Thanks girls xXx
The ICA cometh man
Taking a look at the ICA, with Adam (pictured) and Chris (not pictured) in preparation for the gig which is a week tomorrow.
Tuesday 22 September 2009
Monday 21 September 2009
Andy Lewis
Pre gig at Hörsaal, Hamburg
Si
Pre gig at Hörsaal, Hamburg
Shirley and Shirley in background
Pre gig at Hörsaal, Hamburg
Hamburg, Hörsaal
We set off for Hamburg at 12 affording me a very respectful 7 hours of sleep. The journey seems quick at jusr 3hrs.
We arrive in Hamburg and check into, 'Kogge' the Rock'n'roll hotel we've stayed there almost every time we've played Hamburg and were the first band to stay there on its opening night. The bar is decorated with records and posters, the mens toilet has a painting of Joe Strummer and the ladies have Amy Winehouse. Each room has a theme and tonight we shall be sleeping in the sailor room. The sex museum is next door we are invited in by a kind mumbling man, we decline.
Tonights venue is on the Reeperbahn. Through a long chain of mis-communication and an unfortunate venue closure, we find ourselves in a nice venue with nice promoters but painfully inadequate sound equipment, particularly the tiny mixing desk, fortunately for us the sound engineer, 'Ölaf' is bloody good, some how we workout a way to make it happen but on paper it still didn't look like it was going to work.
We return to the venue after a quick freshen up. The first thing I notice is the audience are a little thin on the ground so coupled with the sound issues I'm feeling a little uneasy about the gig.
When we get on stage Shirley explains, "we will do the show in two halves, 'a week away' album in full in the second half" Big cheer from the audience, hmm promising! Shirley continues, "but first we will play some songs from the Shirley Lee album we released this year" no reaction, so I cheer, and that gets a hearty chuckle. From then on in I know it's going to be fine.
The Shirley Lee set goes down well a good response and very measured playing. When we hit 'a week away' the assembled members of the audience stepped-up their participation and we gladly follow suit. Shirley getting down from the stage whenever he could, dancing with the punters who we had now adopted as our new best friends. If they jumped up and down so did we. The keyboards were blasting out of the huge speaker stacks behind our heads with clarity and gusto, the bass and drums rumbling along like a beast, everyone smiling, its not a gig anymore its a party and everyone is invited.
After the show we bow just like normal only this time for the first time the audience bow back incredible!
Thank you for having us Germany, you were wonderful.
JiM xXx
We arrive in Hamburg and check into, 'Kogge' the Rock'n'roll hotel we've stayed there almost every time we've played Hamburg and were the first band to stay there on its opening night. The bar is decorated with records and posters, the mens toilet has a painting of Joe Strummer and the ladies have Amy Winehouse. Each room has a theme and tonight we shall be sleeping in the sailor room. The sex museum is next door we are invited in by a kind mumbling man, we decline.
Tonights venue is on the Reeperbahn. Through a long chain of mis-communication and an unfortunate venue closure, we find ourselves in a nice venue with nice promoters but painfully inadequate sound equipment, particularly the tiny mixing desk, fortunately for us the sound engineer, 'Ölaf' is bloody good, some how we workout a way to make it happen but on paper it still didn't look like it was going to work.
We return to the venue after a quick freshen up. The first thing I notice is the audience are a little thin on the ground so coupled with the sound issues I'm feeling a little uneasy about the gig.
When we get on stage Shirley explains, "we will do the show in two halves, 'a week away' album in full in the second half" Big cheer from the audience, hmm promising! Shirley continues, "but first we will play some songs from the Shirley Lee album we released this year" no reaction, so I cheer, and that gets a hearty chuckle. From then on in I know it's going to be fine.
