Posted: 13 August 2008 at 10:17am | IP Logged

Hello Mike,

Hasn't everyone been taken off the forum except us three?

I wish I was going to one of the gigs but nothing in Essex is of interest unfortunately.

I fully appreciate,and respect, that the band wish to play churches but I just don't seem to be able to enjoy the band in a sitting down formal environment.

I still enjoy a couple of beers and my legs haven't given up yet.

It would be great if Riga was considered again or perhaps some other pub/club venues...there are plenty of places to consider.

Mark

Posted: 13 August 2008 at 11:14am | IP Logged

Hey Peeps

I am still here (oh no I hear you cry!) Maybe get to Normanton if I can get the night off work.

Dom Dom mate, not all Churches have formal seats although I cannot tell you about the Autumn tour venues.

On the beer point but off the subject (there's a first!) Why do football fans feel they have to get drunk to watch their team? If they are that bad - don't go!!

Hi Pushbikemike, nice to see you on the forum again. Has Dixie found that coat yet?

Posted: 13 August 2008 at 3:19pm | IP Logged

Just thought I would write a quick response to some of your forum messages and to explain some of the decisions the band has taken to enable us to get out and play again this Autumn.

First of all, Dominion's point about playing churches... and Southend!!!

Well, we don't actually WANT to play in churches! However, there are a number of church venues for pukka gigs these days opening up. A prime example of this is the Farncombe gig in Surrey. It is really well run, is developing its own audience, is licensed for a beer or three (as are most of the dates we are playing) and, whilst it is a tad uncomfortable in the pews, it is a cracking gig.

We are playing the Man in the Moon in Cambridge which is an established pub type gig, I have driven up there to see bands 3 or 4 times now. We could go back to the Riga again, BUT it was the lowest attended date last Autumn and we therefore paid to play. As Dominion mentions, there are a number of pub type places to play, but most charge fees before the band get their cut and, if no-one turns up, we get even poorer!

What we really need is for more peeps to make that bit of extra effort to see us, just as we are to go out and play again for you... frankly the economics of playing gigs was scary last year let alone this year with the increase in fuel and food costs. So Timestar's point about another gig up North... well, unless we can sellout the Northern gig well in advance or someone is prepared to guarantee enough to mean we don't have to dip into our pockets yet again, I doubt it will happen.

It would be sad if we are forced to only play gigs where the economics works out and, sadly, that could become a reality. Next year (2009) we plan to play more festivals so we get to play to larger audiences to try and increase our following. We depend on you guys to back us up, face it, without your support we just wouldn't be doing it!

Furthermore some of our loyal subjects have put their extra faith in us and taken on the awesome responsibility of actually promoting some of our gigs themselves. This is a fantastic commitment of both time and money. I know they all would be delighted if you guys could help them practically to help promote and get more bums on seats/pews/standing at the bar.

So, me dears, we would love to see you at one of our gigs this Autumn. We have worked hard and the band sounds great now we have recovered from Matt's departure. So come out for a good gig and sit on a hard seat for a change ;-) and if you feel like helping in a more significant way, get in touch!

Bestest

PB

Posted: 13 August 2008 at 5:53pm | IP Logged

Dom Dom mate, not all Churches have formal seats although I cannot tell you about the Autumn tour venues.

On the beer point but off the subject (there's a first!) Why do football fans feel they have to get drunk to watch their team? If they are that bad - don't go!!

I am aware that not all churches have formal seats but as mentioned here and previosly these venues appear to have.

As a Chelsea season ticket holder for some 18 years now I can maybe answer your second point; Not ALL football fans drink,let alone get drunk.Me,well it is one of the highlights of the week to get to a pub near the ground and enjoy a few drinks with people I only see at football and enjoy discussing the weeks gossip football wise.I also find that it makes watching football more exciting when you have had a few drinks...shouting at players,chanting at away fans etc.To alot of people its their way of releasing all their pent up worries and aggression.I don't see any fans drunk though.It is against the law to enter a football ground "drunk" and it is an arrestable offence(Thatcher era anti hooligan laws) The rest of the week I concentrate on being a good husband and dad and going to work.

I must say that I don't agree with Sunday games which seem to be taking over from the traditional Saturday 3.00 kick offs.

Thanks Banksy for the info re gigs I will try the Farncombe gig on your recommendation as my ma in law lives in Kingston(not the Jamaican one) which appears to be fairly near so babysitting could be thrown into the bargain.I didn't want to sound offish or ungrateful and it is always interesting to hear it as it is from our superstars.

Mark 

Mark