Newsum Turn last night and Ireland rest of the week - 13 Jun 06

Went to wonderful sunny Stoke on Trent last night and with some excellent navigating from Tom we found Satchmo's Lazy Bar and believe me this place has the right name.  There was no sign of life so we went in search of food.

Then met Luke and got told they were not on till midnight!!!  It was now 7.30pm!  Anyway we stayed in pub and watched Italy beat Ghana and about 10pm walked back up to the venue.  At this stage Jo and Mark had joined us for a Pear Cider.

Sadly venue was well empty so we ended up taking loads of silly pictures again and no doubt Tom and Mark will oblige by posting some here or on NST site.

The Alones started off proceedings and they truly rocked. 

Newsum Turn did not go on stage till 12.30am...Coventry dejavu here but of course the wait was well worth it! They were on fire and I loved the new song "Save Your Heart".  Had a personal dedication of "Corners" which is really sweet and this awesome song should never be left out of any NST set....did you hear that Luke??

For fear of sounding boring - they were fabulous again...and I expect nothing less.  Gonna be amazing to see them at Rock City as NST are made for that big stage...and its less than 5 weeks to go :o)

Well we spoke for a while outside about the future and world domination and I am starting in Ireland later today.  So watch out Tipperary here we come lol!  So this is the official one horse town where the horse committed suicide some time ago...but will do my utmost to find something that resembles a pc and keep you all posted.

I know the www.livemusic4charity.info site is still not up and running and that I have not announced all the Snow Patrol supports yet but I don't have time....so they say patience is a virtue...!

The Vic Inn Saturday 10th June :o)

Ok well there was a certain football game first and despite my not having any intentions of watching it in the pub, I had to make a detour via pub to bank machine and inevitably ended up in said pub for one drink!  I of course could not stop as I had a gig to sort out.  4 pints later and very drunk, I find myself texting friends like mad to get a lift to Derby.

What a great night we had, everybody was very entertaining and I loved all the performances. 

Adam Smith dedicated a special Goo Goo Dolls song for me and sang "Iris" so beautifully....go and check him out at The Old Bell hotel in Derby tonight.  Gutted I did not see more of Adam's performance, but someone had to man the door.  Got to make sure we go and see him in London.

Confused was just laughter and entertainment from beginning to end with their funny songs like "Killer Heels", "I felt like a Sandwich" at which point Scot Cook threw sandwiches into the crowd...its nice when bands brings everybody food.  "You give me a headache" always makes me smile and we were all singing along.

After what seemed to be forever and hundreds of strange text messages later I spotted Dlugokecki at the train station and brought him over.  He caught last couple Confused songs and then it was his turn to entertain Derby and anyone watching will tell you he surely did not disappoint.

Ben always asks us what we want him to play and then ignores that anyway and plays whatever the hell he wants lol, but let the record show Helen finally got her fav "We are the losers" and the whole crowd was singing along.  She is also glad she was proved right lol!  We had "Hope Song", "Set in Stone" amongst others and fab medley of covers featuring "American Pie", "You can call me Al" and "Brown Eyed Girl".  Loved it totally.

Was nice to finally meet Carl - fellow Story One, Dlugokecki, Newsum Turn and now The Warm fan lol - YOU WILL BE CONVERTED!

Now it was time to ROCK with 45 Rebellion taking the stage.  Ben and I first went for drink and missed first couple of songs and then went "moshing" up front.  Was one of the best gigs I have had in the Vic and it was nice to see the room so full.  I think everyone in there enjoyed themselves and that is all that is important.

Got talked into going to the Bless afterwards and sat their talking and drinking in the garden till 1.30am.  Lots of random hugging and kissing going on and I so dread the pictures that were taken!  I am sure Kate will always remember the conversation we had with Ben regarding....oh well Kate you remember.  I love the way Ben said he felt it very hard not to start playing with your hair, but I think that might have kind of freaked you out.

Left and got home for Ben to pass out on Futon, Mark went home and I ended up on Myspace.

Sunday was lovely too I made Ben some breakfast, then we sat in my room whilst I showed him my CD collection - ha ha!  

Then went for a walk round Tesco as Ben needed a hangover cure.  Come back and invited Helen for lunch.  I cooked some Thai Food and wh ilst it was cooking Ben entertained us with a request slot.  Helen got to hear "We are the losers again" but we also had "Bluebells and Bluebirds", "Barricade", "Perfectionistical" and Flowerpot finally got to hear "You can call me Al". 

Enjoyed lunch and then had to race him to the train station....can only say that this has been one of the mucho coolest days and I loved having him here.  Thanks Ben for coming all this way to play for us, but you know I will go just about anywhere to see you too!

