Wow. What a night and what a crowd! Tonight was a great gig and marks the end of an awesome ten days on tour. It was a tiny stage but a fantastic venue that took us through the finishing line and completed our tour. Which was a tiny one by Delirious' standards, and a big one by ours.
Sound was great tonight. Big and powerful, even though the stage was so small that I had to put my amps underneath it! I liked that - it felt like I was being clever.
We spent the time that Delirious were on stage in the VIP lounge overlooking the venue, apparently they could see us up there. I wonder if they were jealous of our lovely soft, white leather seats and colour changing mood lighting while they were getting all sweaty on the stage? Perhaps?
I'm going to sign off now - sorry it's a short one. I'll reflect on the tour properly later, but for now it's time to get some rest before the long drive home tomorrow.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Gig 7 - Aberdeen
We're sitting in our dressing room having just played our set. Delirious are on stage playing their set. From the murmurs rumbling through I can guess that they're currently playing 'Rain Down'. Things are good.
A starting point. Aberdeen is flippin' cold! All the buildings are made out of granite, which is apparently radioactive - cool. But granite is grey - not so cool.
Tonight I think we played well. Levski thinks he had an off night but I'm not so sure that anything was dramatically bad at all! Apparently there was a slightly challenging drunk bloke in the front row who was shouting 'who are ya..?!' as we walked on. I didn't hear him even though he was right in front of me...ah the miracle of in ear monitoring! Awesome.. Didn't hear him therefore confidence wasn't knocked therefore still played decent guitar and sang in-tune.
Before the gig tonight Delirious called us through to their dressing room to pray with us. It was a cool moment.. it was great to hear their heart for us through prayer. It was really affirming and supportive. The heart I heard was that they are for us and what we are doing. Which is kind!
Tonight we're leaving for Tillycorthie which is about 10 miles North of Aberdeen - even higher up! Crazy... we're being put up with a friend of the promoter from this gig, then tomorrow we're gigging down in Dundee, which is about 1hr 30 South. After that? Home time. We'll be driving home on Sunday... but none of that yet... we've got another gig todo.
A starting point. Aberdeen is flippin' cold! All the buildings are made out of granite, which is apparently radioactive - cool. But granite is grey - not so cool.
Tonight I think we played well. Levski thinks he had an off night but I'm not so sure that anything was dramatically bad at all! Apparently there was a slightly challenging drunk bloke in the front row who was shouting 'who are ya..?!' as we walked on. I didn't hear him even though he was right in front of me...ah the miracle of in ear monitoring! Awesome.. Didn't hear him therefore confidence wasn't knocked therefore still played decent guitar and sang in-tune.
Before the gig tonight Delirious called us through to their dressing room to pray with us. It was a cool moment.. it was great to hear their heart for us through prayer. It was really affirming and supportive. The heart I heard was that they are for us and what we are doing. Which is kind!
Tonight we're leaving for Tillycorthie which is about 10 miles North of Aberdeen - even higher up! Crazy... we're being put up with a friend of the promoter from this gig, then tomorrow we're gigging down in Dundee, which is about 1hr 30 South. After that? Home time. We'll be driving home on Sunday... but none of that yet... we've got another gig todo.
Gig 6 - Belfast
Tonight we played the Spring and Air brake venue in Belfast, N. Ireland. It's a tasty, small-ish venue just off the city centre and along from the BBC building. It was the craziest smallest stage of the whole tour so far. We ended up cramming our gear and ourselves onto it for soundchecks and our part of the gig. Unreal.
It's been another great day. As I write this I'm laying here under a teenage mutant hero turtles duvet, on a bunk bed in the parental home of Matt White (who is, for lack of a better all-in-one title: our roadie / drum tech / spiritual guidance counsellor) and I am feeling really happy with the 75% of the tour that we've experienced so far. With just two more dates to go it's pretty exciting to think back to where we've been over the past week and what is in store for us over the coming 12 months.
There's talk of trips to Europe and Canada and a new album looming. Who knows where it's going to go? I suppose that going home with this experience under the belt is going to be helpful and enlightening.
This evening's gig was a bit hard work, although we were assured afterwards that we played well and the crowd were with us, it was difficult to sense that on stage; not helped by a poor monitor experience for me. Where did my Bluesbreaker go in the mix? Who knows... all I know is that wasn't the same mix that we sound checked with. Nevermind - 1 out of 6 ain't bad!
