It is seldom that I make references to another's blog or verbal alcove... And so much has been going on in the past few weeks; great things and really terrible things that for once my muse has abandoned me and left me perplexed, frustrated and very angry.
The Killing Joke was our tribute to organizing a great Halloween gig on Friday the 30th October 2009 with three bands that walk the walk and talk the talk and actually have more shit than gas & fart.
The highlight of my past few weeks was that gig, because there was an even bigger (in terms of commercial viability and promotions) gig with Civilization One performing back here who are a reputed Power Metal Band from Europe, the next day. We plan our gigs two or three months before and after carrying out our teaser campaign learned that these guys were coming down to perform at the TNL onstage finals which ironically was on the 31st Saturday the same day as our gig.
Although we had commenced our promotions prior to TNL we didn't think it right to challenge and test our following to let both gigs clash and so we went about changing the venue; we replaced the Punchi Theater with the prestigious British School Auditorium and had to go about changing the date, and shifting things.
So we had the decency to shift it a day before because frankly there's no point having a Halloween gig the week after Halloween... and we couldn't have it the weekend before due to certain other commitments the Bands had all made.
Then came the worrying, the concerns... 'Suresh, do you think people will actually turn up for this gig? With onstage the next day? Can they afford it?'
To which I would say 'Well how much do people spend on ciggies, grass and alcohol on a weekly basis? If they really want to... they will. Besides the loyal ones will never miss a gig.'
And I was proved correct.
We had a good turn up at our concert... it would have been more if the other event was not the next day... The gig was awesome... and for the first time in our 9 year career we adorned make-up (I'll post some visuals in a few days) and went gung-ho with the decor and worked hard to give the audience a Halloween experience.We played a new killer tune 'PuRer' and even jammed 'Sabbath, Bloody, Sabbath' as our Halloween single.
Much respect to Fuz MechanX and Grey Mind Domain who were amazing to work with... and they displayed remarkable skill and performed their guts out... The same for my Band Mates... incredible gig... Had a blast after a long while.
What made the gig special was that we were able to see the TRUE believers from those who weren't... We were able to see that there are people loyal enough, who love our music and the lot of us enough to make it for the gig with all their woes, financial difficulties and problems on a Friday evening. Every single one who had turned up - whether it be fans from our Hollow Dreams era or those who loved 'SCS' or others with qualms and doubts itching to see what the fuss was about... main thing is you made it. THANK YOU.
The Killing Joke was special because we got to celebrate Tenny's birthday with our REAL family. Thank you... Everyone who helped out, everyone who killed themselves in the weeks that proceeded the gig to ensure everything from the decor to the sounds, lights and security were in order. Everyone in the pit, everyone outside the pit watching the gig... the representatives at the venue, the crew... fantastic job.
I mean it when I say our LOVE for you is not feigned.
You make us what and who we are.
And that's saying a lot.
Please find a complete mind blowing review of the event by a lady who attended a Stigmata concert after a very long time. This is her perspective on the Band and the gig...
http://themissingsandwich.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/the-killing-joke-who-had-the-last-laugh/#respond
Please check it out... I was so moved I thought I should make a reference to her blog and
link it mainly because it is such an honest depiction... and honest depictions are rare in this industry.
You will hear from me soon... I will enlighten you on why I am ticked off... Not gonna waste blog space on music industry politics... And for the record... The Joke was on all the losers who didn't turn up.
S
