Mazrim�s Log. Stardate: May 25, 2004
The day started well enough. The sun shone down on merry England and everything was 5 x 5. Got my shit together and met up with the rest of the party. And so it was that seven limeys were headed to London in a disgusting green coloured Volkswagen van.
The check in was painless enough and lightened of our burdens we stocked up on booze. Chasing the sun across the pond, we landed at J.F.K in the early evening. A hazy sunlit evening and pleasantly similar to the weather we had left behind.
We got into Manhattan within an hour and were soon checking in to our hotel on Broadway. A quick shit, shower (but no shave) and we were out on the town to rendezvous with a trio of New York ladies of ill repute (mentioning no names:, Linder, Asia, and Charlotte Babynoodles) at a bar called Canons.
There did we stay until the wee hours. Alas it was like late morning as far as our body clocks were concerned and it was a quick bite and bed.
Mazrim�s Log. Stardate: May 26, 2004
Oddly enough, the party was up and about fairly early and we decided to split up and see what New York had to offer. After a bomb alert that restricted us getting on the subway, we were downtown.
Bill and Den decided they were going shopping for a video camera and a bass guitar, Glyn and John went record shopping and Conor, James, and I just fucked about for the day.
And so later that night we were due to play the Pyramid club on 7th and A, I think.
We had a nightmare getting there as the traffic was stupid. Den was driving and although we were deposited safely at the venue, it took him more than an hour to park!
So it was a case of meeting the Solace boys who kindly let us use their gear and then waiting to play. Also met the be-fro�d Sativa and his charming woman, Jeangenie.
When we got on stage I had a bit of a nightmare. My gear was cutting out for some reason and I was distracted from "going for it" because I was too busy watching out for the fucking pedal.
Added to the fact that I felt a little exhausted from the journey, late night and day out, I didn�t feel my greatest. Having said that, we had a blast and played O.K.
Afterwards though I was next to useless and shitfaced tired.
Asia kept me going though with chat and I also met a few others from SR.com including Dan B and L. Ron.
Solace kicked ass.
But the hours had caught us up and, resisting cocaine, there was no alternative but sleep. Especially as we had a long drive to Ohio in the morning.
Mazrim�s Log. Stardate: May 27, 2004
The day began with a fucking parking ticket but we were soon on our way over the George Washington Bridge and on the I80 towards Pennsylvania. The hazy skyline of New York was replaced with a green and pleasant land and we were on our way. I wasn�t prepared for just how primeval Pennsylvania was. In the heat of the afternoon sun, it resembled the Amazon more than the U.S.A. Water vapour drifted into the air from the Delaware as I drifted in and out of sleep.
Making good time, we stopped occasionally for food and drinks and it wasn�t too long before we were closing in on Ohio.
It was then that we nearly ended our trip prematurely, if not our existence!
We were fiddling with air con on our Dodge Grand Caravan and Bill, who was driving, also took an interest. Unfortunately, for the first time in several miles the road turned and we went off the road. Bill managed to recover it, which owed as much to hours spent playing Grand Theft Auto as it did the grace of God.
After a little chuckle and a mild coronary, we were in Ohio.
We checked into a bridal suite. I ran a whirlpool bath and sat therein, laughing to myself and staring at the heart shaped apertures cut into the Rose coloured walls.
After a bit of a rest we were once again heading out in search of the Nyabinghi.
We arrived at about 7�ish and I found myself in the doorway, trying to explain to Piggy that we were Cudamantra from England, and we wanted band passes for the weekend over the familiar din of heavy fucking rock.
Then the familiar faces started appearing: The un-mistakable, towering beauty of Christine and my first hug of the weekend. The strut and swagger of Chad, the measured approach of Arzgarth, and then the hug of someone I�ve know for years but never met (truly a bizarre feeling), the bear hug and high fives with StoneD and Godshifter, amongst several others. From that moment I "got" Emissions and knew I was in for a weekend of love and great music. I�m not a quiet person as Brits go but I felt the need to just soak it up.