I've been offered one of Martin's guitars to buy...I'm thinking about it, but I'd have to sell my Les Paul first. If anyone wants to buy my awesome sunburst Les Paul Standard, for around £800 then let me know?
Tomorrow brings a new day, and new country (bonny Scotland) and a new audience, who we would love to take along for a musical and spiritual journey... Aberdeen should be good I hope...just need to re-nail that monitor mix!
It's been another great day. As I write this I'm laying here under a teenage mutant hero turtles duvet, on a bunk bed in the parental home of Matt White (who is, for lack of a better all-in-one title: our roadie / drum tech / spiritual guidance counsellor) and I am feeling really happy with the 75% of the tour that we've experienced so far. With just two more dates to go it's pretty exciting to think back to where we've been over the past week and what is in store for us over the coming 12 months.
There's talk of trips to Europe and Canada and a new album looming. Who knows where it's going to go? I suppose that going home with this experience under the belt is going to be helpful and enlightening.
This evening's gig was a bit hard work, although we were assured afterwards that we played well and the crowd were with us, it was difficult to sense that on stage; not helped by a poor monitor experience for me. Where did my Bluesbreaker go in the mix? Who knows... all I know is that wasn't the same mix that we sound checked with. Nevermind - 1 out of 6 ain't bad!
I've been offered one of Martin's guitars to buy...I'm thinking about it, but I'd have to sell my Les Paul first. If anyone wants to buy my awesome sunburst Les Paul Standard, for around £800 then let me know?
Tomorrow brings a new day, and new country (bonny Scotland) and a new audience, who we would love to take along for a musical and spiritual journey... Aberdeen should be good I hope...just need to re-nail that monitor mix!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
...the night before tonight. Gig 5 - Dublin
Temple Music Bar. Last night. Great venue in Dublin, which is a place I've never been before, in fact I've never been to the Republic of Ireland before. It's nice there.
The big news of the day was concerning one Martin Smith. When we arrived we heard that he was still on the bus. When he didn't turn up for sound check a few enquiries later we discovered that he wasn't well. Apparently he had been sick as a parrot. And here's the big news...
Over tea I sat with Stu Smith (Delirious' drummer) and he told me that Martin would probably make it for the gig but wondered whether I knew many of their songs. Which I do. But not the words. But he said that I was the back up plan!
Now I'm sure this was tongue in cheek... but I can now say that I have been officially asked to sing for Delirious. I am Martin Smith's understudy. 'I'm gonna be....a history....' etc. Nevermind, I'll settle for singing for E=.
The gig was great, there was a real spiritual vibe about the gig - it felt like there was something more going when we were playing. We sensed that even before we played. Awesome night.
After the gig for our accommodation we ended up 30 miles south of Dublin in a place called Greystones (I was excited to see another place later on called Blackskull - if only they could do a 1/2 and 1/2 name swapsee). We stayed in a Theological College there and were hosted by a bunch of enthusiastic students from the college. Many many stories of Chipper shops (see Matt Whites blog) and awesome breakfast venues...
Anyway for now...I shall sign off cos I'm being antisocial and I need to blog again in sec about tonight!
The big news of the day was concerning one Martin Smith. When we arrived we heard that he was still on the bus. When he didn't turn up for sound check a few enquiries later we discovered that he wasn't well. Apparently he had been sick as a parrot. And here's the big news...
Over tea I sat with Stu Smith (Delirious' drummer) and he told me that Martin would probably make it for the gig but wondered whether I knew many of their songs. Which I do. But not the words. But he said that I was the back up plan!
Now I'm sure this was tongue in cheek... but I can now say that I have been officially asked to sing for Delirious. I am Martin Smith's understudy. 'I'm gonna be....a history....' etc. Nevermind, I'll settle for singing for E=.
The gig was great, there was a real spiritual vibe about the gig - it felt like there was something more going when we were playing. We sensed that even before we played. Awesome night.
After the gig for our accommodation we ended up 30 miles south of Dublin in a place called Greystones (I was excited to see another place later on called Blackskull - if only they could do a 1/2 and 1/2 name swapsee). We stayed in a Theological College there and were hosted by a bunch of enthusiastic students from the college. Many many stories of Chipper shops (see Matt Whites blog) and awesome breakfast venues...
