What Is It With Denmark?
By Ginger | December 6, 2009
So, it started when we left the beautiful, strange winter wonderland that is Norway, en route for Denmark.
Denmark, that nemesis of a place that very nearly sapped our lust for life during the recording of our last album. A place with so many memories it’s a shame they’re mostly horrible.
You could say that we haven’t enjoyed a great time in Denmark and you’d be right.
Would this time be any different?
Read on, dear reader, read on.
Turns out that the Punk festival that we are booked to play isn’t actually a punk festival at all.
“Just as long as it’s not a glam festival I’ll be happy” snorted Scott.
Ever wish you’d never said something?
On landing in Copenhagen we are met by a guy with half leather, star filled trousers who tells us that we will not be travelling by the traditional vehicular conveyance that would transport six people, as many guitars, a dozen suitcases and various merchandise. Oh no, we will not take a van or any such thing. We will take the train.
Yeah, I’ve seen the Anvil movie and no, I didn’t think we’d ever travel to a gig on a train loaded with our gear. Turns out the promoter, the guy who met us from the plane, is a confirmed pathological fibber and has been suitably economic with the truth.
“I lie to make people happy, and when they realise I’m lying I lie again”, says our promoter and host for the evening.
So we aren’t playing a punk festival, and we don’t actually have transport to the glam gig we are playing.
“It’s just around the corner from the train station”, he tells us, and after dragging our luggage and equipment around Copenhagen for 40 minutes we can see a theme developing.
After finally reaching the venue in time for soundcheck we are told that we have to turn the amps down onstage. Then, on reducing the volume to half of our usual output we are told once more to turn them down. This went on for a comedic amount of time until a stagehand is dispatched to the amps to turn them down quieter than I play my stereo when my son is sleeping next to me.
And on the strangest shaped stage in Scandinavia we locate the bottle of Jack Daniels, a gift from from our wonderful hosts in Norway, and begin to drink.
After coming to terms with the fact that the onstage sound tonight will resemble angry wasps in cookie jars we retire to our hotel. Or, to be more specific, hostel, where we are expected to sleep 6 in one room, including our female manager. The promise of single hotel rooms being less than honoured we settle for sharing two rooms leaving a 3rd single room for Virpi. Me, Scott and Dunc will be crammed into a tiny cell with barely enough space to fit our bags, and sleep on beds that have not been changed this century.
We continue to drink
It is agreed that the majestic waves of disappointment sweeping through our party will be best calmed by good food and fine wines.
This, however, will not manifest and will, instead, be traded in for a visit to the Royal Palace or, as Scott re-named it Hitler’s Chinese Buffet, which, it turns out, is run by the rudest, most obnoxious, unhelpful and over opinionated person living in a country of seemingly many rude, obnoxious, unhelpful and over opinionated people.
Virpi, who earlier, when asked where to buy guitar leads/chords was sent first to a record store, then a piano shop and a drum shop before finally being shown a guitar shop, is told that if she orders water with her meal she can not drink any drink of ours, not a sip of someone’s coke, not nothing. If you order coke you drink coke, if you order water you drink water, sharing is strictly forbidden. After enduring the charms of Denmark’s most disagreeable man Virpi loses the patience she has been valiantly clinging on to, and let’s him have a large slice of her mind.
In a bid to restore a peaceful equilibrium within the ranks it is decided that we should find a pub and just stay there until showtime, some four hours later.
Further to meeting up with the lovely Maria Anderberg (the wonderful woman who put me in touch with Maria Mckee) and friends we stagger, by this point, to the venue, in the pissing down rain, where we will wait for showtime while being serenaded by a DJ specialising in the worst music that the 80’s had to offer, namely hair metal.
The show goes off pretty well, a healthy reception and a very good natured audience, and after hanging out in the dressing room for long enough to be driven insane by the abhorrent music we conclude that the Danish don’t know what ‘Private: The Wildhearts Only’ means, and that taxi drivers would rather drive around at 90 mph than actually pick anyone up.
We drag our gear back through the rain and arrive at our digs around 4am to see a very high member of a glam band straightening his hair in the corridor mirror. We opt to drink to the death of a very strange day indeed.
Virpi wakes with a strange male member of staff leering over her bed instructing her to “leave right now”, the promised Wi Fi doesn’t work and everyone is still scratching their heads at the previous days activities.
We retire to an Irish pub where I decide I can’t leave Copenhagen with no fond memories and opt to visit the infamous hippie commune Christiania.
A very different face of Copenhagen welcomes us as we enter and take the main drag past dozens of hash and pot stalls hawking the strongest smelling weed these nostrils have ever imbibed. We almost get stoned by osmosis, such is the potency and open use of the local herbal fare.
