So, Saturday 29th September 2012 - definitely one for the book! As usual we all piled into Iain's trusty band boogie bus for the trip north. Arriving in Kyleakin, we were met by Jonathon who gave us the bad news that all his rooms were full but he'd sort something out. after a few nano seconds of thinking "Shit, we might have to sleep in the van" the realisation dawned on us that all the rooms being full = a potentially very busy night!
So, after some of the fantastic nosh at Saucy Mary's and a wee sneaky pint, the load in started at damn nearly 9.00pm as planned. The place was heaving - and huge numbers of people from the University Of Aberdeen Geology Department (more about them later, MUCH more!) who were on the final day of their annual field trip. Set up complete we were ready to rock just after 10pm. The band launched into our first set to a really responsive and appreciative audience - all the right noises, hand clapping, foot stomping and dancing was taking place. A few wee problems from "The House At Bass Corner" but easily resolved and the band playing our socks off!
A quick 10 minute break at about 11.30pm and then we were back - and the hurricane started!!!!! We kicked off with Day Tripper, straight into Chelsea Dagger then Monster... The crowd were getting more and more hyped with each song! They were dancing on floor, dancing on the tables, they were having a BLAST! From there, we were into Transvision Vamp and then into the rock section of AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the energy just kept building! There was a really nice girl in a black dress and spiky red shoes dancing her heart out just in front of us too - we liked!
Eventually our last song came round, Kids In America, and that's when a new experience for The Shine happened.... THE GIRLS STARTED TAKING THEIR CLOTHES OFF!!! We were loving this as first the tops came off, then the bras. At one stage even the leggings and knickers came down! To make matters even more interesting, this certain semi naked young lady appeared between Andy's legs during his solo while standing on the bass bin (role reversal here? But we're good boys...)! It was at this stage that we all decided we'd like to study Geology - starting right now! The lights came on at 1am with the nearly naked nubile young hottie still dancing on our left hand bass bin but all good things have to come to an end (bar licences are too valuable to mess around with extending time - despite the fact we were promised more nudity for "one more song").
Worthy of note, by the way, was our second outing with the new song - Take That's Rule The World. It was frigging awesome! Done our way it was a mega powerful power ballad which had hands, lighters and iPhones swaying in the air!
So, rapid gear strip down (25 minutes start to finish) and it was load up the van time. As we were finishing, underwear belonging to other UoA students drifted out of an upper window and landed at our feet. OK, I lie, we had to wait for it to blow off the roof! We would have kept a bra as a souvenir but were gracious and galant, giving it back to her suitably also topless friend. Drinkies, chat and sleep that night was at the adjacent King's Arms Hotel.
Following morning, now obligatory excellent breakfast at Harry's and we were off down the road. I can't report too much of this as, severely hungover, I spent most of the journey trying to sleep. The one lowlight, however, was as we passed through Lochearnhead Iain got nobbled with the high vis guys with the high tec hairdrier! Bummer...
So, moral of this story (other than watch your speed in Lochearnhead) is if you want The Shine to play really really really well and create an amazing party, nudity is good!!! I would emphasise FEMALE nudity is really really good - guys with their dicks out (which has happened in the past) isn't quite so encouraging! Oh yeah, and as John says we will do requests at post gig parties on the basis of "one song, one item of clothing"!
Best of Luv,
Neil
