coup d'tea

Day 5 - Den Bosch to Brussels

Do you ever have days where you can’t believe how well everything goes? That day was yesterday, and friends, it sure did go well! Norbert our host, and his friend Jort fed us an extremely delicious dinner, not because they had put on the show, but simply because they thought they should! Top guys! The show last night was really top draw, a venue that was open plan; we opened up and got such a warm reception! It felt like everyone there was willing us to do our best, and they wanted to hear new things. I spoke a bit about some of our songs, but was also interrupted not with a heckle but instead for an opinion on the student riots in England! Another gent who had already extolled the virtues of The Ruts to me, and didn’t believe that i agreed with him, then shouted (pretty camply it has to be said) “you’re so sensitive” once I’d finished!! Insightful, I’m sure you’d agree!

Crazy Arm did a set with some top covers thrown in! They were on form this evening. Once the show was done, DJ Sebastian played plenty of great records, and we danced like our lives depended upon it! Darren Johns, as well as being the punkrock guru he is, is also a noted cultural critic, and I think you’ll find he’s hit the nail on the head with his declaration that I am “the greatest dancer he has ever seen”. Strong words for a strong dance move! Once I’d taken on a man who looked uncannily like the dancing priest from Father Ted, it was time to leave; the dance floor was in danger of burning up right before our eyes!!!

We’d been asked to visit Den Bosch’s squat scene, and we found it in excellent health- political, exciting and positive. A bike workshop and art studios were just some of the ace facets of a squat getting ready to celebrate their 5th year of existence; long may it continue!

By this time, we were losing various members of our party, so The Cut Ups headed back to bed- some particularly enthusiastic Dutchman insisted on racing us (he on a bike, us in a van). Anyway, the gathering continued, and the evening finished very nicely, sharing an inflatable mattress with Jack Hyde and Dan Heron. I dreamt of being at sea!

You find us now in Brussels, which is much bigger than I thought it would be! I guess I never considered it properly!! Our show tonight is the Spanish/Belgian club, Lorca! You’ll hear more on the subject tomorrow!

15 January 2011 ·

• Tags
• The Cut Ups
• Crazy Arm
• Squats