Alison is having a night off from the blog, so I thought I'd tell you about our show in Hannover, at a venue called Feinkost Lampe.
But first, our day started with a trip to Berlin's central rail station, Hauptbahnhof, currently the biggest station in Europe. We are taking the train on this tour, traveling light and borrowing equipment at each venue. The German railways are typically err, German. Extremely efficient, cheap and clean. Sehr Gut! There's a certain amount of discipline when taking the train. You have to be at the station on time - a tour bus will wait but the train won't. Trains don't get lost on the autobahn either.
It's just over an hour and a half west from Berlin to Hannover, capital of the Lower Saxony region. We arrive on time and take taxis to the venue. There's time to sample the local beer, and we opt for the 'Wolf' bar across the road from the venue. It's a rock bar, blasting out superb AC/DC and Motorhead tunes. It goes down well with the local weisbier and puts us in a good mood for the soundcheck.
The venue is in an old school classroom, run by Arne and Pauli, the local cool kids who set up this venue over the last year. It is decked out in fine retro Scandinavian furniture, low lighting, coffee tables and kitsch 60's bric a brac.
the venue - retro furniture
I am most impressed with the toilets however - a spoken word Agatha Christie novel is played through speakers - in German, of course. Very odd. I manage to get a recording later on, much to some of the local punters bemusement/amusement. There is an old Bontempi organ in there too. That's my kind of toilet.
Bontempi organ in the ablutions
Before the show, we are treated to some home cooking - spinach and goats cheese gnocci with salad, and a plum pie for afters. We all agree that its gonna be a good show tonight.
The venue is only open once a week, so it soon starts to fill up with all the local hipsters in town, and before long, it's standing room only. Chris places our merchandise in amongst the 60's kitsch in the display cabinet. Its like a tripped out sweet shop in here.
probably the most creative display of merchandise on the tour
The DJ is most impressive, starting out with some eerie soundscapes and downbeat electronica. He soon builds things up with Midlake and Gravenhurst before we take the stage. He was Matt's favourite dj of the tour.
The show is a good one. Mike is on great form tonight. He somehow manages to make a snare drum and marraca sound like a full drum kit... no mean feat, that. God knows how he manages it. Half way through the show I see a face I recognise. It's the guy from the 'Wolf' rock bar who's come to check us out, and he's down the front grooving away. Awwwlriiight!
We encore with our version of the Thirteenth Floor Elevators song, 'Splash 1' and before we know it, its all over. Chris does a fine impression of del-boy Trotter, selling our wares with a certain charm. The evening goes on late, drinking the fine German beer and chatting to the locals who are charming and polite. We like Hannover a lot. If we lived here, we'd come to this night for sure.
We are given directions to our accommodation for the night. Its 5 a five minute walk away at 'Ralph's place'. His is the pad to crash for most rock and rollers who visit town. Comfortable futons make for a good nights sleep. We don't see Ralph until the next morning. He's a lovely guy, and he's put on a lavish German breakfast for us - Frushtuck. Its bread, ham, salami, and fine cheese, yoghurt, boiled eggs and lots and lots of coffee. There's just enough time to sign Ralph's guestbook, and look through his extensive collection of C90 tapes, before its time to go.
We have another train to catch, this time to Hamburg......
Ralph's fine collection of tapes
Stay tuned for day 5 very, very soon,
Mark
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