Diary

Two guys from German music paper “Musik Express” appeared for appointment make interview what Damo is doing nowadays.

We took walk through the park, was wonderful harvest day, sitting at a pond, swan family was enjoying sun in the pond, dried leaves swims on water surface.

Japanese band “Piqnic” visited me during their 1st Europe tour from Berlin. I know the road manager Yasuda who lived in London, UK for 8 years, he arranged me some performances among them UK tour with Mandog.

Piqnic is from Hamamatsu, here you can see their show at their home town. Hamamatsu is “music city”, but only manufacture sense.

Yamaha, Kawai, Suzuki… Music instrument of many kind producing this city. The band was pretty young age between 22 to 24.

Their Driver is from Wales. I served him Welsh Whisky. All together 6 people, they a parted to 2 group to stay 2 different places I’d arrange.

Same time as Keiichi stayed here, Michelle and Ned from Huddersfield/Hebden Bridge, England was here for shooting Michelle’s documentary „Energy!“ which is I’m involved.

Michelle made a website for this documentation. She made documentary “Mr.Somebody”.  It’s their 2nd visit after Beginning of August.

They’ll come again in December or January, Michelle plans. Ned will move to Arizona, USA his family moved there and waiting for him.

My sound carrier friend Mandog (Keiichi) and his wife supposed to visit me already on Sunday, he totally missed the day until I call Mani (drummer of Guru Guru) he didn’t realize on Sunday we had an appointment even he had already train ticket Heidelberg-Cologne on that day.

So, he visited me 2 days later as they had also train ticket booked already for Cologne – Brussels next day.

Mani and Mandog (Keiichi) performed 2 concerts in Germany, one in Offenbach and one in Heidelberg, you might saw them playing together.

I’ve a (classical) pianist/singer cousin in Roma, married to an Italian violinist, they have two adult children, one of them, son study an aerospace science, he came to concerts in Rome.

First time I met him in Rom at my performance, he introduced me himself saying that he’s part of Suzuki family, I was really surprised not only from his excellent Japanese even he looks much Italian also mentality.

But, I’d never see his sister until middle of October. She is a flamenco dancer and performing near Cologne, therefore parents, my cousin visited me with their daughter one afternoon.

I found her flamenco dancing in YouTube. It’s sound quite funny, Italian/Japanese daughter is a flamenco dancer in Seville, Spain.

I had an appointment with Jan Werner (Berlin) of Mouse on Mars, paint some LP covers for special edition for members of Alteiburg Museum, Mönchengladbach, Germany where we’ve done sound installations (this is LP how LP about) at Sigmar Polke’s Exhibition in March this year (I reported).

Jan is busy guy, following days went for performances to Russia and Japan.

Done an interview with Mike Sheffield (New York) for “Hope & Fears”. It’s about my basking year late 60’s.

A week later photo-session with Birte Kaufmann (Cologne/Berlin). She was really nice and many things we talk was same label.

Damo Suzuki with Backseat Rhythm : Marco Egger (Drums), Corsin Fuchs (Bass) and Philippe Meier (Guitar)
http://rumpeltum.ch/

Last year ended Network performance in Switzerland and this year begun in Switzerland. This offer came quite rush.
Landed at Zurich Airport, through to baggage claim you may see many PR of famous and gorgeous watches on the way. Actually history of watch making in Switzerland has begun 17^th, 18^th century, farmers wanted to do something in long winter period. So, they found Watch making as side business and became world famous. Swiss made on precision fields, is the world leader and trustable. Swiss is an inventive: Chocolate, Chemical Products (among them LSD, ha?), every boy’s Swiss made Knife and sure Cheese!! Many ideas and playful (like Japan). This few years even breeding sturgeon to get high quality caviar. Also seems to be cannabis land number one (percentage of inhabitant who smokes), Quality is as good as other products in this country.

Somehow Swiss made means quality.

Early morning flight is boring.

Woke up short before 4:00, drive through Autobahn that wasn’t like ice way. We have very cold winter since a week, but this part of Germany there is no snow. Cold and dry.

