Academy 2, Liverpool
Looks like I'm on tour again. If you'd like to know who I am and what I do, please look at this. It will help make things clearer. Done that? Back now? See what kind of friend you're dealing with? Then we can proceed.
This is the second tour this year, which is faintly mystifying. Perhaps it's better to think of it as one long two-part tour. My brother Matthew and I spent an enjoyable couple of weeks playing very quietly to chairbound audiences in religious and educational establishments. It was actually one of the most gratifying musical experiences of my life. Which makes me feel like we're going to pay for it on this tour.
The big idea is that this tour will be a noisy five-piece band bashing out the full-flavoured, dry-roasted sounds of Still Life to complement the more rarified atmosphere of the duo tour. This means that the venues are more smelly, and there is less room on the bus. But on the other hand, it means that we can make sweet music with three other fine players and create a giant widescreen soundscape full of subtle details and crunching power.
Hopefully you have taken a moment to meet Jim, Alonza and DW Price, and our 'crew', and have familiarised yourself with our aquafunctions. What we actually do and what we sound like is something you'll have to come and find out for yourself.
Yesterday was a success considering that we had to figure out how to cram everything on the stage for the first time. We'd had about three and a half days to rehearse with the band, and that was before we went to Germany for the weekend, so it wouldn't have been surprising if we went to play the first song and no one could remember it. But it was all right. We've mostly been working on epic prog-rock outros, and those worked out fine. Even if the rest of the song was a disaster.
Afterwards we discover that there are tiny televisions in our bunks. As I am climbing into my bunk I hit my head on it.
We've played the Academy 2 in Liverpool twice before, so it's like an unpleasant home from home. The audience is best described as "friendly" but "A Bit Gobby". The shower is located a mile from the venue in a small room with a broken window. But you're grateful when you find it.
Best thing about today is me and Matt are going to Manchester to perform on the Mark and Lard show on Radio 1. Mark and Lard have, happily, played records from all versions of our bands on their show, so it is great to finally meet them and find they are as charming and entertaining as you would hope. Although they do go on about the Shirehorses a bit.
By the time the gig comes around I'm feeling more tired than I've ever known before a gig and spend the night blearing around the stage making simple errors, like sitting down when I should be standing up and playing nice when I should be naaaaaasteeeeeeee.
