Tours are about two things really - music and people. Music on stage, in the van, at services. Everywhere. And the people - in the band, working at the venues and coming to the gigs.
Over the last three years I have travelled over 25,000 miles on many and varied trains across Europe, dragging with me a record player. The turntable, along with a sampler, laptop, mixer and what feels like several kilometres of cable, is because I'm one third of electronic soul band Belleruche. The train is because it's the morally right way to travel.
I envy those with a rock 'n' roll constitution. Made of stuff so solid they can cope with a touring schedule this relentless while partying and drug taking into the wee hours with apparently little side effect. I don't know how they do it.
In essence, we are an American rock band throwing our hats into the UK music scene. The experience up to now has been ecstatically exciting, but not void of some eye-opening lessons. The most painful? In order to taste a cocktail in a typical British bar you have to order a double.
Now then, that gig last night was just as I thought it was gonna be...Having not played arenas for a few years the step back up the ladder comes as a bit of an unwanted pain in the arse-hole! Still, there were some echoes of familiarity though... A big punch up down the front during the third song! Reminded me of them good old days.
