More albums and gigs, the best is to come.

Well that was an expensive visit to the online rain forest. I've just ordered 7 albums I was being conservative too! (never politically). I always have a "to buy" list that I look for in store first then order online if I consider it not available on the high St, generally the case in Chester. My list has built up over the last couple of weeks so I had to just give it one big hit. Some of the stuff doesn't come out till May ie: Mary Timony (yay!) and Leslie Feist, but I may as well order it online to save the disappointment on the day/week of release. Included in the order were Love of Diagrams, The Pony's, The Dollyrots, Ted Leo and Seafood. So over the next several weeks I'll get the occasional surprise in the post. Can't wait for any leakage on the MT album, so little info about on it though ie: production, track listing ect.
Spring has sprung I feel happy and content that the year is looking up. I have a holiday in the planning, several albums to look forward to and a great run of 3 gigs in 4 days next week. It's a good run too Thea Gilmore (acoustic based folk rock) then the noisy and erratic Blood Red Shoes (come on Laura and Stephen I want an album from you) then sweet kooky Laura Veirs.
Life is love, love life.

Kristins March tour.

Friday March 9th - I set out on a three night trek to see Kristin Hersh.

Sheffield - 9/3/07.

My train to Sheffield was at midday so this gave me time to get stuff together and get to town about 11 ish. I popped into the Marlborough to see if Hannah had droped of my copy of "On the road" she had thahk you.

I got to Sheffield about 2 ish and decided to see if I remembered where the Leadmill was as I remember it being more or less across the road from the station. Well what d'ya know they haven't moved it. As got there K's tour bus was outside and some crew were taking gear into the venue. Note the sunshine, well it is me, no matter where ect-ect.

My hotel was just up the road about 10 mins walk. Got there booked in and decided to go up into the city center and have a wander round. My knowledge of Sheffield city center deserted me, whether it has changed that much in 10 years or so I don't know. I grabbed myself a "street" sandwich and popped into a couple of pubs neither of which were inspiring. I decided I would eat after the gig as there was a curfew on it and it would end early, I'd spotted a nice Indian restaurant just up from the venue.

I got to the "bar" which had been discussed on the TM board as the meet place at about 6:30. I felt a little out of place here it was one of those trendy type places I never feel comfortable in. The fact here was that none of the other fans knew what I looked like (lucky them) unless I went up and introduced myself . The fact is I spotted a group of people at a table (1 wearing a Muses T) but there was a group round a table in the center of the place. There was a woman at the "head" of this group who I just could not stop starring at. She was the absolute spitting image of Kristin, I just kept saying to myself "is it ? isn't it? I became aware I was just staring at this poor woman. I just had to leave, I didn't introduce myself to the other fans, I think I just wanted to be in the venue, spot secured and feeling that wonderful pre-gig anticipation. It wasn't K by the way, she was too young, but damn! she had K's look of about 3/4 years ago. I got to the Leadmill about 20 mins b4 doors (wasn't sure about a queue here) was first in line though. I got in and prime spot right in front of K's mike. The support for the tour were the

McCarricks a husband and wife cello and violin duo who have played with K for years and generally provide the strings for K's albums. They set up a projector screen to play some weird film footage and use a backing track to support their doodling. They were ok though.Kristin came on soon after as there was a 10 pm curfew as there was a club night after the gig. She was looking pretty cool dressed in just plain white t-shirt. She opened the set with "Day Glow" which she really beefs up live. She has stated it's her fave on the new record and you can tell she
enjoys playing it. Next was "Wild Vanilla" one of my faves of the new album, which is really quite funky and would not be out of place on a Muses release. In the mid section of the set she plays a run of three older songs Gazebo, Dirty Answer and Ghost. Hmm I think she actually plays Winter in between there somewhere. Anyway after the single In Shock is played she steps back from her mike and starts the slow solo intro to Listerine. Goddamn this was so good, watching one of your favourite artists play one of your fave songs right in front of you. I had to keep putting my hand up to my face as I was emotionally overcome. I'm an old softie though. She ended the main set with Bikini Sand then encored with Letter and then Ice. A great gig and the first time Ive seen Kristin plugged in, damn she can play. After Rob and Bernie came out and had a chat with a few people so I went over and said hi. I then left and went to the Indian restaurant and had a nice meal and back to my hotel satisfied after a well executed day.

Manchester - 10/3/07.

Because of engineering work the journey to Manchester was by bus. This was fine, I got the 11:10 and got to Piccadilly at 12:45. The bus took the scenic route over the Woodhead pass which is a lovely part of the country.

