Diary

Damo Suzuki with the Wood Burning Savages http://regionalculturalcentre.com

There is young tree piece band from Belfast, they offered me pick me up in Letterkenny bring me to the venue in Belfast. I’ve little contact with this band Electric Octopus https://www.facebook.com/electricoctopusofficial/

They came exactly in time at noon. Good thing in this drive was they don’t hear any music, after while I said to them if they have recording of them. Surely they had, listen to them. They improvise and every piece is long, is it sound something like?….just like Network. Just they’re permanent member, guitar, bass and drums. They’re psychedelic instrumental band. They mailed me if we can play together, unfortunately this time also not happen, so then we spend together in car drive for around three ours, as they took country road that is quite like puzzle. I don’t know if they’re not good in geography of this area. Black Box is the venue I performed few times, nice place.

After sound check I hang around in front of the venue, weather is so good. Many people are on the street, ladies dressed in thin textile, everybody is happy. What happened? Is it payday today? Maybe just from so fine weather. Every corner of the city, any people, all in good moods. As usual, some of sound carriers already performed with me.

…..I never had been at the airport you have to pay for drop-off. This is Edinburgh airport, it’s incredible, I really don’t know any airport charge for this. Anyway E-da brought me to check-in. Then our way is separated, I again a man in plane, travel to next spot, local promoters are promised during tour in Ireland thy treat me well as I travel with attending person due to my long illness in case something goes wrong. having 2 breaks and E-da back to his home Brighton, he may stop at Leeds, it’s really long way back. I took propeller flight (? Any way it was small machine, my memory is not clear.) for around 35 minutes, arrived in Belfast. I wasn’t expected that short flight. Picked up by Jeremy, he invited me to stay extra days before and the after the show one day in Letterkenny. Wonderful offer, I like country side. It may really good for me to have enough time, rest myself in Green island. Co. Donegal is interesting spot as I’m interesting in Celtic culture. Northern Spain, Bretagne and Normandy, they have something to do with Celtic folk. Landscape is similar, rocky beach shore, many rainy days, rather cool weather, hospitality people and not these areas are not that much into tourism. Also, oyster?

Jeremy drove me to his village, he told me he moved out of Letterkenny and now living more countryside. One day we’re invited by a portrait painter who is also taking care of beautiful Glebe House and Gallery. Also attended by Bjorn, a German architect friend lives this area for many years. It’s so nice space with much of nature, peaceful place, he has two children, for children amazing place, woods, and lake nature play garden. 

Damo Suzuki with Wozniak : James (Bass), John (Drums), Sarah (Guitar, Vocals), Simon (Guitar) and E-da (Percussion)
http://themashhouse.co.uk

Edinburgh is dark city, something mystery from all these gothic building and castle, even I feel fear it’s scary from illumination spot on church and old dark buildings late the night. First cloned cow came out here? We have hotel tonight and tomorrow (a break) middle of the city, in front of park, near to National Gallery and Museum. Big size room face to main street, where bagpipe player play some of popular scottish folk music tunes that everybody know again and again for tourist from all over the world. Typical symbol of Scotland you can imagine. Edinburgh is no doubt 2nd touristy city in Great Britain after London, double-decker tourist bus and busy street. Visitors from everywhere.

The venue placed at middle of busy old town. Stair steps up. When we arrive already sound carriers are there busy sound checking. I felt visitors here are restrain or shy when I was at merchandising table. Maybe they don’t know how looks Damo Suzuki and don’t realize he is selling merchandising. Sometimes this happens, I talk with them and ask me my name. It’s won’t bother me at all. Just it’s so fun and funny.

Next day I had break, grey sky and pouring rain, we stayed comfortable, in the afternoon just went for cafe. A lazy day. So now time to say good by to you and also to E-da, thanks for supporting me and it was nice to tour with him, I’m sure he enjoyed as well as he joined most concert as sound carrier. Next day, I took flight to Ireland, next E-report I’ll report you from green island.