I’ve a friend Rainer is his name in Uzwil, is a cousin of late M.Karoly. Last time he said If I come next time I should stay one extra day. After four or five stations from Zürich Airport station, I reached Uzwil by train. Rainer was waiting for me drive me with his few months old new VW bus (He is a camper) He took a day off to spend the time with me. Drop at supermarket get some stuff for breakfast. Actually I don’t go to supermarket that often, but if you’re in foreigner country, I think it’s worth to visit (not only buy), you’ll find something different from your country. Living Standards, Taste, etc….even politic, there is always something to develop.

Rainer moved out of his old apartment and lives now in house, shared with young lady named Sabrina. Enough space. Outside is all covered in snow.

I took a bit relax and sleep. During the time, came chimney sweep, Repairman for water as hosts moved to here few weeks before, so Rainer asked me if I was able to sleep. Even didn’t sleep well, main thing is that my body did relax.

Alfred, a Greek, a Rainer’s Companion at his work, He has his parents living in Thessaloniki. They visited me when I performed there few years ago. Since long Greece is in crisis. Hope his parents are well.

The venue is opened for two days a week, every Wednesday open kitchen, and foods for 5 Swiss Francs. It’s autonomy venue, actually it’s not regal. Anyhow police like it as punks don’t hanging around anywhere in the city they comes here. Easy to control, ha?

The Backseat Rhythm, a local three-piece band was tuff, we performed together a set for two hours and they wanted to perform more and audience get together.

Next day, Rainer and his friend, photograph Rene took me to Appenzell, 20 minutes drive from Uzwil. Appenzell is a winter sport resort.

There is Long Skiing Path under lighting system. People in Apenzell are small like you said Rainer, their houses so small house, only 180cm high. And woman had no right for election until 1986, latest place for woman election right in Europe.

I like pocket watches, I found one I like in show window. Don’t think twice I bought this even cap with Swiss Flag wasn’t not a real my taste…I’m not against Switzerland just may works kitschy.

Appenzell is very famous for cheese.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appenzeller_(cheese)

We visited Show Cheese, where you can see process of cheese making. Off course there is a cheese shop even you can try fresh cheese of the day. I wanted to bring this back to Cologne, but I have to eat it on same day, a friendly lady at the shop told me, what’s pity! It’s taste a bit like hard tofu.

Another companion of Rainer, Christoph invited us with some other friends for Raclette evening. Raclette is beside cheese fondue, one of a Swiss national food.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raclette

It makes quite full stomach like cheese fondue.

So, I slept not that good.

Next morning Rainer said also same thing.

I’ve been telling you how impossible is der Bahn (German rail) many times. This time happened by SBB wagon. Actually this train brings me directly Basel back to Cologne. I found no wagon that I reserved seat. SBB man told me that wagon is not connected to other wagons as they found damage. No problem, train is really empty, easy to find free seat anyway, after I took myself in Feeding Wagon, a first try in SBB. It’s quite expensive like other things in Switzerland. Anyway after while waiter informed me that I have to change train at Freiburg as they found roof leak at one wagon.

So, Basel – Cologne is not direct..a comfortable travel like on my plan. I had to change train at Freiburg then at Mannheim…

Damo Suzuki with Monstre: Morgan Landuré (Ellectric Guitar, Stones, Noises), Arnaud Le Gouëfflec (Bass, Moog), Fabrice Louisin (Drums, Percussions) and Lionel Mauguen (Electric Guitar, Special Effects)