Anyway for now...I shall sign off cos I'm being antisocial and I need to blog again in sec about tonight!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Ferry...cross the Irish Sea
Last night at 10pm we left Liverpool docks on a P&O Irish Sea ferry, bound for Dublin. We were allocated cabins as, to our surprise, (and prompting a quick rebooking) we discovered that the ferry journey was 7.5 hours! Bleurgh.
So, after an evening meal aboard the ferry we retired to bed in our little cabins... thus beginning one of the worst night's of sleep that I've had in a long long time. I woke up in the morning (5 am!) to discover that my sheet had slipped off the bed and I was baked from the 2,000 tog duvet provided. We went down for breakfast then left the ferry in the still dark streets of Dublin.
me in the car getting ready to leave the ferry
After being misdirected by the TomTom for 30 mins we decided to get out the town and headed for Howth Castle, to the west of Dublin. Once we arrived in the mega metropolis of Howth we discovered:
1) Free parking!
2) The sea
3) That we were tired enough to fall asleep again.
Fast forward 7 hours and here I am sitting in the Temple Music Bar in Dublin, waiting for sound checks to begin, so I thought I'd give a quick update.
Still having tons of fun though...just feeling a touch jaded
So, after an evening meal aboard the ferry we retired to bed in our little cabins... thus beginning one of the worst night's of sleep that I've had in a long long time. I woke up in the morning (5 am!) to discover that my sheet had slipped off the bed and I was baked from the 2,000 tog duvet provided. We went down for breakfast then left the ferry in the still dark streets of Dublin.
me in the car getting ready to leave the ferry
After being misdirected by the TomTom for 30 mins we decided to get out the town and headed for Howth Castle, to the west of Dublin. Once we arrived in the mega metropolis of Howth we discovered:
1) Free parking!
2) The sea
3) That we were tired enough to fall asleep again.
Fast forward 7 hours and here I am sitting in the Temple Music Bar in Dublin, waiting for sound checks to begin, so I thought I'd give a quick update.
Still having tons of fun though...just feeling a touch jaded
Monday, November 19, 2007
The Plug - Sheffield
Last night was our gig in The Plug. It was probably the hardest night of the tour so far... I think the pace of touring caught up with us a bit. It's been four days of solid traveling and gigging so far, it's exhilarating but obviously does take it's toll on us.
The Gentlemen played first last night. They're a hyper indie rock band from Sheffield and they enjoyed the bonus of a home crowd. It made me think that we don't really have a home crowd, having never really gigged in Chelmsford. I don't know how possible it is to rectify that either as there aren't very many good gig venues in the Town. Maybe we need to build one?!
The venue last night was really nice. And really clean. No sticky floors, which made a nice mid-gig talking point.
My monitoring was a bit squiffy last night again...I think I need the level backed down. Might be a good idea to take a look at that in Dublin.
As for now I'm sitting at my 'soon-to-be' inlaws tapping away in the office while Jon watched the Da Vinci Code in the other room. It's good to relax before we let ourselves rip into the second half of the tour!
The Gentlemen played first last night. They're a hyper indie rock band from Sheffield and they enjoyed the bonus of a home crowd. It made me think that we don't really have a home crowd, having never really gigged in Chelmsford. I don't know how possible it is to rectify that either as there aren't very many good gig venues in the Town. Maybe we need to build one?!
The venue last night was really nice. And really clean. No sticky floors, which made a nice mid-gig talking point.
My monitoring was a bit squiffy last night again...I think I need the level backed down. Might be a good idea to take a look at that in Dublin.
As for now I'm sitting at my 'soon-to-be' inlaws tapping away in the office while Jon watched the Da Vinci Code in the other room. It's good to relax before we let ourselves rip into the second half of the tour!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Swansea... Sin CIty Club / Venue
Yeah that name is pretty apt. The venue tonight took us from yesterday's sublime to today's ridiculous. From the spotless church environment of the 'National Revival Centre' in Horsham to the Sin City club, where the floor is so sticky that they never have a problem with flies.
The venue tonight was a lot smaller, and the ticket sales were less because of that but the venue still felt rammed. Apparently there were around 500/600 people there tonight.
