Steve Ignorant

After thousands and thousands of miles we arrived back in New York where the best advertising agency is located Voy Media where it all started on the 20th April for our final gig at Santo's.

It certainly was a fantastic night with a great crowd. It was lovely to see my friends that came over especially and talk to so many people.

Time had flew by and I couldn't believe that this was the end. I'd met so many wonderful people and there were so many special moments that it was hard to take it all in.

Thank you all for making this tour so special.

Carol helping Spike with setting up his drum kit.

Cartel and I listening to Bob, Gizz and Spike.

Back stage, which we shared with Goldblade.

Carol, Bob, Gizz and Spike giving it their all.

All Right Spike?

Hello New York.

What a night.

A great bunch.

Goodnight!

After only an hours flight we were in Auckland ready for our final gig. Tom was already at the venue with the gear, Tim was working hard to set up the projector for the visuals that Allison had sent and we got ready for the sound check.

It was a fantastic night, I met some lovely people and a great mate of mine turned up as well. We had good sound, visuals and a wonderful crowd. We really couldn't have wished for more and were quite sad that that was our last gig of the Australia and New Zealand Tour.

We had a day off before we flew back home. Tom and Tim gave up their time to drive us around to see the sights, eat some good food, buy some souvenirs and visit the museum. We had a lovely day!

A big thank you to Tim for organising the New Zealand tour, for the special stamp and the Crass symbol on the drumhead. Thank you also to Tom, Roger and all the others that worked so hard.

It was time to say goodbye and go home, flying from Auckland to Sydney, from Sydney to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong to London. Little did we know that we started the journey from hell. After we arrived in Sydney they closed all airspace due to volcanic ash and we ended up staying the night. The next morning we flew to Hong Kong only to be told on arrival that there was no connecting flight for us. By the time we ended up in a hotel it was 3am. After a short night we checked in at the airport and finally were on our way home. We were suppose to arrive on Wednesday 6.30am but arrived on Thursday at 4pm absolutely knackered.

Apart from the flight home it was a fantastic tour. We all enjoyed it, met some wonderful people and played  in some great venues. What an experience.

Gizz and Pete during soundcheck.

Great visuals.

Look at Spike's drum kit.

Cheers everybody!

What a great bunch of people.

Go for it Carol.

Our last breakfast in New Zealand.

The whole gang.

We could have stayed there all day.

Home again.

Jona and Carol outside the airport.

Here some great photos from our gig at The Kings Arms in Auckland taken by Roger Grauwmeijer. Thanks for that Roger.

At 6 am we were off to the airport to fly to New Zealand and I was really looking forward to it as I'd never been there.

When we arrived at Wellington airport Tim was already waiting for us and before we knew it we were in the van, driven by Tom. We were staying the night right next to the venue so we managed to get an hour's kip before the sound check.

Bodega is a great venue, we soon felt at home and got to know Roger (who took photographs of the 2 gigs) and loads of other people. By now we were seriously suffering from sleep deprivation but as soon as we got on stage the adrenaline kicked in, we became alive and loved every minute of it.

Thank you to all the people that travelled from afar to see us, thank you to those that helped on the night and a special thank you to Tim and Min to make this tour a reality. What a fantastic first night in New Zealand.

Pete and me chilling out.

Checking in.

Photo by Roger Grauwmeijer.

Photo by Roger Grauwmeijer.

Photo by Roger Grauwmeijer.

Photo by Roger Grauwmeijer

What a great bunch of people.

Bloody Revolutions.

As you can see a great night.

So many faces.

It's 6 o'clock in the morning when I drag myself out of bed after 3 hours sleep to get ready to fly off to Melbourne. We are all shattered and catch up on some sleep while on the plane.

That night Gizz, Jona and I went to 3PBS Radio for a live interview with Michael Mullholland. He certainly knew what he was talking about, had some really good questions and the time just flew by. Michael was then kind enough to drive us to the Melbourne Anarchist Club, where Brendan was waiting for us with a pizza for Gizz and Jona and a beer for me. Just what we needed. We had a Q&A in the living room and there was a great atmosphere with lots of laughter. What a night.

