The Stagger Rats

28th of April, Saturday: Romania

We set off from Budapest all a little fuzzy headed after an amazing gig at Corvinteto. James has nominated himself captain of the ship today.

The road to Romania is a long one, but also very picturesque indeed. The views along the way are some of the most beautiful we have ever seen.

The further we travel in to Romania the more intense the driving becomes for our captain. The roads become more like dirt tracks, the van takes a pounding and the local drivers seem to enjoy playing chicken with the tourists. This level of madness seems like something we will have to get used to over the next 4 days.

We eventually make it to a city called Cluj after a 7 hour mammoth drive, sweaty and a little delirious. Tonight we are playing a venue called Gambrinus Pub. We are welcomed by Raul the promoter who immediately brings a smile to our face in the form of a freezing cold beer. We set up, we soundcheck, we eat, we play, we go down extremely well, we make new fans and friends. 

Raul has also arranged an after party for us that apparently wont finish till the last man leaves. I am on first driving duties in the morning so manage to convince myself to have an early night. Craig (the last man standing) McMullen eventually makes it to bed at 6, the sign of a brilliant evening. 

Kai


29th of April: Sunday.

Our next destination is Wave 84 in the city of Craiova. Another 8 hour trek lies in front of us, but it is yet another beautiful one. Our trusty Tom Tom decides he would like to take the scenic route instead of a more direct one. He leads us through the snowcapped Carpathian Mountains. It's like something straight out of Lord Of The Rings, absolutely stunning rivers and green valleys that almost don't look real. By the time we make it through the mountains we are famished. We struggle to find any food that doesn't consist of dried fish or pig's guts, we eventually settle for bread and sausage. 

Still with 2 hours to go we enter proper Romany Gypsy country. To say it is a world away from everyday city life is an understatement. The roads are a challenge, not only competing with cars, you also have to manouver around horse and cart, packs of dogs, crazy children and local characters. All the families sit out on the streets together soaking up the remainder of the evening's sun. It is a touching site and one not to be forgotten.

We are 3 hours late by the time we arrive at the venue. It is small but full of atmosphere. The bar owner sorts us out with beer and pizza for dinner, and we also have the luxury of a hotel tonight, amazing. By the time we finish our set the place is buzzing, the crowd demands we play Fuzzy Fuzzy as the encore, job done. 

Outside cooling down we meet a rather intense but interesting character, he has a huge motorbike and also a huge beard. He plies us with an endless amount of booze and crazy stories. The bar runs out of wine so we end up on all kinds of shots. Being drunk I find it a good idea to ask for a ride through the city on the back of his bike, but as his character is unveiled throughout the rest of the night I am slightly relieved when he does not turn up at our hotel the next day to take me on my promised bike ride. 

Kai

30th of April, Monday: Bucharest

The next morning we freshen up and pick up supplies (water and red bull) for a 4 hour jaunt to Bucharest to play a venue called Control. The drive begins a little tense and nervous due to very impatient and care free Romanian motorists, upon finding the motorway everyone is able to relax finally. 

Immediately we find Bucharest a beautiful, interesting city with a cool river running through its centre where people wash their clothes and old men go to shave. We reach our destination around 6 and on time, today the Tom Tom is on better form.

Our promoter for this evening is a very sweet girl by the name of Racula. She directs us to our hostel to drop off our belongings then takes us to the venue.

The venue is one of the coolest I have seen, its dark, covered in mental posters and art and also holds a very relaxed vibe. The methods in soundcheck are kind of different to that in Britain, but I prefer the way they do them here. 

After soundcheck we are taken next door for food and refreshments by the production manager, Vlad and the club owner Florian. They spoil us with a meal of our choice and make us feel at home. 

Just before we go on stage its quite evident that the club is absolutely packed to the rafters with people. We take to the stage excited and ready. At this point Terry realises there is a problem with his bass, we all panic inside and fear the worst. After ten minutes of anxiety the problem is fixed and we open up with a very fraught and rapid version of Maybe When I Get A Bit Older. We receive an amazing reaction, and continue to deliver each song with aplomb. The sound on and off stage is brilliant, the songs feel the tightest they have ever been, everything just feels right. We encore with a furious version of See Through Spiders and finally walk off stage buzzing. For the first time someone asks if they can have one of my drumsticks, but sadly I have to say no as I am only carrying two to my name, typical. This tour is aptly named The Shoe String Tour, for many reasons. At the bar a random guy buys us all shots and we even sign autographs which we all laugh about as it's something we are not really used to, but it's nice all the same. 

Personally it was the most enjoyable gig I have ever played and it will be hard to beat. I think the rest of the boys will agree. Also at this point I would like to thank Danny, Cally, Terry and Craigy for giving me one the best feelings I've ever experienced on stage. 

Kai

1st of May: Leaving Romania

The next morning we meet up with Bonny's cousin Rupert, a very interesting guy. I could listen to him talk all day long I may add. We eat lunch in a Turkish restaurant where Craig orders the largest glass of red wine I've ever seen. After, Rupert allows me a shot on his bike which I find hilarious as its been a while. 

We head to a very nice Romanian family's house for a BBQ in the ridiculously hot afternoon sun. We are spoiled with wine and sausages and friendliness. They demand that we play for them so we treat them to an impromptu acoustic gig. Terry sings Happy Birthday to the birthday girl and everyone applauds him. Unfortunately we have to leave so we say our goodbyes and return to the van all feeling a little emotional and overcome, but happy, very happy!!

That was really the short version,but don't have enough time to put it all in to words.




Next up Croatia, Peace




Kai xx