First stop was to meet Brother Marco Padin and pick up the long-awaited
Dahlmanns 45s. He took me to a 50s style diner modelled someplace
between American Graffiti and Cry Baby called Tommy Mel’s. The colour scheme reminded me of this video by The Pantones. Ghost Highway Recordings flies the flag for proper rock’n’roll. Creating
desirable vinyl artefacts for the discerning listener and “He’s A Drag” in
black and yellow wax versions is definitely one of those.
The jaunt back on the Metro was an adventure. 150 45s is a weighty proposition but the exercise likely did me good. Then, Marco figured there weren't enough copies to fulfil the pre-orders so I had to give him some back. Not a
bad problem to have.
From there to my pop-up office in the illustrious La Fiambrera for the first Mahou of the day, it went down nicely. It hardly seems
possible that it was just a year since the ladies secured the property and
they’ve scrubbed it up real nice like. It’s a sweet spot.
There was record-bagging to do so I returned to the hotel
and saw to that. Seth Gordon and Robbie Rist were playing at a new place –
Phantom – just around the corner. It must have been called something else
before but I’d never clocked it before.
Sara and Ramôn joined me for a cheeky wee pre-show sherry at
La Venencia. I love to hang out with these kids. The show was very entertaining
and how crazy is it that you have to travel to Spain to hear a little Edison Lighthouse? Trochled up to Wurlitzer from there and met Álvaro and Helena
outside. It was nice just to take the air and blab. No more drink was taken and
I think that was probably a good thing.
This meant that I was able to swing around to Munster early
then LF for a smashin’ wee pastie breakfast. Dropped by Wurli where an American
girl was trying to communicate with the Ukranian cleaning lady. It was not
going well. She’d lost her purse (and her mind) the night before and was about
to leave town. I told her that if it was in there then she would definitely get
it back and gave her 20 euros to tide her over. The Dahlmann entourage arrived
and then things began to move into gear.
Showtime and I liked Grupo Sub 1. They knocked out a version of The
Avengers “We Are The One” that really did the original proud. At that point, I
had to nip out and pick up a surprise guest from MRC and that was when the
party really kicked off. The gang was all present and correct. Marcela came
too, despite her recent crushing workload. We never made it to El Sol this time
around. Got back to Wurli to catch the end of Kurt Baker's set and then it was time for The Primitives. The evening, or night rather, was in full swing at that point. A wee wander up to WEIRDO! BAR with the kids for a cheeky
wee gin and tonic where I met the new proprietress, Susana. Here’s to the place
continuing its unique twist on the Mad-Toon night circuit.
I believe we also stopped off at Mongo - a new joint - but it was closed so we made our way back to base camp (Wurlitzer).
I believe we also stopped off at Mongo - a new joint - but it was closed so we made our way back to base camp (Wurlitzer).
It was Saturday already, hell it was well into Saturday when
we called it a night. A 1pm date had been made with The Royal Roosters (look
out for their single on Soundflat) at LF. A swingin’ way to spend a lunch time
to be sure and excellent to experience the basement speakeasy in all its
bricktastic glory first hand.
Time just barrelled in from there... Managed to get down to
La Alegria where Gry took a picture of herself in the exact same place as Line
sits on the Drag 45 cover. Ms Blanca, who shot that very image also came out to
play. Great to meet the exquisitely-monikered Aretha Croqueta too. Talking of
that delicacy, many were consumed across this all too short visit.
Managed to catch FAST FOOD. I never realised that The Ant
was once a member until Javi gave me a CD. Zipping through the opening set, they
really set the scene for the D’s perfectly. What they do might seem simple but
I know it’s not and they really pulled off that Ramone splendour.
And then it was time for Los Dahlmanns. Line told me that
this was her best experience on stage ever and you could tell that from the get
go. The anticipation of this for all concerned was up a notch even from usual
and they just fucking nailed it perfectly. The length of set – the sequence –
and even a late addition of “I Want You Around” for The Manges just pummelled
the crowd with what is quite probably the greatest pop and roll ever delivered
anywhere. As ever, I admit my bias but if you were there then you know.
The inclusion of “Girl Band” and “Tear Me Apart” (the latter
to appear on the next WFMU Superhits of the Seventies comp that Michael Shelley is preparing now)
was just the proverbial icing on a particularly groovy cake. The sense of utter joy at
the front of the stage will be hard to ever replicate. I outright plotzed
several times and this was up there with The Ramones at Glasgow Barrowlands in
June 1985. I swear to Joe.
One of the Manges geezers said to Line when she came off –
“You expect us to follow that?” And I think you pretty much get the gist. And
they made an admirable (screamin’) fist of doing so. They were also big fun to hang out
with at the pub down the Cruces, I hope to make their acquaintance again. The bass player, Mass reminded
me of my old pal Lou Whitney. T'was a night that I certainly never wanted to end and I
think we gave it a good go. One of the all time great times.
Yours truly was like a burst ball after all of that but I was
determined to show Gry more of my favourite city. Then it was time to eat at Calle 30 and then to make for the
airport where it all came unstuck due to a mix of fluster and
stupidity on my part. The perfect, pleasant end to the weekend was cruelly
dispatched. The MRC contingent was travelling from another terminal and fate
dealt me a cruel blow that Sunday evening. I can see Andre now
reciting the word “idiot” to our fellow crew and I plead guilty as charged. So that was it, the very bestest of times ended pretty sourly and a hard lesson was learned. It was for all the world like some twisted season finale.
But here’s to the next time. Wurlipalooza 2016 will be the 10th
Anniversary. Pencil that in for the last weekend in next September and come join in.