Confessions of a SICKCON1 Roadrat Pt1
"I used to have a stick that I liked to play with as a kid. One day that stick got broken, so then I had two sticks." Dennis Dunaway 2002 (Alice Cooper & BDS) Part 1.
The Prologue...
"jollyjon do you want to be a roadrat and help out at sickcon ?" said the familiar voice on the end of the phone. "All you need do is wear a doctor's coat, help shift stuff, man the sickcon stall, dj a bit and o yeah hang out at the same hotel as the band". "You bet your sweet bippy" I enthused. I wasn't going to miss a chance to see Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith live in the UK. "O and Mr Bruce will be in attendance too" said the voice. Hmm 60% of the original Alice Cooper in one place. The possibilities were endless. It was a no brainer. "Count me in Si !" "Great Dolly can come too"
Getting a once in 30 year chance to see the band that grabbed me hook, line & sinker with that Schools Out performance on TOTP back in 1972 was not to be missed. Imagine my delight when I was able to double my pleasure by checking out BDS' warm up show in Stourbridge. It was bound to be an entertaining weekend and it'll be great to see DD & NS but they are not likely to be any good I thought. They are in their 50's after all...
Halloween Stourbridge...
The Rock Cafe 2000 was holding a pre-pubescent Nirvana wannabee night when I arrived with several relatives who I had dragged along. The place was jumping with pierced pimply youths and youthesses all getting blitzed on alcopops. Not an auspicious start. However in one corner of the bar things seemed slightly more normal. With hindsight that is the wrong choice of word. Slightly more sick... that's better for there was Si, B & L and Sara who greeted me with a "beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" - strange girl. Met and chatted with Guttercat, Dingle & Sharon over from Canada.
I happened to glance through the Benson & Hedges haze and rubbed my eyes. Were they deceiving me ? Coming towards me through the sea of pimples was what appeared to be a 7 foot tall blonde haired bloke. " O my Platinum God it's Neal Smith". I summoned up all my willpower and thought I must say something pithy to Neal. I'd waited 30 years after all for this moment. "Hello Neal" I gushed. "Hi" he said and was gone. God, jollyjon that was pathetic. [This is all a lie of course jollyjon as you met and chatted with NS & DD at Foxwoods last October - Dolly] [Stuff you Dolly, havent you heard of dramatic effect ? - jollyjon]
Nearvana outstayed their welcome and then to thunderous applause BDS took the stage. The Pimply Ones had all gone to bed. I guess that left 50 of us in the venue.
There were all the NS mannerisms as Neal let rip into "I Want Two", DD prowling the stage with that mirrored bass and with Joe Bouchard wrestling his guitar. These chaps were coming through loud and clear, they can rock. The Back from Hell tracks went down very well and then we were in for a treat.
DD gave a bass guitar masterclass. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as he powered through all those unforgettable ACG bass lines.. Dead babies, Sickthings, Desperado they were all there, marvellous, absolutely marvellous. The third part of the show blew me away like a fart in a thunderstorm. Grande Finale, Caught in a Dream and heaven o heaven Dennis sang Black Juju. Gentle reader Black Juju, can you imagine. That bassline that haunting "Bodies need rest" vocal and I was stood right in front of the man. I shall not forget that performance in a long time. Black Juju for gawd's sake just how fricking cool is that ? And then I'm in rapture, Halo of Flies. Neal murdered his drum kit, what power and Dennis what a pro. And as for JB how the hell does he get that fantastic wall of sound from one guitar ??
Post show I chatted with NS & DD and scored photos and chatted sheep shirts with the guys. "A sheep ?" said Neal "I thought it was a monkey !" "Baaaaaaaaaa" said Dennis "See you at Crewe".
Sickcon was going to be a success and BDS were gonna blow the place apart... How could I have doubted my heros ??
The Crewe Court Hotel Crewe...
The delightfully coiffured receptionist enquired "are you with the Alice Cooper Party ?" as I signed in. "Was it the Sheep with Alice Cooper eyes on my chest that gave it away ?" I said with barbed tones. She winced. I was banished to room 101 for a little R & R. After 40 , maybe 80 winks I went back down to reception. Dear reader, it may have been the night after halloween but the freaks, ghouls and sickthings were gathering. I chewed the cud with Mr Crowe on a pulverised loganberry chaise long and started to imbibe. And there he is again. In strides the Platinum God hand proffered. I managed a "Hello how are you ?". The man's gonna think I'm strange ... sigh.
NS, DD and JB headed off with Andrew, Lynda and Si to Radio Stoke for an interview. Two thoughts, wonder how that went and has anyone got a copy for me ?
A group of us, including George Orlay, Bill & Tony headed off for Chinese at a local eatery. Chicken with chilli is hotter than hell. I quaffed some more Pils.
Lisa placed a call to the radio show betwwen courses and was rung back when we were back ensonced in the hotel bar.. Don't remember a great deal more that night as I was slightly piddly widdly. Seem to remember bullshitting with Desmond, John Youngman and the lovely Mr Forsyth.
The ever entertaining and tattooed Michael Owen Bruce appeared amidst a bruhaha. We chatted and Bill and I grabbed him for a photo opportunity. Mr Bruce in Cooper Sheep Shirt. V happy with that shot. Thanks for the signed Iceland poster and photos Michael. See you at the Borderline on Thursday. Pleased to report that Michael also signed my Me & GB book with a poignant note, as well as my Rolling Stone Scrapbook, In My Own Way and the B$B DVD Audio. Back in the bar MB and I larked around whilst some inept one managed once again to take a series of blurred nonsenses on my digital camera. Who the hell was it this time ??? Shall have to try again in London. We were all sliding in and further into a right old inebriated state and I swear I started to hear my bed calling... Michael lapsing into an appalling attempt at my accent, like some kind of demented Mary Poppins / Dick Van Dyke homage.
I crashed about 3 am [lightweight - Dolly] and dreamt dreamy dreams til about 6 am when the Crewe railway station announcer let rip right outside my window... The 6.12 from Crewe goes all over the bleeding place apparently..
Arose like a prancing gazelle at 8 am and headed downstairs for an infusion of rosy lee and a plate of fried unspecified.
The Limelight Club, Crewe Sickcon1...
It was Sickcon Day and I had my part to play. The Limelight Club was across town housed in a multi layered, warren like Church where all the great and the good in the world of tribute bands have played if the plethora of nicotine stained posters that festoon the walls there are anything to go by. But not tonight stout yeoman, tonight ladies and gentlemen you were going to get "The Real Thing".
Roadrats we're a pack and the roads are home .. we moved some amps and stuff, where stuff is roadrat parlance for some lovely trestle tables. Who hoo Coffee Morning.
I was on balloon duty, filling large balloons with confetti and rolled up dollar sickcon bills. Its not easy reader, just how the chuff do they do it on the Alice Tour. Note to self need to enquire....
It was nearly time to let the detritus in ... [the paying guests surely - dolly]
part two coming soon ..........
Regurgitated from The Alice Cooper Allegedy Archives 2002
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