DIARY OF MY TRIP TO SEE OSAKA POPSTAR (MARKY RAMONE ON DRUMS) AND MISFITS SHOWS IN UK IN SEPTEMBER, 2006

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Text and photos -> Copyright 2006 -> : Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone.
Expect photo featuring Jari-Pekka, copyright -> : Bram van Schaik.

Then was time to return to the Electric Ballroom, I was walking a while in front of the Electric Ball if I do see some fans whom I know. Sadly I didn't saw any familiar face.
In general many fans were wearing Ramones shirts. I returned to backstage. I was chatting more with The Bones and also with Beef Bonanza of my books. He was seen my books before and he wanted to buy them now. The Bones played 30 minutes set. Then Jerry Only and Dez Cadena also returned and they had make-up's. We took some funny photos together, like in one it looks like I and Jerry are killing each other. I also asked from Jerry, Dez, Ivan Julian and John Cafiero autographs for Antti Niemi, Shari Lee Diers (Ramones fan from USA), Henkka Pajunen (Ramones and Misfits fan from Finland) and Willy-Jan van Gemert. Willy-Jan wanted to get autographs for those photos of Antti Niemi which Bram was brought with him to me. After the show Marky signed those papers and photos.

Show was sold-out in advance and audience was really great from the beginning of the Misfits set. So Misfits was playing as a trio, together with Jerry and Dez on stage was Robo who was drummer in Misfits also in 1982-1983. Robo joined Misfits again after Marky quit the band in April, 2005. The Misfits played one hour. Around half of the songs were from era when original Misfits was playing (1977-1983) and other half from the era of new Misfits (1995->). Of the older ones We Are 138, Die, Die My Darling and Attitude especially got me pogoing. Of the newer songs I liked especially of Dig Up Her Bones, American Psycho and Helena. In general set was great but I would have hoped to see more action on stage. Jerry and Dez weren't moving much. Audience anyway loved the Misfits and sang songs well along. First I was taking photos from the front of stage and then from the side where I was also watching rest of the show together with Bram, Yvon, The Bones members etc.

There was around 20 minutes break between the sets of the Misfits and Osaka Popstar. There were some cardboard signs in first row in audience which had supporting messages to Marky. At first Osaka Popstar played three first tracks from their album, so the songs were Wicked World, Astro Boy and Sailor Moon. Audience was looking beginning of the show a bit carefully, it was easy to see that many were arrived mostly because of the Misfits and they weren't heard those songs. Then started Insects, it's really good and catchy song which I was singing along: "You better watch out or the insects will get you..." Osaka Popstar performed it with strong attitude and backvocals gave for it extra power. People started to get more enthusiasted when were played I Live Off You and Shaolin Monkeys which is final song of the Osaka Popstar And The American Legends Of Punk. John Cafiero was moving good and smooth way on stage. Then was time of the Richard Hell & The Voidoids songs Blank Generation and Love Comes In Spurts. I heard some older people screaming happy way when Blank Generation started. Tank was standing next to Marky most of the set, he was taking care that everything goes without problems (if something would get broken etc.). Everything went fine and Marky was again like a machine, he played so amazing and powerful way. I was also taking many shots close of the Marky and they came out great way. Many songs started with Marky's 1-2-3-4 shout. Then was time of the three Ramones classics - Beat On The Brat, Blitzkrieg Bop and KKK Took My Baby Away. You can suppose what was reaction from the audience. People were singing along and there was big mosh-pit going on. I was happy that Beat On The Brat was on set instead of some more famous Ramones songs like I Wanna Be Sedated. Beat On The Brat and Blitzkrieg Bop were played regular way but Marky started KKK Took My Baby Away with special tempo, it was slower than in original version. Then guys walked from stage, but they returned to play Man Of Constant Sorrow as a encore. It was so cool to see that great line-up at live.
After the show Jerry Only went to give autographs for a longer time. I was hanging out in backstage and taking some photos. Like I wanted also this time naturally get photo of me and Marky together. I got few good shots of John, Ivan and Bram, on those photos John is moistening Bram with water. Later I went straight to hostel because Bram and Yvon didn't wanted to go to any bar.

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