Champ

At Star City casino this morning a big, solid Islander fella opened my front door, adjusted the seat way back and hauled himself in. After he ordered a city hotel I picked him right away.

'Are you visiting Sydney?” I asked. “Yeah,” he replied, “just here with my band doing a few gigs.” Ah ha, the penny dropped. This was DJ Fitchie of Fat Freddy’s Drop, one of New Zealand’s top bands whose debut album is the second highest selling of all time. One imagines the title belongs to Split Enz or Crowded House.

Anyway, Fitchie told of a forthcoming first tour to America starting in California with a gig at the Roxy in LA and another at the Hermosa Beach festival. For my LA readers I really recommend this band for their feel good, laid back tunes and are well worth the effort.

Here’s a great video of FFD’s Pull the Catch featuring their eclectic mix of dub, reggae, soul and funk, plus some choice Kiwi cray fishing, eh. This is my passenger here on the video cover-frame at right and briefly around the 1:00 mark, or here at the 4:00 mark. The man is not only a gentle giant but also a solid tipper, causing me to farewell him with, “Thanks, champ.” He made my night.

Kiwi Extra: see how they party

Comments

[Rainer the cabbie]

A Kiwi that is a "solid tipper"?
I would thing that makes him a bit of a national disgrace, but am sure that he will take the world by storm.
All the best big fellow, you show 'em!

[adrian]

Careful, Rainer, dems fightin' words! A tip: when the All Blacks are in town, watch out for their dodgy dollar coins, they're slightly smaller.

[Rainer the cabbie]

For the "lucky man" and the "lucky lady".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcGXHx8WwM

[adrian]

Good one, Rainer. I gave an undertaking the post was only for 24 hours (such a sweet vid, had to share it) so now finished.