Booked into my hotel and headed off for something to eat before meeting up with other TM board members. Before going to the meet venue I just thought I would check the Academy as I was about to walk away out walks Kristin and Billy. K was carrying Bhodi so I just said "Hi Kristin" and she said "Hi" back. I walked off down the road to Big Hands to met the others. Met up with some nice people from the TM board. Alister, Andrew and Rheon and some others whose names I forget now, sorry. I headed off to the venue before the others to make sure I got to the front. The doors were open when I got there so I walked straight in and into Academy 3. There were a few people already there but I walked up to the spot right in front of K's mike. There was a guy stood just to my right who I noticed was wearing a Thea Gilmore t-shirt. I told him I was going to see her in a few weeks time in Chester, he said he would be there too. I had a good long chat with this guy about music in general, he gave me a couple of cd's of singer songwriters he thought I might like. Again I forget his name but I'll see him in Telfords for the Thea gig, and by him a drink.

The McCarricks came on and did their thing, It was better here cuz they had the video screen in the center of the stage. Kristin came on soon after and again opened with "Day Glow". She played a similar set to Sheffield with the three older songs "Gazebo", "Ghost" and "Dirty Answer" in the middle. Again she was superb though it has to said the sound was not as good here as last night. During the second solo in "Listerine" she shook her head indicting she was not happy with the sound. Again she ended with "Bikini Sand" which was super again. When she came out for the encore she announced they had forgotten to play the single "In Shock" which is listed in the main body of the set on the set list. Anyway she played "Shock" and "The Letter as the encore. Surprisingly she came out again by herself and played "Me and my charms" which was a lovely treat. When they were tidying up the stage I tried to get Billy to hand me K's set list. He handed it to the Thea shirt guy. He said he only wanted a photo of it and that I could have it, now I definitely owe him a drink. When I turned round I spotted Nick who I know from the S-K board and various Manchester gigs. I had a quick chat with him and we discovered we're both going to the Laura Veirs show next month.

Whilst leaving the Academy I nabbed the "Kristin Hersh Sold Out" poster that was on the door, he! I headed back to Big Hands for a drink before going back to the hotel after another satisfying day.

Glasgow - 11/3/07

I nearly had a cock up here, for one I overslept but got myself to Piccadilly fairly quickly with it being a Sunday morning and 8:30 am. Secondly I should have realised the mistake. My ticket said Picc - Newcastle 8:58. Now I know all major line trains heading north from Manchester generally leave from Victoria. When I couldn't see my train on the board it dawned on me. I jumped a taxi (again) and got to Victoris with 5 mins to spare, phew!! the rest of the journey went like a dream. Got into Newcastle about 5 mins early which gave me 25 mins to have a coffee and stock up on food for the second and third legs. I eventually arrived in Glasgow at 2pm (via Edinburgh). I was staying at the same hotel I stayed last year for the S-K gig so made the 20 min walk and sorted myself out. Guess what? it was raining, take note of the date

I got rained on, ok drizzled. I decided to make my way up the Great Western Rd towards Oran Mor as I though I would eat there, like last time. I like this venue, it's unusual Oran Mor itself is an old church converted into a bar/restaurant. The concert venue is underneath in the crypt (where the red car is in the photo) and is a great little place, with surprisingly good acoustics. It was about a twenty min walk from my hotel so I stopped of in a bar on the way. I got the place about 4:20 ish had a drink and a wander round. I didn't fancy anything of the menu to be honest so I decided to take a look around to see if there was anywhere else I could eat. Yay! I know I always trust my instincts. I walked down the adjoining main road for about a couple of mins when I took a glance down a side street which just had the feel of something as there were people about. I walked down then to my right came across the start of this little cobbled street full of bars and restaurants. It was a lovely little place and I found a nice French restaurant down at the end so of course I ate there. According to the waitress I talked to it is one of Glasgow's famous streets. Do you know what I don't know the name of it, I should have asked. Had a lovely meal and got back to "church" about 7:15. There was no queue but I decided to wait even though it was raining, within a few minutes there were a few people in line and they opened the doors at 7:35.

I took up the same position as the previous two nights. Again didn't have to wait long before the McCarricks came on and played their set. I'm starting to like them now.

Kristin came on soon after and again played a very similar set. Opening with "Day Glow", I

love this song live now. The version of "Dirty Answer"stood out here for some reason she really pelted out the vocal on this night. Oh and we got "Cottonmouth" I almost forgot jeez!! Cottonmouth!!. Needless to say K was excellent she seemed happier than in Manchester, I think the fact the sound was spot on here helped. At the end I just went to the back and stood watching the stage being cleared taking in the ambiance of the venue.

