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Journal 41

on Fri 17th June 2016Mon 29th March 2021

NEW ZEALAND / AUSTRALIA JOURNAL #8 (Part 1)

17/06/2016

Day 8. Sydney (Part 1)

Ford Mustang GT. Nazareth and Focus on the 8 track machine. Tommy Saxondale eat your heart out.

That is all.

-Bruce

by jfng

Categories

2016, Bruce's Away Days

Upcoming Gigs

Princess Pavilion
Falmouth, Cornwall, England
Tue 15th October 2024
Princess Pavilion
Tickets
Phoenix
Exeter, Devon, England
Wed 16th October 2024
Exeter Phoenix
Moved from 18th October.
Tickets
o2 Academy
Boscombe, Bournemouth, England
Thu 17th October 2024
o2 Academy
Tickets
Marine Theatre
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
Sun 20th October 2024
Marine Theatre
Tickets
The Flowerpot
Derby, England
Thu 24th October 2024
The Flowerpot
Tickets
De Valence Pavilion
Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Fri 25th October 2024
De Valence Pavilion
Tickets
Tivoli
Buckley, Flintshire, Wales
Sat 26th October 2024
Tivoli
Tickets
Kulttuuritalo
Helsinki, Finland
Tue 29th October 2024
Kulttuuritalo
Tickets
Parr Hall
Warrington, Cheshire, England
Fri 1st November 2024
Parr Hall
Tickets
Keele University
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Nr. Stoke-on-Trent, England
Sat 2nd November 2024
Keele Univeristy Student Union
Tickets
Brewery Arts Centre
Kendal, Lancashire, England
Fri 8th November 2024
Brewery Arts Centre
Tickets
Old Fire Station
Carlisle, Cumbria, England
Sat 9th November 2024
Old Fire Station
Tickets

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Twitter

Big Country Follow 1,666 12,877

Official Twitter page for the British rock group, Big Country.

BigCountryUK
Retweet on Twitter Big Country Retweeted
mydolans avatar; Dolans Limerick @mydolans ·
29 Sep 1840315581955817813

***TONIGHT IN DOLANS***
Big Country
+ special guests The Psychs
Dolans Warehouse
Sun Sept 29th
Doors 8pm
Tickets here: https://dolans.yapsody.com/event/index/791231/big-country

@BigCountryUK
@MPIArtists

Image for the Tweet beginning: ***TONIGHT IN DOLANS*** Big Country + special Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1840315581955817813 Retweet on Twitter 1840315581955817813 3 Like on Twitter 1840315581955817813 9 Twitter 1840315581955817813
Retweet on Twitter Big Country Retweeted
OpiumLiveDublin avatar; OpiumLiveDublin @OpiumLiveDublin ·
27 Aug 1828402833617502498

NEXT MONTH

Scottish Rock band @BigCountryUK bring their 'Return To Steeltown' 40th Anniversary tour to Opium Live, Dublin on Sept 27th.

https://opium.ie/events/big-country/

Image for the Tweet beginning: NEXT MONTH Scottish Rock band @BigCountryUK Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1828402833617502498 Retweet on Twitter 1828402833617502498 4 Like on Twitter 1828402833617502498 10 Twitter 1828402833617502498
Retweet on Twitter Big Country Retweeted
tickets_ie avatar; tickets.ie @tickets_ie ·
28 Aug 1828793217976070282

⚠️ 𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 ⚠️

Just a handful of tickets left for @BigCountryUK's "back to Steeltown" 40th Anniversary tour stop at @OpiumLiveDublin on the 27th of September. With special guests @the_psychs

🎟 👉 https://bit.ly/BigCountry-Sep

#blackdogmusicltd
@ToxicJohn11

Image for the Tweet beginning: ⚠️ 𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 ⚠️ Just Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1828793217976070282 Retweet on Twitter 1828793217976070282 3 Like on Twitter 1828793217976070282 7 Twitter 1828793217976070282
Retweet on Twitter Big Country Retweeted
thealarm avatar; thealarm.com @thealarm ·
28 Aug 1828705473643626928

