Damo

Damo Suzuki with Cristian (Guitar), Libi (Bass) and Pablo (Drums)

Zaragoza is 4th biggest city in Spain and an industry city. Compare with other cities where I’ve been on this trip, in the city you cannot find any old typical Spanish buildings, so feeling like I’m just somewhere else but, not in Spain.

Train ride from Madrid took only just one and half hour, arrived Zaragoza railway station which is much looks like airport. Some designed mosaic stone on wall. Two sound carriers picked me up from there and brought me to Pablo’s place to relax. We have enough time. The venue is shared by artists and bands, every parts pay same amount money monthly to keep this venue run. Pablo and his band has one or two special days in month to arrange performances of his band or their interesting artists. So, he put me for today’s program. This is quite good idea, to have space with some amounts of people who has closer thoughts, and let it go. With world wide financial crises, local organization has no budget to support art and culture.

So, this kind of silence movement is good for now and might be good too in future. The band members do many thing like, sell ticket at front, bar and after the performance cleaning. Pablo was happy that much people showed up has never been here at this venue.

Damo Suzuki with Thee Belvis Underground: Chema (Guitar), Edu (Guitar), Manolo (Synths), Mario (Drums) and Meta (Bass)

Nic is half American and half Spanish young guy aged 22 and organizer of this first ever performance in Spain’s gorgeous capitol. He reminds me a bit of my oldest son Martin. During travel you can find someone similar to one you know, not just from looks how they react or personality smell..character..

Early tomorrow morning European time is election of US president. Naturally politic theme was on our conversation. I didn’t came to Madrid for so long time since end of 70`s. Almost 30 years!!! So, this is first appearance as sound carrier in this city.

Nic contacted me while ago if I come to Spain next I have to contact him, he said. I was happy to perform for first time in Madrid. Spain is not only land of flamenco and Heavy Metal. We went erectly late lunch at Tapas bar. Tapas is not just tapas, place to place so different. This is really good thing. Best tapas I ate was Christian ,Tomas and Elke in Barcelona.

It was amazing we ordered many dishes and time went so quick by talking, also first time I ate Kangaroo meat was that place. After kitchen closed female chief cam to us introduced herself. It was amazing night. “The venue..”, told me Nic.. is most successful gay bar in Europe after 2, 3 am. I look around, yes, it’s looks like he said and agree.

Madrid has one of the greatest museum in the world..Prado Museum (Museo del Prado), last time I came here I couldn’t get into museum for construction, also this time not..haven’t got enough time. But, One day I will. I will..

Damo Suzuki with Rubén García (Programming, Synth, Toys), Marcos Junquera (Drums) and Zener : Jose Guerrero (Guitar), Jordi Martinez (Percussions),Nick Perry (Bass) and Julian Sanchez (Guitar) http://www.octubre.cat/

Once old Spanish friend of mine told me that Valencia is not beautiful city and not interesting. I found total different. Might be there is not beautiful places with modern apartments houses. In the city center, old town. It’s amazing like many of other Spanish cities. 3rd largest city in Spain. Here too building has characters and heavy weight. Spanish people think (I guess) quite lots about quality. For to make good quality you need quality materials and philosophy. All those buildings are looks so gorgeous.

First time since long, I took train. In Iberia, train is a bit wide (width of two rails and train it self .off course) than train in other countries in Europe. So, If you come from France, you have to change train at the border. New thing for me was “security check” at railway station before you get on platform. It’s not heavy like airport. Just checking baggage. You can carry water. Spain fights against terrorist attack. So you remember, attack to train a couple of years ago. Tragically around 400 people died in Madrid. Train ride was fantastic..I felt like vacation (May be my job is like one. Its question of perspective ). can see Mediterranean Sea, blue sky and beach. Train slides beside sea.

Marcus, the drummer tonight pick me up, is archaeology student. He was a little angry about organization of the venue that sound check delay for two hours. There were some conference at that building. It’s part of art center. Down stair small theater with seats. So, we went just round the corner to street café, sound carriers showed up one by one. One November day .but, worm enough to sit at street café and chat. Tonight show is sold out..one bank bought all tickets to present young customers..funny thing. In Spain, some national banks are forced pay 30 percents of income for culture and sports as the don’t pay tax. Its good idea, I have to say.

Probably most famous thing from Valencia is Paella. Valencia made it as origin. But, I guess this came from Arabic countries, until 1492 they ruled part of Iberia. Also saffron comes from name saffron originally is Arabic. I heard that Paella is originally for poor people at the beginning. They cooked with rests of materials. Lonja de la Seda, Silk trade center is world heritage..this time I didn’t have time, next time I would like to visit there and a bit more touristy.

Damo Suzuki with Mueran Humanos: Carmen Burguess (Synth, Percussion, Vocal, Programming) and Tomas Nochteff (Bass, Tapes, Vocal, Programming)

Wake up, I’m alone in the venue, open the door, breath Sunday morning air at old town part of Lisbon. Quite few people on the street. very difficult to find taxi. Ask the police man, he was kindly enough to catch me taxi. Friendly beginning.

