Victorian Leg

The Victorian leg was our next chance to fly the Hercules in NY banner. Supported for the run by co-Melbournites Foxx on Fire, we followed AVS to Ballarat, Geelong, two Melbourne Gigs and Mt. Buller. Having the home ground advantage, we kept the rock-star life to a minimum as we returned home to our loved ones after each gig but the usual HINY absurdity manifested itself. In Ballarat, after soundchecking at the Korova bar, Mark and I went and bought arguably the worst Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toy ever but only after the poor toilet facilities forced me to break into a neighbouring construction site to use the port-a-potty provided. Simon spiced up his afternoon before the gig at the East Brunswick Club by teaming up with the AVS boys and trying on a few choice selections at a neighbouring costume shop. I wish I could show you pictures, but the shop owner hit the roof, the minute the camera phones were whipped out. Apparently her designs are trademarked and the costume counterfeiters of the world were eager to get their hands on her latest prototypes. This of course paled in comparison to the insanity of the Mt Buller gig. Being on a Ministry of Sound bill was exciting enough,
but as we careened up the mountain in an old 18-seater that was tipping over on the sharper turns, we suspected it would be an interesting night ahead. From the cage that soundman Drew had to work in,
to arguably the best band room ever (complete with bar, buck-hunter and NBA jam arcade machines and a central fireplace), and the eager beavers breaking into the venue THROUGH THE ROOF, it was a surreal experience that culminated in both HINY and AVS having a dance-off during Miami Horror’s DJ Set. Let’s just say the punters were impressed.