The Tour So Far...

1. Glasgow's gig was at Nice N' Sleazy's, an intimate venue with appreciate polite crowd who perhaps thought they were in for something quieter. A nice drunk man came up afterwards and talked to me about my drum kit (a 60's Hayman in midnight blue). He had played a similar one thirty years back and mine brought him back memories. Later we went out and a girl called Lola told us that she was writing her autobiography (chapter 1. Catholic Guilt, chapter 2. Virginity, chapter 3. Catholic Guilt, and so on). My final recollection is of a friend of Johnny's, thoroughly nice when sober, becoming utterly pished, chucking irn bru over me by accident, and chanting 'Zubi, Zubi' at an indian man called Zubi.

2. Newcastle at the Cluny. A huge crowd with dancing and shouting to boot. The gig was followed by an over-expensive drink at an over-expensive bar. I called it a night soon after a girl had said to Joe that she and him were wearing the same shoes. Our polite support act, Jay Jay Pistolet, did not, and had quite a time of it at an ensuing house party, complaining to his gravel-voiced manager that "I can't go to sleep because people are in my room talking about taking Coke, and taking Coke."

3. In Birmingham we played the intimate Glee club, with seated audience. A girl cried at the intensity of Brown Trout Blues, which was gratifying (oddly). To us, however, the night was an intense comedy of errors, with missed cue's, wrong endings and equipment fuck-ups. Whiskey and songs in the tour van afterwards (accompanied by Joe's Chilean songstress) was fun.

4. Our best performance of the tour so far was at the Manchester's gig at the Ruby Lounge. Josephine O joined us as a new support, and was brilliant that night (see myspace.com/josephineoniyama for more). Our set was real tight too and really appreciated. Plus, a night in with bread and leftovers left us feeling half decent in the morning as well. And if that wasn't enough entertainment, Beach and I bumped into a gaggle of drunk fat girls at lunchtime who had been refused from the audience of the Jeremy Kyle show.

5. Leeds at the Adelphi. A heaven and hell gig this one. We effectively played to two rooms as the stage was sort of L shaped. The room to my right was quiet and respectful, but the bar area was noisy and annoying. The drummer from Kaiser Chiefs was there, and talked all the way through. What a guy... Once again we had great support though, with Jo O being joined by the amazing Laura Groves, who I've been a big fan of for a fair while now. Then it all got a bit weird. We went to the venue's adjoined club later on, Jo in tow, and were all having a good old time when I turned round to see a guy aim a huge punch at me. As I was sober I moved and he just clipped my chin, but he went for another and Johnny jumped in before it landed. After an ensuing tussle which I didn't see, it all got broken up. Johnny took one in the face for me, essentially. Pleasing. Later on we caught up with the guy outside the club and confronted him asking what the fuck he'd done that for. He started snivelling, almost crying - no joke - and said that he thought that one of us had spilt his drink on him but had realised after the scrap that he'd got it wrong. He started saying "Im such an twat, I'm such a twat" over and over again, blaming it on his upbringing and background, and forced us to take ten of his english pounds (the money kind)! A strange evening then, but as no real damage was done to anyone, it was pretty funny all in all.

6. Nottingham. A packed gig at the Bunker's Hill pub. A real stormer. Miriam came and it was brilliant to have her there. The set went well and the audience were perfect. Afterwards I sped home to Loughborough where I have been ever since. Oxford tomorrow.....

So far its been alright, a lot of laughs and some good gigs. Hopefully it will continue along the same lines.

Matt