David Gogo
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Notes from the Road - 2008

12-Nov-08 - David Gogo while in UK writes...
Man, the British guys are nice! Pete Haycock, Aynsley Lister, Larry Miller and Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes have all been super cool at the shows that we've done together.

Got to finally meet Paul Jones at the BBC and really enjoyed the interview. He even joined me on harp for two songs!

I've been trying to get healthy on this trip so I'm eating a lot more fruit. It's called Bulmer's Cider! Mmm , mmm , good - Vitamins C and A(lcohol )!

Can't believe that I'm almost home. This was a long one! Worth it, though. I feel that we've made some good progress in Europe and it will pave the way for next year's new album release and tour. Can't wait to get home and watch my Habs!!

12-Nov-08 - David Gogo while in Wolverhampton, UK writes...
I just found out that Mitch Mitchell has passed away. We're losing too many of these guys!!
5-Nov-08 - David Gogo while in UK writes...
Whew! What a trip! I'm really getting around -- Copenhagen, Nice, Lausanne, Amsterdam, Munich, Berlin, Paris ...

We had a great day in Downtown Paris, but what a shocking neighborhood we stayed in. It's amazing what a difference six or seven stops on the Metro can make. We went from holding on to our wallets and fearing for our lives to eating duck confit and sipping Kir Royales at a sidewalk brasserie enjoying the culture!

Digging "Little Britain" DVDs and "Borat".

Haven't played much in the UK so I'm looking forward to it.

Jotting down new song ideas like crazy.

Just checked out Magic Sam on YouTube. I forgot what a huge influence he was on me. Kick  ass!

Just missed Johnny Winter in Germany. Missing all the Dylan Canadian tour! Poo! Oh well...

27-Oct-08 - David Gogo while in Munich, Germany writes...
Wow! It's been a busy trip so far, but a lot of fun. The gigs are going very well and the food has been excellent! My new diet of daily Schnitzel hasn't been a huge success in terms of wieght loss, but what the hell! I whip down to Nice for a quick solo show tomorrow then back to Germany. I've always wanted to see the south of France, but this wasn't how I'd planned it! Sat in with Pete Haycock (Climax Blues Band) in Hamburg. Nice guys, great players. Opened for Pat Travers, as well. Missing my amazing Habs! Trying to come up with song ideas while I'm out here so I can get down to some serious writing when I get home. Looking forward to it. Gotta go , sound check time!
12-Sep-08 - David Gogo while in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canda writes...
Let's see, time for a bit of catch up.

I saw some good concerts lately including Peter Frampton, The Neville Brothers (Aaron made me cry) and The Black Crowes.

I enjoyed dinner with Ken Hamm at a Tim William's show on beautiful Vancouver Island. We managed to amuse and amaze each other with our baffling bullshit and blues gossip.

Did a last minute weekend at The Yale in Vancouver with a completely new band. This kept me on my toes but we managed to rock in spite of it all. Played two cool festivals the following weekend, the first in Quebec City, where I managed to catch up with Coco Montoya and we had a good time in the rain. The very next night we played the Dutch Mason Blues Festival in Truro/Bible Hill, Nova Scotia. I also got to see James Cotton and Hubert Sumlin. I had to hug Hubert and tell him that he was the man. He insisted that he wasn't so we agreed that he might not be THE man, but he's definitely ONE of the men! Miss Bonnie Raitt did not fail to impress - she played her ass off (and what a great ass it is!). Bullshitted with Morgan David backstage and again with J.W. Jones and finally got to see Garrett Mason. Both festivals were treats. They were cool and we were well looked after.

A few weeks later we returned to Tucson's in Ottawa and had a really big crowd despite the fact that it was a school night. Then we headed to Haliburton, Ontario and very much enjoyed 'Safari North'. Next, we crossed the border to Alexandria Bay, NY for boat rides, excellent food, and a rockin' set.

