family snapshots

...so last weekend 'Phony Bone' played their last ever shows, I promise. When we decided on it, I didn't actually want to tell people at all that they would be the last because, frankly, I kind of hate bands that 'break up'. I do. Unless you're breaking up because one of you shot the other, or one of you gave the other an unsolvable STI issue, there's really no excuse. Look at Velvet Revolver, The Doors (*shudder*), The Who... you can lose any number of band members to The Reaper, and still go on.

But we were still coming to an end and some people, really, did kind of deserve to know.

The shows in Auckland and Hamilton were good, particularly the Auckland one. After that - meaning last weekend - it was time to get in the Volvo and make another run to Wellington. A last 19 hour return trip of some truly foul-mouthed individuals, packed in a car, playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo DS and generally, truthfully, amassing a collective smell.

We arrived in Wellington of Friday and met up with some of Graham's friends before going to Sweet Mother's Kitchen:

Rhythm section. Amazing Facials. Always.

Then later we decided to head off in the wind and rain (did I mention the WIND?! how about the RAIN?! how about the freezing coldness (oh yes, I did actually forget to say on the way down we passed Tatum Park and I waved to it and said, loudly, "that's where camp was. it was amazing. you ALL missed out.")) to go to a Cowboy Party being put on by Kim. Frank and Jony said they'd "see you guys there later" which - because they had no idea where the party was - meant they were staying where they were, drinking and playing Guitar Hero on the world's largest HD TV. The Cowboys at the Cowboy party were more Venga Boys than John Wayne. There was wrestling though, which I may have helped begin... I don't remember. I remember wrestling Emily, and maybe someone I didn't actually know.

Soundcheck.

A blank sign outside Bodega.

Tommy and Buck.



The show went really well. First up were a band who were so keen to play they said they would go on at 9:30 if we wanted, and we wouldn't have to pay them: The Sing Songs (a Tilly & The Wall reference?). About a third of the night's crowd turned out to be there mainly for them, and they were very cool. When youtube lets me, I'll upload a video. The song in the video says 'don't write songs about your friends' which, as I know, is sage advice.

It was a nice farewell. At the end Frank hugged me from behind onstage and just about broke my ribs. I was tempted to drum dive Jony as the crowd shouted for us to do an encore (we didn't), but I've done that before.

Anyway.
He knows how I feel.