Then I went into the stage room, and the first band I saw was Zebulon Pike. I looked about and sized everything up. Knowing that I too would have to ascend to that same stage come Sunday, I felt a pang of nerves in my stomach and then drowned it with a beer. Omind was next to me and I hadn�t realized; it was like that from then on as people from the site flooded in each day. It was also cool meeting total strangers and talking shit. My favourite hobby!
Zebulon Pike
Live at Emissions from the Monolith VI
(Click photo for larger version)
Mazrim�s Log. Stardate: May 28, 2004
I woke on a real downer. I�ve no idea why. I hadn�t eaten much and was perhaps still catching up on sleep from Tuesday so perhaps that was why. I went for a walk to clear my head with a couple of the guys and felt better. After breakfast at Denny`s, it was just chill out time for the afternoon and then back to the Nyabinghi.
Friday evening started well with more meeting and greeting out on the patio. This time metal personified, Metal AND Beer, was the source of entertainment. If there were twenty people sitting there doing nothing it was because he had all their life forces! A true legend of our times and a total gentleman...of metal. Woodgrain provided some great conversation and no little amusement.
The beer was flowing and the sun was setting and all was good in the world or at least our little corner of it at that time.
I was reminded of how good the sound is at the Nyabinghi when Solace took the stage. I decided to tell Greg so too. It was running like clockwork and sounding fucking sweet.
Solace
Live at Emissions from the Monolith VI
(Click photo for larger version)
I enjoyed Red Giant and went back out into the night air. The patio was my natural habitat. Chatted with a few guys from here and there about this and that and kept and ear out for what was going on inside.
Red Giant
Live at Emissions from the Monolith VI
(Click photos for larger versions)
After a skin full of piss it was time to get some shuteye. After a game of football in the corridors of the hotel, that is.
Mazrim�s Log. Stardate: May 29, 2004
Saturday had to be a day of action. I had to find a guitar shop because I needed a U.S adaptor for my guitar pedal, or I was fucked. I couldn�t use anything else because it all kinds of shit like alter the tuning.
Anyway, after another crappy Denny�s breakfast we set out on the wrong way, thanks to shitty directions from the hotel receptionist.
We eventually came across the guitar shop and I was relieved to find what I needed. With that out of the way we came across a big muscle car show and decided to stay and check it out. Bill got some film of it. Lots of Novas, Mustangs, Camaros and a few rare items of interest. Then back to base.
I was starting to flag a bit on Saturday. It was definitely starting to catch up on me by now - drinking every night since Tuesday and very little rest. My 19-year-old self would have been disgusted, but fuck him.
Still, I didn�t let it stop me. Our party was reduced at the Nyabinghi that day as Conor and James decided they wanted a break and went to a strip club.
Back at Emissions, the crowd had swelled somewhat with the arrival of the weekend warriors.
I was feeling pretty shitty though and my meeting with the legendary grillsman, Chovie, was diluted slightly with the fact that I couldn�t eat anything from his sacred fire. Nevertheless, I perked up soon enough and was soon listening to the horrible dirge that is Rebreather.
Rebreather
Live at Emissions from the Monolith VI
(Click photos for larger versions)
Stinking Lizaveta followed nicely as my body went into backup mode and the beer started flowing again. Outside in Patioland I crashed out, chatting with Spiderland and co. from Greatdayforup which was cool, but I was back inside to watch Wino rip it up with The Hidden Hand. Kung Pao were the highlight of the Saturday for me as it was just sheer unadulterated fun in denim. Met Big Shirley in the crowd and it was soon time for ATP funnily enough.
By the close of play on Saturday I was FUCKED!
Mazrim�s Log. Stardate: May 30, 2004
And so it came to pass that I awoke on Sunday morning and turned on the T.V to see units of the 101st Airborne division allowing and encouraging kids to play with M4 rifles and mobile S.A.M launchers.
