Travel Journal 9: Shriek without End (part three)

[tinhuvielartanis]

Sea theory in the disco
One of many theories of the sea
Everybody's songs are never-ending till they're gone
Carve a little pleasure out of me.

At home on the edge of the English Channel, France off in the distance, and the plaintive cry of gulls carried by the chilly sea wind. I was happy to return to Brighton Beach, thinking that the only time I'd get to enjoy the crashing of the ocean's waves upon the pebbled shore was when falkenna, Aunt Tudi, and I had visited briefly the day before. Pardon me if I wax poetic when it comes to the sea, but I'm happiest when in the presence of Mother Ocean. Apparently, so is Barry, or at least it's one of his favourite things. As mentioned before, it was his idea to go walking on the beach. There was a bit of hesitation among some of our troupe, because the weather was misty and chilly, but I was all for it myself. I wanted to enjoy the English weather as much as I could before having to return to the toxic soup of South Carolina.

We made our way down to the edge of the tide, walking slowly but determinedly into the wind, stopping occasionally to admire an oddly-shaped or dramatically-coloured pebble. falkenna found a Maul stone which made me literally ooze with envy. Without even realising what I'd done until later, I picked up three provocative stones that turned out to be perfect representatives of the Triple Goddess (one white, one red, and one black). These will become an ever-present entity on my altar. Barry admired the stones and would pick one up here and there, but he didn't take any. He recalled a time when he and a girlfriend, tripping on acid, decided it was a good idea to collect an ungodly amount of stones from the beach. Once they got their load to the car, however, they decided that it was morally wrong to steal these stones from their rightful home, so they took them all back to the beach. Yet another reason for me to someday try LSD.

One thing I noted about Barry while on the beach. He didn't do this at the house, but started doing it during our walk on the shore, I think because he'd grown more comfortable. He's very expressive when he talks. He'll tell the tale and then perform a physical manifestation of the tale after or near to the end. He wouldn't be able to express himself in any way if someone tied his hands behind his back. Oh, and he imitates others. If he was telling us what someone else had said, he becomes that person, changing his voice and mannerisms. And he does sound effects, and is generally quite dramatic. I made particular note of this brand of communication because this is how I communicate. It was like looking into a mirror and beholding my male doppleganger. Of course, I hadn't become comfortable enough to go there myself, still being a bit reserved. I'm thinking though that, if we were afforded enough time to relax, B and I would be able to communicate on a truly bizarre level, becoming our own vaudeville act....from hell.

I'd say we walked a good mile and a half down the beach, talking about music, the sea, B's past girlfriends in relation to the sea, Darth Maul, the various excellent uses for stones, and a number of other subjects that I cannot now remember. falkenna mentioned the old pier burning down shortly after B had left her house when he stayed with her the night of his Brighton gig. I joked that I wasn't surprised at all that B left a path of destruction in his wake. He was properly amused by this, but we did agree that the ruins of the old pier, nothing but black bones ~ a shadow of its previous glory, held a particular beauty. It was, overall, a very peaceful time and I was glad to be in the presence of falkenna, B, and Stevie. It was during this time that Stevie found a fish head on the beach. Immediately, falkenna and I threw ourselves into a rousing rendition of "Fish Heads" by Barnes and Barnes. Both Stevie and Barry were greatly amused by this. Nick remained on the boardwalk above us, waiting to meet Graham, should he arrive. And he did.

Graham is in his 30s, but he looks like a 20-something. I felt really guilty that I found him so adorable, thinking that I was robbing the cradle, if only in my mind. I felt much better having found out he wasn't much younger than I. Once we'd hooked up with Graham, B suggested we go to a pub, so off we went. On the way, the conversation between B, falkenna, and myself, went back to music. I was singing the praises of Kasabian and B mentioned his disappointment in British Sea Power for whom Finn opened at one time. He said it was this bland, generic, guitar rock that everyone seems to be playing these days. Since they were on RCA in the States, I'd heard them and I concurred with B's summation, saying that they reminded me of Nickleback, whom I despised with ever fibre of my being. falkenna took exception to my unkind words about the band, saying she like them, particularly their song "This Is How You Remind Me." I said, "Yeah. 'This is how you remind me of crap." Well, B thought that was funny as hell and thought that was actually the title of the song. He said that it was a brilliant title for a break-up song. Sorry to let him down, but I had to let him know that it was just my title for the song because Nickleback's music always reminded me of crap. So the heated discussion of Nickleback raged on for a few more minutes until B jumped between falkenna and me, shouting: "Okay okay, let's break it up now. Let's not come to blows!" He was joking of course.

