Almanac Music: Blabber ‘N Smoke

It was drizzling, when I came to. I had the lead guitarist in a headlock, and wouldn’t let him go until he fully accepted I thought he was the best musician in the world.

 

Someone pushed me on. Through mud and back paddock glory, towards the old abandoned caravan. There it was, right next to the bush stage. I think the organiser had set it up for me, but I’m not sure.

 

My memory before that was hazy, more blank spots, foolishness, back through band after band. This small-crowd, shitty-weather heaven. Back home in the ranges, at some dirt track, back of gully do.

 

Being stalked by a female bouncer from town. She didn’t say anything, just shadowed me, smirking when our eyes met. Waiting.

 

I remember being offered some hash bickies by a friend, and eating the whole container. There was a reason, it made sense, but it’s gone.

 

Then, the split second my eyes glazed over, being led away by the bouncer girl.

 

I remember a big man, in a toga, with a big beard, wailing in a big voice, while big guitars played, in big, comic rock gestures, and fire lined the top of the stage.

 

It was beautiful! Rock theatre and pyromania in the rain.

 

I remember the girl hitting me for some reason in the caravan, in the dark, and coming too in the morning, trying to wake as hard, hard rain fell, with her standing over me, shouting abuse.

 

Something about not giving her a lift? I don’t know.

 

I remember being lost, feeling painfully alone.

 

Standing in a sea of big, cold, fat, falling drops, helping pack up, as the girl left in a hippy car. The driver wearing an under the chin scruffy beard, all lanky, hunched over the wheel, bitter as they passed, giving me the two figure salute.

 

I remember hearing, in the rain, despite the rain, as if by hungover fate, Captain Beefheart on the PA. Music that was the best of me.

 

His voice, slow and raw, almost sad; ”Time is running out… and all you ever do is blabber and smoke… blabber and smoke.”

 

Captain Beefheart – ‘Blabber ‘N Smoke’

 

More from Matt Zurbo Here.

 

 

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