I have to say I am not a morning person and getting up the next day at 8am for an interview on RRR Radio is not what I call fun.  But coming downstairs Terri and Paul, who had kindly offered to give us a lift, were already there and I just knew it was going to be a good day. The interview with Tony Biggs on his show 'On the Blower' was great fun and we talked like we knew each other for years.

Sadly that night was already our last gig in Australia. The Tote is a great venue with really friendly people, who did everything to make us feel at home. There was a huge crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Thanks Glenn for organising it all!

Again we met some fantastic people who went out of their way to help us and make us feel at home. I was fortunate enough to visit two great independent radio stations, mostly run by volunteers and a thriving anarchist club. What an experience, thanks everyone.

A quick sip of tea while Michael is playing the next track.

At the Melbourne Anarchist Club.

With Tony Biggs on the early morning show.

Everyone giving it their all.

Enjoying the show.

Goodnight Melbourne.

A fantastic crowd.

After Sydney it was off to Perth. Apparently it's over 4011 km and a 43 hours non-stop drive by car, so we were told by the cab driver. Needless to say we went by plane, I've never flown so much in my life.

On Tuesday, our day off, Carl had arranged a visit to the Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue. It was really interesting to see how they worked and trained their crew. That night we went to The Moon and Sixpence pub for a pint and a chat. It certainly was a brilliant day.

Wednesday we played at The Bakery, which is a great venue for gigs. We all spend most of the time chatting with people and watching the support bands. We had a fantastic night, thanks to everyone for turning up and a big thank you to Min for organising it all.

Waiting for our flight to Perth.

Pete got himself a new tattoo in Sydney.

A tour of one of the boats of Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue.

Trying not to get blown away while posing with Bon Scott.

We enjoyed watching Min and her band SSA.

Hanging around the merch stall.

Gizz sorting out his pedals before the gig.

Giving it my all.

Gizz Butt, Carol Hodge, Spike T Smith on drums and Pete Wilson.

A great night with great people.

Go for it.

Another great night.

After a day of traveling we arrived in Sydney and went straight to the venue for load in and sound check. Anthony and his friends worked for days to get everything ready on time. A great banner was hanging from the ceiling and oil drums standing ready  to be used that night to keep us warm.

Before the gig I went to Mu-Meson Archives where Jay Katz and Miss Death showed the film 'There's No Authority But Yourself', afterwards there was time for a chat and some questions. I was sorry to leave but I still had to play that night.

Loads of people came, the support bands gave it their all and there was a great atmosphere. We really enjoyed it. A special thanks to Anthony and all the people involved.

That oil drum looks great.

Look at that banner and it was still hanging at the end of the night. Unlike the one in the UK.

At Mu-Mesan Archives.

Darling.

I couldn't do it without this great band!

Hello Sydney.

Lovely to meet you all, especially Ollie.

Everyone is having a good time.

After a wild night we got up early and set off to Australia Zoo, which was established by Steve Irwin and his family. You can see their motto and passion in action: conservation through exciting education and making a stand to do something positive in our world.

That night was our first gig in Australia. Excited, jet legged and a bit nervous Carol Hodge (vocals), Gizz Butt (guitar), Pete Wilson (bass), Spike T Smith (drums) and myself were driven to the venue by Geoffrey. Everyone made us feel at home and were really kind and helpful. It was a great night with great people.

Thank you so much to: Min and Allison for making this tour a reality, to Cathy for looking after us so well, to Lindy for sorting out Gizz's neck, to Geoffrey for driving us around, to the people that came and saw the show and everyone else that helped out.

After four very hectic weeks we're finally off to Australia. Sitting in front of two screaming kids I had to resist the urge to get of the bloody plane. Over 20 hours flying, I must be mad.

Somehow we made it and when we arrived Min, Cathy and Geoffrey were waiting for us. They made us feel right at home. That afternoon I had a radio interview at 4zzz with Chris Converse on the Brown Couch.

We all met up for a meal at the Prince of Wales hotel and somehow we ended up doing karaoke. It was a right laugh and Min got the pictures to proof it.

Quick stop at Hong Kong to try out the local beer

Outside Brisbane Airport, on the coldest day since 1920, with Cathy and Min

Quick fag before we get started

On the Brown Couch with Chris

Pete, myself and Gizz