Happy Anniversary Mike & Jules ❤️
27/08/1988

Image for the Tweet beginning: Happy Anniversary Mike & Jules Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1828705473643626928 Retweet on Twitter 1828705473643626928 8 Like on Twitter 1828705473643626928 233 Twitter 1828705473643626928
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Facebook Posts

Big Country
1 day ago
Big Country

Big Country Proud to announce we are performing in Helsinki on Tuesday 29th October. Ticket link below!

www.lippu.fi/artist/big-country/big-country-3637622/ ... See MoreSee Less

Big Country Proud to announce we are performing in Helsinki on Tuesday 29th October. Ticket link below! https://www.lippu.fi/artist/big-country/big-country-3637622/
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10 CommentsComment on Facebook

Who’s on drums ?

You need to make an announcement about the future of the tour, and the future of the band. Stop leaving the fans in the dark.

Its nae BC anymore.....its a tribute band

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Big Country
7 days ago
Big Country

Apologies , nightmare of last two days for Scottish contingent travelling to Walsall and Coventry. Band Splitter Van broke down en route yesterday around 1.30pm. After a long wait, Road Relay delivered band and van on a low loader to a garage in Wigan.
They managed to get a car and transit to transport people and minimal equipment, no room for merchandise or backdrop etc! Arrived at Walsall, with only time for quick line check, then directly onstage.
Trip to Birmingham today secured them a crew bus to help them get to Coventry and home tomorrow. ... See MoreSee Less

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31 CommentsComment on Facebook

Yes it was all a bit last minute I am the lad with the transit van that took the equipment and 2 of the band down to walsall considering we only left Wigan at 5.20 we made Walsall with the band having less than an hour to get organised but fair play to all the lads they turned it round and put a great show on with no time to prepare anything. ohh and I got to be a roadie for the night 😄

I was there for the Walsall gig and they were sensational. Steeltown is a great 2nd LP in any era, but to be played with such freshness and desire was worth its weight in gold. Come back soon....

Thank you all gents, you stayed with us Friday night. Regardless of the pressure you were all under to get a van and get to Coventry you were fabulous guests and an absolute pleasure to look after!! Now forever a fan! Please come back to walsall and see us again x

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Big Country
2 weeks ago
Big Country

Best News Ever regarding our Amazing friends! If you’re not on it and are legible, PLEASE Get on The List! All it is, is a cheek swab! YOU could save a life!

www.facebook.com/share/p/dyS6ZBRKGSrW5CL1/?mibextid=WC7FNeA Personal Message from Mike Peters

Hello Everyone,

I’m writing from The Christie Hospital in Manchester where I have just been informed by Professor Adrian Bloor that, following the completion of the Stellar Clinical Trial (involving the drug Alcalabrutinib) and R-Chop chemotherapy, I am now in Complete Remission.

This means that I am also now in position to have a Stem Cell Transplant from an unrelated matched donor.

It is momentous news, especially when considering that I was only diagnosed with the aggressive Richter’s Syndrome last April and told that without treatment, I could expect to live for just 2-12 months.

I owe this miraculous turnaround to the endeavours of all at The Christie Hospital, Professor Bloor and his outstanding Haematology team, to the dedication and professionalism of the nursing staff on the Day Care Unit in Department 26 and the unwavering service of the specialist nurses who run the clinical trials program. I am also indebted to Dr. Heartin and his team at the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre for reacting so quickly, and referring me to The Christie when the first symptoms appeared at the end of April.

As a Richter’s Syndrome patient, I know I am very lucky to have achieved Remission and most certainly couldn’t have made it this far without the love and support from my wife Jules and two sons Dylan and Evan. Everyone involved has supported me and my passion for music and helped me to walk the often tricky path to getting on stage and remaining free from infection, especially when I was deep into the five cycles of R-Chop Chemotherapy.

The fans who turned up to show their loyalty made themselves known at every show and I will be forever grateful to them for sharing in the concert experiences over these challenging last few months.

The ordeal is not over yet however, in fact the toughest challenge of the Stem Cell Transplant can only be faced once the search for the matching blood stem cell donor is complete.

The transplant team at the Christie, are now searching the international registries to find the right person to match with me, and as soon as that identification has been made, then I could be called into hospital to begin the conditioning process at any minute.