When I left it had stopped raining so I just walked back to my hotel again feeling a glow of satisfaction having seen a true artist at work.

Kristin has a peculiar way of performing she doesn't sing to the audience she sings over the top of them. She just stares straight ahead and eyes fixed forward. She has this cute way of moving her head in a snake like manner to the rhythm of songs that is totally unique. K is one of those artists who you either adore or just passes you by wondering what the fuss some people make is about. She also has the reputation of being a dark songwriter, yes a lot of her early work is angst
ridden. If you take the time to listen to her she is very funny, even in serious mode she uses irony which is far too often taken dark.

Ah well just my view but then I fall into the "adore" category mentioned above.

As footnote here a mention to the best merch table I've seen in many a year. Billy put post out on the TM board offering any fans who would want to run the stall for the tour. This took in the whole deal getting the merch put together, transporting it round Europe ect ect. So to Graham and Ali what can you say, more than one T design, badges, stickers the lot.

I only bought this amount!

First shout of the year.

Ok time to stick my head above the parapet. I'm lovin' this album, and I can't understand why. It's nothing I haven't heard before. Basically four wee girls from Glasgae (note fake Scots accent) who play just basic rock'n'roll really. Think early 80's Brit rock Maiden/Leppard (1st album)/Saxon but more Ramones urgency and Nirvana depth.

Ok that's a shit attempt at a categorization. They're a rock band, simple. I guarantee after 3/4 listens you'll be singin' along to every tune here. I would have liked to see have seen them live before making a noise about them. Having seen several vids, I'm convinced they're genuine. By that I mean they're straight forward, no frills or gimmicks just four girls playing their music.

I've been trying to upload one of their Youtube vids here but I can't get it to work. I'm sure it's a fairly simple operation to do. You have to consider I'm an idiot though when it comes to things like this.

I've been wondering about the name Hedrons. The lead singer is called Tippi. I wonder if it's a ref to the famous Hitchcock film were the lead "Bird " was of course Tippi Hedron, theory?

Gossip to me one more (last?) time.

Manchester Academy, 25/2/07

Got up to Manchester early 1:15 ish so I could get to my hotel and get up to the Northern Quarter and eat something decent before going to the gig. I felt I had to get to the venue fairly early as it was a step up in size and sold out.

There is no direct train on a Sunday so I had to change at Crewe. The train to Piccadilly from Crewe takes the "scenic route" and stops at every lamppost. Anyway arrived at 1 ish and decided to have a wander around and decide where to eat. Had a nice meal in one of the restaurants I've been checking out lately, then made my way to book into the hotel. As I passed the Academy at about 5:30 ish there was a queue forming so I sorted myself out and got there about 6 ish. I was about 10th in the line.

They opened the doors early and I got in and went stage left. I consider this the best side as I love watching Brace play and Beth does tend to gravitate that side too.

The first band on were a band called Pre and were interesting, the singer I recognised from Comanechi the band that has supported Gossip the last few times I've seen them. Quite thrash rock with a screaming vocal. Woke lots of people up though. Next were a band called The Violets

a drum, guitar, vocalist trio who were fairly good if you hadn't seen Siouxsie and the Banshees before. The singer was just so Siouxsie but if you dismissed that they were ok.

The venue was full and talking to the people round me they were all Gossip virgins. I did spot one or two faces I recognised further back but in general their new found popularity has produced many "new" fans it seems.

I was looking forward to see how they took to the bigger stage, though in truth Academy 2 is not that much bigger than the other venues I've seen them at. I'm sure they have played bigger too. Anyway they played a storming set and I think it's the best Ive ever seen Brace play he was so "up front" here and unusually played to the crowd. Beth normally takes all the limelight but Brace just stole some of it from time to time here in my opinion. Perhaps it was my trained eye, you tend to notice small details like that. With being surrounded by "virgins" (oo! flashback) there was not much rockin' going on at first but they eventually got the jist. Midway through the show some girl managed to squeeze her way next to me and was very vocal toward Beth amusingly at times then she started to get on my nerves. When she repeatedly kept shoving her elbow accross my my face I shoved it out my way. We settled our differences without a word being spoken to each other when we rocked out to SITWOC arms round each other though.

As a band performance they were as good as I've ever seen them, but mmm! I think the Roadhouse show last year will remain my fave. I think next time they play Manchester it will be the Apollo though, and I'd probably sit that one out.