Neurotic Outsiders - the Euro tour anniversary
Sept 24, 2016 16:11:55 GMT -5
cat3pika, neuroticbaby, and 3 more like this
Post by darkmavis on Sept 24, 2016 16:11:55 GMT -5
Remember the time a punk rock tornado by the name of Neurotic Outsiders flew across Paris, London, Munich, Hamburg and Cologne? It's 20 years ago this week!
On 24 Sep 1996 I took a 6 hour train ride to Munich to start a three-night front row punk rock extravaganza that I would never forget. Not only was I, the Duranie popster, introduced to punk rock, I also learned that I was capable of enduring extreme pain while in the presence of greatness.
In the beginning, it didn't quite look so whirlwindy. They played this new club in Munich's industrial area and when I got there, it was all a bit unorganised. The promoter had forgotten to bring tickets, there was no-one at the door and they had oddly advertised three different gigs for the night. So we ended up with free entry, three bands and five very different-looking groups of fans that curiously eyed each other.
The Neurotics headlined, of course, and because the stage was quite high, they kind of hovered above our heads like kings, looking fab, with JT giving himself away as "the Duran guy" by wearing black suit trousers and ruffles. I remember being completely awestruck by the energy coming off the speakers. That, and the odd mix of fans, dressed-up Duranies, hairy-armpit Gunners and generally civilised, but slightly older Pistols, all of whom would have probably never met in life had it not been for this gig.
After the show, I was invited backstage by one of the crew and oddly found myself discussing T-Shirt designs with Steve and JT while bending over very healthy looking salad. It felt quite bizarre.
Back on the train that night, I listened to my recording and it struck me again. Pure adrenalin. I must have made some spastic moves along the way because I received more than one strange look from my fellow travellers.
Two days later I was back on the train again to see the Outsiders at Hamburg's Logo. Tiny venue, tiny stage. It was dark, hot and damp with sweat dripping off the ceiling. I remember, members of the audience, including me, fell onto the stage at one point. PLONG! Ready to kiss JT's feet. Other than that I don't remember much. Oh, but the name of the support band: Spastic Society! Neurotic Outsiders. Spastic Society. Get it?
The next day, NO played the LUXOR in my hometown Cologne. It was packed. People piled up outside the venue to catch a glimpse through the open door or simply listen. I found myself once again at the front, sitting on stage right between JT and Steve Jones, like some figurehead. In fact, I was so close I felt soundwaves coming towards my face from Jonesy's guitar. Or rather, let's say, I was fortunate enough there was a guitar between us. LOL! ;-) I also couldn't move because my legs were stuck between another fan's legs (that's you, Esther!).
To this day, when people ask me about my favourite ever gig, I would say "Oh gosh! Without a doubt, Neurotic Outsiders. At the Luxor in Cologne."
There are no words to describe this gig. It was THE BEST. I never experienced anything like it afterwards and I don't think I ever will. Think DD, last Wembley of the reunion tour and then triple the excitement. My knees were swollen, I couldn't move, I was deaf for the rest of the week, but I was happy. It wasn't just energy. It was a special kind of bonding between the band and the fans during the show. The band and us, we were one. A mass of people moving to the same drum, stuck to each other, even drinking from the same bottle. And it was so much fun!
I also met NO at the airport the next day by pure chance, but that's a totally different story.
On 24 Sep 1996 I took a 6 hour train ride to Munich to start a three-night front row punk rock extravaganza that I would never forget. Not only was I, the Duranie popster, introduced to punk rock, I also learned that I was capable of enduring extreme pain while in the presence of greatness.
In the beginning, it didn't quite look so whirlwindy. They played this new club in Munich's industrial area and when I got there, it was all a bit unorganised. The promoter had forgotten to bring tickets, there was no-one at the door and they had oddly advertised three different gigs for the night. So we ended up with free entry, three bands and five very different-looking groups of fans that curiously eyed each other.
The Neurotics headlined, of course, and because the stage was quite high, they kind of hovered above our heads like kings, looking fab, with JT giving himself away as "the Duran guy" by wearing black suit trousers and ruffles. I remember being completely awestruck by the energy coming off the speakers. That, and the odd mix of fans, dressed-up Duranies, hairy-armpit Gunners and generally civilised, but slightly older Pistols, all of whom would have probably never met in life had it not been for this gig.
After the show, I was invited backstage by one of the crew and oddly found myself discussing T-Shirt designs with Steve and JT while bending over very healthy looking salad. It felt quite bizarre.
Back on the train that night, I listened to my recording and it struck me again. Pure adrenalin. I must have made some spastic moves along the way because I received more than one strange look from my fellow travellers.
Two days later I was back on the train again to see the Outsiders at Hamburg's Logo. Tiny venue, tiny stage. It was dark, hot and damp with sweat dripping off the ceiling. I remember, members of the audience, including me, fell onto the stage at one point. PLONG! Ready to kiss JT's feet. Other than that I don't remember much. Oh, but the name of the support band: Spastic Society! Neurotic Outsiders. Spastic Society. Get it?
The next day, NO played the LUXOR in my hometown Cologne. It was packed. People piled up outside the venue to catch a glimpse through the open door or simply listen. I found myself once again at the front, sitting on stage right between JT and Steve Jones, like some figurehead. In fact, I was so close I felt soundwaves coming towards my face from Jonesy's guitar. Or rather, let's say, I was fortunate enough there was a guitar between us. LOL! ;-) I also couldn't move because my legs were stuck between another fan's legs (that's you, Esther!).
To this day, when people ask me about my favourite ever gig, I would say "Oh gosh! Without a doubt, Neurotic Outsiders. At the Luxor in Cologne."
There are no words to describe this gig. It was THE BEST. I never experienced anything like it afterwards and I don't think I ever will. Think DD, last Wembley of the reunion tour and then triple the excitement. My knees were swollen, I couldn't move, I was deaf for the rest of the week, but I was happy. It wasn't just energy. It was a special kind of bonding between the band and the fans during the show. The band and us, we were one. A mass of people moving to the same drum, stuck to each other, even drinking from the same bottle. And it was so much fun!
I also met NO at the airport the next day by pure chance, but that's a totally different story.