I now want a musician to stay every weekend....so tell me who is up next?? lol

PS:  I am eating Helen's lovely cake :o) thanks mate!

Snow Patrol Official News Finally!!!

Well I have had the most stressfull, exciting, emotional, etc week and that was just the Goo Goo Dolls on Thursday!  No seriously seeing things finally come together for the big announcement has been absolutely amazing and to be honest a tad overwhelming.

I finished my last chemo session on Tuesday, then had a gig that I organised in the Vic the same night.  A brilliant night which I promise to blog when I get back from my second helping of Goo Goo Dolls later today :o)  I have such great friends........you know who you are!

Those of you who have been reading my blog will no doubt remember my  blog of when I met Gary Lightbody, the Snow Patrol frontman in Manchester.  That now seems like it was years ago!

Well the announcement has been made this morning on Snow Patrol site so go and click on www.snowpatrol.net - I cant stop looking at it!

When it was announced in the members area yesterday for pre-sales I had to do something to calm myself down, so decided a drive over the Humber Bridge was necessary, followed by some chips at the seaside and then some champagne later on.

Got my bridge and some great pics but sadly no beach but eh it was lovely day and great to get out and do something totally unplanned.  Yeah I know me and planning don't always go along....but look at first paragraph....that took planning.  Well if not yet it certainly will do.

To those non-believers (and you know who you are) I am glad to finally be able to show you the error of your ways.

Gary Lightbody you are a bloody star and I love ya!  But more seriously I hope your throat gets better real soon and that you get back where you belong on the stage in front of your fans!

Support slots for this gig will be announced later this week...but alas you already know who you are too lol!

The Crimea, Air Traffic & Jont @ Cardiff - 8 Jun 06

Cardiff here we come again...and with the help of AA had some spiffing directions and I had an excellent co-pilot but Myspace info on the gig sucked!  We were there much much too early and sitting in a student bar, but finally after nearly 2 hours was allowed into the Venue (well we sneaked in - just a pity we had paid online!)

Sat down when I spotted the man himself.  I think those were my exact words...."Ah the man himself, come here Davey I have to give you a hug!"  He put his drink down and hugged me and then sat down and talked to Helen and I for some time.  I was amazed at how surprisingly normal he was as I have been addicted to the blogs as they are a complelling read but I did think he was a little bit strange.  Look for yourself  Davey's Blog.

Bless he was really shy and did not want to pose for pics till after the show.  He was really impressed that we drove from Nottingham and Helen was sporting her Crimea tshirt too.We then watched Air Traffic which were fab and I really enjoyed seeing their piano driven music again.  Loving the new single!  They were followed by Jont whom I saw support Story One last year, but really enjoyed him with band as it was a lot less depressing.

The Crimea came onto the stage and opened up with quiet version of "Opposite Ends", we then had "White Russian Galaxy" which Helen likes.  We had "Bad Vibrations", "Baby Boom" and fab cover of Fleetwood Mac "Everywhere" before finishing on "Lottery Winners on Acid".

After the show went to say our goodbyes and got Davey to pose and to say he was a tad moist is putting it mildly.  But still got my picture and his hugs were great but I smelt of man sweat all the way home.

Still meeting him totally made the night for me and was worth the 7.5 hours in the car!

On way home Helen and I  had to settle for service station sandwiches, yuk and what a rip off...thanks Myspace!

This week so far....

Monday

Went for a few hours of prodding and poking and lots and lots of tests.  Now the long wait begins as in two weeks time I find out my fate and see whether the last 3 months of hugging the porcelain has actually been worth it. 

If its good news I will no doubt shout it from the rooftops and you will all know about it...but alas not sure how I would handle any more bad stuff...

Tuesday

Only found out by pure fluke that Sandi Thom was performing in Nottingham Fopp today but luckily made arrangements to be there at 1pm as advertised.  Was nice to speak to Marcus and Craig (Sandi's band) before she came on and their hugs are also always tops.  

Sandi came on and opened up with "When Horsepower Meant what it Said".  She then introduced me to the whole crowd as one of the original fans who came to see her when she started out and said that I was "Officially Family Thom".  As sweet as it was, I was the colour of beetroot whilst the audience were applauding.  She then sang "Lonely Girl" and finished off with stunning performance of "I wish I was a Punk Rocker".  That song live is one to be witnessed for sure.

We stayed around till the massive queue died down so I can have a proper chat.  Shared my Snow Patrol news with Sandi and she was not only delighted but asked if she could play (wow No 1 in the country asks to play my gig)....so official announcement....SANDI THOM to play Snow Patrol gig at Rock City and I will tell you the rest of the bands at the end of the weekend.

