Hard News by Russell Brown

Seemed fitting to follow up from the Volume Launch by seeing Don McGlashan and Shayne Carter at the Crystal Palace. There was some weird kind of perfect symmetry going on here. Maybe the end of a tour allowed them to relax, and although at times it was rough and ready, it always seemed effortless and they were clearly enjoying themselves.

And the played an epic version of Cast Stone, so all was right with the world.

Seemed fitting to follow up from the Volume Launch by seeing Don McGlashan and Shayne Carter at the Crystal Palace.

Cheers for the pics. After a very full-on work week, a third night out in a row just didn't seem possible, but I've heard nothing but good things about this tour.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about this tour.

Saw the Staveley show at (Lynda) Topp Lodge. Which I imagined would be a cosy indoor spot but it was a huge shed with the stage to the side. And with a clearing southerly, it was damn cold - outside and inside (in spite of kerosene heaters) which made watching the last few songs pretty uncomfortable. Acoustically, when the key was E (which was often!), that coincided distractingly with the vibrational frequency of the metal doors closest to the stage. Shayne got visibly bit peeved with the chatterers at the back but held back on the invective.

Otherwise not a bad night night out and away from the city. The on-stage banter was good and we learnt Shayne has a moth phobia! My favourite was, the surprisingly early-in-set, "Don't Fight It Marsha".

Blair Parkes and Cardigan Bay - Stormy Seas
[live from the dimly lit recesses of The Darkroom]

"Sneaky". Shayne seemed pretty happy with the set afterwards, and both obliged by signing my pilfered set-list.

And I got the tea towel. It's a metaphor. No one seemed sure of what.

Shayne got visibly bit peeved with the chatterers at the back but held back on the invective.

Now I understand what he meant by the crowd being the second noisiest of the tour. We were a bit peeved at some talking through quieter songs too. It has been mentioned on this blog recently, but I do wish people would save their banter for between the songs.

I got the tea towel. It’s a metaphor.

Life is wet - Just dry it!

It was a great wee gig wasn't it? My Motorola struggles at night. My best shot of the night attached. Blair BTW is playing a seldom seen Fender Starcaster

Stage set-up was really odd in Staveley with drum kit off to the right - making it harder to exchange cues,and it wasn't actually on the stage! Here's a two guitar shot to add to yours above :-)

probably, one of the best articles since...it has promise of things to come, process and tame impala looking up princess street, as the evening ends...as they say on... BFM ..."totally"

Maybe Shayne and Don had the right idea in Dunedin - instead of a regular music venue, they played the Fortune Theatre, and gently chastised us for being so quiet they weren't sure we were there. They seemed pretty relaxed and happy, and put on a fantastic show. My favourite was Short Change - a much angrier and pared down version than when performed by Adult.

The Inidians basked in the sun at the Smash Palace bike show today.

Indians basking in the sun at the Smash Palace bike show today. (Previous messy)

Indians basking in the sun at the Smash Palace bike show

Was this at Pump House Paddy's place? - that looks like the Regent Theatre building's dome roof in the background - off the obviously misspelt Brittan St... : - )

I recently sold some Indian tank decals I'd had floating around for years.

Paddy’s place?

Yes, and that is the Regent dome. It looks great in the massive garden.