Hi folks and happy new year to all. The christmas gigs in Galway and Limerick went very well indeed. Many thanks to all who made them happen and to the other bands who played over the two nights (We Should Be Dead, Mark O'Connor and Seneca).
Our seventh gig since splitting up (yes... we're ridiculous ...we know) took us back to Galway for the first time since September 2000 when we did our first show (of only about half a dozen) without Hoss on bass duties. This time Mr. Carnage was back at the helm of course and, like the rest of us, raring to go.
Those of you who've been to any of The Hitchers Christmas shows might know that we have not one, not two but three intro tunes!
You've probably wondered how far exactly up our own arses we are but if ever proof was needed of their neccessity we got it in Galway. Tight for changeover time we dropped Lonnie Donegans 'Tom Dooley' and went straight to Johnny Cash' version of 'The Mercy Seat'. Cue pandemonium of the "my hair's a feck", "I need a piss!!!", "where's my drumsticks/head-massage/pint?" variety. As Johnny fades straight into (our own) 'Unfair Dismissals Tribunal' and we've to start 'Liver' out of that there was no time to leave the stage. We made it -just.
So there we were with empty glasses and brimful bladders. But that was mercifully the worst of our troubles over ...seven broken drumsticks notwithstanding. There's a few videos from the gig on youtube and you can see a couple of drumsticks shatter and fly off hither and tither.
Thanks again to Gugai and all at the Róisín Dubh who were excellent hosts.
Limerick the following night was, as always, an absolute blast. The 'End of Tour Party' that was threatening to kick off since mid-afternoon was mercifully kept in check til near showtime so we were still match-fit. Apologies to those looking for Small and Medium Tee-Shirts ....the Galwegians bought them all. A new batch is due back from the makers this week. Our new Tee (I'll find a pic somewhere and post it up) has a picture of the plane featured in the Killed It With My Bare Hands video. Most of you will neither know nor care that the aircraft in question, a WW2 British built Boulton Paul Defiant, could probably fight off all comers for the title of Crappiest Combat Aircraft Ever. It's conception involved a highly misguided premise and proceeded to the design stage in tragic fashion from there. If we Irish ever designed a combat aircraft... I'll stop now.
Anyway, Limerick was great. Thanks to all at Dolans who were magnificent as always and thanks to all who attended either (or both!!) shows and fingers crossed we'll see ye again at the arse end of 2008 if everyone stays fit, healthy and inclined.
Set list (Both Gigs): Liver/ Even at Your Bravest/ Sure/Killed it With My Bare Hands/ 4.30... Two Down/Line Dance Finals Massacre/For the Want of Some Better TV/ Strachan/ The Urge to Kill/ Wannabee/ Aryan Beach Party/ U Can Du/ You Can Only Love Someone So Much.../ One Last Song/ Red Mohair Jumper (with a little bit of 'Make Me an Island' tacked on ...RIP Joe Dolan) / Mama Mia/ Getting Rid of The Hitchers
One Last Song
You Can Only Love Someone So Much
Red Mohair Jumper