She also said that the press had some mix up and some quoted 1pm and some 5pm so she was gonna play twice.  So of course had to come back for 2nd helping.  It also gave me time to go home and fetch some 10 Bands 10 hours tshirts I still had left from last charity gig.  I asked Sandi if she would play my favourite "Castles" and she duly obliged with a dedication.  Also said how that song was personal to her and me for different reasons as it was about how quickly things in life can creep up on you and kick you up the butt when  you least expect it ;o). 

After 2nd show I gave her the tshirts and we could not believe that its 6 months ago now since the 10 bands 10 hours event when nobody had heard of Sandi before.  She said how much she loves memorabelia.

Said our goodbyes and said that I hope to see her Wednesday in London.

I managed to give a Newsum Turn business card to the Sony BMG Midlands Representative who came to watch Sandi....well you never know what might happen!

Then made my way to Malt Cross to see Andy Wright of We Show Up on Radar do an acoustic set.  Helen and Kate joined me and it was much fun.  Helen then went home and Kate and I made our way to Junction 7 for my first meeting with The Henry Road.  I was really dreading this and when the 2nd band Champion Kickboxer was on, I wanted to stick my fingers in my ears and run out of there as fast as I could!!! 

Surprisingly enough, I loved The Henry Road...despite thinking it was not my cup of tea.  Only songs I could remember is "Magnetic Furniture People" as Kate insisted on wearing that rediculous hat with the spoon sewn on to it, that made her look like "Wickedly Witchy of West Hallam".  Also liked the song "Jeff Lynne is five" and the last song "Wizzard Rock".  This one had front man Phil adopting a Karate Kid position on the rail in front of the stage.  I was ever so tempted to walk up and tickle him! 

Got great hugs off Phil, Ben and Jaymiblue.  I will see these boys again I am sure if Kate has anything to do with it :o)

Wednesday

Last minute addition to our road trip was Gareth who fancied a night out in London and asked to come with Helen and I.  Its been months since I have seen Brinkman and was really looking forward to it. 

Had to give Sandi a miss at Covent Garden as the traffic was rediculous.

At Water Rats bumped into Jamie and David of Sons of Jim who were there to support band called Cathead, where the Jeff Buckley influence was quite apparent in some of the songs.  Most of it was really enjoyable, however there were one or two somewhat depressing songs in there.

Brinkman was fab as usual and I got my "Pillow Fix" as well as all the other great songs....it really has been too long!  Brief chats with boys outside afterwards during the organised chaos surrounding taxis and super duper hugs as standard.

Thursday is Crimea day and deserves a blog all to itself.....

Goo Goo Dolls 2 x Birmingham and London - last week sometime

On Thursday Flowerpot and I had tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls in Birmingham and the pair of us had been well excited about this for some time.

Easiest venue ever to find and we got in there to a packed Academy but I spotted a seat right at the back so sat down, obviously with the intention of standing up once Goo Goo Dolls came on stage.

For the life of me I don't remember the support band's name, even though I saw them twice, well that just says it all really doesn't it?

We stood up to opening song and first track off new album "I'll Stay with You" and that was great start to the show, as its one of the ones I love.  This was followed by "Slide" and I remember Flowerpot saying that we can go home now.  She likes that song mostly because of this video we have of the Goo Goo Dolls doing a song with Elmo and it uses same tune but the song is called "Pride" and it only comes out when we are drunk.  Those of you who have been to dinner party here will no doubt know it fondly...

Ok they practically played everything off the new "Let Love In" album but we were treated to a good few oldies too including "Smash", "Black Balloon", "Big Machine", amazing Saxophone solo in "Broadway", my favourite "January Friend" and of course not to mention the huge classic "Iris" which was one of those major crowd participating moments of course.  They finished their set with "Let Love In" and encore consisted of the song of the night for me and I actually cried "Become" you must listen to its fabulous :o) The goo's finished a polished fun performance with their wonderful cover of the old Supertramp song "Give a Little Bit".

Wonderful night and of course with them not having toured for 10 years I just had to get my hand on a ticket to see them again and thats what we did on Saturday!  Did not realise that the tickets were in Brentwood (Essex) so had to drive via there to Brixton and ended up about 9 hour trip lol but it was worth it! 

The Goo's added a few songs to the list and we had awesome performance of "Name" too.  Plus Johnny Rzeznik was on top form and crowd banter was great including him taking pics of himself with someone's phone and wanting to phone their mother.  He claimed it was the only number on the phone.

Oh great venue with slanty floor although it aches the feet terribly but there is a Nando's opposite, so that is well worth the trip in itself.

Keys to my heart??? - Mindless blogging just for Kate!

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when your partner is patient and never willing to give up on you. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was insecure and in constant need of reassurance. Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something that will confine you. You are afraid of marriage. In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.