Sam Shinazzi

Tour Diary

Tasmania January 2001
Thursday 18th January, 2001

Mascot Airport in Sydney, and suddenly this is becoming a reality. In an hour I will be flying at 35,000 feet.
For someone who sings about 747's every show, I sure do hate flying. Infact I cannot ever remember feeling more scared in my life. Flying out over Endeavour Field (Shark Park/Caltex Oval/Ronson Field/Toyota Park) was a minor distraction but I must say I did not enjoy the flight, not even for a second.

That night in Hobart I hung out with Liz and Brad (Sonic Emotion Explosion) at their place. They are in good health and even forget to be vegetarians every now and then. They are two of the nicest, caring people you could ever meet. Listened to the New Amsterdams as I slept.

Friday 19th January

Went on a walking exhibition to the city and back. I started to witness how small Hobart really is. Every block I saw posters for our shows. Played at the Bavarian Tavern in the evening. The locals call it the Bav. I performed sitting down which I rarely do and played very quietly. Liz and Brad joined me for a few songs and overall I was happy with the show.
The set was:
Just Thought I'd Write
House Near Bridge
Wyoming
A Night For Rememberance
August 17 (Peabody song)
Girl from Toledo
747
Rub It In
Cold Winters Day (with Liz and Brad)
Tiger's Tale (with Liz and Brad)
Girl In A Box (with Liz and Brad)
(Blake Babies song)

Sonic Emotion Explosion played a very rockin', loud set and I joined them on 'Blue Angel'. Both performances were filmed. A jazz/funk band played the late spot. I needed some air so I went for a walk down towards the city. Ended up in a sports saloon that was really just a tacky disco. Left as quickly as I entered. We were all very happy with the attendance and some were even saying it was the largest crowd for a local show in some months.

After the show we hung out at Emily's place, she drums in S.E.E. They kept playing me all this Tassie music. It was mostly excellent and particularly original. That was a major thing actually, how much they admired and supported their local music. They hadn't heard of my favourite Sydney/Melbourne bands, unless they had toured there. Heard stories about the last ever Sea Scouts show. (Leigh, their sound engineer was our sound guy for the weekend and toured with them around the world). Emily gave me some artwork of hers which was stunning. Quite drunk, we left at 5.a.m. and I was asleep by 7.a.m., again listening to the New Amsterdams.

Saturday 20th January

Slept all day while Liz and Brad rehearsed. Met up with them and had dinner in the dockland area. It is a very beautiful spot with lots of water and boats. I imagine the set of Dawson's Creek is kinda like this. Tonight's show was at the Goulboun Arms Hotel. Liz and Brad's third band Schnauzeround were supposed to play but Asher was unwell. This was disappointing but I revelled in Scabby, Liz and Brad sweet and quiet. This is what they do best; I swear you could have ANYONE in the world playing and Scabby would be just as good! They play all my faves (except for 'Carpet Clouds') including 'Too Late','No.2', a Mazzy Star cover I can never remember the title of, an old song of mine called 'Hide and Seek' and possibly their finest moment, 'Moon Song'. I am in awe and honoured to call these two my friends. Musically and personally, they are the best.

I played a more intense solo set than last night, perhaps due to the Marshall box and feeling more at home standing up. The crowd was half the size of the previous night, but still a respectable turnout and perhaps even a little more attentive.
The set was:
Birthday
Just Thought I'd Write
Town Where You Were Born
747
A Night for Rememberance
The Train (Blake Babies Song)
New Partner (Palace/Will Oldham Song)
Cold Winters Day (with Liz and Brad)
Tiger's Tale (with Liz and Brad)
Girl In A Box (with Liz and Brad)
(Blake Babies song)

I did a Will Oldham cover because I was told the Dirty Three/Will Oldham tour actually came to this pub and the stage I was standing on. Was very happy with this show. The last band were called Avoidable Droid and they rocked! A very heavy but melodic sound with a drummer that was seriously one one the best I've seen. They also have a quieter side project called Rentboy. My plane was leaving for home at 7.a.m. so we just stayed up all night. Liz, Brad, Asher and myself drove around with a video camera handy. They showed me the Tasman Bridge (which had collapsed in the 1970's due to a ship colliding into it). It was a magnificent sight and much taller than I imagined it to be. The moon and stars were a perfect backdrop. It was even cold! (Keep in mind I had left a boiling HOT Sydney).

We drove through this stretch of road that is divided on either side by a huge amount of water. Again we pulled over and admired it. The wind was sharp and icy; I couldn't believe I had a cardigan on in January. Eventually we went to the airport, had some coffee and I said goodbye to my sweet friends. They assured me the plane wouldn't crash but I didn't believe them.

Whilst in the air my left ear popped on and off, then my hearing in that ear disappeared for a day and a half. I hate flying. I felt the tour was worthwhile and successful.

Thanks to Liz, Brad, Derek, Leigh, Asher and Emily for a great time and for all their help.