Review of the show :
https://www.productmagazine.co.uk/music/live-review-8/

Damo Suzuki with Rob Alexander (Drums), Suzy Rodden (Synth), Iain-Findlay-Walsh (Guitar, Bass), Simone (Guitar, Bass) and E-da (Percussion)
https://www.stereocafebar.com

Last time I performed in Glasgow was while ago, tour with my sound carrier friend Japanese trio Mandog and two other Japanese sound carriers, among them Mo-chan from Bo Ningen on drums also same venue like today. I guess I performed in this venue twice already, if my memory is right. Good size for my kind of music. It’s quite functional venue, live music space down stairs, upstairs with busy pub/restaurant. Sometimes, Network performance is joined by booker/promoter of the show, today’s show is in this case. Iain is young smart guy who arranged this show and played guitar. Opening band is from Aberdeen, some of them performed with me many years ago (as I haven’t perform in Aberdeen many years.) and know the same guy who arrange shows in Aberdeen. For me Glasgow has kind of charm that difficult to explain, the city has something other cities don’t have. Girls dressing different.

After sound check all sound carriers of the night come together had dinner together upstairs, talk and enjoy food. As usually I didn’t talk about music, just much more of my philosophy. As usual set up merchandising table short before door open beside Iain’s girl friend selling/control entrance. At many places some visitors are wondering I’m selling merchandising. I’m one man company, I’m flexible to do many things concerned to my show. I like this kind of moment before the performance, contact with audience already before the show a bit. Music is communication, this part is already part of my “live” performance. I’m not kind of artist stay at green room, perform and back to hotel. I like to have communication with people anyhow. Music is communication, my show start already at this point. Like to research people, interesting to know their mentality, character, whatever, I’ve interest in people also it’s study….character study. On travel I studying people, no, no I’m not intend to write book or so. People is very interesting everywhere. It’s part of instant composing, as I said communication is one of basic to create this kind of music as I don’t think I’m making music, my attitude is create platform where people is middle in it. So, before the show already people like to shoot selfies with me or they ask me for autograph, for me no problem, it’s part of my dairy work, don’t bother me at all.

Like you find my E-report, I won’t write down that much of concert its self. You may ask some sound carriers, I won’t talk about music before/after the show at all. Every visitor has their own opinion about result of fresh music of today. It’s not possible to compare one concert to other. Every time different, local to local different as sound carriers are different. That’s great thing, I have opportunity to involved in things like this. I get never bored, everyday is challenge, everyday build up new situation. As good chief use local fresh product, I mean I create time and space of the moment with ever changing local sound carriers. Some musician paint, take photos, musician in his way enjoying waiting time that is a lot. “Waiting” is most substance part of musicians life, anyway for me, begin with waiting for transfer, waiting for sound check, waiting for concert….. This “Waiting” time to use productive is my　tendency. Glasgow to Edinburgh distance is not much, just an hour to drive. Even such short distance both cities are different, one is industrial city, another one is touristy and may be elegant. Quite similar example to Liverpool and Manchester, Cologne to Düsseldorf.

Damo Suzuki with Daniel Broomhall (Organ, Electronica, the sound of UFO’s landing on summer grass in 2099), Charlotte Cartwright (Keyboard), Brian Christinzio (Keyboard), Aziz Ibrahim (Guitar), Lois MacDonald (Guitar, Keyboards), MONKEY (Drums), Robbie Rush (Guitar), Ben Ryles (Bass) and E-da (Percussion)

Flash back from 80’s Punk period.

The venue like this was common at that time. Using ruin like old factory as the venue. Sound check start delay pretty long, some of sound carriers didn’t appear at this time. This comes quite often, some works and some come from another district, so I just stay patience, drink beer bite potato chips. Generally I keep fester time of appointment, if I’m too early, I would do something else, if I’m good motivated I would use my ipad, write down some idea, story…there’s always anything to do. It’s just depend on motivation and daily condition. If this space is a bit warmer, I feel better. Anyway what I wanted to tell is I go any appointment much earlier, some time you may have experience special thing, the time and space is just enough, if this situation is in the city, you may window shopping or just walk around, find second hand book shop and you can do something that you don’t do normal daily life. If I see an attracting figure in show window, I may get one. Mainly this kind of time, I may buy thing which is not necessary to have, and this decorate my small space, I may remember where I was if I see them. Yes, souvenir for myself. I’ve interest in figures, they’re placed proudly on my glass rack.

