Off topic: Out in the ‘hood

On a bridge over a (currently) dry river bed in Turre

Although we have a fairly strict fitness regime here at Moore towers, Sunday morning usually sees me crawling from my pit, giving the daily press-ups a weekend break, and plonking myself down in front of either office or studio computer like a month old, bleary-eyed sack of potatoes.  But today Miki suggested we head out for a walk. The wind was blowing a gale, yet it was curiously warm, so donning my boots off we went. now, we’ve been on bike rides in the surrounding area, but it’s amazing what you can discover just wandering around, even when you’ve lived here for years. We had a great wander over the fields and alongside the huge, sprawling river bed which had, unbelievably , just weeks before, been a raging torrent of floodwaters.

The village of Turre from a distance. In the far background you can see the foothills of the Sierra de los Filabres, with the villages of Los Pinos on the left, and Bedar on the right.

It’s also odd to view your village from an angle you’ve never seen it from before. This all might sound a bit strange, but you’d be surprised at how much people miss what is on their doorstep, especially when you travel so far and wide and often as we do. It’s yet another reminder that we are lucky to live in such a lovely place down here in Turre, Almeria, and that when we’re here, we need to get out more!

Kev Moore

Witch Cross captured LIVE!

As we undertook our concerts across Denmark, Sweden and Holland last week, our every move onstage was captured by a plethora of fabulous photographers, and I wanted to feature some of their shots here.They’ve a got one thing in common: the ability to capture just how much fun we were having onstage! The tour was a blast, and we can’t wait to get out there in 2013, bringing Witch Cross songs old and new to you!

FROM HUGUES TIMMERMANS:

Jan, Paul & Mike: Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival, Hoorn, Holland

Kev & Jan: Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival, Hoorn, Holland

Mike & Kev: Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival, Hoorn, Holland

FROM HELENA LARSSON:

Mike & Kev: Supporting Gotthard @ Tivoli, Helsingborg, Sweden

Lars, Mike, Kev, Jan & Paul: Supporting Gotthard @Tivoli, Helsingborg, Sweden

Supporting Gotthard @ Tivoli, Helsingborg, Sweden

BY TESSA KORNUIJT:

Kev, Paul, Mike & Jan @ Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival, Hoorn, Holland

Mike @ Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival, Hoorn, Holland

Mike, Kev , Jan & Paul @ Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival, Hoorn Holland

There were so many more, from all the shows, and our thanks go out to all the photographers,  out there who took the time to document our tour and and indeed festival and venue organizers, and the guys in Gotthard who made it even more memorable!  See you on the road in 2013!

Kev Moore

Impressions of Holland – 3

The third and final part of my photographic account of some down-time in Hoorn and Amsterdam while on tour with Witch Cross last week.

The sun goes down in Hoorn….

No traffic jams on these thoroughfares….

Eddie Van Halen’s trademark guitar from his personal collection: Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam

Pink Dude

The Fabulous Leaning Buildings of Hoorn….

Well waddaya know? Calendar displaying my birthday in Hoorn market- Spooky, huh?

Hope you enjoyed the trip!

Kev Moore

Impressions of Holland – 2

Following on form my previous post Impressions of Holland – 1, here’s a few more shots from my recent visit to the Netherlands with Witch Cross.

The Amsterdam Hard Rock, where I felt suddenly moved to eat an Apple and Toffee Cobbler with Ice-Cream, because that’s the kind of guy I am….

All go on a Sunday afternoon in Amsterdam. Main train station in the far distance

Totally random but very cool building in the centre of Hoorn

Reflections of Amsterdam….

The beautiful facade of Amsterdam railway station

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, described by Churchill as “the only real man” amongst the governments-in-exile during WWII. She reigned for 58 years, longer than any other Dutch monarch, and was an inspiration to her country whilst it was occupied by that bothersome chap with the silly moustache.

Even more to come!

Kev Moore

Impressions of Holland – 1

L-R: Mike, Kev, Lars, Jan, Paul

Normally, when you’re on the road with a band, you get to see precious little of a country except the inside of your hotel room, your dressing room, and the stage. Last week though, although our schedule was pretty hectic, I did manage to explore a little of the Dutch town of Hoorn and of course Amsterdam, following our appearance at the 13th. Annual Heavy Metal Maniacs festival.(See pic above)

I thought I’d share some of those images with you on here.

Cyclemania!

I’m not sure who was taking pictures of who…..

This must be Lance Armstrong’s favourite place – a city full of bicycles and drugs!

I think the green bikes are for hire….or maybe they’re just hungover!

High-flying funfair in Amsterdam city centre

Hoorn Railway Station

Statue in Hoorn town centre. I think its a roadie carrying an Ampeg bass cab…

More to come!

Kev Moore

Hamburg Express

Coffee and Shadows

Well, Kiel, via Hamburg airport actually. A last-minute call from our German promoter on Friday night resulted in me being on a 737 heading for Germany on Saturday morning, and a rendezvous with BC Sweet and a few thousand fans at the Sparkassen arena in Kiel. It all happened so fast, I barely got chance to say hi to the guys before jumping on stage with them, without any kind of soundcheck. As is so often the case with this kind of scenario, it went very well indeed. Sometimes it’s better not to think!

I had a distinctly ordinary-looking coffee in Alicante airport (Haagen-daaz cafe, take note: your standards are slipping) and read about original Shadows bassist Tony Meehan’s exclusion form the re-union dates with Cliff Richard. Bass players always get a raw deal!

Nice comfy chairs backstage only really got some use post-gig. No time to relax beforehand!

Three Piece Sweet

There was a touch of Christmas spirit around in Germany this weekend. Everywhere you went, you ended up with a chocolate Santa. I found this one on my pillow. Miraculously, it made it back to Miki without being eaten!

Santa says: "Froliche Weinacht"

Although I managed to get a late breakfast at the hotel (the others having to suffer the ignominy of a 7am departure) I still spent most of Sunday here in Hamburg airport.

Busy doing nothing.....

Earthshine...novelty lamps in the foreground as every plane except mine prepares for departure

Away across Europe at 12 hours notice for a total of 50 hours, and all to appear on stage for 35 minutes. What a peculiar job I have!

Muted winter sun on a misty morning

P.S. You can see more pics in CAFECREM

Kev Moore