After 2 hours flight arrived in Barcelona, Ela and Serapi , picked me up from airport, they arranged my 3rd performance in Barca. They invited me to typical Spanish pub with tapas after check in at Hotel. They ordered a couple of dishes asking me what I would like to eat. When I come to Iberia, there is only answer “Fish! Fish! Fish!” Spanish people eat most fish in Europa..As far as I heard, around 70 percent market share has Spain in Europe and fish market in Madrid is biggest in Europe, 2nd biggest in the world after Tokyo “Tsukiji” I was not much hungry. but, if there is opportunity I better take it..this is the wisdom of traveler. The way Spanish and Japanese people are doing during drink alcohol is culture and sure this is much the better way and healthy. Between drinks some small dish..so this is good against hangover too and also very social.

Ela told me how difficult to organize show here in Barcelona as 1) Rainy weather people don’t go out 2) Soccer match. when Barca play in Stadium or TV live, It is very hard to get people for other culture event. FC Barcelona is institution and religion for many people world wide. A couple of year before they change all management and chose younger ones. since then they are getting better. (and look!! They won Champions League 2009..and they play far fantastic than any other team in Europe .very attractive. Dream soccer!!)

My first concert in Barca, I performed with Christian and he has a friend was not able to visit our show that time as he had his performance somewhere else in Spain. This friend is Tomas. and I will perform with him tonight. Tomas asked me while ago via mail, he would like to perform with me. So, he contacted these bookers. An another part of two man band Mueran Humanos is his charming his wife Carmen and both are from Argentine living many years here in Catalonia`s metropolis.

Last night they performed in Berlin. Berlin is the city many young people from all over the world loves to live there, I heard from friends moved to Berlin or intend to go there, might be cheapest-to-live metropolis in Western industrial countries. Tonight there is a young drummer who will join us. Every time I come back to Barca, I wonder for all these buildings with strong character. It’s really interesting city especially if you are interesting in architect and also arts. (Remember Gaudi!!) Best museum to visit is Joan Miro Foundation (Fundacio Miro) placed on the hill, now a days easy to reach there by cog railway. Joan Milo is one of my favorite artist. Its beautiful place with form and light. Went to the venue, already outside were dark step down to underground floor. Still you can find Spanish taste .I mean. well.. Catalonia!!! They say Catalonia not Spain. . Sure, I don’t know much of the Spanish history deep. Yes, there are many things interesting to know.

Damo Suzuki with Loosers: Rui Dâmaso, Zé Miguel and Tiago Miranda http://www.zedosbois.org/

Lisbon is a beautiful city with much atmosphere. Maybe this is so the venue placed at really interesting parts of the city, old one way street and they are very narrow. Many venues I performed is nothing to do with interesting historical area. As traveling sound carrier, mostly you spend the time at the venue and surroundings. So, that why whenever I come here Lisbon is beautiful city and has own charm. And one and only, special place..well for example like Venice. Standing on corner of those narrow street with stone blocks on . Watch at right, watch at left ..very interesting view and I really love this sort of old street structure.

Sergio, young friendly handsome guy picked me up from train station. Porto-Lisbon by train, sometimes trail was just beside sea, river. When I take train, I use restaurant. it’s kind of my ritual or habit. also I’m too lazy to shopping , carry some foods. You know, I’m quite bored with eating sandwiches, like to eat warm foods. Even they warm with microwave (which I avoid generally) I ordered lunch menu. I didn’t reserve, so seems to be there is no place, so I had to get lunch standing at bar.

Train is quite new and clean. Portugal had changed socially and economically. Once Portugal was one of most poor country in Western Europe. But, look all infrastructure, they arranged for European Soccer Championship 2004. Many things get modern and attractive without disturbing, harmony with old building. At the venue, I met the guy who ran this venue. Now, Sergio is organizing this interesting venue with gallery on 3rd and 4th floor. Every time I come here they are changing something and always getting better.

Formation of Loosers are drums, and (mainly 2 basses), with this formation Sergio wanted to hear instant composing. The venue have rooms for guest artist which is big enough just few Steps to the venue, an old building which has atmosphere and nice to be in. Positive energy. As usually in Southern Europe so dose Portugal., show start so late. S

ound check also was long. After sound check we (Loosers, Sergio and sound crew went out for dinner. Saturday night..a couple of restaurant, we went was occupied. no place and we have to wait long time. The restaurant we had finally get was just nice place. No tourist place, all guests seem to be domestic people. Best thing you can eat in Portugal is Fish and this is very amazing.

The night was long and loud on street. I heard that this area of Lisbon, pubs have to close at 2AM instead 4AM by new law. But, I heard loud singing, talking. Still many people on narrow street at that time and also later. This is the city with own character, let people drink until morning, let people sing songs of young and health. Anyway I have to sleep, I am traveler I have to wake up at already at 8AM to get ready for next Step…