Sound at sound check at the performance were totally different, empty broken empty unattractive space changes, make up to attractive space when audience is filled up. It’s like small festival with 4 opening/supporting bands. That mean I have to be there earliest and leave there latest. One of the band was young German band on tour. Hotel was quite near, but what an I do in Hotel, just hanging around here, people are getting organized and arranging the venue. The space is totally filled up, also outside on the street is good amount of people enjoying even uncomfortable weather bit wet and cold, anyhow. I know, English people are tough. As usually I communicate with people after the show, I tell you, especially two young ladies were cute. They’re 22 and 23 years old, invite me when I stand at merchandising, after my performance, one of them asked me if I like to smoke with them. This kind of invitation I never deny, also if you’re travelling talk with locals is one of nicest thing. I follow them outside like if I’m their dog. Still good amount of people outside, don’t go to home, sleepless people, after while, came to talk how young is audience here. „I’m sure I’m oldest one here“ I said. Prompt one of them said „Maybe you’re oldest one, but coolest one.“ This made me a day, you know so I have to write down here, it may better with fat spell. Michelle came here with her friend film maker Tracey, shoot her film here as well, also she made interview with E-da. She said interview with E-da was good.

Review of the show :
https://bagthing.co.uk/2017/05/review-damo-suzuki-the-white-hotel-19-05-17/

Damo Suzuki with Claire Adams (Bass), Katharine Eira Brown (Drums), Kathyrn Gray (Guitar), Hilary Knott (Keys, Synth) and Theresa Wrigley (Drums)
http://www.wharfchambers.org

I may be performed already with all girls formation, but I cannot remember, may be I didn’t, it’s doesn’t matter actually. E-da omitted service as sound carrier as he won’t to disturb or just like to hear girls playing. A bit sound check, girls are wondering “How to finish final.” I said “No worries, it will come somehow. I’m not sure if they accept my words, I just hope it. Sometimes sound carrier ask me before the show if I get nerves. I never get nerves, more, I’m happy to have this opportunity to perform and share energy. This happiness won’t make me nerves at all.

After sound check we brought our luggage to hostel just few step, round the corner, on the way we found Persian restaurant, it didn’t take much time to try this place as none of us ever had Persian food before. It wasn’t bad choice anyway. Hostel was small and actually space for backpackers, no toilet shower in the room, have to share with another guests, but still good thing is just few steps to venue, especially today things go wrong, it’s good for my condition to have space so near.

Back to the venue, Michelle was preparing, setting up camera for an interview upstairs that is instant green room (= dressing room). I felt afterword, so sorry to her that I had no much power, I may not friendly to her. At this point, I took medicine that I wasn’t able to take this morning. Michelle is making film “Energy” http://www.energythefilm.co.uk , a document film of my illness days and after, she is shooting since two years. She is living quite near from Leeds. I slept on sofa in green room few minutes, when I opened my eyes appeared face of Dave, a old friend, placed beside me. I know Dave since my first show in Leeds, more than 10 years. “Hey, you arranged BBC for interview?” He made this kind of wits with his poker face.

Sound carrier girls were so happy after the show, they did so well, so they feel good, audience feel good, promoter feel good, so what we want more……

Damo Suzuki with with Stephen Griffin (Guitar), Harry Hamer (Drums) and (Bass)
http://www.beatgenerator.co.uk

From Brighton to Dundee is around 800 kms, longest stretch on this tour, we decided to make one day break to Dundee. Yesterday, we started around 8:00 am, drive no fixed destination, long drive as we can, without any stress. Actually we planned to start at 6:00am to avoid rush hour around London.

As for my condition is not well balanced, we started bit later. Since I released from hospital 40 days before, my habit for breakfast is changed also instead take Soba, Udon, Ramen, Spaghetti, any kind of pasta, I prefer more to French/Italian breakfast, coffee and chocolate croissant sort of light breakfast. I had this morning before start near to E-da’s apartment. Road situation was good, met no traffic jam. Rest place on motorway is quit boring, one after another, all same pictures, with all those chain food/drink company. No local food or anything, all tasting nothing like bite blank paper. Choice is not huge for my taste, we took Katsu-Curry like forced to take this not from free opinion, there’s no alternative. When there is two Japanese together, very often to come theme “food” and continue this theme for endless. More than talk about “girls”, we may be over our fresh time already? So, where we go for dinner..?

