Posted on: July 11th, 2009 Germania

As the morning mist descends upon the land of sausages, the Brats are once again at war with the Bocks. This battle for superiority between the sausages has been waged since the dawn of mustard. I am awake now, awake but not well rested. This type of affirmation comes from deep within my psyche.  This feeling can only be attained from several nights of insomnia that can be brought about by an unforgiving combination of home sickness, German television and air that is so still that you forget that is there, watching you, daring you to ignore your thoughts of far away places, where air conditioning exists.

Day 5, I sleep at night. For the first time in 5 days, I do not see the sunrise. A sense of normalcy takes root and I am alive! Sadly, the show on this night, after a good nights sleep, is my worst of the tour so far. Not that anyone noticed, but my index finger on my right hand is bruised under the nail, due to continual hammering on the guitar for the past three weeks. Also, I am forced to sign autographs with the same finger by my German tour manager Klaus. He may have been Satan in an earlier life or is in training now for some future Satan opening.

Last night was gig number 6 in a row. I took the stage and was annoyed to find that my hands were not in sync with my mind. If this was autopilot, then he too was having trouble acclimating to the serious time change over here. Anyway, I finished the show after 2 encores. I then walked through the crowd of standing, clapping people thereby announcing with my fatigued saunter, that I was done for the evening. I turned the corner and mentally collapsed. The club owner came over to me and asked if I was finished or would I prefer to do one more song. This is what I said, `I’m done`. Which prompted him to ask; “So, you’ll do one more?”.  So, I did, like the good little rock puppet that I was.

So, onto the next gig, my 7th show in row. As the van careens down the autobahn at speeds that would frighten me in a vehicle that’s actually designed to remain intact at these speeds, I find myself pondering my own mortality, and I say a prayer. I pray that I make it to the next show, I pray for a nap and I pray for a cheeseburger.

19 Responses to “Germania”

1. robert stoll Says:
   July 11th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

   Well, it has been in the 100’s for the last 3 weeks in Shreveport. Probably hotter in Austin. I’ve seen you pull off all the tricks in 40 degree weather, and again in 95 degree weather. Being a refrigerated beast myself, I preferred the 40 degree performance. Now cowboy up and give those good German folk what for!!! Be the guitar.

2. Paul Clagett Says:
   July 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

   Nice post! Sounds like a rough tour so far but one where you are well appreciated (no surprise there). I hope you can adapt enough to really enjoy yourself before you have to come home. Rest, chant, meditate, whatever it takes to center yourself and play to your own satisfaction (your expectations of yourself are very high, of course).
   Hope to see you someday soon here in Nor Cal!

   Peace!

3. mf Says:
   July 11th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

   It could have been worse….
   You could have been Sting…
   

4. Tommy Campis Says:
   July 11th, 2009 at 2:49 pm

   How do you say “NO” in Germania ? Is it “NIN” OR “NINIA” ? Or just give “THE LOOK”

5. Jeff Says:
   July 11th, 2009 at 3:55 pm

   Hang in there Monte! You’re knocking their knee-high socks off! I’ll bet there’s a new masterpiece brewing in the depths of you weary mind. Maybe you should stay away from the Brats and Bocks for the time being. Have yourself a nice soak and a glass of Patron (if you can find it there). Show them what Thor sounds like on guitar and stay safe while we anxiously await your return home for some much deserved R&R.

6. Kris Vilhelmsson from Frankfurt, Germany Says:
   July 11th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

   Well Monte, sad to read that you haven’t really been able to enjoy the tour to the full. But having stood in the crowd during two consecutive shows in Aschaffenburg and Frankfurt, all I can say is that you left behind a happy and astonished “Germanian” crowd, some of whom where shaking their heads in disbelief about your and your band’s amazingly “tight” performance. And you have won many new fans, too. You may want to put up your website/URL somewhere on stage or at the CD sales desk, though. I heard many people say that they wanted to keep track of you, not to miss it when you come back.
   Especially the Gig in Aschaffenburg was fantastic ! I hope that up there on stage you could notice the audience’s excitement. And thanks for hanging in there after a long gig until the very last guest had his CD signed and picture taken (which was me).
   Thanks for the great shows and for being so professional to play that last song ! Walking off stage through the crowd was actually a very nice gesture. Keep it up and please come back, soon !