Our set was slightly shorter than the other two nights and we really enjoyed playing so it felt like it went too quickly! We started with Masterplan again and finished with White Suit... a first, we normally finish with Book Club. Another little tweak tonight was that I intro'd Athens and said a little bit about the song. During the set I had this uncanny sense that this grubby little place is where we're meant to be; meaning these kind of venues, not Swansea... It was almost audible it was so clear. I don't think that means we're gonna need to change direction massively as a band but it's definitely something to hold to and think about.
It was the most stressful change over we've yet done. We have to remove stuff from the stage and straight through a nearby door into a fire escape. The fire escape was covered (and I mean covered) in pigeon poo. Which is ironic because the Pigeon Detectives played the venue just 2 days ago; you'd of thought they'd have caught the culprit and cleared up the scene of the crime, but alas, the pigeon poo bags have got off scot free again... I digress... So all of gear needed to come off before Delirious could come on so it was a busy 10 minutes! Mitson got a bit stressed but it was ok...
Today we finished our soundcheck quickly and got down to share dinner in a nearby restaurant with crew and the band. It was good to get a chance to relax with them and chat.
We're really enjoying this whole tour business, it's kind of weird, we said today that we don't really want it to stop.
Getting tired now... looking forward to some days off at Wigley after tomorrow's gig.
The venue tonight was a lot smaller, and the ticket sales were less because of that but the venue still felt rammed. Apparently there were around 500/600 people there tonight.
Our set was slightly shorter than the other two nights and we really enjoyed playing so it felt like it went too quickly! We started with Masterplan again and finished with White Suit... a first, we normally finish with Book Club. Another little tweak tonight was that I intro'd Athens and said a little bit about the song. During the set I had this uncanny sense that this grubby little place is where we're meant to be; meaning these kind of venues, not Swansea... It was almost audible it was so clear. I don't think that means we're gonna need to change direction massively as a band but it's definitely something to hold to and think about.
It was the most stressful change over we've yet done. We have to remove stuff from the stage and straight through a nearby door into a fire escape. The fire escape was covered (and I mean covered) in pigeon poo. Which is ironic because the Pigeon Detectives played the venue just 2 days ago; you'd of thought they'd have caught the culprit and cleared up the scene of the crime, but alas, the pigeon poo bags have got off scot free again... I digress... So all of gear needed to come off before Delirious could come on so it was a busy 10 minutes! Mitson got a bit stressed but it was ok...
Today we finished our soundcheck quickly and got down to share dinner in a nearby restaurant with crew and the band. It was good to get a chance to relax with them and chat.
We're really enjoying this whole tour business, it's kind of weird, we said today that we don't really want it to stop.
Getting tired now... looking forward to some days off at Wigley after tomorrow's gig.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Horsham
"Your sound was... meaty" was one friend's appraisal of E= tonight. Matt White went as far as to say it was the best he'd EVER heard us. Whoo blimey you say!
Tonight's gig was in a warehouse / church building in a corner of an industrial estate in Horsham... a place I have never been. I guess it's only a place you would go to if you have a gig there... or family. Or, of course, you might live there. But that's unlikely.
The PA was massive - bigger than last night's I'm sure of it. Trev did a sterling job once again...awesome FOH - Thanks Trev. Mark was great on monitors too. Everything worked very nicely. That is apart from my wah.
I took the wah out of my setup today - I need to send it off and get it fixed. I'm going to get it 'mod'-ed, and turned into a Hendrix cry baby (apparently the new ones have a different sound). The Hendrix wah will have more wwwhhhhhhaaaaaa and lesss hheeeeeiiiiiiisssssss. So 'm told.
I've also put in an order for a new GigRig Humdinger amp distro thing which will also sort out my impedance problems at the pedal end of things. It's all good.
No snapped strings although Jon is going through sticks like they're balsa wood. He is an animal!
Delirious sounded great tonight - I'm enjoying this whole tour business muchly...
Tonight's gig was in a warehouse / church building in a corner of an industrial estate in Horsham... a place I have never been. I guess it's only a place you would go to if you have a gig there... or family. Or, of course, you might live there. But that's unlikely.