It’s on level of Newcastle upon Tyne, beside North Sea, there must be some fish restaurant and after we may find accommodation for tonight. Checking in net during landscapes are flying by. I found interesting Restaurant in place called Tynemouth. Let’s go to restaurant in Tynemouth! and find hotel there! If you find goal everything is easy thing, free from small problem. We reached the goal, but unfortunately…full of people, without reservation not possible, even it was on Monday. We didn’t like to have stress to find alternative in another town, also time is already after 20:00, kitchen may close soon. Anyway I try to catch this restaurant when I’m near by in future. We found an alternative at same town…an Indian restaurant, I ‘d been long time not in Indian restaurant. I think, in England safety decision is Indian, Jamaican and Turkish. To eat Indian wasn’t bad idea, we both enjoyed the food. It was more than good amount that I couldn’t finish all. So as my habit for breakfast has been change after release from hospital. I start to drink beer again, before I enjoyed much wine. Now, I’m drinking domestic beer, even I forgot taste of beer. I used to drink much beer almost 30 years ago. I ordered beer, surely I’ve got full stomach. Like my wine days, I try at first local beer, anyway popular beer is BORING, you can drink everywhere in the world and taste bad, it’s just popular, they spend much money on advertising.

After dinner, we checked web and found free hotel room in Whitley Bay. The hotel must be newly renovated, everywhere smells of strong fresh paints. It’s OK….we can live with this. It was already short before midnight. Next morning we walked along ocean view street. Strangely many buildings like a large hotel and some shops are all empty, may be it’s on sale. From Whitely Bay we took country road, It’s better, we have plenty time. View on country road was beautiful, short before enter Scotland. Now landscape is getting different, more space, peaceful, drive through village after village. I like this more than driving on motorway, much relaxed, free and you really enjoy the time. There’s always interesting things to see. Drive on motorway is focusing goal and like business trip, you never see beautiful country side. Let’s have a rest, drink beer, weather is just good for it. Even it was before noon, enjoy sunshine drink outside beer before enter Scotland. Landscape is changing to hill, rocks, mountain somehow looks masculine. Long before, I performed in Aberdeen for few times, Edinburgh to Aberdeen is nice stretch to take train, left side golf places, right side North Sea. I passed many times Dundee, just I saw from train window. Now, first time I’m standing here, finally. Malika is young lady lived in London before. She arranged me a show, now she is studying in Dundee, she offered me to arrange show here. Thanks Malika.

How was this show?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L_9Fj4BDgw

Damo Suzuki with ZOFFF : Chris Anderson(Bass), Richard Gorbutt(Giant Homemade modular Synth), Bic Hayes(Guitar),Alistair Strachan(Korg, Effects, Cornet) and Damo Waters(Drums) https://www.facebook.com/WestHillHall/

Most probably Brighton is most performed place for me in UK after London. So, I know some place to go. We arrived early enough to the venue that I’d never performed before. It’s kind of village hall. Whenever I have performance in Brighton, Chris, sound carrier friend for many years, asks me if he has chance to play. This time he has that opportunity.

I’m getting mails from sound carrier willing musician or we-are-going-to-studio-do-you-like–to-join-us? sort of inquiry quite often in my mailbox. I’m thankful and I apologize all those never had chance to perform together. There’s always next time. Sound in this kind of space is quite different when it’s empty. Sound carriers checked sound with rocky stuff, on the performance it went different. I knew some people here, also a guy that willing to attend me for this tour showed up. He was almost 100% fixed to help me by drive car around. Unfortunately he met traffic accident few weeks before, he informed me he couldn’t do his service. So, I had to find alternative quickly. Nice to see him quite healthy standing in front of me.

After sound check I and E-da went to Japanese restaurant. You know, you have special taste in your mouth and cannot stand to eat, it’s MUST, then, you can’t stop it. Better just do it, no alternative. But, sometimes this is letdown as this moment you’re walking on narrow street that has only one goal, you’re a blind for another thing. Result was easy as just I imagined and I won’t recommend this place to anyone. I wanted to eat Unadon (grilled eel with sauce on rice) which gives me much stamina, but first thing is very tasty (even now watering in mouth). Surely it’s poorest thing in the world to expect taste like in Japan. Probably it came from freezer just put a bit hand on it (just heat) and serve. It’s boring like if Italian restaurant open canned ravioli heat it and serve, you know. With proudly price. And more surprise, they charged green tea at price of 2GBP, can you imagine? Tea! Tea is one of most expensive thing you can imagine if you take coffee/restaurant .You just need hot water and serve, charge 3 euro onward at place I’m living. In Japan or good Japanese restaurant abroad, tea is service, no charge. Anyway I cannot claim this place as name of the restaurant was as far as I understand, translated in English like “don’t take responsibility” So, it’s our fault to come here they’re telling already truth. It was better choice to go to Fish Restaurant on last visit in Brighton. You know, once you’re sick for long time you have some wishes you were missing……this time it was “Unadon”

Review :

Next morning, E-da drive me to Howe for breakfast. Howe is fusion city with Brighton. Brighton & Hove is right name. (By the way, congratulations for enter EPL, this season!) Howe is not touristy like Brighton. Therefore stress free. E-da brought me to café that was amazing and relaxing. They have many sort of exotic coffee, from Botswana, Ethiopia… Enjoying people go by in lazy late Sunday morning. In the afternoon I had visitor from London with interesting offer.

