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Neil On Ice
Neil is Everywhere, even Antarctica!
by
Errol Cakici a.k.a.I Need A Ride To Tulsa
I have been working in Antarctica
for a support group that maintains the U.S. research base, McMurdo
Station, in winter. About 150 people dig in for 8 months of isolation
while supporting science. We have a bowling alley, a bandroom, 2 bars, a
greenhouse and alot of spare time. Once winter starts we are cut off from
the world with only E-Mail and phones to contact the outside world.
I was definitely the only hardcore Neil Young fan during the two winters
I wintered over, 1996 and 1997. To pass the time, myself and 3 friends
formed a Neil Young cover band called Everyman's Band. We gigged
at the bar on Saturday nights and sometimes at the nearby New Zealand base;
and of course at the numerous room parties. With 50 degree below zero temps,
and lots of boredom, live music was always a favorite pastime.
Our first big gig was Neil and Jerry night at the Erebus Club. I did
the Neil covers and my friend did Jerry covers. This went over very well
with the National Science Foundation station manager, who is a Neil-head
himself.
The set list for that night (July 13, 1996) at the bottom of the world was
as follows:
- Revolution Blues
- New Mama
- World on a String
- Wrecking Ball
- Old Man
- Coup De' Ville
- Lost in Space
- L.A.
- On the way Home
- Cortez the Killer
- Here we are in the Years
Encore:
- The Losing End
- The Rent Is Always Due
- Walk On
At one time thinking there were no Neil-heads left, I found a great
solice in knowing that my friends and I were the Southern-most Neil fans,
at the time, in the world. Many nights we would try to stump each other by
singing a new Neil song each we time left the bar for home. Singing
Ambulance Blues outloud to nobody at the South Pole. Sweet.
Some recordings were made, alot of smiles were made, and the winter was
tolerable.
Another all-Neil gig was at Scott Base, Antarctica in 1997. The
Kiwi's love Neil, but haven't really gotten past Harvest.
Here is another set list, from our Aug. 9, 1997 show:
- Old Laughing Lady
- The Needle and the Damage Done
- Pushed It Over The End
(aka, Citizen Cane Jr. Blues)
- World On A String
- Out On The Weekend
- New Mama
- Midnight on the Bay
- Lost in Space
- Fountainbleau
- Powderfinger
- Homegrown
- Pardon My Heart
- See the Sky About To Rain
- Stupid Girl
- Last Trip to Tulsa
- Love to Burn
- Sedan Delivery
Thanks to the HyperRust for providing us with lost and forgotten lyrics.
The band was a four-piece with drums, rhythm guitar, lead, and bass.
The program encourages bands to get together and provide music. With an
occasional harmonica or conga sitting in, it became an audience
participation jam. Everyman's (and woman's) Band.
Neil is alive and well down under!
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