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23/11/2001 Boom! Boom! Boom! Those were the words of Baldrick's poem about the Great War, in 'Black Adder Goes Fourth' (and also the catchy chorus of a chart-topper by those Dutch Popsters - Vengaboys). But 'tis also the sound of that big red drum that rings out across the terraces, occasionally. 'Who's that boy?', sang Madonna, in her eighties hit of the same name. I was wondering too, so I caught up with that percussive maestro and asked him a few questions. (Well, sent him an email...) I hope to have a photo on here soon - if anyone happens to have one of him in action, could they please send it to me? What is you name? Dodge How long have you been supporting the Bees? Since the start of 1997/98 season How did you become the drummer? By default I think. Tony K bought them at the end of the 97/98 season, as we approached the play offs. Interest in them seemed to disappear during 98/99 season apart from the odd cup game. Then in 99/00 as we flew at the top of the league, then started to dive after Christmas, I found out where they were (in the garage behind the Queens Arms pub) and started taking one to home games and a lot of away ones (vs Mansfield / Halifax / Southend / Rochdale etc). Then through the play offs of course. Last season I think I took it to pretty much every game I was at! ...and so it continues. Have you had any other involvement in the musical world? I spent about 10 years trying to become a rock star and when fame didn't come my way I did a degree in music and now work in the music industry. Is Barnet your only team, or do you support any other teams? Yes, and no. Not domestically anyhow. Internationally it's Germany and I have a soft spot for Borussia Dortmund. Any funny stories you can tell us about lugging that drum around? At pretty much every away game I take it to there's always one home fan that pipes up with 'you know what you can do with that drum!' Playing it at away games where there are seats is particularly trying! Peterborough in play offs at home: Missed my flight from Hamburg but managed to get the next one, then a cab from Heathrow, to step out of the cab to meet my friend Paul walking in to the ground with the drum - 'Cheers mate - I'll have that!' - nice apart from the result! Chesterfield away last year: Had a bad back (don't ask) but the drum went on the coach anyhow (I went on the train!). I asked someone else to play it 'cause of my back - they hadn't got a clue (it's not that easy you know!) - so ended up doing it myself, despite my back. When Charlery scored the winner, it fell apart, with the ends rolling down the terrace. Someone picked one up and started playing it like a tambourine, such was our delight! Carlisle away last year: Braved a four and a half hour train journey only to be told at the turnstile that no musical instruments were allowed and I couldn't bring it in as I might throw it on the pitch! Yeah right, what am I - bionic? You'll know what I mean if you've been to Carlisle! Stewart Niven scored after 45 seconds, and I asked the steward (who'd refused my drum entry) if I could play my kazoo in celebration?! Incidentally Louise and Dawn (Dodgy Birds) both missed the goal as the steward was asking them to sit down! I picked up the drum on my way out and played it all the way through the town to the station, after winning 2-0 (thank fuck for that! Carlisle's a long way to go and not score, draw or even lose!) I have sung my heart out for the Bees, I have travelled the length and breadth of the country and across continents to see the Bees - BUT I have also bled for the Bees. Hitting that drum is a passionate affair and I don't think I've ever moved my arm up and down so often! Also, to achieve maximum volume, thumping the skin as hard as possible often means I catch my knuckles on the rim! Hence my blood now adorns it's surface. |
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