Diary - Ol Drake
Kanye West
17/09/2009
I came back from Portugal to see all this stuff about Kanye West on Youtube.
I know nothing of Taylor Swift's work but I checked out what all the fuss was about...
Kanye West, you are a dickhead. Put some lenses in your glasses and do one, you Gay Fish.
I already had a big amount of respect for Beyonce, but to give up her moment for this Taylor Swift was so cool of her. Respect.
Oh no I'm speaking about something not Metal! shoot me..
DESTRUCTION
15/09/2009
So, the other week I sent Schmier an e-mail for him to check "Nosophoros"out on our myspace. He replied saying the new "Infected Nations" stuff is killer (which, coming from a pioneer of the genre means a lot, especially to me), but he also added that Mike broke his fingers, and "Isn't that a job for me?". Erm, yes please.
Schmier sent the set list over, and luckily I knew most of the set anyway with being a big Destruction fan, so I got cracking on playing the set
I arrived at Basel Airport, and my phone couldn't decide what country it was in; "Welcome to Switzerland!" "Welcome to France!" "Welcome to Africa" make your mind up. I sat waiting for Schmier, half expecting him to show up in a tank.
First day of rehearsals we picked Mike up for him to come over and go through a few riffs with me. The rehearsal was great. Being able to play classic Destruction songs with them was mind-blowing. Suddenly there was a burning smell and I thought "wow, whatever someone's smoking smells strong" until Schmier noticed a fire breaking out in the cornerof the room. Lots of German shouting ensued and the fire was stopped. We must have been just too metal for a fire not to break out. Mike was kind enough to let me use his Dean V and stage jacket, which is a huge honour for me, and with it being Destruction, wouldn't look right any other way.
Me, Marc and Schmier went to a Wine Festival on the evening. I discovered my new favourite drink/lieblings getrink thing. Neue Wein, especially the Red one. Brilliant. The old Destruction drummer, Tommy, was there too, was great meeting him andall the guys' friends etc.
On Saturday a few of destruction's fans came into the studio to watch the rehearsal which was cool, and I didn't expect them to know or even like Evile, but they did, cool! Packed up all the gear ready for the flight to Portugal.
Got hardly any sleep and had to drive to the airport early. In apparently true German tradition we had to get drunk before getting the flight. So myself, Marc and Schmier sat at the airport bar with some beers, whilst watching Rihanna being repeated non stop on MTV (I'm not complaining, hmmmmm).
Despite being called Jesus severaltimes I slept straight away on the flight, after the captain came out to introduce himself and impress all the ladies and to imply he has something they all want. "Why hello, I'm the captain, I have your lives in my hands, ladies". Shut up and fly the plane.
Got some sleep at the hotel, then went straight to the venue. Got to finally meet and speak to Gian from The Rotted and Ben also, awesome times. Ben dubbed me 'The Cider Provider'.
It was my first time having a guitar tech, and I so wasn't used to not doing everything myself at ashow, I kind of missed having to worry about everything haha. Watched some of the Rotted's awesome set, then got ready for ours. I was nervous for the first time before a gig (who wouldntbe, playing with Destruction?). So I got onto the Cider to calm me down, but I wanted to play so much it kind of wore off.
Went on stage behind the side drops and the "Curse the Gods" intro started. I've listened to this song for years upon years, and the fact suddenly hit me that I'm about to go on stage with Destruction. I half wanted togo YEAGHHH ARGHHH!!! and half wanted to burst out laughing, but Ienjoyed it too much. I was still nervous, and trying not to think aboutthe position I was in. Had a few fuck ups from thinking about the legacy of Destruction I'm currently playing, but it wasn't bad for the first Destruction set ever, and I had a great time.
I fluffed the beginning of "Nailed to the Cross". I want to repeat "I" fluffed it, not Destruction haha. That was one of those "FML" moments where I just thought "oh fuck", I thought Schmier might kill me, hahah.
I'm very sure a lot of people in the crowd thought I was Mike. A few guys came up to me to congratulate me on a great setthinking I was Mike, and had a shocked look on their face haha. Wasgreat to see Evile fans there who'd seen us play at SWR.
Schmier got the set filmed in it's entirity, and apparently some of it will be featured in the upcoming Destruction DVD.
In Conclusion a HUGE honour to play on the same stage as Schmier and Marc, and thankyou to the whole Destruction family for letting me in for this show.
Oh Hello
30/08/2009
Had our first rehearsal in a while to start getting the new songs tight for upcoming shows and tours. Sounding great! can't wait to play the new songs to people after them having got the new album. Coincidentally, we just got test copies of the album, the layout is great! couldn't be happier with it, the artwork looks AWESOME. Michael Whelan is the king. Thankyou Earache and fellow band members!
Received a copy of Tenet's new album from my buddy Jed Simon. I highly recommend this album. brilliant! Souza on vocals, Hoglan on drums. amazing. BUY Tenet's "Sovereign" and support them, and get another bands debts down hahah.
Got a release show for "Infected Nations" coming up at the 02 Bar Academy in Islington, there are only 250 tickets so hurry! check the website for more details. We've then got a few GERMAN headline shows before going out on the road with AMON AMARTH and ENTOMBED. Seriously can't wait for this, hope to see some evile shirts in the crowds.
Watched "Ninja Scroll" last night. Awesome manga film. "My best hat"
Anyway, back to practicing. My fingers tend to forget how to play if i don't play for a week or more.
Back from NY
26/08/2009
Only a quick entry to test out our new Diary section!
Had a long 2+ weeks travelling to London, Bloodstock, New York to spread the word about our upcoming album "Infected Nations"
Can't wait to get over to the USA in early 2010!
head over to our myspace to hear new tracks
http://www.myspace.com/evileuk