Christiania is an incredible experience, a social experiment that began in 1971 where the only rules are no violence and keep the place tidy. The entire community muck in together and the enjoy everything from shows by major artists to public speakers addressing a huge tent on the benefits of sharing. There is a strong Buddhist vibe here and everyone is chatty and smiling, a far cry from the grumbling control freaks we’ve met just a few miles down the road. Even the dogs seem unnaturally laid back. You could get a place to stay here for around 100 quid a month. The police keep a respectful distance and the 1000’s of inhabitants live in a seemingly hassle free utopia.
I leave Copenhagen buoyant and so smitten by this strange community that I can forgive, easily, the rudeness of some of the people outside Christiania. After all, it would simply appear that most of the friendly people left the city to live in the commune. I know I would.
I hope to come back here one day to write and enjoy the spiritual balance that seems the true currency of this magical place.
I’d also like to continue my on going quest to fall in love with this country.
Denmark, you crazy fucking bastard.
Gx
Xmess Tour Merchandise
By Ean | December 2, 2009
Now that the Xmess tour is under way, we thought we’d give you guys a peek at the goodies that will be on offer at the shows.
Along with the usual mugs, keyrings, wristbands and CDs, there’s the Chutzpah Jnr mini album and this little lot:
(Click the pics for bigger)
Xmess Smiley Tee – The return of ye olde Smiley Bones in Christmas cheer mode! This will be available in both men’s and women’s styles!
Here We Go Again
By Ritch | December 2, 2009
We’re off on another merry little trip to the frozen shores of Scandinavia. I have to say, last winter’s trip left me slightly jittery after experiencing minus fourteen on the frozen midnight ferry which had to break it’s way through the frozen seas to reach it’s frozen destination. It was more of an eye closer than an eye opener.
But this time I’ve come prepared. Converse, as good as they are for drumming in, don’t really cut it as an all terrain snowshoe. So this year I’ll mainly be wearing the hide of pre-historic woolly mammoths, along with some very flattering thermal underwear made by that classic top Savile Row designer – Thinsulate. Let’s face it, you’re past caring about your appearance once your lips have fallen off. I dare say I won’t be so agile around the drum kit, but god damn it I’ll be warm.
A Brief Update, A Small Summary, And, Finally, A Bit Of News.
By Ginger | November 28, 2009
So, it’s been a while since I wrote something here, eh? Dunno why, I guess I’ve been off busying myself with other pursuits or something. Either way it’s safe to say that I’ve missed you.
First things first, go buy the new Devin Townsend album, Addicted. Absolutely the best stuff he’s released since the awe inspiring City by SYL. You will absolutely not regret this purchase.
Oh, Antiproduct are leaving the sunny confines of LA to return to the rainy little winterland we call the U of K to appear as special guests at The Wildhearts’ Xmas shows. Given that The Loyalties are opening up this evening should effortlessly rank alongside any Xmas special we have ever put together.
And, while on the subject of the Xmas gigs the thorny issue of Chutzpah Jnr. The decision to make this available exclusively to people attending the Xmas shows is not a decision that has been made by me or, to my knowledge any member of the band. I’m sure this is a slight error and that the CD will be available at shows after Xmas. All I can personally say on the subject is that I hope the CD will NOT be on sale outside of the concert environment, dictating that you make some online friends and have them buy a copy for you. Who knows, actual friendships may subsequently blossom ensuring you all have international destinations for your future holidays? Having said this, we have management and a record label that make these decisions for us, so for all I know (and let’s face it I’ve been known to be wrong as frequently as any air breathing humanoid) you might soon be able to download it without any further effort or social value whatsoever. Yay.
Speaking of gigs, the birthday show sold out in a rapid and amazing blast of excitement, at least for me. It’s a pretty proud old(ish) fart who knows that you are so keen to help me celebrate in style. So proud, in fact, that I have invited pretty much everyone to the party. Expect to see a veritable rainbow of familiar faces and musical masterchefs cluttering up the tiny stage at London’s Relentless Garage. I’d also like to take this opportunity to point out that we’d like you to familiarise yourself with this tune:
We hope to present a live version of this song at some point in the evening and your participation in the chorus would be greatly appreciated. We also hope to have a twitter address set up for live twittering during the evening. So whether you’re in the actual venue or a billion miles away on a nearby planet, or even somewhere in between, you can make your presence known.