The Shirley Lee set goes down well a good response and very measured playing. When we hit 'a week away' the assembled members of the audience stepped-up their participation and we gladly follow suit. Shirley getting down from the stage whenever he could, dancing with the punters who we had now adopted as our new best friends. If they jumped up and down so did we. The keyboards were blasting out of the huge speaker stacks behind our heads with clarity and gusto, the bass and drums rumbling along like a beast, everyone smiling, its not a gig anymore its a party and everyone is invited.
After the show we bow just like normal only this time for the first time the audience bow back incredible!
Thank you for having us Germany, you were wonderful.
JiM xXx
Sunday 20 September 2009
Berlin, Privatclub
We arrive in Berlin in good time, even before the promoter. I have to recall pre sat nav days where we would blindly drive around the town looking for the venue, arriving late with drained spirits to meet a frustrated promoter, aha the good old days.
There's plenty of time before we go on for another cheese based meal. The venue, Privatclub looks great, a 60's vibe decorated with great enthusiasm and imagination and is perfectly spearmint.
Another great show tonight. Light, shade and enthusiasm despite our lack of sleep. You can tell Shirley is enjoying it because he keeps getting of the stage to join the audience. Tonight he is dressed as what can only be described as an off duty policeman trying be incognito, don't worry you haven't missed it he intends to repeat the outfit at the ICA.
Highlights this evening are the crowd pleasing, "We're going out" and the moving sing along of, "Saturday"
I completely crash after the gig and not even a couple of rounds of Jagermeister can force more than two words from my brain, I just smile and nod until someone carts me off to bed,
JiM xXx
There's plenty of time before we go on for another cheese based meal. The venue, Privatclub looks great, a 60's vibe decorated with great enthusiasm and imagination and is perfectly spearmint.
Another great show tonight. Light, shade and enthusiasm despite our lack of sleep. You can tell Shirley is enjoying it because he keeps getting of the stage to join the audience. Tonight he is dressed as what can only be described as an off duty policeman trying be incognito, don't worry you haven't missed it he intends to repeat the outfit at the ICA.
Highlights this evening are the crowd pleasing, "We're going out" and the moving sing along of, "Saturday"
I completely crash after the gig and not even a couple of rounds of Jagermeister can force more than two words from my brain, I just smile and nod until someone carts me off to bed,
JiM xXx
A statue, yesterday
How it should be done
Dresden
Some rare free time to walk around taking the same photos
Service
Another service station
Berlin
Si, setting up at, 'privatclub'
Berlin load-in
The load into the privatclub through this totally filmable and incredibly spooky basement.
Tourist
Doing the tourist thing
Dresden- gig and statues
We arrive in Dresden at the venue, "Ostpol" in good time, yet the set up seems to take forever. Do we just have far too much equipment? We didn't explode onto stage like the night before and the calmer atmosphere of the Shirley Lee material suits me far better this evening. The film felt more uncomfortable tonight as, for many of the people it was the first time they had seen us. However I do enjoy how Ronan calls himself Ee-or (from Winnie the pooh) every time he appears.
We played well but I didn't feel as in control, When everyone knows the songs it carries you through the gig but I do stand and applaud many of the people in Dresden, who after seeing it on a poster thought they would check us out, for fun, just to hear something new, I don't remember the last time I did that.
Possibly unwisely after the gig we venture into the world of shots before we settle down for the night in the Youth Hostel. At 3am we are all putting the sheets on our bedding, this is how they do it at the Kangaroo backpacker or rather that's how you do it. Possibly due to the alcohol this is actually the funniest thing in the world, falling down snortingly hilarious. However a few hours later when I'm trying to get to sleep past the snoring, 6 grown men sharing one room doesn't really tickle the funny bone.
A rareity this morning though because we have a few hours to explore Dresden before our short journey to Berlin. We become total tourists drawing the line only when it comes to those stupid people who paint themselves gold and stand still pretending to be a statue, this especially annoys me when crowds of people gather around in amazement the whole spectacle obscuring the real statues behind.