Next week, I get to appear on a talk show at the Vancouver Comedy Festival hosted by Andy Kindler. I'm a big fan of his, especially on 'Root of All Evil'. Other guests include, Janeane Garofalo and Tim Meadows. I'm looking forward to this experience!

That's all for now...smell you later!

4-Jun-08 - David Gogo while in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada writes...
Did you know that I was Bo Diddley's guitarist for a night? What a day that was!

I was woken up to the news that Stevie Ray Vaughan had been killed. Fuck! What a shock.

After a few calls to some of my blues buddies to confirm the worst, I left my girlfriend's place and headed to my parent's house. In the midst of my sorrow I got a phone call asking me to play guitar for Bo Diddley at Harpo's in Victoria that night. Hmmm... interesting way to lose the blues!

I had to scramble to get some gear together (all my stuff was in Vancouver, guitar included!) and head down island with my buddy Michael.

Bo had a band of top notch cats from Vancouver and we rehearsed at sound check. He was very friendly and musically astute. He told me to play like I would at my own show. He said, "I can tell that you're good, so play the way you always play, don't be shy. But I'll tell you just one thing. Whatever you do, DO NOT play the Bo Diddley beat! That's what I do!"

So I didn't! We did two sold out shows that night which the band and I opened with a few songs dedicated to Stevie. Bo really liked that and compared the day to the way he felt when he heard about Buddy Holly's death. An amazing night with an amazing guy. Ride on, Mr. Diddley!

1-May-08 - David Gogo while in Melle, Germany writes...
Back in Europe!!

During my brief time home, I got a real good whiff of good old Canadian touring. Riding the back mountain roads from Kelowna to Rossland to Cranbrook while being chased by a snowstorm. Nothing like it!! Beautiful country, I love it . Never been to Rossland or Trail before, if you can believe it. Drummer Gordan Grant Baird was worried between tokes that he might be travelling with a gay couple because of Jay's and my obsession with antiqueing! Jesus Christ!

The old Vangina barely made it home with a broken water pump. You'd think it was a boat with all the money I spend repairing that damn thing!

Had a gas rocking the Yale. I hope it keeps it's funk after the renos.

Flew in day of show to Switzerland to start the Trower tour. I was knackered! What a treat touring with Robin and band. I'm learning things! Nice fellas. Had a good bullshit with Pete the drummer over the merits of the Kinks. Now there's a re-union tour I'd love to see!

I caught six songs from Shelby Lynne in Vancouver the other night. Mesmerizing.

I have a rare day off on the road here. Good thing - it took me 45 minutes just to get a fucking drink at the hotel bar... maybe I'll go for a swim. Perhaps a back wax first?!?

4-Apr-08 - David Gogo while in Bierbeek, Belgium writes...
Well, despite the weird little beds, this hotel seems alright. Free wireless internet, free tea in the lobby and a vending machine that sells beer in the hallway. Too cool ! You go, Belgium!

The hotel in Hamburg wanted 17 Euros for internet. 17 fucking Euros!! That kinda defeats the purpose of Skype!

While in Hamburg I went to see Albert Lee. That little bugger can play! He got Kingsize Taylor up to sing from the old Star Club days.

Gonna rock Belgium tonight -- looking forward to it.

I have a strange itinerary this trip. A couple shows then a couple days of press, and so on. Hard to keep the Rock on an even keel, but at least it's a little easier on the fingers!!

I love my Habs. To show that I'm a gentle sportsman, I won't mention anything about the stinkin' Leafs or the Canuckleheads... Ed: oops he just did ;).

1-Apr-08 - David Gogo while in Bremen, Germany writes...
Am I really in Europe again?!?

The shows in Denmark were cool; very enthusiastic crowds.

I just taped a Radio Bremen show that will be aired on Sunday. I think you can get it on these internets somewhere...

I'm excited to be touring with Robin Trower soon. I've been a fan for a long time.

YouTube is my new TV on the road. Check out: "Jimmy Jams With Elvis", "Mr. Show Teardrop Awards" and all "Derek And Clive".

