EUROPE - LEEUWARDEN, MUKKES

Slept in the van all day, feeling like a mutant after the rager-til-7am (sat in kitchen with Kevin and Berg, all 3 of us blasting music at each other on our phones, proper d-beat summit). Back in rainsoaked Netherlands. Nowhere to park to load into venue, legions of Dutch drivers beeping at us. 

We discover, via Ben’s jacket pockets, we accidentally took La Zone’s venue keys. Had to borrow em when we went out on the lash and were staying in the band bunk beds upstairs. Sheepishly break it to Momager. ‘You boys cannot go unsupervised.’ 

Decent show. Besides festivals, we finally play a well-attended Netherlands gig, in a great bar. Almost had to psych myself up for performing, it being Monday again. Found out it’s Saturday. Of course. Simon’s last show, sad to see him complete his tenure for this tour. High Command crush it, Kevin brings out cow bell, brilliant. Then they deliver a storming cover of Cromags’ ‘It’s The Limit’. 

Crashed with friends with dog and cats who I fell in love with, and exquisite whiskey and weed. I’m so feline deprived, their black cat looks a lot like Suz did. Momentary heartbreak. Then, savagely stoned, unable to breathe as High Command, very unsoberly, initiate Feats of Strength out in the shed. McArdle terrorises sleeping Tom: ‘Tom! Get up! We’re doing bench presses and wearing wooden shoes! Get up Tom!’ I love these yanks. 

Picking up my musical lifepartner Chris from Eindhoven now, he assumes drum duties for the rest of the tour. From everything he’s heard, he worries ‘It’s gonna be like stepping onto the fucking Black Pearl, isn’t it?’ I can only warn him so much. Heave to, matey, and prepare to be boarded.