We played well but I didn't feel as in control, When everyone knows the songs it carries you through the gig but I do stand and applaud many of the people in Dresden, who after seeing it on a poster thought they would check us out, for fun, just to hear something new, I don't remember the last time I did that.
Possibly unwisely after the gig we venture into the world of shots before we settle down for the night in the Youth Hostel. At 3am we are all putting the sheets on our bedding, this is how they do it at the Kangaroo backpacker or rather that's how you do it. Possibly due to the alcohol this is actually the funniest thing in the world, falling down snortingly hilarious. However a few hours later when I'm trying to get to sleep past the snoring, 6 grown men sharing one room doesn't really tickle the funny bone.
A rareity this morning though because we have a few hours to explore Dresden before our short journey to Berlin. We become total tourists drawing the line only when it comes to those stupid people who paint themselves gold and stand still pretending to be a statue, this especially annoys me when crowds of people gather around in amazement the whole spectacle obscuring the real statues behind.
Saturday 19 September 2009
Early start
So up at 7.18 this morning, we didn't over do it last night but we did celebrate a gig well palyed. Would have Been good to get more sleep on account of the long drive but that's why we're up so early crossing Germany from Freiburg, the most south westerly point to Dresden, pretty much the furthest west you can go and still be in Germany.
Neil's 100th gig, The first of the tour
Wow! what a gig, Freiburg didn't disappoint. I don't know if it's sitting in the van for that length of time but we exploded onto the stage like a rocket from a bottle set free.
It was hot it was hard work but it worked so well. We started with a selection from the Shirley Lee album, people smiling and gently swaying from side to side, a false start on the instrumental, "London ghost stories" stop then starting again, my absolute pet hate but it didn't matter we just slipped straight back into it. "Traffic in the street" was a highlight for me, so full of life, poppy yet littered with all those crazy jazz chords. I hit the solo on the nose, best I've played it since the recording.
We came off stage and showed a short film about "a week away" we all sat backstage feeling very uncomfortable, its amazing how long 5 minutes seems when you are feeling self conscious.
Somewhat inevitably when we returned to the stage to play "a week away" we had problems getting the slides working. Ronan spent a long time setting it it up but in the moment we couldn't escape the technical problems reminiscent of a school teacher grappling with an overhead projector. Rather than causing a problem it just forged a closer bond between us and the audience. The film started again so we stopped it and then it stated once again, when the picture of Si's son Toby finally came up there was a cheer and we launched into "a week away" There was a very uplifting atmosphere, an infectious feeling and pretty soon band and audience alike were grinning from ear to ear. The project over heated by the time we reached, "sweeping the nation" but we ploughed on with dancing and grinning and handclaps and harmony.
Hard to pick a highlight but I remember during, "a trip into space" lots of enthusiastic dancing and people at the back of the room standing on tables circling their arms in the air, a real buzz.
and that was the first time we played, "a week away" album live and in full
Tonight was Neil's 100th spearmint gig. I think that's pretty amazing. There can't be that many people who follow bands around with such dedication. To Mark the occasion we collected together some spearmint rarities, test pressings, demos, promos and printed a t-shirt with the quote,"it pains me to live in a world where nobody's heard of spearmint" from 500 days of summer only with a logo saying 100 gigs of Neil. He's driving us on this tour, I think it's the third time he's done so but 100 gigs ago in 1997 at the Water Rats, kings cross, Londinium he and his wife Cheryl saw spearmint for the very first time.
Jim xXx
It was hot it was hard work but it worked so well. We started with a selection from the Shirley Lee album, people smiling and gently swaying from side to side, a false start on the instrumental, "London ghost stories" stop then starting again, my absolute pet hate but it didn't matter we just slipped straight back into it. "Traffic in the street" was a highlight for me, so full of life, poppy yet littered with all those crazy jazz chords. I hit the solo on the nose, best I've played it since the recording.
We came off stage and showed a short film about "a week away" we all sat backstage feeling very uncomfortable, its amazing how long 5 minutes seems when you are feeling self conscious.
