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By the light of a shining star, Johnny Scaffold (from Perth) found his way to the Atomic mob, just in time for a party at Taliās place in Brizzy, then the gang headed down to a lucsious rainforest intentional community called Holy Goat Ranch. Thought things couldnāt get much better and then Pippen,(also from Perth) arrived full of prana and primed for crazy jammin. Did a show on a street corner in Lismore to an extremely receptive and already converted crowd.Later that night the Half Baked Yellow Cakes rocked the house at the benefit gig, supported by the amazing local band Proem, and Cameron Muir. Mad Nimbin mission on the way to Byron Bay where we played to an awesome big crowd, followed by a great jam.Then onto the big smoke of Sydney, this is where Pixie, (also from Perth) joined up with the mob and so continued the madness. There was so many keen Sydney crew at rehearsals, roles were swappin, everyone workshoppin, as the time was tick-tockin down to the Federal Election. Atomic Oz made it's first Sydney appearance at the A.N.A. (Australian Nuclear Association) Conference at Millenium Hotel, Kings Cross. Some of the more loveable characters joined in the rally to have their say, such as Prime Sinister Johnny Howard, Pangea Resources Spokeswoman, ANSTO CEO Helen Garnett and her robotic mouthpiece John Loy, and special appearance by the Nuclear Safety Watchdog who slept through the whole thing. Then the show happened across the road and was followed by a spunky jam with the Lab Rats/ Combat Wombat who'd been on the sound system all morning. We stayed with our mate Damo, 12 of us, plus guests in his one room studio apartment, big shout out to him for his generosity and amazingness, and he still loves us! (how could anyone not!) Then on to the Graffiti Hall of Fame, where we stayed the rest of the time in Sydney. Massive thanks to all that crew for much inspiration and fun and friendships. Our next show was at University of Technology Sydney, where we performed in the foyer and were well received, and they gave us food! It was the first performance that Matilda was played by someone other than Nat, Manda stepped in beautifully and did many more shows as Matilda.That night the Half Baked Yellow Cakes jammed again with the Lab Rats at the Greenpeace warehouse for a special party. Next day we played outside the Town Hall, being in the middle of the city it was noisy enough and then someone decided to ring the church bells for the first half of the show! Then on to a beachside park in Cronulla, which was the first time Ben had a break from playing Politician/s: enter Johnny Scaffold. On the Monday a State wide forrest block solidarity action saw many of us out bush stopping logging work for the day, whilst the rest repaired props and the script. On Tuesday we played at University of New South Wales to a big, engaged crowd, crankin out from the big PA they supplied for us. Wednesday was rest day. Need I say more? On Thursday we played to an intimate crowd at University of Western Sydney, Willetton Campus, down by a lovely little lake and watched the full moon rise over thehills. Friday saw our good Sydney friend in court emerge rightfully innocent, the judge crediting his good character, after being framed by the police on absurd charges. Then it was up to the hills for us, Katoomba awaited. It was cold and drizzly, it had been raining half-arsedly all morning, but as always the sun appeared in time for our show. Ahhh, the weather luvs us too! The Friendly Atom made a dirtsurfing entrance, tu tu and hoops and all! Our generator kicked it so the band was basically drums and voice, and we got an introduction by the local vocal, Elf Tranzporter. Sunday was spent at Bondi, not lounging around getting a tan, but educating the people with another Atomic Oz show, all went well, choice location and topped off with a sunset jam that rocked for over an hour after the play. I'm proud to say we collectively ate $21 worth of hot chips afterwards! Monday and Tuesday people did as they pleased and Wednesday we prepared for a Feast and Films night at Graffiti Hall. It was like a dream: there was heavenly salads, (Natty youāre a legend) pumpkin and potato mush, nori rolls, bread, noodles and other nondescript yummy stuff, (let's not mention the gas cooked cake, I swear all it needed was an oven!) followed by films, Uranium mining docos, that opened our minds and made our hearts cry. And of course there was jammin! Early Thursday morning was the departure of guitar and compsition legend: Pippen, and our talented and experienced director: Mar Bucknell. There was goodbyes and hankies waved and kisses and hugs and Pixie and Helen running after Pippen with his baggage tickets! Next was our big challenge: no director! We reshuffled, reassessed and redirected ourselves and rocked the Newtown Festival to an enormous crowd that booed, cheered and heckled in all the right places. Cousin Dave stepped in on guitar and showed his style. A most festive day indeed! A few more days free saw all of us frolicking in the mountains, the rivers, the ocean and forrests and onto merry old Canberra. Stayed tuned for more updates, live from the Capital City! We need to express at this point our enormous gratitude and love to all who made our Sydney adventure all that it was, all at Green Peace, The NSW Greens, Leah, Poppy, Damo, The Graffiti Hall crew, Lab Rats, Elf, all co-ordinators, Alfalfa House, Pierre, all musicians and cast members, Garage Organics, UTS SA, Usyd SRC, and everyone involved; you know who you are! |