Going to Hamburg tomorrow. Hoping to go to the Star Club then see Albert Lee in the evening.

The summer is starting to shape up nicely. Keep checking the "Tour Dates" as we have to wait to announce some dates.

iTunes is my other addiction out here. My playlist is kooky: Albert Collins, Kim Carnes, Cheech and Chong, Badfinger, Tonic, Johnny Winter, Jim Gaffigan, The Boxtops... you get the picture!

Enjoying the evening off, but a man can only eat so much schnitzel!! Guten Nacht!

3-Mar-08 - David Gogo while in Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada writes...
I went down to the local Co-op to grab a paper and check the hockey scores and... what a kick in the gut. We lost Jeff Healey.

During my recent European tour I saw posters all over for his upcoming performances there. I took this as a sign that his health had improved but, sadly, this was not the case. I was lucky to have Jeff guest on She's Alright on my Vibe album. When I perform the song live I have to dig deep to try and nail the solo he played!

We've lost a huge talent and a hell of a nice guy.

26-Feb-08 - David Gogo while in the Maple Leaf Lounge at the Toronto Airport writes...
Almost home! Only two more planes...I didn't count on the 24 hour layover in Stinktown!

So, Bob Gainey... I hope it is better to give than to receive! I understand trading Huet on a business level but I hope it doesn't upset the team chemistry.

Can't wait to be back on the coast. Europe was geat, but hey...

Looking forward to getting back into songwriting soon.

I think I need a big, juicy, fuckin' steak... maybe tomorrow!

22-Feb-08 - David Gogo while in Luxembourg writes...
Wow! Real castles! Groovy!

So my new favourite thing is German guys who smoke in the laundromat. Thanks , guys! I think I prefer my own stink over your ashtray!!!

The shows have been great and we've been very busy with TV and radio spots during the little downtime we have. It's been great but I'm looking forward to being home for a while... which isn't happening as I am going to Toronto for the Indie Awards. Nice to be nominated!

Wish I could have seen the big Habs/Rangers game. Trade deadline is right around the corner....

Went to the Dachau site yesterday. Powerful stuff. We don't get to check out alot of sites because we're so busy but we got up early for this...

I can't believe that I'm coming all the way back over here in a month! Gotta go, soundcheck time....

13-Feb-08 - David Gogo while in Aschaffenburg, Germany writes...
Well, I'm back here in the Europe after a quick trip home to do laundry.

Had a fabulous gig on Hornby Island (of course!).

France was good. Great people, amazing food and wine.

Now I'm back in Germany where gas stations have a better selection of booze than most liquor stores back home!

I'm not much for junkfood, but I kinda like those Bounty bars. I much prefer dark chocolate over milk, though. Guess what? This morning in Nurnberg I found Bounty Dark! Who says life on the road isn't exciting?!?

We've rejoined the Wishbone Ashers, so back to bigger venues and serious touring. I do get to do some sight seeing today, sooo.......See ya!!!

27-Jan-08 - David Gogo while in Bochum, Germany writes...
Well , so far so good! The Wishbone Ash tour has been fun. We seem to be gaining some new fans and meeting longtime followers too.

Wishbone Ash and crew are very easy to get along with and they draw a great crowd.

Despite the number of cities we go to, there's not much time for sight seeing! Very busy! However, I'll be on the lookout for Jagerschnitzel tomorrow in Berlin!

Oh yeah, we're playing as a trio on this tour. That is not my favourite scenario but I'm still having a good time with Ronald Oor on drums (played with him a few years back) and Ruud Weber on bass. Both are Holland based and good guys. We're having some laughs.

I am trying to shake the cough I got in the prairies recently, what a big fat drag, but the Saskatchewan and Alberta dates were fantastic.

I'm going home for a few days on January 28th, then returning to Europe for the second leg of the Wishbone Ash tour on Februry 4th with dates starting in Paris! Forever Onward!