This is an another story, I may inform you later….

Damo Suzuki Harry Furniss (Trumpet), Paul Allen (Guitar), Helen Papaioannou (Saxophone), Aonghus Reidy (Keys), Gareth Turner (Bass) and Jesse Webb (Drums)

https://www.exchangebristol.com

Some of sound carriers, I performed already few years ago. Baritone Sax player is a female sound carrier. I performed with any kind of sax, still perform with Baritone is very first time. E-da says female in the band makes much attractive. It’s true, I performed many times with females, oh yes! Next Leeds shows few days later is all female formation, I guess this is first time with all female formation. Between sound check and show time, in green room upstairs, I’d interview with Alastair, a 20 years old young man from University of Bristol’s online TV station (UBTV) for which he make film live showcases and interviews. Generally these are used to promote Bristol artists.

Part one of interview :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jFuwjc0Trk

Part two :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7ymxKZ03F0

Every time I released from hospital, my habit and taste is getting change, it’s true. Before first time I released from hospital I was a pesco-vegetarians, didn’t eat any meat. But after begin to eat meat except pork. ( I cannot say it really as I love good sausages in Germany. Believe me sausage is not pork, ha,ha…I cannot just forget taste of Krakow sausage! Never!)

Suddenly I wanted to eat Schnitzel one day in hospital. 2nd release I begun to taste coffee even I never had for 40 years (!!!). I’m writing this report in the morning attend by canned beer, before last release I was much wine taster, I didn’t show interest in drinking beer for many years, can you imagine? Anyway weather today is fantastic, allow me to drink beer even the day is so young.

Review for Bristol show :
http://freq.org.uk/reviews/damo-suzuki-the-exchange/

Damo Suzuki with Tom Furse (Synth), Oliver Henri (Guitar), Kenichi iwasa (Synth, Percussion), Fay Milton (Drum), Susumu Mukai (Bass) and Leo Taylor (Drum)

http://www.mothclub.co.uk

Sound check begun very relaxed mood, not complete sound carriers were there. It’s OK I have enough time and drink beer, if you make spontaneous music, time flow is also improvising. Tonight, the instant band is curate by Kenichi, founder of Krautrock Karaoke, a kind of session event based on Krautrock in London. Kind of secret tip if you don’t know. Kenichi arranged percussion orientated instant band for tonight. Members are actually almost member of Krautrock Karaoke. E-da means when Kenichi arrange party always visited by large amount of cute girls in audience and it’s true even I’m grand father to them, nice to see all those young girls (Sorry, ladies!) from different nation, my audience generally is young in London. I feel I’m one of them, 40 years time slip, they’re around 20 years old. By the way my youngest son is mid- 20.

Opening band was all those sound carriers curate by Kenichi Just without Damo Suzuki. They’ve done so good job that already at this moment very “hot” in the space, you stand very tight to next like caned anchovies. So, tight even impossible to shake, move and dance. I was hearing to them from green room (back stage) up stairs, on the wall hanging picture of Winston Churchill. I thought, It won’t be wrong if they continue playing, I won’t perform tonight. They’re heating the space and so grooving. Kenichi said I come on the stage whenever I like. The opening band seems to be never stop. I preferred to separate to two set, so they stopped. 2nd set I joined them, still heating seems to never get cool down. Sound carriers on the stage are hungry to play so as audience for never ending rhythms. An excellent evening. Copacabana in London East.

After the show, as I promised with Luca to meet up for his Birthday, E-da, Daisy (E-da’s partner with their project Adrena Adrena https://www.adrenaadrena.com/about), Kenich and I went to Turkish restaurant (my recommendation as I didn’t like to go to other area with my condition) to join Luca and some his friends. Luca had show with his band Julie’s Haircut same day at same area.