22nd Oct Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
We arrive in Portsmouth bright an early. Me and Ricky head out for a run down the sea front hoping to sweat out the ridiculous quantities of White Russians consumed after the show at the Wulfrun Hall last night.
We hear a laundrette’s near the venue so everyone disappears with bags of dirty skids, only to reappear later with bags of clean, aromatic freshness.
I like this venue. Not only nice people, good PA and good stage but more importantly clean showers and a decent loo backstage. I tell you what, you’d be amazed at how important those little things become when you’re on tour!
After nipping out for a bite to eat and a set list reshuffle, we head back to the venue to catch Ricky play a blinder of a set.
We open tonight with Rust, Punishment Kiss and Bad Excuse For Daylight. Head That Tried To Strange Itself makes its first appearance on this tour too which is a nice treat.
Thanks to everyone for coming down, what a great turn out. It’s nice to see so many familiar faces alongside a gaggle of unfamiliar faces - welcome one and all!!!
We finish the gig, shower, sort ourselves out and head off. It’s a long drive to Nottingham for our day off, so we hit the road and ‘DJ wars’ begins.
One song each, no conferring – the question is, who’ll be getting the party started and who’ll be dropping the musical clangers?
Cheers
Neil
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21st Oct Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall
Quite a nice relaxing day. As we're already at the gig we just potter in and out, eat a bit of lunch and get the gear re-tweaked after the London gig. Soundcheck is again leisurely and after a cool interview we sit down to proper cooked dinner. The lasagne is particulary good and we nearly choke on it when Andy's prediction for the apple crumble and custard dessert comes correct.
Checked out a bit of Elle Diablos soundcheck then pop round to see how Diamond is getting on with the raffle, apparently people are getting into it and the prospect of winning has already brought out quite a compeditive edge in some people... ;)
Swap the set around a bit, going with "Rise Up" and "If It Kills Me" again and soon enough it's get the greasepaint on time! Ricky W goes down a storm and Andy and I watch from the wings as the crowd sing along and get the party started. A quick changeover and soon our new intro tape is running…see if any of you’s out there recognise it. Sound onstage is a tiny bit weird for me, it seems to be different in every spot I stand in. Not to worry as both Neil and Andy are on form so that helps me lock well in.
Afterwards we chill out and our resident cocktail expert mixes us up some glorious White Russians. The raffle seems to have gone well and the lucky winner heading off with a signed cymbal, signed cassingle and an old copy of our fanclub magazine “The Funny Farm”. Have a bit of late dinner, sign some autographs and soon enough we’re back on the bus and heading for the land of nod.
SHOWER RATING: 7/10 PRETTY NICE, MARKED DOWN AS THERE WAS NOWHERE TO HANG CLOTHES OR TOWEL.
FOOD RATING: 8/10 SUSHI LUNCH, VEGGIE LASAGNE DINNER AND LOAD OUT PIZZA. WELL FED!
Mikehell x
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20th October London, Garage
A long day. I’ve a follow up appointment in Cambridge Hospital for my recent eye surgery so it’s up on the bus early , on the tube to Kings Cross and then on to Cambs.
I’m knackered and cold and it can be difficult going home once you’ve started a tour as once you taste the sweet, sweet comfort it can be difficult to go back to some of the piss sodden back stage areas.
After the appointment I’m back on the trains and I arrive at tea time back in London, just in time to meet our manager, agent and some journalists for interviews.
Tonight is being recorded with the possibility of inclusion on a live album next year.
None of us want to concentrate on this too much as it can make the gig a very self-conscious affair.
The place is packed but I find the audience somewhat muted for the first three quarters of the set. It takes me a while to settle into the show, I’m still tired from a sleepless night and the days travelling but at least the crowd seems good natured enough.
I’m really beginning to enjoy playing the Crooked Timber material live especially Bad Excuse for Daylight and Exiles. I’ve been dedicating Bad Excuse.. to the writer Gwendoline Reilly whose book Joshua Spassky supplied the title of the song. If you haven’t come across the book I’d really recommend you check it out. Really fresh writing in my opinion and gorgeously spot on with the ephemera of relationships.
Present at tonight’s show is Gary walker who ran Wiiija records, I’m made up he’s come along to the show but I don’t get a chance to talk to him later.
Everybody seems happy enough with the show and the sound and energy levels.
