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Post subject: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 12:27 am
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Hey guys, I'm back in Texas now getting readjusted to the sweltering heat and flying insects. To put it shortly, we had an absolutely fantastic time in Ireland and Scotland and our tour was very successful (despite a few major hiccups).

I discovered that not only is jet lag real, but it is absolutely miserable. I missed my first two days in Ireland (in Cork) lying in bed and walking around the apartment like a zombie. I had stayed up the night before I left Houston packing, and the week before I left was finals week so I was already exhausted before I arrived. That said, as miserable as I felt I definitely could still appreciate the weather! I absolutely hate the sun and the heat, I've had enough of it to last several lifetimes here. I also have severe allergies of one kind or another for most of the year here in Texas and apparently that isn't the case for Ireland and Scotland! I didn't realize how it felt to breathe clearly, sad as that is.

Luckily I felt better in time for our show in Cork. I even sat in with the Jazz session before our show started, which was a lot of fun! Our bassist and videographer only made it to Cork a couple of hours before the show. Their flight from Texas had been cancelled and they found themselves flying to Ireland by way of Madrid.

The next night we played three shows in Dublin, plus we did a radio interview! Our drummer was supposed to meet us in Dublin to fly to Edinburgh, but he flew into Heathrow and got detained and ultimately deported by security there. (He didn't have a work visa. I had told everyone to get one months earlier, but no one listened to me.) Apparently flying into Heathrow with a musical instrument is a terrible thing to do. We had no such problems flying into Dublin airport. Unfortunately, now they had our names, dates for shows, and where we were going to stay for the remainder of the tour in the UK. We decided not to risk flying to Edinburgh and getting stopped by immigration people, so instead we did something that we hadn't planned for at all. We decidedly miss our flight and take a bus to Belfast. From there, we could catch a ferry to Scotland. It actually worked out all for the best, because for most of our shows we wouldn't have had room in the pub for a drum set, and because we ended up making a lot of good musician friends in Belfast who invited us back to play a house show with them.

So after a seven hour bus and ferry ride, we finally made it to Edinburgh! I was halfway expecting security people to show up at our gig to kick us out of the country, but Scotland is really open about accepting traveling musicians.

I got to meet my guitar teacher in Edinburgh too! I had planned on taking a lesson with him, but honestly I didn't get much sleep the night before in Belfast worrying about our drummer (he was sent to a high security prison for 24 hours before being flown back to Texas) and we just ended up having a snack and talking over some tea. I got to jam with several of his students, including a teenage girl who had just started learning blues guitar! I had only brought one light sweater with me (because I figured it was May, and how cold could it possibly be?), so his daughter (who is a few years younger than me) gave me one of her sweaters after I had mentioned how I hadn't anticipated how cold it was. Seriously, your spring is like the coldest days of a Houston winter! I really loved it though, I'd rather be chilly than to feel like I'm on the verge of heat stroke. My teacher also let me borrow his Squier Tele (with upgraded pickups) for the rest of the tour in Scotland.
The only instrument I brought with me was my Taylor GS Mini.

We had many adventures in Scotland. We met a kindly Canadian music store owner in Stirling who let me borrow an amp for free and even drove us to and from our gig. He also let me play two 100 year old Gibson acoustic guitars in his shop! Our videographer had to learn to drive a car with a manual transmission because the place we were going to rent a car with an automatic was closed due to a bank holiday. We were unaware that bank holidays existed, but we know now! He reversed through a roundabout and sent the car (trailing smoke) awkwardly up a hill before a hostel worker was nice enough to give him a driving lesson. He learned, and it's a good thing he did otherwise we would've missed our gig in Skye!

We ended up playing a lot of blues everywhere we went. The rest of my band hadn't played blues before the tour, and they were very surprised by the great reception it got! We had an entire pub in Dublin joining in on The Thrill is Gone, and I discussed the finer points of Robert Johnson with some fisherman in Portree. I think people actually know more about blues in Europe than they do here, as far as the general population goes. Here it seems more limited to musicians.

I had a lot of surprises aside from what it feels like not to have allergies. The main thing was the food. It's just not as good here, and I never knew that. Everything that we had tasted fresher, and it wasn't like we ate at any fancy restaurants. I don't like to drink milk at all here, but I think I had about three pints a day in Scotland. It was great! As it turns out, my Scottish drinking problem is as benign as it could be. (That said, the beer was good too. Although I still love Shiner and St. Arnold's, so Texas is pretty good in that respect as well.) Indian good was also amazing, and my favorite Fish & Chips place in Houston is crap by comparison. That said, we have Tex-Mex that's pretty fantastic, so the lesson learned is to eat regionally. And yes, I tried haggis. I was afraid to, but I liked it enough to really regret not giving it a try before my last night in Scotland!

