Steve Ignorant

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 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.

After the gigs in Pomona we drove through the night to Scottsdale. Totally missed the desert experience as it was pitch black. Goldblade, who were driving during the day, told us that it was quite impressive.

We arrived at the venue early in the morning, so there was time for Matt, our driver, to show me the rules of Nine - ball - pool. Took a bit of getting used to but we came out even in the end.

The venue was called Chasers and was a dark little bar in the middle of nowhere. But yet again, loads turned up and another night of mayhem ensued.  A big thank you to all the people involved and all the people that came to see us.

We go back to black.

Our second show in Pomona was in Glasshouse. Totally different but just as good. People went out of their way to help us. So a big thank you to all involved.

Announcement. We have negotiated with the people remaining at Sonar (not the wanker who ran off with the money) and together we have worked out a solution to put the show on again. All advance tickets will be honored. There will also be tickets available on the door, cash sales only. Sonar does not have a license so no alcohol will be available, just soft drinks.

I'm sorry it's been so confusing - believe me you have no idea what's been going on to pull this together.
Just so everyone understands how difficult it has been: about 250 tickets were sold in advance. All of that money is gone. The people remaining at the venue do not have it, and we do not have it. We are only able to pull this off because someone has put their hand in their pocket and offered to cover our costs to get there, and then Sonar has agreed to let us keep all of the money from tickets bought on the day. Even if we sell it out, we'll end up with a lot less than we should have been paid - but the money isn't what matters. The tickets that you paid for will be honoured and the show will go on. It's going to be a great night.

So please, everyone spread the word that the show is happening, and come down and help us raise the roof.
Thanks
Steve

Saturday 7 May
Sonar
407 East Saratoga Street
Baltimore MD 21202