Beautiful drive up from Bonn to Westerfalia. Ulf powers us up the road with just the one ice-cream break and a quick stop to buy a memory card. Garrison Starr knocks out a cover of 'Gin and Juice' on the car stereo and I can't get over how brilliant it sounds...'motherfucker' never melted so sweetly. We arrive at Beatrix and Guido's place, what a welcome, great folk and a beautiful wee room for myself in a stunning spot...we're freshened up and fed and we're off...touring is a grind. I kind of doze on the way and miss the name of the town and spend all night forgetting it (I'm a visual learner) Venue is mental...a crazy attic section of a big old house converted into a quirky, warm, inviting music venue. They've even made Shane a wooden dolphin display on the stage matching the artwork of his new album, he's gob smacked, now there's a way to start a night. The show starts a bit later than planned as the stragglers arrive, which is fine by me as it gives me more time to check out this mad wee place and chat away to Manuela who owns the big old Mercedes bus out front and the lads and lasses who booked the show. I do a six song warm up, the crowd are lovely and the room sounds great. I even throw in a song I just finished this afternoon and forget half the words and chords but no one minds and sings along anyway! A lad from over the road with a mad laugh christens my new untitled song 'Polish' which was fair enough cause it probably does need wee bit more shine on it. I later find out that he's newly arrived in Germany from Poland and so far only speaks two words of German or English 'Polish' and 'Minimal'...I suppose on reflection 'Minimal' would have hurt more. Shane's up and he knocks out the show, drawing on the fantastic and warm crowd singing along and getting them involved...the new album material goes down a storm and aside from a minor guitar strap malfunction the night is a belter! A wee impromptu acoustic session breaks out after hours and the lads and lasses are belting out the tunes, I manage a respectable 2 am before my head starts to nod on my chest and Ulf & Mel fire us back along the road...'Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice...laid back'...a long sleep awaits...motherfuckers.