falkenna said that she was always a guitar rock girl, so she could better relate to Nickleback than I could. Having grown a bit more comfortable and actually unaware of whom I was in the presence, I piped up and said, "I have always and will always be a keyboard ho." That was my only moment of humiliation 'cos it made me sound like I was just a total fan girl for B. Truth be told, I always saw Barry as more of a vocalist and driving force behind Shriekback. The keyboards were secondary in my view of him. Still though....he seemed pretty gratified by my declaration. falkenna made mention that I liked Yazoo and this made B's ears perk up, so I told him the story of how I first heard Yazoo and was overcome by the music, pulling the shopkeeper up by his collar demanding to know who it was so I could buy the record. (Come to think.....this story was laced with physical representations, so I did start doing the expressive stuff at some point, once I was comfy). Barry then told me about a friend of his, who is a caterer, who was commissioned by Vince Clarke to cater a party Vince holds for mentally challenged individuals. She asked Barry if he would help with the catering, which he has done now for the past few years. He said that the party would start out slowly, but then become like a Bacchanalian Rite from a Fellini film. It was bizarre, but fun to be a part of. I asked him if at least one of the party-goers looked directly at the camera the entire time. It thrilled me on a.....Fellini level.....that B got this and laughed heartily. So, yeah, Barry likes Vince Clarke. He thinks he's a good fella and he apparently doesn't have a problem with his music, so that's most excellent.

We found ourselves at the Fortune of War pub. The music in there was mind-numbingly loud. We found the quietest spot in the pub, but that's not saying much. Nick bought the first round of drinks, then Barry. I had Guinness, like I do. We made toasts and drank like little fishies while we chattered about all manner of stuff. While B was gone for drinks, Stevie asked me how I happened to meet Barry. So I told him about it. When Barry returned, he remarked, "Oh, you're telling the Creation Tale, are you?" Heh! Then we got to talking about those first few months where I was attempting to get him to admit that he was Barry Andrews and he was successfully foiling my plans. Apparently, he enjoyed those letters as much as I did, remarking that we had written some incredible communication back in the day. I think I still have every one of those letters. I'll never get rid of them. Never. I should mention here that, it was during this time, there in the pub, that I noticed a slight psychic drain. He may not be a vampire in the "traditional" sense of the word, but I'd bet my left nipple that Barry is a psychic vampire. Like knows like and I knew what I felt. I didn't stop the drain; rather, I allowed it fully. There was plenty of energy to go around and I'm sure I had already pulled from him inadvertently. But, yeah.....

One of the main subjects of conversation was how crap the music business is. "Go Bang!" was brought up and B, once again, told how it was the record company that pressed the band into going a bit more mainstream so they could "cross over." Even though it was a bad idea, I still am very fond of this album. Despite its light-lightheartedness, "Go Bang!" had a big hand in the creation of Cadmus Pariah and the band Magnificat. What better way to draw in converts than to be slightly friendly on the surface that barely covers more sinister motivations? falkenna expressed her dislike of "Go Bang!" and I defended it, saying there were some really good songs on there, like "Dust and a Shadow" and "New Man." B didn't remark either way, but I'm pretty sure the album isn't one of his favourites. It didn't take long for Barry to lose his patience with the horribly loud music, so we moved on to another pub. Damn, but I can't remember the name of it! We had to go in shifts because the car couldn't hold all of us. Nick and I were dropped off and we waited for the rest of the gang.

While we waited, Nick told me the reasons behind Barry moving back to Swindon. He said that, because B was an only child, he felt quite responsible for his mother after his dad died. The death of his father hit him and the family very hard and he didn't think B would soon get over it. Anyway, he said that Barry wanted to be close to his mother and take care of her because there was no one else. It was like he was trying to get me to understand B's motivations in all this until I explained to him that I, too, was an only child and that I was essentially doing the same thing with Aunt Tudi. I never went on a trip without Aunt Tudi by my side because she was my co-pilot and my partner in crime. Nick said, "Oh, then you understand. It's a different dynamic when you're an only child." Yes, I understand. Of course, it's also helpful that B's girlfriend lives in Swindon! He's thinking of buying a house there, so it seems like a permanent arrangement.

Round about the end of that conversation, falkenna, Stevie, Barry, and Graham arrived. A round of drinks was purchased, then Barry and Graham went outside for a smoke. Pictures were taken and much merriment was made. We joked, laughed, and yapped like we'd all known each other for years. Now that was surreal too. We didn't stay as long there 'cos Stevie, Nick, and Barry had to get back to Barnes and the night was getting long in the tooth. Graham wanted to hear the music that Barry had brought, so we headed back to falkenna's house. falkenna and Nick walked back, 'cos it was just right around the corner from the pub. I sat in the back seat with B while Graham rode up front with Stevie. If someone had asked me just two years ago if I thought I'd be toodling around Brighton in the back seat of a car with Barry Andrews next to me, I would have said "Uhhhhhh....NO?!" My, how things can change.....

