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DVS HEAD OUT WEST
As anyone who’s ever done any travelling in Ukraine knows, the roads aren’t exactly suited for long journeys, often winding and very bumpy. So, no sleep till Ludsk.
The first venue was a rustic bar showing old footage of Led Zep and Whitesnake, etc. Quite a cool, averaged sized venue but the audience, although friendly enough, seemed more comfortable being seated and swilling beer; putting on calories rather than burning them off. Still we played well enough and it was an enjoyable gig. Afterwards back to a hotel that looked like something out of Aladdin. Sleep.
Next morning we set off to Ivano Frankovsk; named after the famous Ukrainian writer. Five other bands were on the bill. Worth mentioning are Pan Puppyets (roughly translated means ‘slave master cunt’), playing punk with complexity in the arrangements; and Korobka ( which means ‘Box’), an explosive concoction of ska punk, swing and jazz. (Hi to Ura and his wife). The venue is more to my liking; a simple empty hall; very dark and full of young enthusiastic kids wanting to jump around to loud, heavy music. The electricity cut out a couple of times during the earlier bands and I start to wonder if we’re actually going to get to play at all. But we do and we play a blinding set thanks to the wave of energy being emitted by the crowd. Thanks guys, your youthful excitement end carefree happiness is what makes everything worthwhile. Don’t ever change, stay young and free.
After the gig we drive to Ternopil, arriving at about 3am, drink and sleep. The next morning I tag along with Borsch to a record shop where they are making an appearance to sign copies of their CDs. I was expecting a Spinal Tap scenario but was pleasantly surprised by the steady flow of star struck faces. Ternopil seems like a friendly place and I start to look forward to tonight’s gig. Unfortunately I miss all the other bands and so cannot comment on them. We open our set with ‘No Reason To Hate’ which has them immediately bouncing up and down. The newest songs, ‘Crash-landing’ and ‘Double Vision’ go down particularly well and arms start thrusting fast and wild in the mosh-pit. Another thoroughly enjoyable gig.
Back at the hotel casino bottles of vodka are lined up on a table waiting to be consumed by us. Something tells me tonight is going to be a mad one. Hours pass and the scenery changes from casino to club to hotel room. We’ve become a mess. I’m entertained by the look of horror on the face of the young lad delivery room service, as he steps through the door at 6am. I eventually go to bed at 7.30am wondering if I’ve slightly overdone it on the vodka and whether or not I’ll be able to play the following night in Lviv.
We arrived red-eyed and stinking of alcohol. The venue is far too big for intimacy. I prefer it when the crowd is packed into a small space within arms length; able to see the whites of their eyes. Once on stage I realise that only the front row is visible to us. I think they were having a good time but chants of nazi slogans from somewhere in the dark created a tense atmosphere of possible premeditated violence. We do not condone this behaviour. We can’t understand these people, nor do we even want to try to. All in all, not a bad gig but the vibe could have been better. However, afterwards people were keen to come and express their appreciation in person. You can’t please everyone all the time, but it’s really great to meet some of the really cool people who we did please.
Thanks Inger and Pavlo for your supportive words and taking us to that local karaoke bar. Inger, your singing will be remembered forever. A perfect end to another chapter in the rock ‘n’ roll adventures of DVS. | 
