The Continuing Adventures Of Big Red or A Red On The Road

Howdy.

Ok, to pass the time I thought I'd do a kind of tour diary documenting my coming month on the road working for rock legends UFO.

Day 1 has got off to a slightly surreal start with me currently sat in Schiphol International Airport in Holland watching skiing on tv with a crazy Mexican who speaks very little English and we're communicating in increasingly loud voices and extravagant arm gestures.

I wonder what You'll Never Walk Alone sounds like in Mexican. Or Spanish.

I think his name is Pedro.

Seriously.



Only 3 hours to my connecting flight to Hannover and those crazy Germans.

Sweet.

3 hours in Schiphol you say? Not too sure I would have stayed in the Airport - plenty of time to 'visit the city' in that time.

Looking forward to your tour diary.

UFO Wikipedia

Going to be some tour this lad - I'd be shattered.

16th November - Germany - Bochum - Matrix
17th November - Germany - Annaberg - Buchholz Alte Brauerei
19th November - Poland - Warsaw - Progresja
20th November - Czech Rep - Zlin - Masters of Rock Cafe
21st November - Czech Rep - Prague -  Retro Music Hall
22nd November - Poland - Wroclaw - WZ
24th November - Germany - Hamburg - Fabrik
25th November - Germany - Berlin - Columbia Club
27th November - Germany - Jena - F-Haus
28th November - Germany - Reitwein - Live in Reitwein
29th November - Germany - Ludwigsburg - Rockfabrik
1st December - Italy - Milan - Magazzini Generali
3rd December - Spain  - Barcelona - Apolo
4th December - Spain - Bilbao - Rockstar Live
5th December  - Spain - Madrid - Heineken
6th December - Spain - Pamplona - Sala Gares
8th December - Switzerland - Pratteln - Z7

Hahahahah that's handy that is as i haven't got my itinerary with me

It's going to be great, i shall post photos as well when i get chance.

Proper jealous.

I bet you love your job don't you?

I will look forward to reading about your experiences, I like this kinda stuff!

It's the best job in the world mate, wouldn't trade it for anything

Hahahahah that's handy that is as I haven't got my itinerary with me

It's going to be great, I shall post photos as well when I get chance.

Will definitely be looking forward to those adventures! 

That's one hell of a schedule!  Looking forward to hearing your stories about it!  

I'm reduced to hijacking someones unsecured network just so i can post hehehehe.

Currently in bed in my homely hotel room in Hannover.

Tour starts tomorrow, lobby call at 8am. Arse.

Just had a good steak though

Big Red. You are a focking legend.

EDIT: I'm on a health and safety level 2 certificate course all day at work tomorrow.

Kasabian in the night time though.

Big Red on the Road 

Great stuff, looking forward to hearing all about your adventures.

Lock up your daughters!


Nice one BigRed.

Have a cracking time, Robb, looking forward to hearing about your antics over the coming weeks!

Do you think you'll be doing a repeat of what appeared to be a Full Monty routine I saw in your brother's photos on Facebook?

Shocking!

^^^ Ms Gerrard rushes off to very quickly check Facebook   

I knew you wouldn't be able to resist the urge of seeing men in thongs!

I knew you wouldn't be able to resist the urge of seeing men in thongs!

I still haven't recovered from seeing your erm.......bum 

I still haven't recovered from seeing your erm.......bum 

That was my profile picture for a while!

But we're ruining Robb's topic! 

That was my profile picture for a while!

But we're ruining Robb's topic! 

I think you should get it back up    erm, I meant the picture 

Sorry Big Robb, hope the tour is going well.

Quality thread this. Looking forward to these stories Big Red.

Have a great tour mate, and really enjoy yourself. Looking forward to all the photo's.         Don't remember that profile picture ayrton?

Hello all

Firstly thanks for the Facebook adding from forumers

Ok, day 3 here and we're officially in the arse of Germany in a place called Annaberg-Bucholz. Some kinda youth hall in the middle of nowhere but it'll be a good night i reckon.

Didn't get a chance to go online during yesterday in Bochum but it was interesting none the less First night gig glitches like faulty guitar rigs and monitor problems but it came good in the end.

Few photos here from today so far.

Very nice pictures there Robb. How much fun are you having! Envious of you!

In case you haven't noticed mate I've added you on Facebook under the name Charles Carragher!

Here's a couple of on the bus pics...