When we got home, Aunt Tudi came back down for another brief visit and, once again, Barry was all over her to say stuff. I swear, I'm going to come through on my promise to him to send him some tapes of Aunt Tudi talking. Aunt Tudi got to meet Graham and was very aware of how cute he is. While we were listening to the Veils, Finn called Barry. When he told Finn what we were doing, Finn wanted to know which song we thought should be the first track on the CD, which was to be cut the very next day. I can't remember the title of the song, but we all concurred that this would be the perfect intro song. So, when the CD is released in September, the first song was the decision of a motley bunch sitting in the main room of a nice house in Brighton, just so's you know. When B hung up, he said that his mum and Finn both sent their regards to us all. That's just sweet. After the Veils, B played Graham some of the Andrews/Barker/Partridge improv music. He was duly impressed. We then got to talking about the "Cormorant" eggs. Barry said that all 50 had sold, which was excellent news! The eggs have also gotten the attention of some record collectors magazines. I'm not surprised at that because the idea was just so unique.

After the music had finished, it was time to say goodbye. When Barry found out that we were coming to London the next day, he bade falkenna give him a call so we could hook up and spend some time in the city together. The relaxed and groovy Tin was all "cool! More time with Barry!" But the neurotic and phobic Tin was all "oh shit! Barry and the Ripper Walk in one day. I...am...going...to...die...." I'm such a schizoid. Hugs and kisses were passed around and, as B, Stevie, and Nick piled into the car, I shouted "Y'all come back now!" in my most pure Southern accent. From the laughter, I can pretty much guess that they were delighted by this.

---

All was calm now. Aunt Tudi had gone back upstairs and I hopped online to declare that I lived still, much to the dismay of many. While I was doing this, falkenna came in and sang me the song that she performed at Stevie and Nick's wedding. This ended a most eventful day perfectly. There was much peace in her voice and peace was what permeated us and the house as a whole. My soul was smiling. It still is.

Travel Journal 10 will be about London.

Comments

[durgablue.livejournal.com]

Travel Journal 10 will be about London

London! ;D Woot!

(Thanks for the fabu postcard my dear, it's not the typical touristy postcard and I very much like it!)

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

*winks*
glad you liked it!

BTW, I mentioned to B that he really should do a cover of "Another One Bites the Dust," saying that I could literally hear him performing it. He said he couldn't hear that at all so either he doesn't think he could do it or he doesn't like the song. I couldn't go any further with it as the subject was changed by someone in the room and it was swiftly forgotten.

So damn.

[miintikwa.livejournal.com]

*swoony*

I don't know why, but this entry really hit me. Like a gutcheck. I could feel the blustery wind, smell the sea salt air- it was like I was there.

Very cool, a little creepy, and if you noticed an odd presence in the air, it was probably me, checking on things. ;)

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

I sensed a lot of spirits around me, all vigilant. Thanks for the *protection,* although I realise now on a logical level, that my fears were unfounded. Still.....7 hours of Shiny can't totally eradicate 16 years of fright. I hope it never does, really. So much of my inspiration comes from the foreboding I get when I think about B.

Glad you liked the post. Hopefully tonight, I can get London recorded, which will include the infamous Ripper Walk.

[miintikwa.livejournal.com]

*nods* Even unfounded fears are useful, if put, as you did, to use as inpsiration, or used to fuel an act, as I know others have done.

And I'll be looking forward to the Ripper Walk! That's something I'd like to do, too. :D

[falkenna.livejournal.com]

Eerily, although I'm a rock chick, I'm not so much a guitar girl -- but rather a complete keyboard ho!!
I guess I like the warmth of the guitar sound as background, and I like gutsy, emotional music (like This Is How You Remind Me), which usually involves guitars and rarely means 80s synth (although there are exceptions, Yazoo being notable).
I love B's keyboard work, as evidenced by Il Mystero Del Tempo being probably my favourite song on Cormorant, and by my fondness for his albums with Fripp and the new stuff with Partridge. (Much as I love his voice and many of his lyrics, as well.) I wish he would stop twiddling knobs and add a CD of proper keyboard **music** to his projects (a bit of vocal spice would be nice but unnecessary).
I also love the energized feeling I always get being around him! Was I draining you both???
The music in Fortune of War was very soft by Brighton city centre standards. Later in the evening they would have doubled the volume. Which is why I've gone off pubs. The Beaufort Arms is always quiet, and this was not the first time I've taken people there for a chat because I knew we **could** chat there.

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

My first ELO crush was Richard Tandy because he was the keyboard wizard. Bad eh?

As for B, it's his vocals that are primary in my mind. I guess it's because I first saw him singing and I didn't know he was the keyboard player. Remember, I had pegged him as Carl Marsh because of the liner notes in "The Dancing Years."

The drain wasn't coming for you directly. It may have been a result of your pulling from him. Maybe, maybe not.

And thanks for naming the second pub! :)