10th Nov @ Ska Trek 3 Newcastle

Those of you who know me will know I'm not the biggest built bloke around and so the day after my 18th I was quite worse for ware due to drinking huge amounts of beer the night before. So when Emily of Riot City fame rings saying "sorry did I wake you up", I had to reply "Nope, I was spewing, call me back in 5". That was how day two started. I met her and Ruffy at Central station where we caught the train to Newcastle. What a long, boring trip it is, makes my Wollongong-Sydney trip seem enjoyable. Two uncontrollable kids made the trip worse, although entertaining at times. "If we put an ear plug in one of their ears each, they'll lose balance and maybe clash heads," was Ruffy's best suggestion. Ruffy, ticketless and seeing the ducks and geese* jumped off the train and would join us later, but that's another story. So we finally get to the Cambridge Hotel where Ulick 4 were opening the night. They weren't all that good so Em and I went upstairs to chat to the Bagster boys. That bored us so we went outside. Riot, a 17 year old rockabilly band were up next, and were apparently good, but I'd kinda tuned out to be honest and only wanted to see ska really, funny that, seeing it was Ska Trek. Little More Than You, a Penrith pop ska band came on next and told us what we already knew about Western Sydney. The singer had brought his own microphone, and forgot to plug it in, which was quite comical, but once they started they played quite well. Not really my thing, but quite good all the same. Better than when I saw them last.

Fourth band of the night was Sydney's Bagster. Sometimes I like Bagster, while other times I don't and this night was a night I didn't. Gus Dash was filling in on bass, which meant they weren't gelling all that well and they played pretty shite. Even they said so, saying they were embarrassed afterwards. Anyway, no use dwelling on that as they'll have other chances to impress.

Backy Skank were up next and got more people dancing. They really know how to do their stuff, my favourite songs being "Waste of Space" and "Eye Candy". They also do decent covers of "Nite Klub" and "These Boots Were Made For Walking." Highlight of their set however, was Bluekilla's keys player joining BS on bass. Apparently he's quite a legend in rockabilly circles back in Germany.

Bluekilla were the headling band, which meant they were playing for at least an hour. There had seemed to be quite a build up of people during the night, but unfortunately, while Bluekilla were playing many people had either left or were sitting up the back of the room. There were still quite a few dancers however, and I had a ball, dancing for the full set. Emily did likewise and although Ruffy says he was drunk, it was obvious he liked them. It was the second night of seeing The Skabo, the Bluekilla dance and so the moves were now second nature. (Up down, Up down, left leg in the air, arm up, then spin to the left). Other more cynical members of the crowd didn't do it, but it remained good fun on the dizzybeat tour leg. "Billy Boy" was a highlight of the set, but they still didn't play my favourite "She Came", so I'd have to wait to see if they played it the next night. Amedeo was visibily under the influence and three times got caught up in the foldback and fell off stage or at least over. After seeing he was okay it was hard not to see the funny side.

Bluekilla finished around 1:30 am and it was decided we'd make our way home in the morning. Conversations were had and pies were bought. Ruffy's attempt to get Bluekilla to come swimming were in vein, but that didn't stop Rod (as in rod the good photographer) whose arse was unmissed by emily, ruffy and I. We then returned to the pub, before it was decided we'd head home by way of a lift from Rod. I was dropped off at North Sydney Station about 6am, and finally got home to Wollongong at 9am.

Highlights
Backy Skank
Bluekilla (of course)
Quote: "The Other night... Blah blah bah... then i spewed... then i got a pie."
Rod's awesome oldish Ford Falcon
Amedeo falling off the stage

Lowlights
long boring train trip to Newcastle
seeing Rod's arse
no sleep
running out of money

*Police

Next Page: Photos of Bluekilla headline Ska Trek 3 Newcastle, Nov 10th, Day 2

Introduction
Review of The Carringbah Bizzo's Show
Review of Ska Trek 3 in Newcastle
Photos from Ska Trek 3
Review of the Mona Vale Show
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