Somewhat inevitably when we returned to the stage to play "a week away" we had problems getting the slides working. Ronan spent a long time setting it it up but in the moment we couldn't escape the technical problems reminiscent of a school teacher grappling with an overhead projector. Rather than causing a problem it just forged a closer bond between us and the audience. The film started again so we stopped it and then it stated once again, when the picture of Si's son Toby finally came up there was a cheer and we launched into "a week away" There was a very uplifting atmosphere, an infectious feeling and pretty soon band and audience alike were grinning from ear to ear. The project over heated by the time we reached, "sweeping the nation" but we ploughed on with dancing and grinning and handclaps and harmony.
Hard to pick a highlight but I remember during, "a trip into space" lots of enthusiastic dancing and people at the back of the room standing on tables circling their arms in the air, a real buzz.
and that was the first time we played, "a week away" album live and in full
Tonight was Neil's 100th spearmint gig. I think that's pretty amazing. There can't be that many people who follow bands around with such dedication. To Mark the occasion we collected together some spearmint rarities, test pressings, demos, promos and printed a t-shirt with the quote,"it pains me to live in a world where nobody's heard of spearmint" from 500 days of summer only with a logo saying 100 gigs of Neil. He's driving us on this tour, I think it's the third time he's done so but 100 gigs ago in 1997 at the Water Rats, kings cross, Londinium he and his wife Cheryl saw spearmint for the very first time.
Jim xXx
Thursday 17 September 2009
First gig tonight
Shirley has this habit of turning on the TV in the hotel when he wants to use the toilet, so you can't hear his private business, its ok but this morning I was woken up by very loud French tv shoping channel. Followed by Madonna's new single which I can't get out of my head, I sung it in the shower and I am sure to sing it tonight at our first gig in Freiburg.
So, bad breakfast, but not as bad as dinner last night, and then back in the van.
Traveling can be quite boring but I thought it would be a great opportunity to write a blog. quite unaware of the technical issues that would turn me into the butt of all the jokes. Somehow its made me more determined, especially to get some pictures up, its my mission now, as well as doing the gigs obviously and after all this traveling I'm looking forward to actually playing. Shame about the early start and 8hour drive tomorrow!
Jim xxx
So, bad breakfast, but not as bad as dinner last night, and then back in the van.
Traveling can be quite boring but I thought it would be a great opportunity to write a blog. quite unaware of the technical issues that would turn me into the butt of all the jokes. Somehow its made me more determined, especially to get some pictures up, its my mission now, as well as doing the gigs obviously and after all this traveling I'm looking forward to actually playing. Shame about the early start and 8hour drive tomorrow!
Jim xxx
Travel day
I swore to myself that I wouldn't post a picture of the van onto my blog, well technology has taken care of that for me, so be thankful that the internet connection in France has spared you a view of the back of everyone's head as we set off on the eve of the tour. I spend most of the time figuring out how I'm going to post the blog. I found that roaming charges are pretty expensive, so I'm now constantly on the lookout for wifi for free conection, all this has ment that I've had my head down on the phone whilst eveyone else is relaxing and having fun, I'll readdress the balance later. We drive to our Hotel in St. Quentin its like an American motel, the kind you see in films when something grizzly just happened but this one is in France. We head into town and show some self control by not overdoing it. Long drive tomorrow about 6 hours.
Wednesday 16 September 2009
on the eve of the eve of the tour
Hi I'm writing this on the eve of the eve of the tour. Due to dragging myself up to date I can now send messages whilst mobile, probably not a big deal to most of you but a near revilation to me. However it will mean that anyone reading will be exposed to. my terrifically bad spelling. I'll be able to tell you how the tour is going, how the new and old songs are going down; who threw up on the hard shoulder; how much battery power i've got left that sort of thong. I've got to say I'm not in the best shape to go running around Germany with very little sleep and Autobahn sandwiches and too much beer but I will give it my best shot! love from Jim xXx
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