Steve Ignorant

Masquerade is a huge old building that used to be an old mill and as far as I could see has 3 spaces to perform in. The staff  there were really helpful and Greg was a diamond. We had a fantastic meal, everyone loved it especially the homemade cornbread.

After loading in and sound check I had a Q&A at another great independent record store.  Yes, they are still out there and worth a visit. Chad Radford (Creative Loafing) did a brilliant job at curating. He also got me some cigarettes as I forgot my ID so they wouldn't sell me any.

There was a great atmosphere at the gig and I had time to meet and talk to lots of people. Also a big hug to some special people out there.

We are all getting tired but we don't want it to end, because this is not just any tour, it is something really special and emotional. There is such an energy and positivity, it is hard to describe. I am sure anyone who has been to one of The Last Supper gigs will agree.

Part of the old mill

Criminal Records

Carol's own design

Fight War, Not Wars

Fantastic night

Great people

Atlanta's crowd

After a night of driving, a day off and another day of driving we arrived at Gainesville. A great venue with friendly people. There was a take away pizza place just round the corner and the pizzas were brilliant.

Lots of people had travelled to see the gig and we all had a great time. Carol got close up with some wildlife and Jona and Allison got very dirty sorting out the trailer. We even had a guest singer, Melissa, to sing Big A Little a.

I know many bands just play the east and west coast but I am glad we decided to get all the way round the USA and meet all you lot.  The photos speak for themselves.

In planning the final gig of The Last Supper, at Shepherd's Bush in November, me and everyone else involved have been working hard to put together a really special event.  For me, it's going to be very emotional no matter what - it's the last time that I am going to sing those Crass songs.  It's got to be a special night.   Finding support bands has not been easy.  I'm picky about what I like personally, and we have been trying to avoid having bands that you can see pretty much anywhere, any time.  I also wanted the other bands to be proper mates - people that I could really enjoy my very final celebration of Crass alongside.  It's not been as easy as we'd hoped.

I spoke to Mark from the Mob before we went to America and they were excited and agreed to play.  Unfortunately when it came down to finalising things in the last week, we hit problems.   The Mob had decided to plan another gig in London the night before ours - and we felt that would take something away from our night - we didn't want people feeling they were paying for our ticket and could see pretty much the same show, without us, down the road in the pub the night before.  It's normal with big shows to ask the supports not to book any other gigs in the same town for 2 weeks either side, but we tried to be reasonable and ask for 2 nights.   The Mob felt that financially the gig the night before ours was better for them, so they said they couldn't do our gig.

So it's all a bit unfortunate really, and I'm quite gutted that it hasn't worked out the way I'd hoped.  But don't worry, we've already got some really special surprises planned for the night, and we're going to go back to the drawing board and find another really special band to replace the Mob.  We're already very happy to have the wonderful Cravats playing with us.  I'm totally overjoyed that the night is already nearly sold out, so we're definitely going to deliver a special evening for everyone who comes.

Oh - and we did cock up on this.  We had designed a new ad for the gig and were going to order some flyers when we got back from America.  While we were on tour our Mojo advert for the gig was due, and the office sent the wrong art file through, so our flyer with The Mob on it did appear there.  We didn't announce the supports anywhere else but I think The Mob did on their web site, so if  by chance anyone bought a ticket specifically because they wanted to see The Mob, you can get a refund on the ticket price from Southern (www.southern.com/shop).

Sorry about all that.

Steve.

We're not even back a week or we are already rehearsing for the Australia & New Zealand Last Supper Tour. Unfortunately Bob, the bass player, can't come so Pete Wilson has now joined us. Bob and Pete have been working on the songs together even before we went to the USA and Pete was with us in Brooklyn.

First a photo shoot with the band, after that we rang Allison to wish her a very Happy Birthday. As you can see from the photo below we all try to outdo each other with our vocals. A great warming up technique. Finally we start, Pete is a formidable bass player and we just play song after song. We finish early, so time for a quick pint.

Thanks everyone, especially Bob and Pete for working so hard. I will put on the photos of the last four gigs in the USA as soon as possible.

After driving through the night we arrived at Austin in the morning. The venue was still closed, the band asleep and Allison at work on her laptop. Jona and I found a great little place on the corner and enjoyed a quiet breakfast.

Once Emo's opened it was all hands on deck. A great venue, which opened up into a courtyard and outside space. Lucky for them they don't have our English weather.

After the soundcheck  we were picked up by Dan, the owner of the End Of An Ear record shop, for a Q & A session with Oliver Sheppard. Another great independent record shop, really enjoyed talking and having a laugh with Oliver and everyone that turned up.

Back at the venue I just had time to listen to the local support band and Goldblade before we were on. I know I keep saying this but it was another great night and everyone that was there can vouch for that.

Thank you Austin, Chris and Timmy for looking after us, Dan and Oliver for the Q&A and everyone else that made this happen.

After the gigs in Pomona we drove through the night to Scottsdale. Totally missed the desert experience as it was pitch black. Goldblade, who were driving during the day, told us that it was quite impressive.

We arrived at the venue early in the morning, so there was time for Matt, our driver, to show me the rules of Nine - ball - pool. Took a bit of getting used to but we came out even in the end.

