October 23rd - Strand, Stockholm

[jules]

Dale's birthday.

Lizzy: 'Elvis had a daughter, then he died in jail'.

We had an afternoon to look round the old town of Stockholm which is pretty but very busy. The city looks like it is built on water, there are rivers and lagoons everywhere, it's very confusing. You're just as likely to be killed by a bicycle as by a taxi here, too. Mental cyclists everywhere and they seem to have power over the pedestrian. I was nearly maimed many times.

The ticket said doors at 7pm. Usually that means doors open at 7pm and band on a few hours later. We sauntered down there for 7.45 by which time the place was already rammed to bursting. The venue's by the waterfront and it's just as accessible by boat as it is on foot. Just had time to buy a Jim Beam and a pint (around $4000) and Melvins were on! At around 8pm.

Maybe it was because it was a Sunday they were on so early? Either way, we were a bit taken aback. Couldn't get to the front so wound up listening to them from a few yards back rather than scrutinising them from up front. Good sound, and typically motionless (for the most part) Swedish crowd. They sang happy birthday to Dale.

New 'nice person' medal goes to Alan the Melvins bus driver. He's from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and therefore has a very endearing accent. Tales of bussing bands around abound.

T-shirts and box sets were becoming thin on the ground tonight. The last black box set was looking very forlorn, alone on that wooden table.

Melvins finished around 9.50pm. Every cloud has a silver lining, though; this meant there was enough time afterwards for a slap-up spicy pasta and salad round the corner.