DIARY OF MY TRIP TO SEE OSAKA POPSTAR (MARKY RAMONE ON DRUMS) AND
MISFITS SHOWS IN UK IN SEPTEMBER, 2006
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Text and photos -> Copyright 2006 -> : Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone.
Expect photo featuring Jari-Pekka, copyright -> : Bram van Schaik.
I didn't knew what to do with the show in next day (September 22, 2006,
Plug, Sheffield). I was looked in advance from internet that train
tickets from London to Sheffield are pretty expensive. Then I heard
about cheap bus company called Megabus. Next morning at 10AM I checked
from internet their schedules and luckily there was bus leaving at 3PM
to Sheffield. I booked it and also return ticket for next night (leaving
at 3.45AM). Then I had meeting with one Finnish student (Pekka Hiekkala)
and I did with him interview to Pohjalainen newspaper. I went with Pekka
to Victoria station where bus left. Bus was scheduled to be in Sheffield
at 6.45PM. Luckily I had nice person sitting next to me. She (Luisa
Tavares) was moved from Brazil to London. Luisa was awared of it how
popular the Ramones was and still is in the Brazil. It was easy to talk
with her. But we had bad luck with bus. At first we were stucked to
traffic jams and then bus got broken... It took more than hour that we
got new bus. Then was time to stuck again to traffic jams... Bus was in
Sheffield at 9.30PM, so we were there 2 hours and 45 minutes late. I was
expecting that the Misfits will start their set at 10PM. I found my way
to the Plug exactly then. Luckily I had .all access. pass and I got
inside smoothly. I met in backstage first with the Dez and crew members
Roger and Chris. I saw that Dez was sweaty and I understood that the
Misfits was already played... You can imagine what kind of feelings I
had then towards Megabus company....
I went to take photos from the front of stage when Osaka Popstar
gentlemen went on stage. Insects was great to sing-a-long again. I got
soon better feelings also because I went to pogo Ramones songs to the
audience. There was rough mosh-pit going on. I had great time and I
tried to pogo friendly way. Set was same. Only difference was that Man
Of Constant Sorrow was played straight after the KKK Took My Baby Away
(not as a encore). KKK Took My Baby Away started again with a special
tempo by Marky.
I was hanging out alone a while in backstage after Osaka Popstar
finished playing. I wanted to give them time to recover a bit. Then
Marky and John came to chat with me for five minutes before they went to
eat for some restaurang. It was good choice for their ears because soon
later Plug was changed for some disco hell. Music was played really,
really loudly and I, Dez, Jerry, Ivan etc. didn't liked of that. We
heard music loudly even we had backstage doors closed. Soon it was time
to say goodbyes. I decided to stay at Plug till 2.45AM. I thinked it was
better not to go to wander alone to the nightlife of Sheffield. There
was some good food in fridge in backstage and guys were asked me to eat
them if I want. I think it's good to mention that in both of the shows
there was minimally alcohol in backstage rooms of the Misfits and Osaka
Popstar. Probably also Marky wanted it to be that way. I found my way to
the bus station and luckily we got on time to London (7.30AM). I
returned to Camden Inn hostel and soon I was chatting with Swedish
brothers who were also staying in a same room with me. Jonas and Daniel
Palm were also attended London show and we had nice discussions.
Daniel wanted to buy my Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey
Ramone book. They returned that day back to Sweden.
Then I went to bed and naturally I slept long to afternoon. Later that
day (September 23) I went to the Fulham FC's stadium. They were playing
against Chelsea FC. Fulham lost 0-2. Then I started to get ready to the
show of the
Boys! I was seen by accident that they were playing at The
Barfly in Camden on September 22 and 23. I went early to The Barfly. But
I found out that both shows were sold-out in advance. I got myself in
anyway (I had good explanations...). I had been in touch with the Boys
few years ago with a help from my Argentinian friend Mariano Asch. The
keyboardist Casino Steel and bassist Duncan Reid also wrote small text
to my Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone book. Mariano Asch was a
personal friend with Joey Ramone since 1996 and he's had the opportunity
to do many Ramones interviews. And he's that man behind of greatest
Ramones tribute album -
Todos Somos Ramones. It's released by his label
Rockaway Records. Mariano Asch was asked from me few days before I
started this my trip if I can travel to Berlin, Germany on September 29.
There he was going to visit the
Ramones Museum and have the dinner with
Flo who run the museum etc. I replied that sadly I can't travel then
there. One minute after I was entered The Barfly some man ask if I'm
Jari-Pekka. I said yes without looking him better. After some seconds I
was shocked really happy way - man was Mariano Asch! My whole face was
one big smile and we changed big hugs. I didn't knew anything of
Mariano's plans to travel to London. Next to him was man wearing a great
leopard jacket - Gonzalo Facio. Another great surprise! Gonzalo is a
caricaturist. He's also from Argentina. Gonzalo has made many Ramones
works, like Joey's
Don't Worry About Me wallpaper at www.joeyramone.com
is by Gonzalo and my Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone book has
caricatures by him of Joey, Dee Dee, Marky and CJ. He is also worked for
The Boys/ The Yobs, UK Subs, The Hymans, Die Toten Hosen, Katarro
Vandaliko, Expulsados, Honest John Plain.... I was talking with the
Mariano and Gonzalo until one lady started to speak for me in Finnish. I
did remember her E-mail which she was wrote to me after she and her man
Spider were bought my books. She recognized me from the photos of my
books. Also Spider was there, he's playing in a UK band called
Subzeros.
Then was time of the show. Stage was in basement. At first I was
watching show from the back of the club and I noticed quickly that the
Boys can still rock. I found my way closer to stage to take photos and
there I saw Mariano and Gonzalo having a good time. Soon I went to pogo
with them, it was great to hear at live classic songs like First Time,
Brickfield Nights, Terminal Love, Sick On You... Some of their songs are
also covered in Finnish, especially by older Ramoniac band called Pojat, (name
means in English Boys), also cool label Woimasointu has released
some of their releases. A great performance in all. After the show I was
talking with Duncan and John of the Boys. Then Duncan had to leave in a
rush and also Mariano's and Gonzalo's because they were staying in a
house of Duncan. After I was returned to Finland I found out from the
Boys site that it was over 25 years since the band previously played in
London...
I was been sending some SMS's with Grace Grook during the week. She
moved to London on September 24 as she was planned. Before I met with
Grace I visited world famous Harrods department store. I did there
article to the Pohjalainen newspaper about items which were ultra
expensive. I sent SMS to Piia Voutilainen if she wants me to bring as a
gift for her Parker's one pencil which had gold and diamonds (price of
it was in Euros 9 600) or Rolex watch (the most expensive which I saw
was 85 500 Euros). I was sending SMS's also with Alfie, he asked if I
wanna come with him to one festival. I replied that I'm meeting soon
with Grace. It was great to see with Grace again. We went to her student
apartment. She wanted to hear about the shows I had seen. Also she
planned to go to the Misfits/ Osaka Popstar show to the Cardiff on
September 28.
I and Grace had nice time. Later that day we went to the bar which was
next to her student apartment. They had "university studies begin
tomorrow" party there and people were chatting and introducing
themselves to other ones. Also from me many people asked in what
university line I do begin studies... We went to have an after party and
there were people from Russia, China, Mexico, Brazil...
Next day (September 25) I had flight back to Finland. After I was
returned to Finland Grace wrote that she couldn't travel to Cardiff, but
she planned to do one more trip to New York before CBGB's get
closed...
Thanks for every friendly people whom I met.
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