We will NOT, it must be heavily stated, be streaming the show live or recording the event in any shape or format. Filming will also be strictly dissuaded. This is a private party after all. All I can say, in my meekest defence, is that I hope to have more than one birthday next year, failing that I suggest you get tickets even quicker next time. We may even make tickets for next years show available at some random point mid-next year, to give some of you the chance to arrange travel arrangements and organise a spot of Xmas shopping. For the rest of you dotted around the world, outside of practical range of this event, I can only offer, as some mild condolence, how the rest of us all feel at not being able to spend New Years in New York, Summer in Saigon and Easter in Egypt. Let’s face it, only God can be everywhere (and, between you and me, even She’s confirmed on the bill for the birthday bash).
I’ve been writing a lot lately. Right now I’ve been happy to write for other artists but it’s got my creative sword quite fiercely sharpened on this welcome stone of demand. Expect at least two albums next year to feature my strong involvement. A bold statement? You betcha. And if it doesn’t happen then I assure you that it won’t be through lack of trying. I’m itching to create like the monstrous creative force I intend to be next year, and I suspect this level of energy will be enough to make this happen. That and your positivity.
I am also pitching for my own radio show through which I hope to educate and entertain with a veritable barrage of unfamiliar delights chosen specifically to stroke the imagination and coddle the mind. Pray with me that it comes off and I know we can achieve this. Sharing my vast love of music is part of the vital service I hope to dedicate myself to in 2010.
There are a few other things that might or might not be happening, none of which I will jinx by announcing here at this point. Instead I’ll exercise a little more respect for the health boosting effects of good news and keep you all waiting.
Still, you know me. As soon as it’s safe to announce I’ll be laying it on y’all. As a bringer of good tidings I find much comfort.
Have a brilliant Xmas, and if I don’t speak to you beforehand keep your powder dry and your intentions brilliant.
Gx
Tour News Update
By Ean | November 25, 2009
It’s not long now until the band head out to Sweden to kick off their Merry Xmess tour, and start the festive season off in the usual Wildhearts style!
The dates are:
2/12/09 Stockholm, Sweden – Göta Källare
3/12/09 Gothenburg, Sweden – Sticky Fingers
4/12/09 Jevnaker, Norway – The Untouchables Hard Rock Club
5/12/09 Copenhagen, Denmark – The Rock
9/12/09 Tampere, Finland – Klubi
10/12/09 Helsinki, Finland – Nosturi
12/12/09 Joensuu, Finland – Kellari
19/12/09 Leeds, UK – Rio’s
21/12/09 Wolverhampton, UK – Wulfrun Hall
22/12/09 London, UK – O2 Academy Islington
Check out the Tour page for full details and ticket links.
Special guests in Stockholm will be Conny Bloom and Dregen, along with Roxie 77, Ryan Roxie’s (Alice Cooper, Slash´s Snakepit etc.) solo project. Support for all the Swedish and Finnish dates comes from The Souls.
Support on the UK dates comes from Antiproduct and The Loyalties.
There will be a whole load of new merchandise available at the shows, and we’ll bring you a sneaky peek at it in the next day or so.
If you’re in Helsinki, remember also that there’s an exhibition of Wildhearts collectables and memorabilia at Helsinki City Library from the 8th December.
Also available exclusively at the live dates will be an extra Xmas present for you lovely lot in the form of the Chutzpah Jnr mini album, featuring all the tracks that couldn’t be squeezed onto Chutzpah! earlier in the year!
The tracklisting runs:
• Chutzpah Jnr
• The Snake, The Lion, The Monkey And The Spider
• All That Zen
• Vernix
• Under The Waves
• Some Days Just Fucking Suck
• People Who Died
• Zeen Requiem
So get your tickets now to ensure you don’t miss out on this little gem!
Just Woke Up
By Scott | November 20, 2009
Been sitting in my own head today thinking about the last couple months. It’s been a pretty fucking odd time if I do say so myself. Then again, this time of year always holds something I never saw coming. Spent 2 months with 2 different bands on the road in 3 different countries. Toured in a bus playing to sold out crowds. Toured in a van playing to 20 people. Lost friends and Heroes. Fell out with people I thought I would never fall out with. Made new friends that made me wonder where they’ve been all my life. Found my new favorite Thai joint in London and my new favorite cocktail in Japan. Saw how much my 2 year old changes and matures in such a short span of time. Accepted the fact that “I” am the pipe bomb in my life. It’s fucking crazy. I did what you suggested Mr. Thompson. Bought the ticket, took the ride. It’s been one hell of a trip and I can honestly say I can’t wait to see where the train stops. It’s fucking crazy, but I must say…I LOVE MY LIFE!….Scott
New Band Merch Store Up And Running
By Ean | November 11, 2009
As you’ll see if you click on the Shop link in the menu, we’ve got a new merch store up and running!
