SOS, communication breakdown, fireclown
Around 3 weeks ago, Lynne and I went out for a meal with two other couples, long standing friends (Mark and Sally, Julie and Ali). To an Iranian restaurant called Darbar in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester. I was sceptical about the food, I have to eat gluten-free due to a mild gluten/wheat intolerance and sometimes this doesn't translate well in restaurants - proved not to be a problem and a good meal was enjoyed.
I have become gradually more conscious, these past few months, of my voice getting weaker, quieter and sometimes find it hard to make myself heard. Yes it's yet another Parky's signature symptom, thanks very much doc! Especially in a noisy environment where I already struggle to hear due to long standing tinnitus - obviously due to hours and hours standing in-front of Marshall, Engel, Vox amps, playing pub gigs where a decibel meter means absolutely nothing and at least one of the drummer's cymbals was pretty close to my left ear!
Well, at one point during the meal out I said something in the normal convo, and to my shock/surprise/embarrassment not one of my companions heard me speak. It wasn't especially noisy at the time so normally there would have been no problem. I'm also quite sure my companions weren't ignoring me. So, let's face up to a hard truth - it's a developing Parkinson's symptom, something else to contend with. Not the worst thing in the world but not necessarily something I'd want, thank you very much. I believe it's possible to get speech therapy to help - note to self.
Moving on, this past weekend was our SOS Festival - the 17th edition! Pretty amazing. But of course framing the situation against the background of the loss of voice volume, I was a little concerned this would prove to be a problem, a communication breakdown. And it did at times. In lovely conversations with my friends, contacts, audience, customers I became fairly conscious that at times it was hard for me to be heard. So, sorry if one of these conversations was with you. The more I tried, the weaker my voice became. I was a little hoarse (no equine jokes please!). I persevered and it was ok I think, as notwithstanding the voice struggles I enjoyed many many catch-up chats during the weekend, and overall absolutely loved it.
One band had cancelled at very short notice, so my sons Chris and Luke (guitar and bass from Absolva and Blaze Bayley) put together an excellent set of covers to hold things together in the opening slot on Sunday, alongside Graham Darbyshire on drums, from old NWOBHM band Fireclown. The loop also established here because as an enthusiastic teenager back in the day I had actually seen Fireclown playing live at the Town Hall (tavern, not local government offices), in Eccles, Manchester. I must have been about 16/17 years of age. The band made an impression on me and I came away with ideas, dreams and more things to practice. I also saw Graham in his covers band Thrash The Whippet just a few weeks ago as mentioned in my newsletter https://music-for-parkinsons.ghost.io/ghost/#/editor/post/6a00a43ee70fc500015127bf - check it out! Circle complete.
All-in-all no complaints as SOS was a success once again. Here's my Facebook post from yesterday...
To everyone at SOS Festival this weekend - myself, Lynne, Christopher and Luke send you our massive thanks for your support, your energy & your community. That’s our amazing team handling sound, lights & stage management, all our helpers on the door & auction, all the staff and management at Whittles , members of press and photographers, sponsors including the incredible drum kits from Duallist Drums and Pedals, and the unbelievable talented bands and musicians who grace our stages. Most of all we thank YOU the audience for the vibe, the love, the community, your unconditional support for our event without which SOS wouldn’t be at all possible. Peace & love to you all. Early bee tickets on sale now for 2027 & selling fast. See you next year! xx
www.sosfestival.net