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Published: February 6th 2006
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A Buster in his natural habitat.
Yes, that's the "Big Dragon" breakfast. You know, friends, as lead singer of that world class pop/rock combo The Fluffy Boys I am often called on by the boys in the band to share microphone duties. Now even though this is massively unpopular with our fans I am almost happy to let one of the lads take lead vocals for a song or two. Which brings me to this blog. Opening up my email the other day I found a message had dropped through that electronic portal from Singapore. It's probably just Buster Crawford-Smith congratulating me on another excellent blog, I thought. But, no. Instead I found this piece you are about to read. There was no explanation, no instruction, no message - just the heading "Notes From A Buster's Diary". Well, I thought, this must be shared with the world. And so, ladies and gentlemen, in that oh-so-Buster spirit of sharing and caring, I present you with the thoughts of Chairman Tez. Take it way, Buster Crawford-Smith.
15 DEC 05
It was like a high-pitched engine sound; it echoed off the chamber walls of what was probably the centre courtyard of the Prat Thom Wat, 7km from Siem Reap. They were some kind of cicadas
creating a constant background tune consisting of a single note, making our steps feel all the more treacherous. We entered the frame of stone that led to the higher sections of this magnificent ruin, 1,000 years after it had been at the centre of the million strong Khmer city.
Enter THE BUSTERS© to this ruined yet alive jungle location - This is Day 4. The Busters have hit their stride as if the continuation of 1986 had skipped over the 20 interceding years of our 3 richly led lives. On landing in Phnom Penh, Tes enjoyed the benefit of wise counsel from Buster Leggett - namely, obtain your visa before departure. Yep, Tes was first through customs and there were the familiar Buster faces of Joe and Frank, camera at the ready to greet the third Buster.
The first day settled in to be one of transition - food and beers filled out the first 3 hours followed by a 3 hour nap. And then we were into the stories full steam. Interestingly, the tone is not one of reminiscing - already this trip was shaping up to be one of looking forward.
In their early 40’s,
the Busters are blessed with good health and the bonhomie flowed readily between the 3 G1’s. The Killing Fields on Day 2 were moving. A stupa stacked floor-to-ceiling silenced every visitor who stepped within - you look up at 8,000 skulls - a pylon of suffering, dreadful and cold in its reality. The Khmer Rouge had meted out 3 ? years of bloody murder against their own kind.
S21 was the converted school where cruelty was concentrated; a play bar frame became a torture swing - victims hoisted high, hands tied behind back, victim tipped upside down till they lost consciousness - then they were lowered and dunked into stinking foul water which arrested them back to life - decomposed bodies chained to bed frames were the photos on walls; the hundreds of photos bore record to the young and old that died here. Only 14 survived of 4,000 that went to hell and beyond at S21. S21 - The Busters saw it and felt it.
Day 5 - This Buster is refreshed beyond the pale - a 2 hour massage/body scrub is the medicine to rub away the weeks of stress and pace. I walked back to
The Fluffy Boys
Oops, how did that get in here. collect my new music - 400+ songs has me excited about the iPod. The other G1’s are back out at the temples today drawn by an unspoken echo of 1,000 years - a cascade of soundless stone, yet it is the conductor of stories from the grave. Indochina is a tragedy and a hope - China will drag it up and push it down at the same time. Thailand is enough shielded but Cambodia and Laos are on the side lines of the Chinese Dragon’s main game. There is hope here. 2008 will be key - an election - will it be peaceful? Can opposition and government carry out a process that makes it’s people proud? There is a long way to go if that is to be possible!! Only since 1998 - 7 years - has this country been open really ! - 30 years after Jackie Kennedy stayed at the Royal de Angkor. This could be a rare window in a long period of turmoil. Let’s hope not. But let’s remember - the BUSTERS© were here. Onward ANGKOR.
Well, Tez, I think I speak for everyone when I say, "Phew! You really kick ass!"
A typical Fluffy Boys audience.
Look closely and you will see a couple of G1s in the front row.
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B.C. G7 (prov) D (UK/US '06)
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london calling
What a pleasant sorbet it was to read Buster Smith's erudite words. One can only hope that Buster Wilson joins the fray - reading the big three's different versions of the same events will not be unlike the different gospels relating the life of our Lord and Saviour. And thanks again Big Buddy for providing the opportunity to update you on a lowly G7prov's travels. London calling to the faraway towns. Currently ensconced in a hotel room that costs what I'd usually put aside for a week of G7 (prov) travel. Just off Oxford street, directly opposite Marble Arch- went for a most pleasant (but very frosty) ramble this afternoon between work engagements, across Hyde park and into South Kensington. Lovingly stroked the door of 30 Thurloe Street (one time domicile of C.U.K. '86 alumni - please reference with photo, Buster Leggett) and had a pint at the Zetland Arms in memory of Busts past. Interviewed those Gorillaz chaps today and oo-er they smoked drugs while we chatted. I had a nice cup of tea. Saw The Arctic Monkeys in Manchester, following the whirlwind Smiths landmarks tour - they're going to be bigger than Tormented Minds, just you watch. The kids sing along to not just every word, but every guitar riff. Kind of like a Fluffs crowd during the Final Countdown. Speaking of which, how come the travel blog has more Fluff action than the actual Fluffs website? Not that anyone would be complaining. God, that's a sexy looking band (and a fresh faced audience, too). ATVB to all G's. B.C. G7 (prov? surely not for long) D