Posted: 24 November 2008 at 2:55pm | IP Logged

I went

Robs ATF Tour Blog #1

Posted: 24 November 2008 at 7:31pm | IP Logged

mate! I forgot to mention your blind courage - Who but you would dare to ware all black to a welsh gig. And you survived! What a hero! :) 

Posted: 26 November 2008 at 9:02pm | IP Logged

OK, for those who don't do myspace....

A month ago I was doing the folky thing with Gareth tho I'm not a folky. Now I've ended up doing the 80's synth rock god thing with After the Fire tho i'm not really an 80's rock god. But hey, It's great fun.

So, Friday 21st we had a date with Mal Pope on BBC Radio Wales. I left home at 12:30pm thinking I'd have time to drop by Moondog guitar makers in Cardiff before heading across town to the beeb. Stopped on the M5 for the worst motorway coffe I've ever tasted and in my shocked state bought 'Rebel Without A Cause' on DVD for 5.99 from the bargain DVD shelf.

Hit Newport at 4pm and by 4:30 had got half a mile. Two years ago we went camping in South wales and got stuck in the same roadworks. The welsh workmen know how to make a job last, and I guess they have to in the welsh labourmarket.

Anyway, gave up on the idea and headed straight for the beeb which I found without the aid of a sat-nav. *smug*. And I arrived 20 minutes before Mr's Banks and Russel which meant I had time to get a BBC cup of tea from a BBC canteen. I can report it beat the motorway coffee for vileness hands down!

We'd been told the studio was a rabbit hutch but as it turned out we got a fairly cavernous room with a piano. Angela the producer was cool and sorted us out with some mechanical tea before and during the show. The session was totaly acoustic  so we stuck to fairly acoustic friendly songs. The opener was One Rule followed through the hour by Carry me Home, You, and Billy Billy, which according to my uncle, rocked, even with Johns pear shaped guitar.

Pete showed true form in interviewing techniques by completely ignoring a question and launching into details of the tour - a true polotician answering the question he wanted to hear! Then for me, it was off to Pyle (not a verb) to stay with familly.

Got to Zac's place at 3ish the next day. The Welsh were readying themselves for what their rugby coach later called a 'proud defeat' by the Kiwi's but the stunning ATF crew were well into rigging. It was a proper stage and everything, big enough for Pete to stage dive from again. I offered to give him a hand but he declined.

Zac's is run by the God Squad, a Christian bikers club. Sean is the boss of the place and they work with the homeless around Swansea offering all kind of services such a meals, clothing etc. It really is an amazing place and well worth supporting the work they do.     

They fed us as well which was nice- shepherds pie and vegitarian lettuce for JP. I sat alone on the under 40's table during lunch until Ian pretended to be young and joined me.

We weren't sure what the turnout would be like but weren't dissapointed. It was a good crowd and we stormed thru the first set. It's been a while since i played with a band and it was great fun. I have a feeling I 'dad danced' but who cares.

The second set began with me on my own and I was a wee bit nervous how it would go after a rocking first half. I didn't need to worry tho. It was a great crowd and they seemed to like my songs and it was great to have ATF playing on a couple of my tunes.

All in all it was stunning. Driving back I stopped for more hideous M5 coffee before getting back to coventry for 3am.  

Roll on next friday for the next couple of gigs.

Posted: 26 November 2008 at 10:25pm | IP Logged

Nice one Rob, glad to see youve sorted out the typos from your blog (not sure if it was your end or the upload), are you ready for the long treck to Surrey/South London? Hope youve got ypur passport up to date!

Colin