Here's my view right now



View from the front lounge down past the bunks into the back lounge

Good stuff mate. Hope you're having a fantastic time.

Must be terrible if someone drops one when you's are bunked up trying to get some kip. 

Nice coach mate , plenty of leg room?

Nice coach mate , plenty of leg room?

Spacious is a word i would definitely use

Nice looking bus there! Looking forward to more stories as ya go, good luck!

Spacious is a word I would definitely use

Where is the bar?, I can see the bunks but no bar?

Nah, never is a bar but we do have a couple of beer fridges

As long as the beer is cold.

Quality stuff, can't wait to see some pics of the on-stage action!

God awsome thread well in bigred.

Lovely stuff Big Red.

I am so jealous.

Quality stuff, can't wait to see some pics of the on-stage action!

My camera will be onstage tonight

My camera will be onstage tonight

Looking forward to it!

Hey guys

Just got my arse back on the bus after the show, all packed away and showered off at last

A few pix from tonight...


Setlist for tonight


My little work area behind the guitar cabs



View from the drumkit before the show (i set this up and the guitars/keyboards for one side of the stage)


UFO drummer Andy Parker




Guitar/Keyboard player Paul Raymond


Singer guy Phil Mogg and bassist Rob De Luca



Was a great show and now i'm knackered.

Day off in Berlin tomorrow so i might try record a video message

Cheerio for now

Red.

Good stuff Big Red glad youre enjoying every second of it.

Are you being told where to go with the camera?

Great pics, looks like it all went well!

Great pics, Big Red, looking forward to more on your tour.

Looks like it was packed as well.  Great pics!

Hey everyone

Ok so, we left the hotel in Berlin just over an hour ago and now we're on the way to Warsaw in Poland

I did record a video clip but its not uploading at the moment so i'll try again tomorrow.

Cheerio

Morning all, currently 80km from Warsaw and it's been a long drive.

The gayest bridge in Europe? Probably.

The gayest bridge in Europe? Probably.

Big Red top stuff mate...can't wait to read how you get on for the rest of the trip.

Love the updates mate! And is it wrong to find that bridge appealing?

Im kidding. Kinda.

Is right Big Red. I'm on a bus at the minute but I'd definitely say you're having a better time.

Excellent stuff mate. 

Wish i could go on tour. My only chance is to become a groupie. You's looking for any? I'm most pleasant to hang around with.

Wish I could go on tour. My only chance is to become a groupie. You's looking for any? I'm most pleasant to hang around with.

If I can get a drummer, singer, lead guitarist, a coach and a load of stage equipment then yeah, you can come with us.

The Shaolin Monkeys.

How do?

Ok so last night's show in Warsaw was great, internet has been a bit of an issue so i'll have to post updates as and when i get the chance. Up til 4:30am in the back lounge drinking and listening to jazz which was good.

Today we're in a town called Zlin which is in the Czech Republic and it's ruddy freezing! Great venue though and set up was easy as pie, i'll post more pix if i get the chance.

Til then, cheerio

Red.

Sounds boss Big Red!  You lucky man! 

Glad you're having an amazing trip Big Red, sounds boss it does.

Love this thread.

Nice one Big Red, looking forward to them pic's.

Me thinks there are a few of us a tiny bit jealous at the moment ,keep the reports coming red, cracking thread.

Me thinks there are a few of us a tiny bit jealous at the moment ,keep the reports coming red, cracking thread.

What do you mean a tiny bit Andy?

Oh ok then full bore jealous

Me thinks there are a few of us a tiny bit jealous at the moment ,keep the reports coming red, cracking thread.

Yep, definitely an understatement - tho', sadly, an "all-nighter" for me means going all night without having to get out of bed for a pish so partying with  Metal legends may be a bit of a push!

Keep on rocking big fella!

Helloooooooooooooooooooo ooo 

Ok so, not had internet for a few days so i'll fill you in....

Since we played Zlin which was my last check in with y'all we went onto Prague and had a killer time there it was great, the pix below are from the Prague show just after me and my buddy had set up. After the gig we went back to the hotel and carried on the boozing til about 4am with a load of people we met at the show which was great, i then got fireman carried round the lobby by our guitar player Vinnie Moore. I've now been fireman carried by a true guitar hero


Yesterday was a small club in Wroclaw, Poland which was a great show and the crowd were well up for it all round which was great. The women in Eastern Europe are just insanely hot and i'm glad we're back in Germany as there's only so much a man can take

So i'm now sat in my hotel room in Berlin as we got a day off today and it's all good. Playing in Hamburg tomorrow then another few German dates before we head into Italy.