The PA was massive - bigger than last night's I'm sure of it. Trev did a sterling job once again...awesome FOH - Thanks Trev. Mark was great on monitors too. Everything worked very nicely. That is apart from my wah.
I took the wah out of my setup today - I need to send it off and get it fixed. I'm going to get it 'mod'-ed, and turned into a Hendrix cry baby (apparently the new ones have a different sound). The Hendrix wah will have more wwwhhhhhhaaaaaa and lesss hheeeeeiiiiiiisssssss. So 'm told.
I've also put in an order for a new GigRig Humdinger amp distro thing which will also sort out my impedance problems at the pedal end of things. It's all good.
No snapped strings although Jon is going through sticks like they're balsa wood. He is an animal!
Delirious sounded great tonight - I'm enjoying this whole tour business muchly...
Friday, November 16, 2007
UEA LCR
One down... seven to go...
We just got home from a great night up in my homelands, the stomping grounds of M Leeder... NAARICH. It was a goodun!
A few firsts happened tonight:
We played with Delirious
We played a live set with in ear monitoring
We played 'Athens' and 'Ted Talmeer' for the first time
All of these thing happened and went well.
Other good things:
My guitar rocked tonight - didn't go out of tune (apart from Freedom where it had a hissy)
We were toit - like the toiger
In-ears rule still
Here here.
A few things for improvement:
I need a new wah pedal
I need a new signal splitter
I could do with tweaking my mix for tomorrow (slightly more drums - esp kick)
All of these things could be improved but 66% of them cost money I don't have
It was really nice to have my brothers at the gig tonight - and my sister-in-law! Thanks for coming Bob, Ang and Mike! Hope you enjoyed your first taster of E= live
Other than that I need to sign off and go to bed... Horsham here we come!
PS (If you want me to report on any other aspects that I haven't here please do let me know. :)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
E= on tour
Tomorrow we go on tour. We start in Norwich and end up in Dundee...via all manner of places around the uk and ROI. I've got to say it's gonna be exciting, we've never done this before and we all know that touring with Delirious is going to be exciting and challenging.
I'll try my best to keep a regular blog going on throughout the duration of the tour.
I always get told off by Chell when I wish away gigs and events because I'm worried about performing at them but this one, whilst I am scarily compelled to do the best job possible I am also looking forward to it. How bizarre to think I would actually be looking forward to gigging this much!
We're gigging a 45 min set which includes a couple of brand new songs - Athens and Ted Talmeer + a few old crusties like White Suit, Freedom and Breakout. At the moment we haven't included Take Broken Me in the set because it slows the tempo down a bit too much. We're taking a gamble on that I suppose.
Last night I spent time on my knees praying. It was great. I know God's with us on this one. I'm sure the messages (even though they are subtle) will emerge from the bizarro lyrics I write and the music will be good music!
If you get a few minutes do think of us:
- Traveling is gonna be long and hard work. Pray we have stamina and healthy cars.
- Performance will take it's toll on us. Pray that we keep stamina and continue to have fun.
- Ideas and the next season. We go into the studio to start recording shortly after we come back from the tour. Pray that we are inspired to take stuff we learn from the tour into the next album.
Thanks. Watch this space... I promise...
I'll try my best to keep a regular blog going on throughout the duration of the tour.
I always get told off by Chell when I wish away gigs and events because I'm worried about performing at them but this one, whilst I am scarily compelled to do the best job possible I am also looking forward to it. How bizarre to think I would actually be looking forward to gigging this much!
We're gigging a 45 min set which includes a couple of brand new songs - Athens and Ted Talmeer + a few old crusties like White Suit, Freedom and Breakout. At the moment we haven't included Take Broken Me in the set because it slows the tempo down a bit too much. We're taking a gamble on that I suppose.
Last night I spent time on my knees praying. It was great. I know God's with us on this one. I'm sure the messages (even though they are subtle) will emerge from the bizarro lyrics I write and the music will be good music!
If you get a few minutes do think of us:
- Traveling is gonna be long and hard work. Pray we have stamina and healthy cars.
- Performance will take it's toll on us. Pray that we keep stamina and continue to have fun.
- Ideas and the next season. We go into the studio to start recording shortly after we come back from the tour. Pray that we are inspired to take stuff we learn from the tour into the next album.
Thanks. Watch this space... I promise...
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