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Monday 2 November 2015

Rock'n'roll is here to stay - on my living room floor!

Over the years as our daughter has grown up, we've had quite a few nights with extra folk staying over - from girlie sleepovers to friends crashing after parties or a night out down town - so when she asked me last summer if I'd put up a musician from London coming to play at her birthday 'bash', I said "Sure. Fine." And then, when she announced the start-up of a promotions company and said "Would I mind putting up some bands?", I said 'Sure. Fine" ......and then began to wonder quite what I'd let myself in for.....
After all, we're talking rock bands. They're, like, drunk all the time, partying all night, and smashing guitars and furniture, aren't they? and they're going to be sleeping on my living room floor.....  Should I move all the ornaments? Cover the pale carpet with something easy to clean down? And then there's the normal problems of sleepovers - for slumber parties everyone brings a sleeping bag, for crashing-out they slump on the sofa and get an old blanket thrown over them, but what does a rock star expect? I was starting to get a bit nervy about all this.....
Anyway, we picked up a free-cycled folding bed, bought some more pillows, and crossed our fingers. The first 'sleepover' was to be just two guys ....till the day before, when I discovered there would actually be three. Fine - the sofa's a bit short but line the seat cushions up on the floor and it'll be great. Second time, we were expecting four overnight guests . Fine - we'd coped with three, four wouldn't be much more trouble... get a double blow up bed, sleep them head to toe....then we found out they had a driver .....but we muddled through again.

But what about that rock'n'roll lifestyle? The drink, the drugs, the partying?
It's a myth!
By the time these guys get here, they've driven all day, played a gig, and just want to crash out. Next morning, they're heading off for another day of travelling, ending with another gig, and another night on a stranger's floor.
And, at the risk of making them blush, they've all been such lovely guys -  they've washed their breakfast pots, complimented me on my jam; we've talked about anything and everything - attitudes to on-line music streaming, the (sometimes intrusive) expectations of fans, the shock of going from street-busking one day to nationwide tour the next after being 'discovered', books, favourite parts of Scotland, having to use a family hatchback as 'tour bus', ...and, of course, our dog who refuses to be left out of anything!

So far, despite a few last minute panics, I've loved having them all to stay ....... and I've hoping one day I'll see one (or more) of them on TV or plastered across a gossip mag front page, and I can say "I know him! He's slept on my floor!"

10 comments:

  1. how cool that she has started her own company. Make sure you get these kids autographs and some pics as proof just in case they get big #teenstweens

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    1. I have a "visitors' book" (actually an old fancy-coloured kids' notepad) but hadn't thought of taking photos ...

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  2. Who knew! They sound like the perfect house guests and just goes to show that you can't always tell doesn't it. What fun though - will be good to see where they go. Nice to have a little insight into how they see things too. Great post for #TweensTeensBeyond Thank you! Nicky

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    1. They've all been wonderful - a lot less trouble than a teen sleepover! Finding out a little about their lives has made me wonder at times why they do it, but each to their own, and one day hopefully they'll make it big. Perhaps the next Ed Sheeran has already been to stay ...

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  3. I'm always nervous about house guests, but you seemed to handle it well! And how fun to have rock stars as guests!
    #tweensteensbeyond

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    1. I was definitely nervous at first but they've all proved to be great guys - and less trouble than tweens/teens on a sleepover!

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  4. Wow...get you! Mixing with rock stars, I am so impressed. The thought would have terrified me - I'm tucked up in bed with a cocoa by 10pm. It turns out they were my ideal house guests. Thanks so much for joining us again at #TweensteensBeyond

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    1. Rock 'STARS' might be over-stating it. Having gone along to their gigs, I know sometimes they've played to full rooms, sometimes empty pubs. But who knows, maybe one of these guys will be the next Ed Sheeran/James Blunt? Everyone surely had to start somewhere.

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  5. There is never a dull moment with a teenager in the house and it sounds like yours is certainly not! I have to say that wasn't the ending I was expecting but it is reassuring - it's funny that is how I feel when my son asks if some of his mates can stay over after a night clubbing and my heart sinks but truth be told they are better behaved than him most of the time. Great to have you back. #TweensTeensBeyond

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    1. You're a heroine for letting them stay over after clubbing. I'm not sure I'd be that accommodating,though it does sound like they behave quite well :)

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