Mclusky Do Germany

14.05.02 Hannover

“A fine night out in the Reeperbahn, Hamburg, involving a distinctly un-rock`n`roll trek through arcade games and great little bars – don`t drink and attempt to co-ordinate, kids. To my great surprise I only fell over once, just before Jan of Union Youth kicked my ass on some stupid puck-game or other; I will have my revenge. Bitter recriminations in our heads the next morning, which may have had something to do with the fact that we stayed out until gone 5 a.m. and drank until our minds and bodies were completely drained of blood. Credit and damn fine health to the members of Union Youth and Heyday who joined (indeed, led) us on this fine odyssey through laughter and a crazy sub-tequila drink called the Mexican.

All things considered it was a miracle that we arrived in Hannover at all, but thanks to the nuturing hand of the tour manager with the most beans, Mr. Steven Wright, we ended up on stage and with instruments in our hands. Playing a show seemed the only polite thing to do in the circumstances and although the venue was a little empty it was a blast. Jon ended the set by smashing his bass guitar (still plugged in) into the stairs just behind the stage; as if by magic, it broke. Best of luck to Fozzy, who will soon be the proud owner of perfect hearing. Good work.”15.05.02 Essen

“I suppose most people would remember this evening for the European Champions (?) Cup Final (surprisingly a team assembled for hundreds of millions of Euros won) and the German Premier of the new Star Wars movie – `The Phantom Plot`. Hope it`s better than the last one, which was so bad that I haven`t dared to step inside a cinema since. I look forward to `Harry Potter Episode 326 – Wizard In The Womb`.

The show went on in full technical-problems glory, thanks to the few who braved the empty cavern to shout us on; for (the many) who’ve asked for a live rendition of ‘fuck this band’ I’ll say ‘maybe’, ‘one day’, and ’20 Marlboro Lights, bitte.’ Really, we’re not just omitting it to spite you.”16.05.02 Dortmund

“Happily, my Les Paul returned to me this morning complaining about ‘predictable barre-chords’ and ‘hats’. I have to assume that it was just a phase she was going through. We made up over some old Fugazi riffs and a steak.

Union Youths soundguy and all round good egg Ole helped Jon to fix the seemingly unfixable bass, so we were able to take the stage behind the unusual novelty of spare instruments. This feeling of equipment-based invincibility didn’t last long however, as Mat got in on the long–established Mclusky act and smashed his bass-drum pedal after the fourth song. Jon, perhaps feeling left out smashed his bass into his forehead before anyone could blink. Great work, and I’ve only just discovered that every Ibis hotel provide you with complimentary apples. That’s cool, but what about the drinkers amongst us?

Finally, a sincere good luck to Morris Fryer.”