Missed the first train, so not possible to get Eurostar train from Paddington to Paris. Cannot remember what happened yesterday. I was too drunk, must went Hotel like Zombie even it’s just next door to the venue. Brain watch took a bit late to wake me up….Oh shit!!! I missed the train. But, anyhow, anyway I have to reach today’s destination Brest, Bretagne I had to buy new ticket which was almost 3 times more than normal as I wanted be in Paris quick as possible if it’s possible I get connecting train to Brest. But, all are not happen. I arrived quite boring travel under the Dover Channel. They asked me to pay for new ticket…but, there are even less than half full. It’s business, man. New ticket from London to Brest was quite OK, they asked me for penalty and difference to pay…so, this was also much but, not too much like heartless Eurostar. A zombie through London, through Paris..around two hours later find myself in the train. All these trip I took a bit more than 8 hours in train…..for waiting train and Gare du Nord to Montparnasse including….around more than two hours…no half day!!!!!! Bretagne is nice place, beautiful landscapes with atmosphere, even I was tired….really really tired I didn’t close my eyes, feeling I’ll miss something…It’s travellers feeling. TGV which waiting for me at Montparnasse were so long train…must have 18 wagons or maybe a bit more. The train was separated in two front wagons are going to Breast as final destination. Following wagons are Stop at Rennes. It’s comfortable train with comfortable seat. Comparing with German or British rail, it’s not that much expensive. Britain and Germany has sometimes really shameless price. A couple of days before I took train from London to Leicester which takes anything about 1 and half hours…have to pay around 70 GBP without not that much comfort and modern like TGV. 2 hours delay for Damo’s arrival…..still they showed up at station. First went to small friendly Hotel, which has wireless access. Then to the venue short sound check…just me few second…sound was already good. Sometime timing to take food is problem. I cannot eat that much before three hours start performance. This was really good I have around three hours, I promised my self don’t drink any alcohol today. But, this rural was just for fantasist. If you’re in France…you don’t miss wine. So, one wine is two, twos are three…….. People say French people don’t speak English…. but, this time it was not true…all sound carriers and their friend spoke with me English and we understand. Support acts are one Japanese named Makoto Sato ho lives in France for 30 years, I was Jealousy about his eloquent French. He looks so satisfied with his life and keeping smile on his face. He usually performs as trio, unfortunately one of their members is sick, so they have to do with two instead three. But, it was really enough sound even just two of them are making. Our performance went well…. like most of times.
Review :

Visual:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABMsTugkVn0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNtOBNya_Fw

Damo Suzuki with Mark Andrews (Drums), Mick Bund (Bass Guitar), Oliver Denyer (Percussion), Jon Male (Guitar), Ann Shenton (Moog) and Rob Weston (Machines, Effects)

Yesterday, I spend a break day in London, so it’s easy travel today. Also it was good to have rest as today and tomorrow’s performance are very far. I’ve to wake up early in the morning to catch first train to London, then Eurostar to Paris, then to Brest, Bretagne. First time I visited this small famous town near London called Windsor. I don’t have to have to explain about this city. I’ve never interest in monarchy. Or should I say, why people need this? I say, this is just peaceful small city, my taste, very similar to Oxford. This day brought spring.

Beginning of this tour weather wasn’t that good, much like England cold and wet everywhere I had to cover myself in warm clothes. Change the train at Slough, from train saw Windsor castle few minutes later, so this train is special train to Windsor. Many schoolboys and girls in group not only British, there were French schoolboys and girls. Here is really touristy place. It’s not difficult to find it if you get out train. Many restaurant, souvenir shops tight together around the station. Sam, the young booker at Fire station Arts Center picked up me while I was begin to shop after waiting for him bathing sun on the bench. Only few blocks away you can find the venue, which is former fire station. The building must be from end of 19th century or beginning of 20th century when Britain had much power and rule the world. There were young skinny charming girl working at the art center, she likes sound check. Every time band plays here she don’t miss sound check.

Weather was good as I and some sound carriers sat outside the venue drinking beer, I drink glasses of white wine. waiting for performance. Yes, finally spring came. This „Drinking was really mad to me later on…I tell you. Opposite street stands fake Japanese restaurant, I’ve checked already for dinner tonight. Bad thing happens when I drink too much. Already at terrace of the venue I had some glasses of white wine. The wrong thing I choose……Syouchyu=Japanese rice snaps. From this moment to next morning I was kind of „blackout…cannot remember anything. Under such a nice spring weather with beautiful light, taste of drinks were really amusable one became two became four so far…Even I cannot remember performance we did. Even I don’t know if I’ve got performance fee. Also I lost sunglasses and digital pocket camera. (Few days later some people mailed me the performance was good, then I felt better myself.)