Sitting out on the back verandah after a couple of big days doing the Christmas thing. The last 48 hours we’ve baby-sitted, visited family out in the country and back in Melbourne, and last night played guitar til the wee hours over at Stalk & Kim’s place. Recovering as I write.
Stalk & Kim’s place 2am this morning. (Thanks to Stalk for the pic)
My dad will be here shortly, down from South West Rocks (NSW). Tomorrow we’ll both fly up to Tamworth to see mum for a few days, then out to the coast to where he lives. Feels like a mini tour.
Last few hours in Mansfield before heading home to Melbourne.
Near miss for the band van last night. High winds brought down half a big tree which just shaved the rear door. Max’s brother got the chainsaw out & we cleared it to get trapped van out. All good.
Mat Ward uploaded these pics to Facebook – taken Friday night at our Christmas party in the park.
Max channels Chuck Berry. Stalk on Bongo.
Sunset Blush (left) & a couple of passers-by who stopped to join in.
As posted yesterday, it was a fantastic night. And we raised a surprising amount of cash for the Smith Family charity, thanks to Leone Young’s bake sale.
We’re up in the country today – the infamous Bonnie Doon.
Fires out.
Thanks to everybody who came down to our Christmas party in the park last night. Perfect weather for a barbie & catching up with everybody one last time for this year. We had these little battery operated amps, thanks to TC, and played a short set before Craig McGrath & Brendan Young (guitarist with Chapter Ray) jumped in & played a few of their favs. We had bongos & shakers all round. It was a great turn out. We’ll get some pics up shortly – we forgot to take any ourselves so we’re waiting on anyone who’ll send us a shot or two.
For us now, it’s off to the country for a few days.
Tonight’s the night, it’s gonna be alright – as the song goes… Yep, it’s the annual On Fires Christmas party in the park, 6pm Browns Reserve – Nicholson St Abbotsford. As posted here previously, we’ll be playing a few songs unplugged which will likely turn into a group jamming thing. So bring your acoustic, your bongos or whatever takes your fancy. Browns Reserve has a playground (great after a few beers) & free BBQ facilities. BYO BBQ food & drinks. We’ll have plates, cutlery, sauce & bread. Looks like there’ll be a few people coming – so bring a fold-out chair or two if you’d like a seat.
The Vagrant’s guitarist, Steve Iorio, is now in the alps of Austria for the ski season. Steve’s working there while assisting the setup of April’s European tour (which we’ll be joining them on). He uploaded this video on Youtube a couple of days ago after snowboarding in the mountains of St Anton. Nice work if you can get it.
The On Fires will fly into Europe late March next year to hang with the guys at St Anton, Austria (at the end of their ski season) & play a show or two there. Then it’s out on the road through Germany & surrounding countries during April.
Seeya tomorrow night at The On Fires Christmas party BBQ in the park – Browns Reserve Nicholson St Abbotsford. Kicks off at 6pm. BYO BBQ stuff & beer. We’ll bring the plates, sauce & bread – they’ve got free barbie facilities there. We’ll be playing a few songs unplugged – bring your acoustic & bongos.