Afterwards when all is calm we retire to the bus where myself and Ricky Warwick spend some time looking up old Ulster punk footage on youtube. Rudi-The Pressure’s On, Protex-Don’t Ring Me Up, Ruefrex-Flowers For All Occasions…
Tomorrow is a day off so we’re planning to go check out Ulster punk legends Stiff Little Fingers in Wolverhampton.
Andy C.
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18th Oct 2009 Brighton, Concorde 2
A day off in Brighton... lovely. After the showers at the Bristol and Newport gigs being, well, none existent, it was nice to have a hotel and a leisurely shower to wash away the aches and pains.
Went out early doors to watch the Chelsea v Villa game. Villa won 2-1. Andy, Diamond Dave and tour manager Rich were not happy.
Later, myself and Michael hit the cinema to watch ‘Zombieland’. Great soundtrack.
I won’t spoil it for you but the film contains the cameo appearance of the year!!
Woke up on the day of the gig and would you believe it I’m coming down with a cold (man flu??!!) – boooooo. So, dosed up on max strength Lemsips and coffee for the gig.
Even though it was a Sunday night a great crowd turned out for us and, although I was feeling slightly trippy on the vast amount of cold remedies I’d ingested throughout the day to combat the said lurgy, I really enjoyed the gig. Innocent X and Summer of Hate being highlights for me. Also, Magic Mountain, rolled out for the first time this tour, which was a bit of a treat too.
Next up? That London.
Cheers,
Neil
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16th Oct 2009 Newport, TJ's
Ah, TJ's. A legendary venue that we have a great history with…
Our gig with Hole in '92 was the one at which Kurt Cobain showed up and proposed to Courtney Love.
We've done many shows there over the years and it's always a pleasure to come back. John the owner is there and cooking us dinner with a huge welcome.
The town itself has suffered a little bit with the old credit crunch since I've last been and many shops are closed down, that hasn't dampened the spirit of the punters though who turn up in droves and go ape-shit the whole set.
Punishment Kiss feels great to play and the new material goes down a treat. All the banter and good will from the crowd is infectious. There is a reason why this place is called 'the legendary' T.J's.
Great times!
Andy C.
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15th Oct 2009 Bristol, Thekla Pt.2
This was one of those gigs that I'll remember for a very long time to come…
We find out on arrival that the gig is sold out (always good for morale) and then on the way into the gig spot TV actor from Casualty (the bloke who plays Nick Jordan).
Had a great walk round the city which I've always been very fond of and blasting loads of local music in my ipod (Peverelist, Joker). I don't have time to get to Rooted Records as we've got soundcheck and interviews.
The whole atmosphere in the club is of warmth and good will, Left Side Brain play another blinder and Ricky Warwick gets the crowd singing along.
When we come on, the crowd are with us from the start and that carries us along to the end of the show. I really enjoyed playing the Crooked Timber tunes especially Bad Excuse For Daylight and Exiles.
Afterwards everybody pretty much stays in the club but myself, Ricky and Diamond Dave chill on the bus.
I'm so made up that the crowd in one of my favourite cities in the UK was so cool and a big respect to them and the staff of the Thekla for making it such a huge night for us.
The whole gig was also filmed with 3 cameras so be prepared to see some footage at some point.
Andy C.
15th Oct 2009 Bristol, Thekla2
Down by the water and all is good. Last time we played the Thekla was in 1992 on the "Nurse" tour so it's great to be back.
Day is slow and quiet in a chilled out way so we potter about and do a good soundcheck (plan is to throw in "Nausea", "Rise Up" and a few other treats into the set).
As it's an early show we have an early dinner then go down into the 'hull' to check out Left Side Brain. They're sounding great with a big heavy sound so that's a nice way to get fired up for the show. Again Andy introduces Ricky W and he goes down a storm playing a good mix of new and old songs.
Soon enough we're onstage and having a brilliant time. The crowd is great, so is the sound and the atmosphere is brilliant! Definately one of the best club shows we've done in a few years in my opinion.
After we finish up and get towelled down have a few drinks with the LSB lads and then off to Newport it is!
SHOWER RATING: 0/10 NO SHOWERS TODAY BOYO, BABYWIPES OF SHAME IT IS.
FOOD RATING: 7/10 JERK CHICKEN AND RICE, VERY GOOD. GREAT COFFEES AT BAR AS WELL.
Mikehell x
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Oct 14th 2009 - Swansea, Sin City