We were mostly focused on playing music, but we did get to do a few touristy things. Mainly we would just wander around the cities we went to, and we did a fair amount of hiking (especially in Skye). I really enjoyed the fact that I could walk around in broad daylight without having to duck from one patch of shade to another for fear of sunburn. Since I drank more milk than anything else, I would get up early and go for walks by myself. It felt kind of weird doing that, especially in a city as big as Edinburgh, but I felt really safe. The only people I had any difficulties with were other tourists (and London airport security, apparently). I'd never in a million years feel that safe walking alone here. That, plus the fact that the summer heat and sun are in full swing, has made me feel a little claustrophobic now that I'm back. But it's inspired me to look into hiking trails and national parks here that I could visit in th winter when the outdoors are barable again. I thought that I would miss the city (the Houston area is home to somewhere around five million people), and driving my truck, but I really didn't at all.

Anyway, because of the deportation issue we didn't board another flight until we were going home. So we ended up getting parts of our schedule mixed around, particularly our plans regarding Belfast. We had planned to stay in Scotland until June 3rd and visit Glasgow, but we ended up leaving a few days early because our newfound friends in Belfast lined up some gigs for us. We skipped our flight again and took the ferry there. Unfortunately that meant that we missed out on playing a blues jam in Glasgow, but we're planning a return trip already! Next summer we want to stay longer, and more legally. Maybe we'll even make it down to England at some point. But basically, we had a wonderful time. I would've happily missed that flight home if it weren't for my work obligations and if my financial situation would've allowed it. I even wrote a happy song about the trip, and I very rarely ever write happy songs!

We'll have videos and more photos up soon, and next month Cari and I are going into the studio to record a new EP! It includes that happy song I wrote.

Here are some pictures from the trip! I had a layover in New York City before going to Ireland, so that's why there are some pictures from there too.

http://s984.photobucket.com/user/texasguitarslinger777/library/Irish%20and%20Scottish%20Tour%202015?sort=2&page=1

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 3:01 am
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Welcome home Texas !!
Thank you for posting an excellent story and the wonderful photo's ! I agree with you about the milk tasting better there. I think because they don't remove all of the cream it gives the milk more body lol.
Glad you are home. Looking forward to hearing your new songs !

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 8:29 am
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Excellent! Sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Glad it went so well.

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 1:21 am
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Sounds like a great trip, thanks for the detailed write-up it was an enjoyable read.

Good to hear you stuck to Milk and stayed off the Malted Milk. :wink:

Drummers....... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 2:34 am
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hi Becks, maybe you should rename yourselves The Outlaws eh, on the run from airport security ha, sounds like yawl ( see what you done to uk) had a great time, catch yawl ( again) next time.
Oh and the "milk" meant to let you know, should be ok though, how much did you drink, nah it'll be fine....honest :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 9:19 am
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Nice one Becka, great photo's and storyline.
But what is an international trip without a bit of adventure ? :wink: Hopefully for next time your bandmates will understand that customs / security don't play around. Especially today, it is imperative to have all your travel papers. He was lucky that he wasn't held up for days if not weeks ...

BTW, how is the Beck Forum Custom Lounge Strat holding up ??
Can you update us ?

Cheers

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 12:46 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
BTW, how is the Beck Forum Custom Lounge Strat holding up ??
Can you update us ?

Cheers


So far, so good! I didn't want to risk anything happening to it by bringing it with me on tour, but I just played it at a blues jam here a couple of days ago. My Dad's gonna get the video of that up fairly soon (I hope) so y'all can hear what it sounded like. It's still my favorite guitar by far. :D

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 8:35 pm
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Heya Becka:

Thanks for the post, pics, and all. Glad you all had a great time.

Some parts of the Pacific Northwest have similar weather to the UK and Ireland. So much so that many Brits, Scots, and Irish find their way there. Luckily, they also know how to make fish and chips and scones, and so on. :D

I took notice of your comment about their liking and knowledge of the blues. It seems anything North American (Country included) is taken with gusto and radio stations reflect this.