The stock from the old store will be added over time, as well as completely new gear, but we’re starting off with the stock from the last tour and amongst the other bits and pieces, including Gemma’s winning tour shirt design, there are a small number (and we’re talking single figures of some items) of the Limited Edition Footy Shirts and Signed Art Prints.
These are not new versions, and there won’t be any more when they’re gone, but it turns out we rationed a bit too well and London left its wallet in its other trousers, so there’s a chance for anyone who missed out to get hold of these highly limited items.
By Ean | October 30, 2009
CJ’s Special Rice
By CJ | October 25, 2009
This rice dish is so easy to cook and I really love it with a rare steak, but it can accompany anything from meat to fish, it’s great on its own or with some pita bread and it can be eaten hot or cold. A truly versatile dish that even a muppet could cook. Enjoy… CJ
CJ’s Special Rice – serves 4/6
Ingredients
- 250g Long Grain Rice
- 250g Brown Mushrooms (Any mushroom will do but none of the magic variety)
- 250g Pomodorino Tomatoes
- ½ cup of petit pois
- 1 Medium red onion
- 1 small tin sweetcorn
- 3 Cloves garlic
- 2 Vegetable stock cube
- 1 Level tablespoon Schwartz Classic Barbecue Mixed Spice
- Garlic Salt (optional) to taste
- 1 small knob butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- A good pinch of sea salt and cracked black pepper
- Sunglasses optional!
Cooking instructions
- Finely chop the onion, garlic and mushrooms
- Put 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan and heat gently. Add the garlic and onion and fry for a couple of minutes – stir occasionally and make sure it doesn’t burn.
- Add a small knob of butter, mushrooms, salt & pepper and add a pinch of garlic salt (optional but really tasty – be careful as G salt is very potent and not for the faint of heart). Also add a dash of soy sauce and cook all ingredients until soft and brown and remember to stir occasionally. Put the mixture aside for later.
- Before cooking the rice it’s important to wash it to get all of the starch out. Put the rice in a sieve and into a bowl of water and wash until the water is clear – you need to do this approximately three times.
- At this point prepare your water for cooking the rice. There are many ways to cook rice and I use the boil and drain method, to be honest it’s the best method for this dish. I prefer to use Basmati rice, hey I am Indian. Before adding the rice to the water you must add the veg stock cubes and salt and pepper. Once the stock has dissolved taste the water – you want your rice to absorb the flavour of the stock so if the water tastes good then your rice will have a nice flavour to it. Add the rice to the aromatic water, bring back to the boil and simmer for approximately 8-10 minutes. When cooking the rice you need to keep tasting it in the final minutes as it’s so easy to overcook. This rice dish only work if the rice isn’t overcooked and soggy. When the rice is ready, drain and put aside until you need it again – there’s no need to rinse the cooked rice and you have already done this before cooking. If you want more details about how to cook the perfect rice, follow this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl1PfTy3C0E
- Add the cooked onions, mushrooms and garlic and rice to a large bowl. Dice the tomatoes and add them with the sweet corn, petit pois and the Schwartz Classic BBQ spice and mix well.
- You want your dish to have a nice flavour so feel free to add more spice (Salt, pepper, BBQ spice etc) if needed… and that’s it. You can serve it immediately at room temperature. I sometimes heat up the leftovers the next day, which is also delicious as by heating it again you release all those flavours again.
UK And European Shows In December
By Ean | October 22, 2009
The Wildhearts have announced a number of European dates during December, they are:
2/12/09 Stockholm, Sweden – Göta Källare
3/12/09 Gothenburg, Sweden – Sticky Fingers
4/12/09 Jevnaker, Norway – The Untouchables Hard Rock Club
5/12/09 Copenhagen, Denmark – The Rock
9/12/09 Tampere, Finland – Klubi
10/12/09 Helsinki, Finland – Nosturi
12/12/09 Joensuu, Finland – Kellari
Special guests in Stockholm will be Conny Bloom and Dregen, and support for the Finnish dates comes from The Souls.
There will also be an exhibition of Wildhearts collectables and memorabilia at Helsinki City Library from the 8th December.
Following Ginger’s birthday show on the 17th December (Have you got your tickets yet?) the band will play some Christmas shows in the UK:
19/12/09 Leeds, UK – Rio’s
21/12/09 Wolverhampton, UK – Wulfrun Hall
22/12/09 London, UK – O2 Academy Islington
See the Tour page for full details and ticket links.