   Kris

7. b Says:
   July 12th, 2009 at 8:31 am

   I feel ur pain man. I’m on day 20 of 4 set nights back 2 back with 20 more days 2 go. Last week a drunk Swede dropped a full mug of beer from the balcony landing within a foot of my foot. (not all that uncommon here). I think a symbol of endearment in Sweden. Be happy to have the loving fans and great audiences that u do. You’ll soon be back in the land of cheeseburgers, french fries with ketchup instead of mayo and plenty of ice in ur drink.
   The Love-
   Nairb Gnuoy

8. zjosque Says:
   July 12th, 2009 at 9:30 am

   Tell Klaus I told you to tell him to be nice to you!
   Wish you a better austria!
   Find more Zjosque’s to look after you …

   big holistic hug

   zjosque xxx
   http://www.zjosque.nl

9. Hooker T aka skcih Says:
   July 12th, 2009 at 10:05 am

   Rock Puppet?

   “Hell hath no fury like a scorned Brat, nor ass gladiator.”

   hi Jens

10. Peggy Feigenbbaum Says:
    July 12th, 2009 at 11:32 am

    It will be over soon, Monte, and pizza and burgers await you! No one will notice your bruised finger - tell your manager you will just draw a picture with a big “M” with your other hand! It will become a collector’s item. You are the Man with the guitar!!! An awesome man with the talent of one hundred in one. Everyone who hears you LOVES you!
    We loved seeing you in Fairfield, Ct. and look forward to seeing you again.

11. Shane Says:
    July 12th, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    Whish I was in germany to see you monte…eagerly waiting for yor return to the U.K….if not flying this way next year i might hav to take a hol somewhere to find you…thankyou for your music…its beautiful.xx

12. Karen Says:
    July 12th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    So the writer comes out and proves, once again, that the pen is mightier (or at least as mighty) as the axe. Put the two together with a soul poured out in song–and we are taken to a place transcendent, and catch a glimpse of regions beyond time, or space, or words–a place where we thought that only angels tread. God bless you, sweet Monte! Always in my prayers . . .

13. Rio from ole San Antone Says:
    July 12th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Hey Monte…just tell em this next time….
    “Nein!…und gehen sie weg!!

14. Maggie Montgomery Says:
    July 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    My dearest Monte.
    How poetically you wax. Never seen you connect that many words on one subject so eloquently in writing. Songs? yes in double deedy.
    And as far as the brat….it’s not the worst.
    Wasn’t that funny hearing from nairb?!
    Miss you.
    Yomama

15. paula Says:
    July 12th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Hey Monte —
    I know the insomnia thing…4 days and counting w/out sleep for me…wish I could say I was having a good time

    We all miss you here in SA….Can’t wait for you to get home…

    Hang in there…It will be over soon and you will be on your way back to Texas, Beer & BBQ, Mexican food and your beloved Cheeseburgers!!!!!

    Luv Ya!!
    P

16. Allentown Tommy Says:
    July 13th, 2009 at 7:29 am

    Hey Monte-
    now that I’m up to date on your new website, just wanted to say hi and thanks again for the show you put on at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ. We have another Montiac in the fold with my daughter’s boyfriend. He was completely blown away, as was I (again) by your masterful work. Hope the hand recovers soon, for we can’t have a national treasure such as that on the DL! Can’t wait to see you up here again, hopefully in Jim Thorpe again…
    Safe Journeys!

    Tom

17. Morgen in San Antonio Says:
    July 13th, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    “little rock puppet”? Monte, you rule! Klaus just doesn’t know it yet!
    The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

    Michael Schenker WHO?

18. Bee Says:
    July 14th, 2009 at 6:50 am

    Hi Monte, of course there’s a/c in Germany Maybe you’ve to ask the right people. Hope your finger is okay now. Looked badly on Thursday. Wish you a relaxed and sunny (not to sunny and humid ;-))) time in Austria and I think everybody at home still misses you. And you are definitely no little rock puppet. You are as kind as you are and that’s the point. And that’s one of the reasons we appreciate you as a musician and person. But of course nobody will be disappointed when you say NO and want to finish your gig after more than 2 h and 2 encores. Believe me, jep. Because you just gave us always so much on your shows. Thx for that and t. c.. Bee

19. Aaron Says:
    July 14th, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    I can empathize. I flew from Texas to Germany around the same day you did and I am still not on local time. I’ll be making the trip from Munich to Innsbruck tonight to catch the show - can’t wait!

Leave a Reply