Hi everyone. We don't say much on the blog these days, do we? So I thought I'd pop in for a chat.

I enjoyed playing at the Gold Coast last Saturday. The band firing on all cylinders - nice to play my bass, so, so nice to play it through the amp for the first time in three gigs and hear that punch. Great to have depth to the stage and be able to move back from the mics and join Captain when I wasn't singing.

It was a good set list; Bean and I hammered it out about an hour before we went on, cutting down to 15 a list of 18 or so we'd all chosen some days in advance. I was really glad we had Bean numbers bookending the set; long gone are the days when our gigs were 90% me singing, with one Bean number thrown in there. Now it is split down the line and I couldn't be happier - we are so much stronger for it.

Pleased with the reaction to the songs.

Off to watch the tennis now.

James

Worth mentioning the new look of the website. We've not ended up making a big fuss of it, because that's not the point, the point is that the website does what we need it to do - but anyway, it's been designed...

...by Captain.

I like it a lot.

James

Phew. Played longer than expected, got a tan, great seeing such a large crowd. Lots more to say, but I'll save most of it for a newsletter, so sign up if you haven't. We're told it sounded great, which is what matters, but we could barely hear what we were playing! Nevertheless, had a blast and it's all character-forming, isn't it?

Bean and Mayes were, of course, wearing shades.

James

Just finished the last rehearsal before the first South Norwood gig. Everyone on very good form. Got to make sure we do a good sound check tomorrow; that'll set us up perfectly. Been focussing on this for a week - really up for it.

The strap on my bass guitar snapped about half way through the rehearsal... I've had it since I bought the guitar in late 2006, definitely time for a replacement.

We'll be on at half eight.

Hope to see you there.

James

We’re tying down the set list for Friday. Going to be playing a lot of covers, but also want to chuck in a couple of songs we’ve not played live before. Had a run through various things with Mayes on Monday and the full band’s meeting on Thursday.

Captain designed the flyer for the gig, by the way – we should get that up here, it’s been getting a lot of praise.

James

Hello all. More silence. Sorry! Just finished a period of assembling eight demos to play to the guys, which took up a lot of spare time. Finally got to do this last night, and got a good reaction. We may start looking at some of them soon.

It's always a strange occasion. Something like that, something you create, becomes very personal, and so you're very nervous. This manifested itself in me asking everyone if they wanted heating turned up, and when they said they felt fine, I realised my feeling cold was probably nerves.

The silences at the end of a demo mean a lot, usually, I think, that people didn't really go for a particular track! I say that because the ones where they do, it tends to happen in one of three ways:

1. Mayes starts talking about it at the end of the demo
2. Bean starts talking about it DURING the demo
3. Captain can be heard working out what drum line he'd like to add to it

I don't, historically, have a good record of knowing which of my songs the band or the public are going to like most. Odd. Ones I think are ace people think are fine, but not as good as others I didn't rate so much!

Love to all,

James

Boo! We'd gone all silent again. Mixing six songs (well, re-mixing one, it's Bad Streets). Nearly finished; I boldly predict they'll be done by the end of the year. Then a bit o'mastering and availability beckons in early January. Some great sounds we're really looking forward to sharing with you. Captain's biggest drum challenge. Bean's best vocals. Mayes's best guitar work. And I think I'm on there somewhere.

Love to all,

James

Good party, good night. Played two sets - acoustic and slower electric numbers (including one new, Wherever Days Go), and then a fast electric set (debuting Bean's great song All Washed Up), plus three covers - Strange Brew, Jumping Jack Flash and Ghostbusters (of course!).

Really sorry to hear Noel's leaving Oasis; I've always been a huge fan of the band. Him in particular, though; probably no one has made me persevere with music more than him. Any silver lining from this will be a solo album, which will probably be outstanding. Wish him all the very best - he's a legend.

James

Ace acoustic rehearsal, everyone on top form, every song examined in depth and sounding gig-worthy. Going to be a tough call - which is great.

xx