Ian flew over from the UK and Bernhard (originally from Austria) drove from Alsace, France to play on this very mini tour in Bavaria and Batten-Wurtenberg. The first gig was in Munich at the very underground music club that is Feinspeiserei – we supported a great group from Prague called Ocean versus Daughter – although I think only one of them was Pragien, the others were from America, Devon and Birmingham (Brummies are everywhere). We recieved probably our best critique from a heckling woman, who eloqeuntly shouted ‘How about you go home and never come back!’ followed by some incoherent words to do with whistling and train tracks, which was ironic because our next GT gig was in Stuttgart at a very cool place called the Wagon. A very alternative underground part of a very conservative city that is in danger of being shut down next year. Apparently completely illegal, although it has survived for 10 years it is a train carriage that has been converted into a music club, complete with tiny stage that unbelievably has held a band of 8! It still sits on the disused rail line, other carriages are home to locals, one carriage is surrounded by intriguiging sculptures made by an artist from the middle east.
It was a great night, with the wood burner keeping everyone warm (if perhaps a little too warm, I suffered sweat in my eye during one song) and the people that came were certainly music lovers and a mix of very interesting people. The highlight has to have been Putte’s beautiful graceful rabbit dancing. Hopefully we shall return before it’s demise, which we hope won’t be for another few decades at least.
