didn't matter because both teams we're from Sydney so we couldn't lose.  Was a great game (11 sixes in a game is pretty impressive), but it was more about the company.

Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder, ANZ Stadium

Bateau Bay, NSW

This morning we took the boys down to The Entrance water park. (Now that it was working again). The boys were in the water for ever and then enjoyed rides on the Carousel and slides. Thank goodness Nanny is there to spoil them.  One of the highlights of this trip has been that my Mum has had the time off work to hang out with us the whole time.  Getting time off in retail at Christmas is no mean feat, and I'm appreciative of her bosses giving her this time.  Unfortunately it will cost us her trip to Charlotte in April, but we'll take what we can get.  Not sure I've mentioned this, but it is amazing to see the boys on the carousel with my mum.  Nan used to take me on the same carousel when I was a kid.  And mum used to ride it when they'd come for summer holidays during her childhood.  We don't have anything in the way of family traditions, but this is one that I have a great fondness for.

B&L at The Entrance Water Park

On the way home we had to stop at Lakeside Plaza for some grocery shopping before a quiet afternoon at home.  Later in the day, A and I went down to The Bateau to catch up with Lucas & Nikki, Steve and Buddha (and his new partner Panos).  Was a great afternoon sitting in the beer garden having a few beers and catching up.  It's been 15 years since I'd seen Steve.  Hard to believe his kids are in high school.  Buddha is as crazy as ever, and Luke and family are doing great.  Loving Melbourne, but enjoying the Coast for Christmas.  Sadly we all showed our age when the kids and partners left, as we all had to move closer to the TV to watch the cricket.  Getting old.  However, the ultimate age insult was that Steve's daughter was the one that drove us home.

Bateau Bay, NSW

Today was a great day.  Just hanging out with the family.  A, B & L, Mum, Dad & Kathleen, K, J, LF & M, Trish, Kara and Moz, and Nanna F.  We met Archie (and Cameron) for the first time and I loved seeing Kara play mum.  After opening a couple of presents at mums, we spent the best part of the day in Kincumber at K & J's.

The kids, and some of us adults, spent a ton of time in the pool - the weather did right by us.  While lunch was traditionally as Aussie as we could get.  Barbie, cold cuts, salad, beer, prawns, pavlova.  Man, I've missed this.  I had a great day.  So did A and the boys.  This is only my 2nd Christmas at home since 1999.  I gotta get back sooner.

B&L Christmas Morning

Bateau Bay, NSW

Christmas Eve and, like last time we were in Australia for Christmas, the weather is not nearly as good as it could be.  We started the morning at Toowoon Bay Beach.  Thought it'd be sheltered as always, but a huge wind almost had us blown away, not to mention how rough the water was - it's Toowoon Bay for Christ's sake.  We moved around the beach and found a protected spot which was good for everyone and we stayed until the early afternoon.

Because of the boys love of fire trucks, we stopped at the station at Bay Village so they could see an Aussie fire truck, and we could drop off some Christmas goodies for the good folks who are protecting us and not spending Christmas Eve with their families. We stopped at Mark & Lisa's house on our way to dinner at The Entrance.  Always happy to show off the new favorite children to the old favorite children.  We met Dad and Kathleen in the park and had fish and chips for dinner.  Also had the great fortune of running into Michele and Bowie (again from high school).  It may be 20 years since I'd seen them.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't very Christmassy so we didn't stay for Carols in the Park, but we walked around the carnival before heading over to the ice cream shop, where Caitlyn took care of desert.

Am excited for tomorrow.  The boys first Christmas in Australia.  Hopefully the first of many.  Lets just hope the weather does its best.

L&B getting their fire truck fix at Bateau Bay Fire Department

An informal Christmas Eve dinner setting

At The Entrance Park

Bateau Bay, NSW

Ahhhh! Vacation at home.  Another easy day today.  A and mum went and did some shopping this morning. While they are gone the boys and I walk to up to Crackneck.  They love to see the ocean, and I like the familiarity of being here.  While we were up there I ran into Tanya (from high school).  Hadn't seen her since we left England 13 years ago.  She was back on the coast for Christmas and was out and about with her grandmother.

The rest of the day was spent around mum's place, until dinner time.  We ordered a pizza from Latina  Pizza, a new to me place at Bateau Bay shops.  We took dinner down to Shelly Beach and despite the cool breeze, enjoyed a great pizza overlooking the ocean.  These are the things that will make me homesick when I return to Charlotte.

B&L at Crackneck

Bateau Bay, NSW

This morning we went down to The Entrance so the boys could play in the water park.  But Wyong Council decided the first day of school holidays would be the perfect time to do maintenance, and therefore it was closed.  We did stay for the carousel and the playground and a few goes on the slides down there.  On the way home we stopped at Lakeside Plaza to do some grocery shopping.

With Mum and Nan we drove to K & J's in the afternoon.  Dad and Kathleen came as well.  After a great swim we had dinner there at the house.  Unfortunately, L took a fall after his swim and has given himself a great shiner for a souvenir.

 The boys ride the carousel with Nanny & Mom.  The same carousel Nanny used to ride as a child.

L's shiner