Music is the Way

I awoke on Monday a deadbeat barren shell of a man, with an exaggerated limp, ringing in the ears like an old Chinese gong and a broken Air Guitar!. But it is not all doom and gloom in duChats town, as I had one of my best weekends in Dublin wedged firmly in my belt. Let me regal you in stories from the seedy underbelly of modern rock and metal concerts!

Friday night saw the much anticipated return to the ring for Guns’ N Roses, although Axel Rose being the only member still belting out the hits. Bless him, he looks like has had an argument with an angry plastic surgeon, we’ll from my angle anyway. He has got a few other people together to reform. I’ll jump straight to it. He was bloody awesome, as were the rest of the band. But to be honest, this isn’t his website, so back to me!

Troy and myself decided an early finish on the Friday would be the best angle of attack. So after a quick pint at the local on the way home, we picked up some supplies at the off-license. Meaning we got 6 beers and a bottle of JD’s, which on reflection might have been a wee bit over the top considering we only had about 2hrs till concert time! But as we are both seasoned campaigners we quickly put these thoughts to the side. Anyway, sunk a few in the back yard of Castle de Ranelagh in Dublin’s finest sunshine……and cranked on the best of GnR.

Excitement of events can often lead to over consumption early and fast, these such times have been well documented within any social group. Need I remind people of Kirsty Roberts famous Western Party, Globetrotter Playboy bash, Early New Years experiences or perhaps a Big Day Out. So with this history in mind, I’ll push on!

A couple hours later we headed of to the concert in high spirits, being just a 20 min walk down the road, we skipped our way to the RDS to watch the band play some ‘Tunes’, chatting with all the lovely fans along the tree line route! Oh, Dublin in the Summer!

Can all of my Parents stop reading now! Please, this next part might leave you with lesser feelings for me!

The above is what I like to describe as white lie, in other words utter bullshit, on the other hand below is the hazy truth. Because after having a few beers, what better way than to get into a GnR comeback gig than drinking our old friend JD and coke! We finished the bottle, much to our surprise and headed in a cab to the gig. Security at this place was about as tight as a leaper convention, meaning Troy walked right in with a bottle of JD’s & Coke, which is were I believe the term – Straw that broke camels back – came from! Drunker than a Portuguese out house. Now boyed by our sneaky luck, we headed to a nice quiet spot up in the Mosh pit and settled in! Axel was in full swing, all the classics, My Michelle, Welcome to the Jungle, It’s so easy, Mr Brownstone…….

This is where things take a turn, after a solid few songs of hard moshing we decide a better view is needed, so up on Troy’s shoulders for a cheeky peek at the 35,000 fans. Hands in the air, singing loud! Brilliant. Well, until some shit pushes us off balance and I end up on top of the mosh pit, Crowd surfing, which I have to admit I enjoyed. Until I remembered (Not sure how) the line on my GnR ticket at the bottom (Below General Admission)! Exibit A….oh shit.

Involuntary crowd surfing is hardly a sound defense, but it’s all I had. The security grabbed hold of me and Troy, then attempted to hurl us over the railings! We was being chucked out of Guns’ N Roses no more than 6 songs in! Not with out a fight I tell you, it took more paddies to pull me out than an All Black ruck….all the while I was screaming “I’m an innocent man….” Troy took the less travelled route and decided to flatten one of them. Next minute we are on the Street, me with a gammy limp and minus a phone, the Troyster earned him self a tender jaw for his trouble. But the never say die ANZAC sprit kicked in, as we searched for alternate routes back into the ground. Tried jumping fence, got caught. Tried casually walking in, got turned away. In the end it took a rather elaborate story of just landing from Australia to convince the young lass on the door to let us in again! Brilliant, no more than 2 songs later we were back in and rocking! Just in time for November Rain!

After the gig we headed back to Castle de Ranelagh, were a full scale party had broken out. We have really brought the neighbors together, Melrose place styles…with out the swimming pool, good looking people and scandal! About 4 hours later the place was alive to the sounds of AB’s v Ireland, that was hard work! Followed by BYC then out for drinks with the lads. Another great night in Dubbers!

Also had the Metallica gig on the Sunday night, which was brilliant. Capping of a great weekend. No real great yarns other than Dublin has a high percentage of munters. It was very funny walking to the Gig and seeing all the fans of the Eagles (Playing up the road) converge with the Metallica fans….oil and water.

Will be posting the Yarn about the Brazil game at some stage, but seeing as Geneva was not the most reverting place, I have to make up a good story to keep you all interested!

Take care

STOP PRESS – I almost forgot to add the highlight of the night – After our triumphant return to the Gig, they played Sweet Child O Mine……this my friends was probably my best Air Guitar moment ever. Picture me, in full strut, grinding the Axe to the sultry sounds of the gunners, 35,000 people watching! Make me Proud!

Switzerland Here We Come

Well folks, the Elderstatsmen plus Dan and Lisa are off to the Mountainous terrain of Geneva to watch the Mighty All Whites put pay to the over the top Brazilian show boats!

Yes folks the eternal optimists are on the road, Setting ourselves up for a major fall, we’ll be accepting nothing less than NZ victory. Has there been a bigger under dog in world sport. Brazil rated 1st - New Zealand 118th.

If we can’t muster a win on the pitch, sure well put in a good show in the stands! Lads are going for the Beige Cricket Uniform. Should be a fair swag of Kiwi’s going, so watch this space for a ripper update of European shenanigans.

Ronaldinho, eating the World Cup.....still ugly as a bucket load of assholes, but dam good! See this - Video Note: Might not be completly real...but you get the idea