In the way that someone out there in the world and unknown to me, is going to help save my life, it’s still not too late to register yourself on to the registry and save a life.

If you are between the ages of 18 and 55, please follow this link and get on the list now.

Love. Hope Strength,

Mike Peters
30th September 2024

The Alarm frontman takes part in blood cancer clinical trial

Mike Peters (65), frontman for internationally acclaimed rock band, The Alarm, who was diagnosed with a rapidly progressive blood cancer earlier this year, has seen his cancer melt away after taking a new combination of blood cancer drugs being trialled at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.

The Welsh musician was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia* (CLL) more than 29 years ago. CLL is the most common type of leukaemia and is usually slow growing. It normally responds to treatment however cannot be cured. Mike had received four courses of chemotherapy since he was first diagnosed.

In April this year, just before he was about to embark on a 50-date tour of the United States, he felt a lump in his neck whilst shaving which had appeared overnight. A biopsy of the lump showed that he had developed Richter’s syndrome where his CLL changed into an aggressive fast-growing lymphoma. Mike was forced to cancel his tour and disappoint thousands of fans.

The North Wales-based father of two sons, Dylan and Evan and married to Jules, was referred from the North Wales Cancer Centre to The Christie where he agreed to take part in a randomised phase II clinical trial investigating the combination of a targeted therapy called acalabrutinib, in combination with standard chemotherapy. Although acalabrutinib is already approved for CLL, it has not been tested in combination with chemotherapy for Richter's Syndrome. The aim of this new combined therapy is to increase both the chance of the cancer responding to treatment and the duration of the response.

Two weeks after diagnosis Mike started the first of five cycles of chemotherapy and a scan in August showed that there are currently no signs of cancer which doctors describe as ‘complete remission’. The plan is now to go ahead with a donor stem cell transplant which will offer Mike the chance of finally being cured of the disease.

Commenting on the trial, Mike Peters said: “I went to the doctor just five days before I was due to fly to Chicago for the first date of a three-month North American tour. It’s been a tough few months to say the least. I can’t thank The Christie enough for getting me on this clinical trial. I consider myself lucky I discovered the lump before I’d left for The States, as I might not be here now if I hadn’t. Doctors told me without treatment I only had a couple of months to live which was a huge shock. The drugs worked so quickly, and the lump disappeared as fast as it appeared. I’d encourage anyone to consider taking part in a clinical trial if that is a viable option for them.

“When I was first diagnosed with cancer in 1995, I decided that I would not let the disease rob me of a single minute of my life. I have continued to perform as The Alarm at many UK festivals through-out the summer including a couple of big shows with Status Quo. The nursing staff think I’m crazy, but playing music keeps me mentally strong and able to face the ordeal of chemotherapy. I also make sure I stay as fit as I can, walk five miles a day with my dog Ziggy, and DJ every Friday at my wife, Jules' bar The Red in our village of Dyserth. I now need to find the right match for the stem cell transplant** and if it’s successful, and with the incredible help of the team at The Christie, endeavour to find a way to be cured once and for all.”

Professor Adrian Bloor, consultant haematologist at The Christie, and leading the STELLAR trial at The Christie said: “Richter’s Syndrome is a rare disease affecting a small percentage of patients with CLL. There are still very few effective and well tolerated treatments with patients that develop this condition. It is hoped that the combination of acalabrutinib with chemotherapy will be effective in treating Richter’s Syndrome and stopping it coming back. Once Mike has completed his course of chemotherapy, we will be looking to do the stem cell transplant in the autumn.”

Blood Cancer UK funds the research through part of the Trials Acceleration Program (TAP). Dr Richard Francis, Deputy Director of Research at Blood Cancer UK, said:
“Blood cancer is the UK’s third largest cancer killer, and our latest research shows blood cancer survival lags behind countries of similar wealth and health. All of us at Blood Cancer UK are pleased to hear that Mike has responded well to treatment so far and continues to make good progress. It’s further proof clinical trials designed to rapidly assess what treatment combinations work, improves people’s lives. Yet more must be done for those affected by leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and that’s why we’re committed to improving access to blood cancer clinical trials across the UK, regardless of where people live or who they are.”

