All at Sea, 4th March 2012
Since The Last Supper gig in London things have been pretty quiet for me, there hasn't been much going on to tell you about and I didn't want to ramble away on here just for the sake of it.
I think maybe I wasn't expecting the comedown to be as big as it was, but then for eighteen months of constant work to suddenly be over, it would be a lie to say that it didn't affect me. This isn't a sob story looking for pity, don't worry, I'm just trying to explain the long silence. One minute you're out there, travelling all over the place, meeting hundreds of people every day and night, and the next you're on your own in your local with a pint of europiss listening to Chris Rea driving home for christmas. The phone goes quiet, there's no interviews at silly times of the night and at first it's like a holiday, not having to pack and say goodbye to your home. And then a few weeks later you realise you're saying to people: when I used to... and it brings it home that it's over, done with. Self doubt slips in and your confidence goes and you find you can't think of anything to say or write without scrutinising it and then dumping it because it's crap. The worst moment is when you look along the bar at the others and think: I'm just one of them now. That gave me a boot up the arse. The night that happened I came home, opened the bottle of wine I knew Jona had stashed away for when visitors come, put the headphones on and played Stratford Mercenaries and Schwartzeneggar. And I realised that some of those songs aint bad, some could work as acoustic versions...hmm, that's got me thinking...
On a different note, a few weeks ago the Caister Independent Lifeboat crew payed us a visit as they wanted to see if they could use a trailer like ours to launch their small boat from it. They very kindly invited us to take a trip from Caister to here on their larger boat and we jumped at the chance. On that morning they had to perform the spreading of two peoples' ashes and it was great to see it done with dignity and sympathy. It's something we've done on our boat many a time and it's always done as caringly as possible. Then we set off for Sea Palling. Man, that boat can move. It just cuts through the waves like anything and you hardly feel it. A great way to spend a Sunday morning. Thanks Caister for the opportunity.
Still on lifeboats for a minute - well I am involved - we take possession of our new lifeboat in a couple of weeks time. Our old boat met with an accident so we had to salvage what we could from it and get a new one built. Fortunately we're off service during winter so it hasn't meant we've missed any shouts, but we go back on service very soon so that means we've been working really intensively on chartwork, first aid and stuff in readiness. Once the new boat gets here it's going to be full on getting used to it and practice practice practice out at sea.
Also in June there will be a naming ceremony where a Bishop comes down and blesses the boat (it's called Lionheart) and there's a church service, yeah I know you don't have to tell me, we're also having an open day at the boatshed, and in the evening there's a 'do' at the pub. Clarkey asked me if I'd think about doing something, and yeah, Im going to. I'm planning to do a spoken word thing that'll last 30 to 40 minutes, Carol and Pete have agreed to back me, so that's what I'm working on at the moment. I don't know if anyone's interested but hopefully it'll be entertaining and there is a band playing as well, you know the usual keep everyone happy sort of thing but apparently they've got a great brass section. It's free to get in but donations would be welcome. I'm not giving the date yet as I don't want people booking flights and christ knows what, it's going to be a very small local thing but if anyone thinks they can make it you'd be welcome. Let me see what the response is and I'll give more details. I'm not teasing, it's just the way it has to be done for the moment.
Right, I'm off down the pub and think up some things to say. It's good to be doing something like this again, good to have something to talk with you all about. Till soon, Steve.
April 21st, 2012 - 19:21
An acoustic versions,I’am sure that’s wonderful,you can follow this way(look at the work of penny and eve).you have also again lots of work about your (the last supper dvd)(think of an english subtitle if it’s possible please,I’m french sorry).In brittany we have also the “S.N.S.M”(national society for sea rescue),no problem,it’s for a good cause.Merci beaucoup pour les nouvelles,Francki.
April 23rd, 2012 - 12:02
Great stuff…It must be a BIG comedown after all that activity over the last couple of years. Something to look back on with pride too…Would be great to hear some Schwartzeneggar/Stratford Mercenaries songs being played again too. Good bands. Well done with the lifeboat involvement…A very worthwhile cause.
April 24th, 2012 - 08:59
Great stuff Steve, look fwd to you maybe giving us a bit of a tour of the lifeboat operation when Min and I visit later this year. Then we can adjourn to the local for a few pints and reminisc about your Oz tour.
April 24th, 2012 - 12:54
Yeah, all those things we said we’d laugh about one day! hahaha
April 24th, 2012 - 11:15
Great news and pictures…thanks for the post & please keep us all in the loop!
April 24th, 2012 - 13:25
Hi Steve,
First time I’ve been in contact with you on such a personal level. Saw you on the Last Supper tour here in Cologne and saw you first time with Crass at Digbeth Civic hall in Birmingham way back when. Poison Girls and Flux of Pink Indians also played. Just wanted to say how much I admire the RNLI and would’ve loved to be involved in some way but living in a virtually land-locked foreign country doesn’t help. Anyway, keep up the good work and more strength to your elbow!
April 24th, 2012 - 13:25
I think its good to read a blog where your humility shines through Steve,good on you. I think one of the most significant elements of The Last Supper gigs is the genuine passion of the performances. Write some stuff, perform people are listening.
April 24th, 2012 - 13:41
Steve, It was a delight meeting you at the Fox theater last year, my brother and I still talk about the show. I’m not sure you fully comprehend the impact you had on so many people during the tour, but just because we’ve all fallen silent doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about you. Thank you for signing my Crass posters I brought, they had been hanging on my wall when I was 15 (30 years ago!) I’ll never forget the experience.
April 24th, 2012 - 14:18
Hey Steve, I saw you play at the Tote in Melbourne. I never thought Id ever get to hear those songs played live and the band was amazing. Im forty in a week and I know what its like to be weighing up your life and Ive done nothing like what you and CRASS achieved. You stood half a metre away from me sipping a pint before the gig and I never spoke to you because theres no way I could explain the importance of your work to me without sounding like a gushing star struck twat. and Im not star struck by you… your FAR more important than a fucking film star!! Your work shaped my mind from the age of 14 when a lad in the know gave me a mix tape of CRASS/Conflict/Chumbawamba.The CRASS ethos burned deep inside me and to this day that symbol to me represents every thing I hold dear- non sexist, non racist, non homophobic. A different, better way of thinking/living/being. To see you sing ( and Carol) was an honor. Dont let the nay sayers stop you you going out and playing again. You owe it to yourself to keep on opening/blowing minds and playing the CRASS/Stratford Mercenaries/schwartzennager material. I have never felt more emotional at a gig and that wasnt because you were a fondly remembered retro act, its because you were so fucking vitally alive. I really hope that itch in you to play again goes stronger and stronger and that next time I see you at the bar I can buy you a pint. Chris
April 24th, 2012 - 17:40
Steve, you’ll always be a legend, and the fact that both the Mercenaries and Schwartzeneggar were brilliant tells me that you’re always looking forward, and to what to do next, and i’m looking forward to whatever you do next because it’ll be Steve Ignorant.
April 24th, 2012 - 18:44
Very pleasant and relaxing post -like the photo of you and doggie – shifting gears can be disconcerting – this is a fun blog – i look forward to your on-going sharing your life -
May 4th, 2012 - 11:00
CRASS are new to me. I went down the path of discovery after reading ’100 greatest albums you’ve never heard’ (featured in NME last year). I’m 28 and It’s been so long since I heard something that affected, moved and inspired me. Although it’s not new to the world, it’s new to me and that is all that matters. There is no authority but myself.
Never stop creating
Thanks