One Week Later

Pics: Antwerpen State Prison show, prisonyard soccer no-no, Cowlick's farewell shot.

Back home now for a week, and I think I've cleared the second hand smoke out of my lungs, pores, hair, and clothes . . . What an experience this tour was. And I appreciate everyone's interest in my bloggings (is that a word?). For that matter, thank you to all friends, family members, and music colleagues for your encouragement in my multifarious music adventures over the years!

Our Antwerpen State Prison show was outrageous . . . really, to the point where we thought the authorities might not release us after the show because we nearly insighted a riot. In addition to Cowlick's originals, we played a bunch of covers Cowlick's style, moving from Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," to Sabbath's "Paranoid," to Petty's "American Girl," the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go" (not really an option the prisoner's have), Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me," the inmates knew words, sang them loudly, while the female inmates in the back row nearly strip-teased, much to the other prisoner's delight. It was out of hand, then we played Prince's "Purple Rain" and, well, that's when we were getting serious about our exit strategy. They loved it all, and wanted all of Belgium to know it. I'll never forget that show. Look out Pelican Bay, here come the Cowlicks!

Antwerpen State Prison is a Class 1 prison, and most prisoners are awaiting trial. It was serious high security, encased in a very old brick compound in the middle of Antwerpen. While loading in, my eye caught a soccer ball stuck in the razor wire -- some unlucky inmate must've shanked that shot during their prisonyard game -- I wonder if he still has both legs . . . The brief discussion about the facility with the Warden was extremely interesting. He loves his job. We love ours, too . . . that is as long as we can come and go from places like that freely.

So many images, memories, sounds, and even tastes and smells left with me from this tour. I'll have fond memories of this first foray into Belgium with the Cowlicks. I was left with the general impression that the Belgians take their music appreciation seriously and, like their beer, they let you know when it's good and demand more and more until the tap has run dry. Encores were requested at every show and we were happy to oblige to keep the vibe rolling. It's not every year you find yourself playing music every night two weeks straight for rooms packed with happy cheering Belgians . . . or is it?

Thanks for reading along!

KEVIN