madam striga: Belgium or Bust!

Things took a downward for for me after the Tuska festival. By the time we got off stage I knew my back was not happy. We left at 4:30 the next morning, and over the course of 34 hours of travel to Dessel, Germany, my condition got dramatically worse. By the time we arrived at Grasspop I couldn't sit, and when I walked I got shooting pains so bad they caused my knees to give out. I had no idea how I would get on stage that night. Our tour manager, Olé Bang got the festival to send over a massage therapist. After about a half hour of working on me she did a couple tests, saw that I couldn't flip myself over without screaming and said "Oh shit, I can't help you. You have a pinched nerve, you need manipulation".

After some chatting with festival production, I was pretty discouraged. It was Sunday and chiropractors usually won't touch you without seeing an X-ray. A phone call was made and all I could do was wait. Meanwhile, I had friends in the audience I couldn't get to, friends backstage I couldn't hang out with, and bands I wanted to see - not to mention, I was in serious pain. A little after 8:00 I finally got word - we found someone who can see you. Let's go!

I went to the office of Erik Gys. He is a doctor in Dessel as well as a local politician, who would have my vote any day. He spent a long time working on me and called his partner, Reinhilde Dirckx, to come and give me an anti-inflammatory injection. With less that 2 hrs to go before show time, I needed the works. When asked about payment, Dr. Gys simply said, "We're going to Grasspop - a couple beers would be cool". Seriously generous people! I can't thank these two enough. Without their help there is no way I would have been able to perform. I also have to give shout out to Akon Garv for helping me out - getting my things, getting me to the doctor. Whenever he is around he is a helping hand, and I was very grateful to have one that day!

Even after a powerful shot, it took one more pill to get me on stage. I was warned that twisting my back would erase the work just done. Crap - all I do is twist myself around up there! I had to make a lot of adjustments. I was nervous, but it went better than I expected. It was certainly a subdued performance on my part (sorry Grasspop!) but I got through it, and was relieved that is went as well as it did. King very kindly told me I did a great job - he knows how it is. The band and crew also checked on me throughout the show. Let it be known - I work with some of the coolest people on the planet :)

To add insult to injury, Iron Maiden played right before us and I didn't get to see any of their set :( Not to mention I was supposed to be stalking Bruce Dickinson all day! I did at least finally get to hook up with my friend from home, Ilir Morina, who is now living in Belgium.