Was Sport Better in the 70’s National Tour 4th Innings
Western Australia– Fremantle – Mandurah – Bunbury – W.A University – Perth –
May 2003
Was Sport Really Better in the 70’s?
I’m not sure whose idea it was to put the Drugs on a flight to Perth but it
wasn’t the smartest of decisions, although the Drugs in any confined space
is trouble.
So here we are on a flight to the other side of the country, I find myself
camped next to Ian Baddley for a 5 hour flight, sure enough we hit the
alcohol as soon as we takeoff.
Ian takes delight in repeatedly knocking the head rest of a gentleman trying
to get some sleep, constantly waking him up. It was very fucking funny.
2 1/2 hours in to the flight I spot a lovely virgin attendant painting the
faces of the children on board, I’ll have one of those I thought and soon
enough the Drugs faces were painted as KISS, the greatest rock band in the
world.
I’m sure the already jumpy comuters were even more uneasy as Gene Simons
lined up to take a piss.
In the terminal we copped a load of strange looks as KISS collected their
musical equipment from the baggage claim, maybe if Harry Snow is mistaken
for the KISS drummer he might get lucky??
So here we are in W.A headed to Fremantle, not to much different to the
other side of the country apart from Gull service stations and yellow
signposts everywhere.
We get to Fremantle and have a little look around, we then head to tonights
venue, the Newport, to relax.
The Newport is a very cool looking venue where loads of great bands have
played at, even our friends from 28 Days are playing here soon.
I heard very good reports about the support band although I did not see
them, David Live was very impressed.
Our first show in W.A goes well with the crowd looking a little taken aback
by the monstrosity unfolding before their eye’s. It always enjoyable to see
scared punters.
After the show we head straight down the coast to Mandurah.
David Live, Harry & I head to the beach to have a little look around, David
Live wanted to touch the indian ocean, it was so touching, I wanted to kick
sand in his face.
Ian Baddley slept, Harry Snow, Traxy, John Citizen & I hoped into the hotel
spa and drank alcohol like the rock stars we are, we defied the rules by
taking glass into the pool area, when the signs specifically said not to,
Ian baddley ventured into the sunlight and Jumped into the spa fully
clothed.
We head to the venue, Players, for tonights show.
A capacity crowd greets us when we arrive. Players is a great bar with
amazing sound.
The support band were lovely guys and played & drank well.
Show goes well but we’re all keen to get back to the hotel for some pasta
bake.
Next morning we head into Perth and the University of Western Australia to
make sure everybody is working hard at their chosen university courses.
A very small stage didn’t do much to contain us so we used the rest of the
room to compensate, the crowd was great and made it even more enjoyable,
they especially enjoyed throwing balls at Alex.
After chatting to our new friends we hurridly race of south to Bunbury for
tonights show, no rest for the wicked.
Bunbury reminded me of my home town and the kind of people who frequent it.
The Drugs are at the stage of the trip where people lose it, I was worn out
by the university show and it was starting to show, Baddley had too much to
drink and was poking everyone in the chest as he rambled. A surprise guest
at tonights show was Mark Chopper Reid who joined the band for a few drinks.
A good friend of ours Quade also turned up for a few.
After the show we headed to our room to continue the party, Ian was in fine
form and paid dearly the next day. Strange cuts and markings on his body
from the night before have mysteriously appeared.
In the morning we head to Perth again for tonights show at the Amplifier bar.
A few of us spend the day exploring the city and catching up on sleep.
We arrive at the Amp bar for sound check and meet the support bands, very
funny guys who put on an amazing show.
The Amp bar has to be one of the best venues I’ve ever been to, it had it
all, and now it has the Drugs.
Showtime rolls around and we head to the stage, tonights show was a blur of
fury, alcohol and insanity that I was proud to be a part of. Those present
at the Amp bar in Perth saw the Drugs as good as they get, so if you were
still disapointed. It doesn’t get any better.
After the show we hang around and get even more worse for wear, then we head
to crazy eddie’s for some nosh. A very crazy nights ends with Van Dammes masterpiece No
Retreat No Surrender on television.
Up early for our flight home we head to the aiport. The Drugs bleary eyed
members crawl onto the plane.
Ian then kicks Traxy in the neitheregions causing Traxy to let out a loud
shreak, reminesent of a small marsupial, then hitting his head on the
storage compartments.
5 hours sleep I think as I get comfortable, then I hear Baddley say
"Victoria next week”.
A big thanks the all you crazy folks in W.A , it was a pleasure and you made
us feel warm and fuzzy in all the wrong places.
Thanks & we’ll see you next time.
