So we have finished the Violens mini UK tour and we would like to thank everyone for coming to the gigs. The tour has definately set the band up for the writing and recording over next few months.
Tour consisted of
London - Lexington
Sheffield - Forum
Manchester - Ruby Lounge
Leeds - Cockpit 3
Here's a run down of events in 'The Big Smoke'
2.50pm taxi arrives to pick me up from work and take me to the Train station or Dr's as I had told work. Train arrives swiftly and me Our Manager and Sheriff (Mark Bull) the photographer/visual diarist were on our way to London. Managed to blag ourselves 3 seats together although I had to endure Ohara blasting out various cheesy pop classics on his Ipod, usually would have been acceptable but I was trying to get 40 winks.
Land in London, brisk walk to The Lexington.
The London crowd was great and Violens played there best set of tour for me, great band with a singer who possesses a great voice. Check out my favourite track of there's - It couldn't be perceived.
Our show went very well and included a couple of new tracks including one that is so new that has neither a title or completed lyrics, Que panic and ad lib central from me. To be fair the new track got the biggest reception of our set which was very satisfying for the band. I enjoyed the gig but as noted on the night I could have done with a Tom Selik tashe to soften the electric shocks I was constantly greeted with upon singing. So gig goes well, all ready to pack up when we hear a smash.....
Turns out some poor old chap was driving along the road at side of venue, passed out at wheel and veered off the road crashing into a tree. He was an off duty policeman and didn't have a clue what had happened to him. Car was a mess but he looked ok, Mabel Love send there best.
Drama over but we still had the thankless task of the drive up the M1, it is here I would like to thank Dan 'The man' Whitehouse who is not only our very own Gilmour on guitar but also took the task of driving the band back to our home town in THE BONGO.
Mazda Bongo Friendee
Obviously we took the hood down to aid with aero dynamics but yes kids this is how Mabel Love travel, in style. This wagon has taken us all over the place and has been the sense of much laughter with the band sleeping in this in numerous cities across the UK. So after 4 hours including the usual couple of urine stops we were back safe and sound. Sheriff got some great footage of the night, which will be aired soon, including some rather eerie footage of me fast asleep in back of van lying motionless, car lights intermittently lighting up my fizzog, this is probably only eerie for me as I was the one asleep and the thought of someone watching me is rather creepy. Anyway, I got in at 4am, work the next morning at 10, lovely jubely.
In short, train drive, top gig, electrocuted, copper crashes, Dan's a legend, bed for 4, work, gutted.
The next gig to report is Sheffield. I'll post a summery tomorrow of that.
Mr Rice x
...ML...