The venue was called Chasers and was a dark little bar in the middle of nowhere. But yet again, loads turned up and another night of mayhem ensued.  A big thank you to all the people involved and all the people that came to see us.

Thank you everybody for your kind words of sympathy and support. I haven't been able to write to you individually for the past couple of days due to travelling home, exhaustion and jet lag. Please don't be offended, please keep sending comments and I promise I'll be back on it in a couple of days.

For those of you that don't know, we were rolling into Baltimore when Jona and I received the dreadful news that our darling dog Oscar had died. She was an English Bull Terrier and we'd been together for thirteen years, which is pretty good going considering the average life span is nine to eleven years - and she'd had a heart murmer all her life. She was staying with our friends Nicky, Gordon and Alice, whom she loved being with. when she went.

The strange thing is that before we went on tour, Nicky, Gordon and Alice came over, I talked to them about what to do in the unlikely event if Oscar died as she wasn't getting any younger and had been having fainting episodes when she got too excited. What happened was that Oscar had been sticking close to Nicky and having her usual wonderful time, Nicky came in from work, Oscar greeted her, wagging her tail and really pleased to see her, then swayed on her feet. Nicky and Gordon laid her on the floor, stroking her, and she simply went to sleep for good with friends she adored around her. Poor Nicky and Gordon then had to carry out my wishes which were to have her cremated and get rid of all her stuff. I think Jona has kept a couple of things, but I didn't want to as I'd find it too painful. It's hard enough being here at home seeing the chair she always sat on, etc.

We're alright, Jona and me, we're over the worst, the occasional sniffle of course, even now as I'm writing this my eyes are swimming but it'll go. Your kind comments helped us a lot. Thankyou again my dear friends.

On a more positive note, I've already been looking online at Bull Terrier breeders - yep, we're going to get another one. I want to call it Nancy, Jonas not too sure, and then I thought maybe some of you might have some ideas for a name. Feel free to make suggestions.

We're working hard on getting the photographs of the last gigs up on the site, sorry again about the delay but we will get there, and as I say, I'll be back on it in a couple of days. Thanks for your love and patience, Jona and Steve.

We go back to black.

Our second show in Pomona was in Glasshouse. Totally different but just as good. People went out of their way to help us. So a big thank you to all involved.

Announcement. We have negotiated with the people remaining at Sonar (not the wanker who ran off with the money) and together we have worked out a solution to put the show on again. All advance tickets will be honored. There will also be tickets available on the door, cash sales only. Sonar does not have a license so no alcohol will be available, just soft drinks.

I'm sorry it's been so confusing - believe me you have no idea what's been going on to pull this together.
Just so everyone understands how difficult it has been: about 250 tickets were sold in advance. All of that money is gone. The people remaining at the venue do not have it, and we do not have it. We are only able to pull this off because someone has put their hand in their pocket and offered to cover our costs to get there, and then Sonar has agreed to let us keep all of the money from tickets bought on the day. Even if we sell it out, we'll end up with a lot less than we should have been paid - but the money isn't what matters. The tickets that you paid for will be honoured and the show will go on. It's going to be a great night.

So please, everyone spread the word that the show is happening, and come down and help us raise the roof.
Thanks
Steve

Saturday 7 May
Sonar
407 East Saratoga Street
Baltimore MD 21202

Dear Baltimore,

The circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the Baltimore show are still a bit muddy, but from where we stand it seems that the owner of the venue has been struggling with some financial problems and has more or less disappeared. All of the money from the ticket sales has disappeared, and of course, we have been paid nothing. There is a copy of the information we received below.

The cancellation of this gig, along with the fact that we started the tour already having lost money due to the rescheduling of the dates, and a few promoters who didn't want to pay our guarantees, has left us in a very tough position financially.

We cannot take responsibility for the actions of the people at Sonar, or Mr. Lonnie Fisher. We hope that you will be able to obtain refunds from the point of purchase, or via your credit card company. I know there are other gigs at Sonar that have been cancelled as well so there are many other bands and fans in the same boat, maybe we can all band together and take action somehow.

Of course no other promoter is going to be willing to honour tickets that they haven't received any money for - so the idea of getting a new venue in Baltimore has been impossible.

We found a promoter willing to help us in Scranton, but to be perfectly honest, it's a 15 hour drive from our gig in Atlanta tonight and we don't think we can make it in time (or afford the gas to get there).

Baltimore, I'm sorry, but as you can see, it's not our fault. We've all been screwed by a dishonest bastard, and there's nothing I can do about it. I hope you understand.

Thank you.
Steve.

the explanation we received:
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We here at Sonar regret to inform you that we are no longer able to operate as a venue.  Mr. Lonnie Fisher, corporate owner of Sonar, has shut the building down.  He has refused to renew the liquor license and the corporate charter for 407 Saratoga Inc.  All of the money in our account went into paying our taxes with the promise of the license being renewed and transferred to the new owners.  Now that we do not have a license and can not obtain one, Lonnie Fisher has given us no means to continue.  It is with great despair and frustration that we must announce this to all of our friends, employees, and customers, but we have been given absolutely no choice.  If you are owed money by 407 Saratoga Inc, we will do everything in our power to help you recover it.  If you need witnesses please contact us at [email protected].

Lonnie Fisher can be contacted at [email protected] or 443-621-3137