I checked my gear, had a relaxing whirlpool bath, a smoke, and then it was another shitty breakfast at Denny�s. The nerves were building now, for me at least. I didn�t want to come all that way to look like a cunt even though some would argue that was always unavoidable.
We checked in and got our band passes and beer tokens whilst Suzukiton kicked ass inside, and then it was the waiting game. Trephine let us use their gear, for which I am very grateful. I chatted with Christine and the lovely Jackass as I drank my beer tokens on the warmest of the afternoons yet and by some distance.
Then it was time to go on.
As soon as I tested the gear and it purred, I relaxed. I could hear some of the SR.com crew shouting encouragement and I was surprised my spiky guitar got away without much derision.
Then it was fun. As any musician will tell you, you feel alive when you are doing what you truly want to do and it�s going well. I did feel alive and it occurred to me at that time that even though I wasn�t playing until Sunday it still felt like I was waiting to play on the other days. Now came the release and time to enjoy it to the full.
The crowd responded and I was pleased to see the room filling up despite the glorious weather outside.
In fact, the crowd were more than great and I didn�t want it to end. But end it did and immediately afterwards I got my second wind. In fact it was more like my sixth wind but I wasn�t counting at this point. With nothing else to consider except stuffing my face full of booze in excellent company, I thoroughly enjoyed Sunday more than any other day. The gorgeous Jesusonthedashboard, the impish Babynoodles, the more southern than can believed BenHogg, the inebriated Pissonmyface, the sheer laid back enigma of Swurve. The list goes on and on. So many characters. Woodgrain was so stoned he lost his voice.
Cudamantra
Live at Emissions from the Monolith VI
(Click photos for larger versions)
And then I met Orange Goblin. Despite being made to feel more than welcome by the natives it was nice to be amongst my countrymen. It felt like ages since I�d left Blighty. I wasn�t in a hurry to get back but still.
Had a good natter with Chris whilst he was setting up his kit and Big Ben provided much outspoken entertainment in the patio as the supersize can of Pabst in his hand looked ordinary.
I couldn�t think of a better way to end the weekend. Goblin were simply on top of their game and I enjoyed every kick ass second.
Orange Goblin
Live at Emissions from the Monolith VI
(Click photos for larger versions)
At the end of each night I felt like I needed to rest but not this night. Ironically, at the end of it all, I was buzzing.
But alas we said our goodbyes and that was that. This time it was a late night snack at Denny�s and then sleep.
Mazrim�s Log. Stardate: May 31, 2004
A cloudy memorial day greeted me as I opened the curtains of my bridal suite. I packed my stuff away ready for the trip back to New York and then we were off. After a few stops for the fuel of man and machine. We met up with holiday traffic still a hundred miles from the Big Apple or more. We didn�t get back to Manhattan until 9 pm. A good 11 hours on the road. We all needed a drink and so ended up at a jazz bar. A few beers and bed. Nothing more to say of Memorial Day really.
Mazrim�s Log. Stardate: June 1, 2004
Tuesday was a day we all needed. We got up early enough and decided that we would go and do our own thing again. A day of rest and relaxation, the weather was pleasant enough and my little party ended up at the WTC site. From there we went shopping for our womenfolk at Macy�s and walked back through Central Park to our hotel at leisure. I had a hot dog and reflected on the week. Yep, a most excellent adventure...erm...dude.
And so we headed back to JFK. The rain crashed down as we left Manhattan and the Empire State disappeared behind a curtain of grey.
Mazrim�s Log. Supplemental
Well, I will never forget it. I�d like to thank Greg for having us and all his efforts in making it such a fucking great. I don�t know...entity? Also Matt from the Pyramid Club. And all you weird and wonderful folks who showed up and made us feel welcome.
Cheers!
I hope we can do it again someday.
James Kiely, Cudamantra
a.k.a Mazrim.
