After hitting the shores of Japan with little idea how things would work out playing live, I have played about 20 shows altogether in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto and it feels like there is a definite momentum building.
(Guest house in Yudanaka)
I just want to say hello and thanks to all the lovely people I have met and who have taken the time to come and chat and suffer my terrible Japanese. As it stands, I am going back to England at the start of June to do some recording and try to scrape some pennies together before heading back to Japan around October time for another tour with a bit more promotion and glossy paper around it. Everything was a bit spur of the moment this time but I guess thats made it all the more special. Forthcoming gigs in Tokyo are ...

Friday 24th April Planet K Kichijouji
Monday 27th April Marz Shinjuku
Saturday 9th May Cave Be Shimo Kitazawa

There is a place in Tokyo called Ochonamizu and it is packed full of music shops selling all manner of vintage and new guitars. I had a bit of a look and unfortunately had a bit of an accident. That accident involved my wallet, a shop assistant and a hand made Japanese acoustic guitar. So now I am the proud owner of a K.Yairi. I tried Gibsons and Taylors and other extravagant brands. I really cant afford to buy it and by doing so I am venturing into the world of debt but I figure if I am a professional musician then it is my tool and I should not scrimp. Tool. Plus I can say by not having spent money on alcohol for the last 3 years, I kinda saved it up for a moment like this.... I always start justifying everything I spend money on... its my mums fault bless her!
Anyway it sounds great and I will be using it to record new material in the summer so you will be hearing it soon.
hotel in Nagoya
Two weeks ago I had a break in my live schedule followed by a couple of shows in Osaka and Kyoto, so I headed of round Japan on the bullet train to do some sightseeing and meet some friends. Before taking the train I first traveled on the overnight bus for 11 hrs from Tokyo and started in Okayama city. I think I was a bit of a cheapskate (the fall out from the guitar purchase) when I booked the bus ticket because I had zero leg room and virtually non recline seats. I would been more comfortable lying on some broken glass.
Luckily there are vending machines everywhere in Japan and hot coffee in a can is a fantastic treat when you need a boost, so after caffeine and with a sleepy face I met up with and stayed a  couple of nights at my friends home.   We went to the island of Miyajima. It is a beautiful setting reached by boat and has a huge red gate in the harbour which is overlooked by temples and traditional buildings with tame deer roaming about randomly attacking tourists for food.
(luverly ladies and blossom in Kyoto)
A couple of years ago, I used to work for a Japanese chemical company near Hull in England. I was a control room operator...... Homer Simpson. Some Japanese guys came over for a year or so to build and start the chemical plant so I was lucky enough to become friends with them. I got in touch and we were able to meet up for a traditional meal. It was cool catching up and reminiscing about the boredom of 12 hr night shifts and their craving for wonderful English cuisine...Bacon Sandwiches, gravy and fish n chips. In the middle of the table at the restaurant was a bbq griddle and on it we cooked marinated slivers of intestine and stomach and beef. After testing the selection I stuck to the beef. I dont really enjoy organs unless its a Hammond.
At the beginning of my trip, the famous Japanese cherry blossom (Sakura) began to bloom and as I sped across the country on the effortless bullet train I gazed out onto rivers, parks, towns, shrines and temples all delicately framed and enhanced by beautiful pastel pink petals. The mood of the people seems to be affected too.
I arrived to pleasant smiles and greetings by the locals of Nagasaki. It was the location of the second atomic bomb explosion in Japan which was 3 days after Hiroshima felt the force of the first one dropped by America. The bomb in Nagasaki was 3 times as big as Hiroshima and the atomic museum was fascinating and thought provoking. The heat at the hypocentre of the blast was over a million degrees. Artifacts included glass bottles which had melted and contained the bones of a human hand. The pictures of the victims were frightening and testimonies of the survivors made hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
(paper cranes at peace memorial)
On a more lighter note, after moving on, I spent a day riding a bike round Kyoto enjoying the blossom at close range and going to a night time display in one of the castles. Saw wild turtles in the river and then took a train through the mountains up to Yudanaka near Nagano. I was taken by the owner of the local guesthouse to an outside onsen (hot spring). Onsen are located all over Japan as the country is situated over an area of geothermal activity. These hot baths are usually
segregated male and female and there is a ritual of self cleaning and nudity you must follow when using one.  I was lucky enough to arrive fairly late up in the mountains which meant I found myself sat relaxing alone under a full moon and the stars. It was a bit weird when the guesthouse owner came to take a photo of
me. I was sat on the edge of the bath in the buff at the time so had to quickly slip under the water to avoid the heat magazine scoop shot.
(munky)
The following day I visited another hot spring where snow monkeys gather to bathe and keep warm in the harsh cold of the winter. The weather has hit mid spring however and it was very warm so the monkeys were running about and fighting. After hanging out with them for a bit, I went to Osaka for a gig. On route I managed to go to the Factory where my spanking new guitar was born, a place called Gifu. I was given a tour by a very pleasant chap and like a true guitar geek I drooled over the shoulder of master craftsmen as they shaved wood and sanded
bone to construct beautiful works of art...ahhh
(absolutely no need)
After that quick stop, I was dropped off at the local station and made th last leg of my journey. I played at a tiny club called Tehanno where the owner and staff were welcoming and friendly. I had a great gig alongside a wonderfully talented accordian player called Yossi then ran across the city to just make the final check in time for the capsule hotel.
(home sweet home)
The capsule concept is a little bizarre to say the least. It is an all male hotel where you are issued with a locker key, dressing gown, one size fits all boxer shorts and a towel. I was shown to my capsule which was located down a corridor that resembled a giant two story filing cabinet system (see pic). Each space is fairly small but has a little TV and radio inside and a blind that can be pulled down for
privacy. There are common rooms where the men hang out in their dressing gowns smoking, using their mobile phones and coughing up phlegm loudly.
(capsule)
I had another gig in Osaka (at See Ya!) the following night and although I was 1 hour late due to poor planning, was greeted at the venue by the owner and his family barbecuing fish outside in the evening sun. I played my set and we ate kebabs and chatted for hours. I think the night was easily one of the highlights of my trip just due to the company and kind warmth of the people.
(everyone at See Ya! in Osaka)
I was able to play the gigs in Osaka and Kyoto thanks to the help of Usagi Yamada, a great singer songwriter who was approached by my friend Daisuke. I stayed two nights at his parents house in Kyoto with fellow musician Makoto Ueno and we hung out and talked about world domination in our respective genres! I have learnt a lot in the last couple of weeks and enjoyed the gentle nature of the Japanese people. Its interesting to see the difference between the buzz of Tokyo and the rest of Japan.
On arriving back at Dans place, I have had a few more gigs and even guested with friend Daisukes band as they played a heavy funk version of one gallon drum. I was probably the most nervous I have been before a show. Its like a substitute coming on half way through the FA cup final I reckon. It sounded cool though.
Back to reality a bit...just gonna do the hoovering and washing up before Dan finishes work..earn my keep. Mata ne.. Ciao..