When I showed up backstage with my massage table, I noticed another female massage therapist was already there. I thought "oh jeeze, there's gonna be a cat fight here" but no, it went over well. The record company got it wrong and instead of ordering a chiropractor like the manager needed, they ordered another massage therapist. The lady was called Becky and she is English, living in Berlin. She said "you know me already Dot, I applied to work for you about 6 months ago". Aaah, yes, indeed. Guess we never found the time for the imperative audition. She and I had more than enough bodies to rub down between us. The crew, management, and two bands (and some caterers) all needed massages, so I was happy she was there.
The Coral and the Arctic Monkeys played football (ok, for the Americans "Soccer" ) before the show. Lots of talented, English Testosterone in the air. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I head from several people that just a couple years ago, the Arctic Monkeys used to open up for the Coral. Times have changed indeed. I have faith, though, that the Coral will bounce back and headline like they should all over the states. Apparently they have new management and they will do a better job promoting the talented Brits. They are from just outside of Liverpool… super cute accents. Like butter.
I was working hard but I was in heaven the WHOLE time.
^ Didn't realize the drummer and singer were brothers when I first met them…
I'm sure girls go mental over this guy ^
The members of the Arctic Monkeys are rather quiet and a tad shy. As the night wore on, they did come out of their shells a bit more. They are Sooooooooooooooooo young.
The Coral has a unique sound, very melodic, kind of a 60's sound, hard to describe. They appeared on the Conan O'Brien show not too long ago, so they are no strangers to the states. I am routing for them.
''
Steve Skelly, the singer of the Coral brought me up on stage to watch the Arctic Monkeys set. The Monkeys watch the Coral and vice versa, they support each other and get along great.
It was kind of embarrassing for me to be on the stage as it was very light and there were no speakers to hide behind, so the crowd could all see us. I had my massage oil bottle around my waist and my massage shirt on… no way to hide all that. I was surprised how many people were on the stage during their set actually. I guess the younger the band, the more people are on stage. I mean, at the beginning of the Stones career, you can see old videos of them playing live and there were LOADS of people on the stage.. managers, techs, fans, groupies, etc. NOW, only the BAND and the techs on the side are allowed up. I am sure in a few years that will happen with them as well. I mean, a certain person who works for that band, not mentioning any names, was walking around, not really making an effort to hide much, stretching and leaning against an amp, etc. HELLO!? I find that all very amusing.
It's like men trying to get their recognition. They are paid to work behind the scenes but secretly long for a bit of that spotlight. It's cute. It's far from the first time I've seen it and I am 1000% sure it won't be the last.
It's rare that two bands who tour together get on so well, so it was refreshing to see and a great vibe backstage.
Some of the British (and Irish) guys that I know here in Berlin called me asking me for free tickets to this concert. I said "are you sure you want to go? There will be thousands of young, hysterical girls screaming all night" and they said "exactly, that's why we want to go!". Couldn't get them in anyways, as it was really sold out and well, ass, gas or grass, no one rides for free.
Like I said in the youtube video, Nick is one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. Not just one the outside silly, I mean, he is a wonderful person. It was difficult for me to behave. sigh.
Thee guys are LOADS of fun. The music they had blasting out of their dressing room was mostly oldies, stuff like Johnny Cash, the Ronettes, the Proclaimers and lots of other stuff that I can't remember now, sadly 🙁
It all sounded GREAT though. The perfect soundtrack to the perfect evening.
^ Ok, let me explain so you don't get the wrong idea. Steve Skelly wrote "Thanks for the "LOBE JOB" because I massaged his face and ears and paid special attention to his stressed out ear lobes, like I do. He coined that phrase right there and then. Steve could very well be a stand up comic, he is fucking hysterical. My face hurt when I went home from laughing so much. LOVE THESE LADS!
When they first met me and found out I was American, and saw on my flyer that I had massaged the Undertaker, they went mad. What is up with the Brits loving American Wrestling so much? Lol. It's so strange, they LOVE it. The wanted to know ALL about the Undertaker. cute.
Steve LOVES the Ronettes and Aretha Franklin. I was also pleasantly surprised when I went to their myspace page for the first time and saw "Frank Zappa" listed up rather high on their list of influences. yay!
Lee plays a fucking mean guitar. He has a very distinctive sound, one which I heard a few times when the Arctic Monkeys played, not during their wild punk riffs, but sometimes when they slowed down, I heard Lee's influence on them. I have to assume the Coral influenced them a bit, being that they are almost 10 years older than the Monkeys and that the Monkeys opened for THEM not too long ago. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.. sweet 🙂
John ^…. another cutie pie. Wtf? Is it raining hotties in the UK or what?
After his massage (not this one, but the proper one on the massage table in the other room) Ian said "That was the BEST massage I've ever had Dot!". Now those are the words I love to hear. He wasn't joking when he said he gives a great foot massage. He gave my foot a quick squeeze and I thought I'd died and went to heaven.
The Coral on tour:
Jul 28 2007 Lancashire Cricket Ground Manchester
Jul 29 2007 Lancashire Cricket Ground Manchester
Aug 18 2007 V Festival Chelmsford
Aug 19 2007 V Festival Staffordshire
(and some time in Sept. NYC central park)
and online:
http://www.myspace.com/thecoral
The Arctic Monkeys on tour:
07.18.07 Lisbon Coliseum Lisbon
07.19.07 Auditorio Del Parque De Castrelos Vigo
07.21.07 Festival Internacional de Benicassim Valencia / Benicassim
07.22.07 Les Arenes de Nimes Nimes
07.24.07 Paleo Festival Nyon
07.28.07 Old Trafford Cricket Ground / LCCC Manchester
07.29.07 Old Trafford Cricket Ground / LCCC Manchester
08.03.07 Hordern Pavilion Sydney
08.04.07 The Tivoli Brisbane
08.05.07 Splendour in the Grass Festival Byron Bay
08.07.07 Festival Hall West Melbourne
08.11.07 Summer Sonic Festival / SummerSonic Osaka
08.12.07 Summer Sonic Festival / SummerSonic Tokyo
09.01.07 Ibiza Rocks Ibiza
09.08.07 Virgin Festival – V Festival Toronto
09.09.07 Osheaga Music and Arts Festival Montreal
09.14.07 Austin City Limits Music Festival Austin TX
09.15.07 Austin City Limits Music Festival Austin TX
09.16.07 Austin City Limits Music Festival Austin TX
and online: http://www.myspace.com/arcticmonkeys