Cheerio for now.

Red.

Keep up the good work mate!

Excellent stuff Big Red.

Just left the hotel in Berlin, got internet on the tourbus WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Are those Fireballs?

Ah man I love Engls, since I played an Invader I've wanted one for so long, either that or a Framus Dragon setup.

After the gig we went back to the hotel and carried on the boozing til about 4am with a load of people we met at the show which was great, I then got fireman carried round the lobby by our guitar player Vinnie Moore. I've now been fireman carried by a true guitar hero

Brilliant!

Sounds like you are having such a good time!

Are those Fireballs?

Ah man I love Engls, since I played an Invader I've wanted one for so long, either that or a Framus Dragon setup.

They are indeed Fireballs mate, that's Vinnie's set up. The other guitar player uses a standard Powerball.

Killer amps.

They are indeed Fireballs mate, that's Vinnie's set up. The other guitar player uses a standard Powerball.

Killer amps.

Dude, I am in awe of Vinnie Moore

Columbia Halle in Berlin tonight folks.

Hamburg last night was great, the band first played here in 1974. Kinda makes you aware of the legends you're working for

Tonight should be a blast but i think i'll be 3 stone heavier coz the catering is great and i'm stuffing my fat face.

Laters.

Red.

Ok I finally got my video message uploaded, here ya go folks.

From about 5 days ago I think in Berlin.

"Oh sink!"

Loving the continued updates, keep it up. Saw a dude get off the bus when i was getting on it at college the other day that looked basically EXACTLY like you and i was like "F**k, he has gone way off the tour course.."

Hahahahahaha yeah man my clones are everywhere

I'm secretly positioning them globally

Great thread, Big Red.

Would be thrilled to be in your shoes! 

Great job you're doing Big Red , i can only imagine what it must be like to be doing you're job, lots of hard work ,long hours i would think , as for UFO , they were in Leeds this summer and did a great gig ..just love Doctor Doctor ! always played before Iron Maiden take the stage too ! so i've heard it lots but still my fave track,keep up the good work BG rock on !

Hello my pretties

Ok so, we just left the hotel after 2 days in lovely Berlin and now we're headed for a town called Jena.

Here's a few pix from the last day or 2, a few in the back lounge of the bus and some from the hotel drink-a-thon which occurred afterwards
 
(I'm also hiding from the drummer coz his American football team beat mine in the Thanksgiving game yesterday so i have no wish to be mocked.)

Hahahahahaha yeah man my clones are everywhere

I'm secretly positioning them globally

Might wanna tell that particular clone that my Community College aint that great and to go somewhere better

Great pics, drink-a-thon sounds like a bunch of fun Which one is your team? Watched most of all the games today while stuffing my face with turkey.

Which one is your team?

Oakland Raiders mate, we were royally hammered.

Oakland Raiders mate, we were royally hammered.

Ah yes, i was cheering for them as i hate Dallas. But wasn't much fun eh. My girlfriend is from the Bay Area so i follow the Raiders and 49ers a bit as well as my Patriots.

How do?

Show last night in Jena was great, had a few minor problems with the set up but turned out alright in the end.

Today we're in Reitwein which is in East Germany almost on the border with Poland, freezing my bloody nips off i am.

Show tonight in Ludwigsburg was great, we're just at the Swiss border now heading for Italy.

I'm also very drunk.

LFC are the best innit.

Big Red steal those Engls for me please. I played a Splawn Nitro this weekend, managed to get backstage with Killswitch Engage, the guitarist was shredding on a Parker Fly!!!

Ok so where to begin?

Not had internet much this last week hence the complete lack of updates, reports on shenanigans etc etc but what i will say is this tour has been the dog's bollocks from start to finish and the finish line is tonight in Switzerland.

The show we did in Milan was great as were the 4 shows we just did in Spain (Madrid being the highlight for me it has to be said, Nando is a GOD in that city even after leaving to play for us, when the promoter found out i was a Liverpool fan all the beers were on him hahahahaha) but tonight it's all about the last gig and what stupidity we can get upto for end of tour antics

Fly home tomorrow, looking forwards to my own bed.

 

Nice one BigRed1978, can't beat your own bed, gald you had a great tour.

Great stuff Big Red, sounds like you've had an absolutely boss time on tour.

Bet you'll be glad to get home though