Steve Ignorant

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

After the initial cancellation of the Baltimore show it went ahead with the help and support from a lot of people. Before we arrived we stopped off at Dischord to dump off some merch. A big thank you to Ian McKaye and Michael  for helping us out there. It was really good to see Ian again and to have some time to catch up.

It was a night to remember, see also my blog 'The one that hurt to write'. Thank you for turning up and supporting us. Thanks for the gifts, beers and crisps.

Sorting out our merch

Ian and me mucking about

Oi, oi

A fantastic crowd

Baltimore at its best

A night to remember.

Masquerade is a huge old building that used to be an old mill and as far as I could see has 3 spaces to perform in. The staff  there were really helpful and Greg was a diamond. We had a fantastic meal, everyone loved it especially the homemade cornbread.

After loading in and sound check I had a Q&A at another great independent record store.  Yes, they are still out there and worth a visit. Chad Radford (Creative Loafing) did a brilliant job at curating. He also got me some cigarettes as I forgot my ID so they wouldn't sell me any.

There was a great atmosphere at the gig and I had time to meet and talk to lots of people. Also a big hug to some special people out there.

We are all getting tired but we don't want it to end, because this is not just any tour, it is something really special and emotional. There is such an energy and positivity, it is hard to describe. I am sure anyone who has been to one of The Last Supper gigs will agree.

Part of the old mill

Criminal Records

Carol's own design

Fight War, Not Wars

Fantastic night

Great people

Atlanta's crowd

After a night of driving, a day off and another day of driving we arrived at Gainesville. A great venue with friendly people. There was a take away pizza place just round the corner and the pizzas were brilliant.

Lots of people had travelled to see the gig and we all had a great time. Carol got close up with some wildlife and Jona and Allison got very dirty sorting out the trailer. We even had a guest singer, Melissa, to sing Big A Little a.

I know many bands just play the east and west coast but I am glad we decided to get all the way round the USA and meet all you lot.  The photos speak for themselves.

In planning the final gig of The Last Supper, at Shepherd's Bush in November, me and everyone else involved have been working hard to put together a really special event.  For me, it's going to be very emotional no matter what - it's the last time that I am going to sing those Crass songs.  It's got to be a special night.   Finding support bands has not been easy.  I'm picky about what I like personally, and we have been trying to avoid having bands that you can see pretty much anywhere, any time.  I also wanted the other bands to be proper mates - people that I could really enjoy my very final celebration of Crass alongside.  It's not been as easy as we'd hoped.

I spoke to Mark from the Mob before we went to America and they were excited and agreed to play.  Unfortunately when it came down to finalising things in the last week, we hit problems.   The Mob had decided to plan another gig in London the night before ours - and we felt that would take something away from our night - we didn't want people feeling they were paying for our ticket and could see pretty much the same show, without us, down the road in the pub the night before.  It's normal with big shows to ask the supports not to book any other gigs in the same town for 2 weeks either side, but we tried to be reasonable and ask for 2 nights.   The Mob felt that financially the gig the night before ours was better for them, so they said they couldn't do our gig.

So it's all a bit unfortunate really, and I'm quite gutted that it hasn't worked out the way I'd hoped.  But don't worry, we've already got some really special surprises planned for the night, and we're going to go back to the drawing board and find another really special band to replace the Mob.  We're already very happy to have the wonderful Cravats playing with us.  I'm totally overjoyed that the night is already nearly sold out, so we're definitely going to deliver a special evening for everyone who comes.

Oh - and we did cock up on this.  We had designed a new ad for the gig and were going to order some flyers when we got back from America.  While we were on tour our Mojo advert for the gig was due, and the office sent the wrong art file through, so our flyer with The Mob on it did appear there.  We didn't announce the supports anywhere else but I think The Mob did on their web site, so if  by chance anyone bought a ticket specifically because they wanted to see The Mob, you can get a refund on the ticket price from Southern (www.southern.com/shop).

Sorry about all that.

Steve.

We're not even back a week or we are already rehearsing for the Australia & New Zealand Last Supper Tour. Unfortunately Bob, the bass player, can't come so Pete Wilson has now joined us. Bob and Pete have been working on the songs together even before we went to the USA and Pete was with us in Brooklyn.

First a photo shoot with the band, after that we rang Allison to wish her a very Happy Birthday. As you can see from the photo below we all try to outdo each other with our vocals. A great warming up technique. Finally we start, Pete is a formidable bass player and we just play song after song. We finish early, so time for a quick pint.

Thanks everyone, especially Bob and Pete for working so hard. I will put on the photos of the last four gigs in the USA as soon as possible.

After driving through the night we arrived at Austin in the morning. The venue was still closed, the band asleep and Allison at work on her laptop. Jona and I found a great little place on the corner and enjoyed a quiet breakfast.

Once Emo's opened it was all hands on deck. A great venue, which opened up into a courtyard and outside space. Lucky for them they don't have our English weather.

After the soundcheck  we were picked up by Dan, the owner of the End Of An Ear record shop, for a Q & A session with Oliver Sheppard. Another great independent record shop, really enjoyed talking and having a laugh with Oliver and everyone that turned up.

Back at the venue I just had time to listen to the local support band and Goldblade before we were on. I know I keep saying this but it was another great night and everyone that was there can vouch for that.

Thank you Austin, Chris and Timmy for looking after us, Dan and Oliver for the Q&A and everyone else that made this happen.