Between 2 and 10 out of every 100 people (2-10%) with CLL develop Richter's syndrome. This means the CLL changes into a type of lymphoma, and can happen quite quickly.

Blood Cancer UK Clinical Trials Support nurses are available between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday (except Bank holidays). They can help by providing personalised support around understanding if participating in a blood cancer clinical trial could be right for you. For more information see:https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/clinical-trials-support-service/

AstraZeneca provided the drug for the study, and the pharmaceutical company has also provided an educational grant to cover the cost of the laboratory work.

This STELLAR trial aims to recruit 60 participants across the UK, and is run by the Dr Toby A. Eyre in Oxford. The trial is coordinated via the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Birmingham and is still open to recruitment. Any patients interested in taking part in clinical trials should discuss this option with their consultant or GP. Not all patients will fit the criteria for a specific trial. While clinical trials can be successful for some patients, outcomes can vary from case to case. More information about taking part in clinical trials can be found here.



*CLL or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

**A stem cell transplant is a procedure that infuses healthy blood-forming stem cells into the body to replace bone marrow that's not producing enough healthy blood cells.



About The Christie

• The Christie is a specialist cancer centre in Manchester and has more than 120 years of expertise in cancer care, research and education. It is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year.

• It is the largest provider of radiotherapy in the NHS (including high energy proton beam therapy and MR guided radiotherapy); it is home to the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK; and is a specialist surgical centre concentrating on rare cancers and complex procedures.

• The Christie is one of Europe's largest experimental cancer medicine centres and an international leader in research and development with around 900 clinical studies ongoing at any one time.

• The Christie charity provides enhanced services for patients over and above what the NHS funds. ... See MoreSee Less

Best News Ever regarding our Amazing friends! If you’re not on it and are legible, PLEASE Get on The List! All it is, is a cheek swab! YOU could save a life! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/dyS6ZBRKGSrW5CL1/?mibextid=WC7FNe
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Wonderful news

Thank you Big Country for all your love and support. See you on Friday! 🎸🥁

68 guns will never die !!!

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Big Country
2 weeks ago
Big Country

Limelight Belfast Tonight!

Please Note BC are on at 8PM tonight!

𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 ➡️Due to demand Big Country has been upgraded to The Limelight 1!

Remaining tix >> bit.ly/BCsept26 ... See MoreSee Less

Limelight Belfast Tonight! Please Note BC are on at 8PM tonight! 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 ➡️Due to demand Big Country has been upgraded to The Limelight 1! Remaining tix >> bit.ly/BCsept26
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11 CommentsComment on Facebook

Brilliant night! Loved it

Is it 8 pm tonight in Dublin?

It was an outstanding concert!

