Gig review: Paradiso, Amsterdam Running around Amsterdam all whacked off on scooby snacks... Going to Amsterdam to see the Fun Lovin' Criminals play at the Paradiso, was a bit of a last minute thing that panned out freakily well. We met up with Troy at the airport and got the
shuttle bus to drop us off smack bang outside the hotel. We then wandered and found that we're only a two-minute walk from the venue. The Paradiso isn't obviously signed, so we only knew we where at the right
place because the tour bus and trucks were trying to park up as we were walking past... perfectly timed. Troy went off and found Skills and made sure everything was cool for the evening whilst Wendy and I hung
around outside (trying not to look like groupies!) until Troy emerged with Skills and we were introduced. Later, with the full compliment of people, we took Skills up on his invitation to go inside... Seeing the
Paradiso empty is quite eerie (and rolling up in an old church?... very strange!). As we were leaving, we passed the band arriving for the sound check and Troy stopped to chat briefly with Fast and co.
The gig was absolutely excellent, I tell no lie! I loved the gigs at After the gig, the place doesn't empty... There's a band on in a smaller hall up the stairs and the
disco keeps playing in the main hall. We hang around in the main hall for a bit (near the bar, of course). Matteo's wandering in and out and Fast appears, Troy wanders off for a chat. A bit
later on, I have what I'll describe as, 'a f**ked-up conversaton' with Matteo - Matteo did the conversing and I did f**ked-up (a strange combination of shyness and smokes)!! [Apologies to
Matteo for my burbling!!]. Anyway, after trying a gracefully withdraw from that encounter, Troy introduced me to Fast and I was passed the mutha of all smokes as we chatted. These
guys know how to roll (as if there was ever any doubt!) Later on, Troy goes back to the hotel and Wendy and I, suddenly having a second lease of life,
decide to go up to the after show party (in the smaller hall, once the other band have finished) along with Isa and Scilla. The girls spot Huey propped at the bar and make a b-line in his
direction. I get the drinks in (admittedly only Sprite - it's been a long day!). More rolling up later, and I decide it's as good a time as any to say hi to Huey. I introduce myself, he
introduces himself. "Hi, I'm Huey" - 'no shit' I think, as he smirks finding it vaguely amusing too. We chat a little before I start to get that incoherent-mumbling feeling that tells me I need
to roll up some more (or not, as the case may have been) and withdraw. Afterwards, we have the pleasure of Winston's company as he'd wandered over to 'borrow a
paper' and we ended up chatting and joking for what was left of the evening. Monday afternoon loomed and we finally crawl out of our pits and take a wander doing the
touristy bit. Returning to the hotel, we meet up with Troy again and hang out for a bit in the room. At around 5 the phone rings... It's Fast! I hand the phone over to Troy and they make
arrangements to meet up before the gig. Some lost hours later, we make a move back to the Paradiso. Eventually, FLC decide its time to make a move to the stage - surprisingly only about 20 minutes
later than usual. Wendy and I make a sharp exit so I can restock on smokes and return to find the venue absolutely jam packed. We end up right at the very very top back balcony - a good
view but quite far away. It was unfortunate that we missed the first twenty minutes or so but we get back in time to hear Huey dedicate a track to Troy. The audience lap up All For Self
which is played straight into Loco, King of New York (la de da!), 10th Street and Southside. The guys then take a breather and do yet another superb rendition of Starwars a la Huey style. This is followed by Bump, Love unlimited and an extremely well received Scooby Snacks. Where the Bums Go and Run
Daddy Run are also well received, before Back on the Block (also partly dedicated to Troy) and my personal favorite, My Sin. They then close the set with Big Night Out and the
audience are going mad. They can't get enough of it - throughout the whole of the encore break the audience's cheer doesn't drop for a second. When FLC come back out
on stage and much to everyone's delight, they do Half a Block, followed by Mini Bar Blues. They then dedicate Smoke Em to the people of Amsterdam, "the only people who
can smoke more than us!" says Huey. We then get Underground, before the lap steel is brought out and a well chuffed Huey, gets to mess around on it for Little Song,
before closing with We Have All The Time In The World. Yet another superb gig. A cab ride later and we're at this tiny bar where the after show party is. We squeeze past
Huey and Matteo and order our drinks (eventually). Fast spots Troy and wanders over from the corner, asks if we'd like a drink. Huey also turns round and starts talking to Troy whilst
politely trying to include Wendy and I in the conversation. A bit later, Winston shows (having made sure everything is packed away for the journey to Stuttgart in the early hours) and we chat.
As three o'clock comes round, the bar calls last orders a Thanks to Troy for letting us tag along with him :-) Thanks to FLC and the crew for an
excellent two nights. And a special thanks to Skills and Fast for being so gracious and showing us such hospitality. |
The venue is an old converted church (ornate glass windows 'n' all) and the acoustics was what you'd expect for such a building. We arrived early so went to the first
floor balcony and found some seats at the front to the left of the stage and waited it out whilst listening to the ever cool tunes and scratchin' of Mateo doing his DJ stint. The band opened just
after 9:15 with The Fun Lovin' Criminal. I wont got into the set list... to be honest, I really can't remember! (a small drawback of being able to smoke the weed LEGALLY at an FLC gig? Nah... I've just
got a shit memory when it comes to lists and stuff.) What I do remember though is FLC do the best acting school I've seen to date. If you're not familiar with Huey's acting school, think Starwars
Episode 4 (the original one) with Darth Vadar played Bobbie De Niro style courtesy of Huey, and Obe Won played Al Pacino style courtesy of Matteo. The finale being in the form of, "Mackie shoot this
piece of shit". Guess you have to be there! I also have vague memories of a rendition of a Johnny Cash song (Delia's Gone), and Huey nearly landing on his ass from running around swigging beer and
puffing ciggies kindly donated by the audience.
Inside, the band (minus Mackie,
who's gone AWOL!!?) are finishing up the sound check. I roll up, and we sit at the side, listen to the sound check and have a smoke... Sound check over, we wander off to this nice little Italian
restaurant. The company's cool and the food was delicious (though Winston had to ask for a double serving when they brought his out... he took one look at the serving, indicated to the waiter
the size of himself and frowned... they took his point!). A few glasses of wine later and its about ten to nine and they're supposed to be on stage 9:15. So its time to make a move (via the bulldog) back to the
gig. We get back to the Paradiso and go in the side door, whilst Winston disappears to go find us our passes. When he returns he invites us downstairs to the dressing room. Fast has already
disappeared to get changed. Huey exchanges some fashion tips with Mackie, before wandering off to get suited-up himself. And when they return, dressed impeccably, a guy hands everyone
a tequila and we all toast. Why can't I get tequila that tastes that smooth?! 
nd starts ushering people out. So we
make our way out and everyone hangs around outside for a bit. Troy asks me to take a photo with Fast, and we also have pictures taken with Winston and Huey (with one for Huey's mom (pictured) ...see