Now you have left your mark. :wink:

Betcha learned some new jargon too. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 6:12 am
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Most excellent! Nothing like a little experience foot dragging to begin to learn how to tie the laces so your shoes don't slip off on the next run. We have a Forum Mate in Belfast, screen name Celtic Cyclonus. You don't seen him anymore here but he's friended with me on Facebook. If you find your way over there again let me know. I'm sure he'd enjoy meeting you. As for jet lag, there's much online to coach you as to how you might cope better with it. You only had about a six hour issue. It's a lot more fun when one is returning from China flying eastbound into yesterday to Florida, enjoying Wednesday twice. I can see how more complicated it might be for you in that you're 'night people' in your work and also behaving as tourists during the day. Well....when you've become major 'rock stars', you can fly first class and have the luxury of a bed. The only way to fly long distance, IMHO. Thanks for sharing. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 6:34 am
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Cool story, Becks!

It's strange how the state we love (Texas) tries to kill us with heat, floods, drought, bugs, allergies and Blue Norther's...and yet we keep coming back.

It's the Mexican food that keeps us here! :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 6:50 am
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
It's the Mexican food that keeps us here! :lol:

Just keep squeez'in the Charmin. :!: :oops:

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 7:24 am
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Looks like you did it in style Becka !!

Trip of a Lifetime !! (one of many I'm sure :wink: )

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:13 pm
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Great travelogue and pics, Texas. I'll bet that it's good to be back home as well!
Don't forget the Great White North - in particular Toronto - when the urge to travel and play music next strikes 8)

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 7:51 pm
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
Heya Becka:

Thanks for the post, pics, and all. Glad you all had a great time.

Some parts of the Pacific Northwest have similar weather to the UK and Ireland. So much so that many Brits, Scots, and Irish find their way there. Luckily, they also know how to make fish and chips and scones, and so on. :D

I took notice of your comment about their liking and knowledge of the blues. It seems anything North American (Country included) is taken with gusto and radio stations reflect this.

Now you have left your mark. :wink:

Betcha learned some new jargon too. :lol:


Yeah, I'm going to have to make my way up to the Pacific Northwest one of these days. I was going to go a couple of years ago with my brother for a music camp, but it didn't pan out.

I was really surprised by the level people knew about American music. Well, I guess I shouldn't have been considering that some of my favorite bands (Cream, The Rolling Stones etc.) are all from the UK. Not to mention Rory Gallagher in Ireland. I was going to go to the Rory Gallagher music library in Cork, but I couldn't because of my jet lag. For me it was a bit worse than the six hour difference because I normally stay up much later than a regular person because of playing. I usually go to bed when I see my British friends posting on Facebook, so I was working with more of a twelve hour difference plus I had just come off a very stressful week of finals at school. (I still have a 4.0!)

I did learn some new words! :lol: And so did my friends. I would've never figured out what "WC" meant had it not been for Cari telling me. I would probably still be searching for a bathroom in Cork right now had she not been with me. And poor Cari learned what "pants" meant the hard way! She was talking to me very loudly in a crowded public place in Scotland about how she hates wearing pants, and how she doesn't even own a pair of pants. We were getting some strange looks until I informed her that "pants" actually means underwear in the UK, and that usually they would say jeans or trousers to describe the type of pants she was complaining about. Our friends were all laughing their butts off when they heard about that.

I also took pictures every time I saw my last name written somewhere. It's a Scottish last name, and people here don't even think it's a word. I also didn't have to spell it to anyone, or correct anyone's pronounciation of it during the entire trip! It's not a hard or uncommon name, it's just unfamiliar to most people.

I didn't have a terribly hard time understanding people or picking up on unfamiliar words. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that I read too many British books and watch way too much of the BBC. My problems were more along the lines of "How much do they tip here?" or "What do you mean, taxes are included?" rather than any major linguistic and cultural differences.

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Post subject: Re: Back from Tour! (Adventures in the UK and Ireland)
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 7:59 pm
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
Cool story, Becks!

It's strange how the state we love (Texas) tries to kill us with heat, floods, drought, bugs, allergies and Blue Norther's...and yet we keep coming back.

It's the Mexican food that keeps us here! :lol:


True! I think that I might have missed Mexico as much as Texas. We met a Mexican student in Stirling (in Scotland), and we made friends with him instantly! His English wasn't very good, but we speak bad Spanish so we ended up communicating in Spanglish. He was relieved to meet people who he said didn't have accents. Poor guy, I don't know how he was coping considering he was used to Texan English. Honestly I have extreme difficulty understanding the Spanish accents of people who aren't from Mexico.

Oh well, at least Texas isn't trying very hard to kill me at the moment. My Dad's car was totaled in the recent floods though, but at least it's cooler here than in England!

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