Penguin Squad

It’s 11am I’m laid in bed at our hosts house in Amsterdam. I’m sharing a room with Dave. He’s just turned to me and yelled “Rob, What’s Penguin Squad?” I don’t know. One thing I do know for sure that he’s sleep talking again. I’ve already been up for breakfast this morning. Me and Will had the task of getting up at 8am to move the van to a cheaper parking place. Afterwards I went to an Albert Heijn store to pick up some things, and then to HEMA where I bought some Apple juice and warm cheese bread. I eat it as I’m walking back to Jacks and I’m back in bed for 9.30am. I’m making it my mission to rest tonight ahead of our acoustic show at Checkpoint Charlie. 


Last nights show was at the OCCII. What a lovely venue. We arrive about an hour early at 4pm and killed time at a bar near the venue. I put 50 cents in a fruit machine and win 22 Euros. Bonus. We unload and sound check before having dinner at 7pm. The guys have conjured up a wonderful Spaghetti with Mushroom sauce. We sing happy birthday to Pete. Afterwards me and Dempsey do the dishes.


Doors open at the venue at 8pm and people start to arrive. The DJ is playing a song by Spirit of John, that pricks my ears and I go talk to the DJ. I tell him that I know them. The DJ tells me he loves King Zepha. King Zepha aka Sam Thornton is my best friend from school. Small word. David Holmes kicks off tonight’s show followed by Vince Cayo. Both are brilliant. Barleycorn Bastards are the main support act tonight. Maarten the whistle player is a friend of mine from Nijmegen. They were brilliant. Irish folk punk songs. If you like The Pogues you will love them. 


I’m pleased to see my friends Monty and Debs from Selby in the crowd. They are in Amsterdam for a birthday party. I was in a band with Monty. They also happened to be in Barcelona when I was there last year also. I jokingly accuse them of stalking me. The Yallas enter the stage at 11.15 and though it’s not too busy I’m still pleased with the turn out for our debut Amsterdam show. We play the same set as the previous night plus also an encore of Get Down and Get With It. ‘Rock n Roll Kid’ haunted me tonight. It was brilliant but I felt possessed, by the end of the song I found myself beating the floor with my fists screaming “I love you, I love you, I love you” it was primal. I do t know where it came from. I finish the song breathing heavily into the mic whilst in the foetal position. I’d given everything I’d got. So I thought. Shouts of more rang out.

After the show the DJ resumed his role. I drink beers and chat with Barleycorn Bastards. We arrange a meal before our next show with them on Wednesday in Nijmegen. That show will be mental. It feels like home turf for both bands. I cannot wait.

We go back to Jacks place. Me and Will decide to go the sleep early. Through the walls I hear Jack telling his stories of Punk Rock in the 80’s and the other bands he helps. I drift away.


2 comments