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bigcountryofficial
*******FEW REMAINING TICKETS****** Friday 3rd May *******FEW REMAINING TICKETS****** Friday 3rd May 2024 The Rockin’ Chair Wrexham https://skiddle.com/e/37193041
See you in Steeltown. !!! See you in Steeltown. !!!
Not long now! Few Tickets remaining .Sure to a gre Not long now! Few Tickets remaining .Sure to a great few nights! https://bigcountry.co.uk/gigs
40 years today, The Crossing was released. The w 40 years today, The Crossing was released. The world of music has not been the same since.
Out Now! The 4CD Deluxe Edition of Driving To Dama Out Now! The 4CD Deluxe Edition of Driving To Damascus includes the live-in-the-studio Nashville Sessions, single versions, alternate mixes from the US release ‘John Wayne’s Dream’ and two discs of demos. Order here - cherryred.co/DrivingToDamascus
Out Now! The 4CD Deluxe Edition of Driving To Dama Out Now! The 4CD Deluxe Edition of Driving To Damascus includes the live-in-the-studio Nashville Sessions, single versions, alternate mixes from the US release ‘John Wayne’s Dream’ and two discs of demos. Order here - cherryred.co/DrivingToDamascus ;
Coming in June from Cherry Red Records, a 4CD delu Coming in June from Cherry Red Records, a 4CD deluxe edition of Driving To Damascus. The set includes the live-in-the-studio Nashville Sessions, single versions, alternate mixes from the US release ‘John Wayne’s Dream’ and two discs of demos. Released 30th June, you can pre-order from here: cherryred.co/DrivingToDamascus
A wee stop at an “infamous” spot on our travel A wee stop at an “infamous” spot on our travels.
Big Country’s first live album ‘Without The Ai Big Country’s first live album ‘Without The Aid Of A Safety Net’, is coming out 27th August on 180g triple vinyl. Recorded at The Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow 1993, it features many of their classic tracks such as ‘Wonderland’, ‘Look Away’ and ‘Fields Of Fire’ with another 8 previously unreleased tracks. Coming that same day, ‘The Buffalo Skinners’, Big Country’s sixth album is released on 180g double vinyl. It features reworkings of ‘Ships’ and ‘We’re Not In Kansas’. It also includes the demo of ‘Buffalo Skinners’, as well as the US mix of ‘The One I Love’. Pre-orders for both albums plus a bundle are live now: https://bigcountry.tmstor.es/ The Buffalo Skinners pre-order link - https://bigcountry.lnk.to/bs2lp Without The Aid Of A Safety Net pre-order link - https://bigcountry.lnk.to/sn3LP
BIG COUNTRY WORLD TOUR 2021.... SATURDAY 3RD APRI BIG COUNTRY WORLD TOUR 2021.... SATURDAY 3RD APRIL 8PM... We are delighted to bring you our first full band electric set for over a year! For one night only we are going on a world tour and you can access this unique event (stream) by following the link and purchasing a ticket. The gig will be screened 6 times on Saturday 3rd April so you can view the show anywhere in the world. All you need to do now is get your ticket and get the beers chilling!!! Ticket Link: https://live.streamdigital.tv/ This show was professionally recorded under strict Covid-19 protocols. Mark Brzezicki Simon Hough Bruce Watson Jamie Watson Scott Whitley
AVAILABLE NOW! https://www.cherryred.co.uk/produc AVAILABLE NOW! https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/big-country-out-beyond-the-river-the-compulsion-years-anthology-5cd-1dvd-remastered-boxset/
Big Country returns to New York City on Thursday, Big Country returns to New York City on Thursday, March 5th at Sony Hall in Midtown Manhattan. Limited ltickets are still available at https://www1.ticketmaster.com/big-country-new-york-new-york-03-05-2020/event/00005773D6368401?brand=sonyhall&camefrom=cfc_sonyhall_200305artist
Ready to crack the code. Ready to crack the code.
Bring me sunshine! Bring me sunshine!
Nice to see our old mate in Exeter for a good catc Nice to see our old mate in Exeter for a good catchup before the gig
Return of the headless guitarist!!! Return of the headless guitarist!!!
Melbourne 17/03/18 Melbourne you were fantastic Melbourne 17/03/18 Melbourne you were fantastic tonight! Meet local legend Big Andy Inkster. Andy has in his hands the very rare Australian release of our first single 'Harvest Home' while Mark and I have Skippy's sawn off scrotum in ours. I can honestly say that this is the first time someone has actually bought me a body part. Not sure what I will keep in it though, maybe some plectrums or used bus tickets. Maybe some of you good people could come up with some suggestions. That is all.
Well that's it - 7 gig's played to 7 great crowds Well that's it - 7 gig's played to 7 great crowds in Germany over the past 7 days. Thanks a million to all the fans over here who turned out despite the atrocious weather conditions - special shout out to those who traveled here from overseas!!. It's been a tough one, but it's been an unforgettable blast -Scott Whitley
Change of kit for Mark tonight in Milton Keynes #B Change of kit for Mark tonight in Milton Keynes #BigCountry #mk11livemusicvenue
Big Country being inducted into the Cavern "Wall o Big Country being inducted into the Cavern "Wall of Fame" before soundcheck last evening #BigCountry #CavernClub
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  1. Steeltown Big Country 1:00
  2. Where The Rose Is Sown Big Country 1:00
  3. In A Big Country Big Country 1:00
  4. Fields of Fire Big Country 1:00
  5. Look Away Big Country 1:00
  6. River of Hope Big Country 1:00
  7. Beautiful People Big Country 1:00
  8. Alone Big Country 1:00
  9. You Dreamer Big Country 1:00
  10. Driving To Damascus Big Country 1:00
  11. The Journey Big Country 0:30