April 12, 2006 I was called to the Columbiahalle to massage a “very famous German duo” called Rosenstolz. I didn’t know who they were but was suprised how super friendly Peter was. Not my type of music but they were very kind, generous and polite. Peter was very grateful and happy about my sports massage to pep him up before his show.
“Rosenstolz was a German pop duo from Berlin that was active between 1991 and 2012 and had chart hits in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The duo consisted of singer AnNa R. and musician Peter Plate, who occasionally provided vocals. “
Jeeze, I really hit the ground running this time in Berlin. Day after I landed I was up and at em getting new US passport and a facial, next day massaging Paul McCartney's guitarist, Brian Ray , then saw the show that night (I paid 250 euro for my ticket so I wasn't after a freebie, although I was gutted Paul had no time for a massage).
Next day after Macca show (which by the way was good BUT I could have just watched the DVD I have called Back in the US , live concert footage from 2002 from Paul, which was almost EXACTLY like the show I saw here in Berlin December 3rd, 2009. I mean even the dialog was the same "this is when the band goes away and leaves me alone with YOU" etc. sigh. FUCK!!! I LOVE the Beatles and Paul but had I known the set list and dialog was an exact replica I would have stayed home and slept off a big of this jet lag I STILL have. This below is the best shot I could get from the Macca show:
You can see the set list on my blog of that show HERE
Drummer Zac – only 19 years old and already so successful. This band is going places. Seriously. Check them out:
Singer Josh is a super sweet person (also 19 years old!). This band is from London, keep your eye out: http://www.myspace.com/youmeatsix
Paramore was headlining, they are HUGE now. Heard they penned a song or two from the Twilight movie sound track so the crowd was 99.9% young screaming girls lol. The band Paramore are SO down to earth. I got along with the bassist and drummer the best. They are both very chatty and fun. Guitarist was a sweety but very quiet. He and the drummer are brothers. I love meeting young musicians who are ambitious, successful and not into drugs. They will go far, I just have a feeling about these guys. Nashville natives takin' over, yo.
The band You and Me at Six are very popular in the UK and slowly gaining respect in Europe and the USA too. Super young as well, dam I felt old around all these 19 year olds! Hello!! haha. Well I massaged for 9 hours straight apart from the dinner break I had and my fingers were sore the next day, the deep tissue massage I give out is BRUTAL. The clients love it but my fingers are not amused the next day.
Berlin is FREEZING, it is too fucking cold to even snow here. Jesus. Anyway, I am running a slight fever, rather cranky and miss my Jasmine so I will stop moaning now and get to bed
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.
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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
You can see the set list on my blog of that show 
