We got to manchester early and hopped in a taxi to strangeways where we were booked to play the warehouse project formerly a boddingtons factory. It was some corporate affair for a certain vodka brand. We arrived just as the long blondes were setting up. It was freezing in there and tom and i had to wait around as the rest of the brakes party were running late.... no surprise. It was clear that we weren't going to be able to soundcheck at 4 as planned so we had to right it off as we had a date with mr marc riley over at the bbc which was far more important. Once the others had turned up we unloaded our gear and then headed to the studio.
We had to rush a bit when we got to the beeb as we were due on air at 7 but we got soundchecked ok and started with hold me in the river. Mr Riley was a top bloke, he even gave us a tenner to go to the bar with after the first track! We did on your side and cease and desist as well.
After all that we headed back to the warehouse. It was bloody cold in there and not too many people either, felt a bit lifeless to be honest. We went onstage following a dj set by m-peoples' mike pickering and played the best we could with numb hands. I dont think we'd paid much attention to what set we were going to do as it started hard and went a bit soft in the middle.
Its hard now we've got all these new songs, we actually have to think about it where as before it was just play as many songs as we can as fast as we can. We stuck around to watch the other bands and then headed to our accommodation which was bang in the center of town. Had a bit of trouble locating it at first and we were freezing walking around in a panic. Funnily enough it was just behind where we'd parked after all that. Slept for about 3 hours and then got up and off to the west country.
It was a beautiful drive down, all of worcestershire and gloucestershire in full autumnal glory.
Got to stroud and drove up the winding hill road to shortwood where our friends ben and bella were having a leaving party in a field. Ben and Bella and their four kids are starting a new life in new zealand. It was damn cold in that field, luckily i had my nordic army jumper that id purchased in oslo in february but even with that on the cold still got in. It was the toes that seemed to suffer the most and we had to keep dashing in the van to thaw out. Once they got the roaring bonfire alight everyone was much happier and all got merry.
There was lots of nitrous oxide going round which made proceedings quite interesting. We took the stage in all the clothes we had and played a blinding show. Everyone danced and bounded around and it was a joy to give the dudes a proper send off. They've been to quite a few of our gigs when we're down that neck of the woods and i'll miss having them around. Good luck you guys!!!!!!
It got quite late and we made a move to cuckoolad cottage where eamon grew up to sleep for a bit. Had a slight nightmare getting in due to a sticky key butwe got in eventually. Bit of tea and toast and off to bed it was. A fun couple of days had by all. Dropped tom at truck studios on the way back where hes doing some recording with restless list and then headed back to brighton. I think the sleep deprvation mixed with a sub zero climate has left me with some illness so the rest of my weekend is going to be spent sucking lemons and watching tv.
Adieu
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