Hello out there enormous listening world. Let's rock and roll.
The Darkness - Black Shuck (live) - https://youtu.be/nRlTc1RYMGU
Last Friday evening I ventured out to the University of Canberra Refectory to see The Darkness. I've written before how incredibly uncomfortable I feel going to gigs by myself and this was no exception. Thank you to the people who chatted with me online whilst I waited awkwardly between bands. Cry Club were the support band. Gothy, punky, horror type stuff. Their singer had great pipes, the drummer was energetic and the guitarist was having a great time. Initially I wasn't that impressed but they grew on me. The bass, keys and some guitars were pre-recorded though and I'm not a fan of that approach. Still, they played hard and won the crowd over. I'd see them again. The Darkness...goodness me...what a treat. Balls to the wall rock and roll with all the cliches. The audience lapped it up singing, clapping and bouncing along from the first chords of Black Shuck until the night had to end, almost two hours later, with Love On The Rocks With No Ice. Justin showed us his enviable ability to clap his legs in time whilst doing a headstand, rode the shoulders of a roadie through the crowd whilst playing the guitar and impressed us all with his huge vocal range. Rufus Tiger Taylor (son of Roger Taylor from Queen) punished his drumset and looked uncannily like Taylor Hawkins at times. Frankie on bass had the BEST multi coloured suit and then there was Dan Hawkins on the other guitar. The man is a powerhouse and the backbone of the band. It was a great gig and I'm glad I forced myself to go along. The Darkness were one of the tightest live bands I've ever seen and it was a joy to behold. I get the feeling that every night is Friday with them...
The Darkness - Friday Night - https://youtu.be/XFYXZhuXQak
The next song has featured heavily on my current listening playlist. I'm pretty sure Colin didn't play it when DJ Davey and I saw him in 2022 but it's a ripper. I mean, the whole album is wonderful but this one always gets me.
Colin Hay - Across The Universe (Beatles cover) - https://youtu.be/5P9Jf5YgKYo
Today was interesting. I took the day off because, frankly, I was a bit burned out by life. Work's been frantic since I went back on the 2nd of January and, along with rehabbing my back injury, I needed a rest. I didn't train today (yet), but to be fair I've been consistently doing everything that the physio has prescribed. Riding is back to whatever I want as long as I'm sensible. What a relief. I treated myself to breakfast and lunch out and I did something that I've wanted to do for years but have been too scared to do. I got another tattoo. In 2011 I had the Ironman logo inked on my ankle and it was far from a positive experience. When I related it to the staff at the tattoo place today they were absolutely horrified. Anyway, they looked after me well and my new one didn't really hurt at all. It was like an annoying hard scratch on my arm. For over 12 months now there's been a post-it note on my fridge that simply says, "don't give up". Somedays I need reminding. I certainly did a few times between Christmas and New Year. So that's what I got put on my arm. I understand that not everyone likes tattoos, and that's ok. This one means something to me. It's a permanent reminder to keep on keeping on. Will I get more I hear you ask? Well, I do have a plan for a very special piece of art but I'll have to save up for quite a while for that one!
Van Halen - Tattoo - https://youtu.be/taj0r1mbebE
Some of my painted rocks have been found and photos posted online. That's pretty groovy I think. I've got about ten more just waiting to be clear-coated and they will be finding their way to park benches, the tops of letterboxes and various locations around Canberra.
The latest audiobook I'm listening to is Rambling Man: My Life on the Road by Billy Connolly. I'm only about three chapters in but it's excellent. Billy reads it himself which adds immeasurably to the experience. I must say, he really, really, REALLY likes New Zealand. My big take away so far is that life is too short to be beige. If you've got itchy feet then this is the book for you. I also found Billy's gentle admiration for many indigenous people quite touching.
Robert Johnson - Rambling On My Mind - https://youtu.be/C6kp1yjpTO4
That's enough, I've got a new recipe on the stove and it's starting to smell good!
Be kind, even to those who aren't kind to you...
The Woozle
"Look into my face,
you'll surely find no trace of violence..."
The Humblebums, Saturday Round About Sunday, 1969.
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