Tour Diary Part 1: Wendy took ill but we still made it!
May 5th, 2008May 2nd- Edinburgh-The Day started in jovial fashion when we set off on our way for an early radio show in Edinburgh, early mornings and long van journey’s dont mix well in the steeples setup! We dont function well when Hutch hasn’t slept or smoked enough, Dan hasnt had a go, I haven’t had a diva strop and Alex hasnt eaten at least half his body weight.
Before we could even get down to the nitty gritty of taking the piss out of each other our beloved van Wendy took a strop of her own. After pulling into the garage we found out that she too was not in the mood today. It was going to take more than a bit of oiling and lubricating to get the experienced one to harbour us on our journey north. We were going to need the help of a skilled tradesman to get north so we left her in his company and headed back to my house to indulge in the comforts it offers!Four or Five hours past and we were wondering if Wendy had decided that the tradesman and home he could offer her was much more tempting than a wild cross country chase to edinburgh. However her heart remained true and she was stood to attention at 5pm prompt waiting to take her children north of the border.We had unfortunatley by this time missed our radio show slot and also had to cancel our acoustic gig on the streets of Edinburgh which we were rather dissapointed about but all was not lost. Our stage Time was 9.15pm which left us 4hrs and 15 minutes to make it up there. It was going to be a tight one. Myself and Dan had a jaunt each in Colin McRae mode (R.I.P colin your soul and legacy lives on in the form of two curly haired upstarts from lancashire) and managed to make it in 4hours and 10 minutes!!
We quickly set up and I promptly blew my whistle to signal the start of soldier dance to the joy of the citrus club crowd. As the crowd started to sing along to the words of our songs we all kinda took a look at each other and mouthed the words ‘what the Fu*k??’ we never knew our edinburgh fanbase was so large! It was a rather joyful moment after the stress of the day for le steeple!Post Gig we settled down for a well earned beer and reflected on what had been another memorable show north of the border for the steeples. Whilst we were bantering away the venue had changed into an 80s disco to the delight of Myself, Dan and some of the older folk who had stuck around to party with us!! needless to say Hutchy was not amused by our provocative advances towards him during Wham and Duran Duran tunes. He’s not in touch with his pink side in the slightest, which granted me and Dan do play on a little much at times, but thats the rules of banter!!We say our goodbyes and head off to our hotel in glenrothes, about 45 mins north of edinburgh to get some shut eye before the next days trip to Newcastle.
May 3rd - Newcastle (or Blyth to be exact)
The morning sunshine was bright and my three compatriots had a sparkle in there eye as we headed south, They had slept lots were as I had not. Tiredness aside I was in a excellent mood and the banter was flowing freeley. All vices had been attended too and everyone was fulfilled and raring to go.I however fell asleep despite Alex’s booming laugh every 10 seconds, I must have been tired. I woke up to find us in a tiny little coastal resort called Eyemouth. We had decided to stop here for lunch instead of the usual service station fodder and the change was welcomed by all!
A stroll along the beach was in order and whilst the lads took up the old past time of skimming stones along the sea I had a unfortunate Harlod Bishop moment. I had gone to inspect the depths of the sea from the rocks when to my horror My glasses fell into the murky scottish waters. I was fortunate in that the ocean was not so deep at that point and I quickly grabbed my goggles from the depths of despair. Unfortunatley The same fate was not bestowed on Mr Bishop, but he was eventually reborn years later to my delight!After a sandwich and yet another hours kip we set off for the two hours we still had to travel.
Passport Control at the border was quickly navigated and we arrived in Blyth just north of Newcastle at around tea time. Blyth Was an interesting place and reminded me a lot of such outposts as Barrow and Whitehaven. The kind of towns where everyone knows each other, just like home for us steeples!We were playing with a greek band called Matisse who were apparently huge back home with top 10 singles etc.. They were thoroughly nice blokes who seemed a little perplexed by there northern English surroundings. We had another 5 hours to kill before our stage time so we had a stroll around our new surrondings and went hunting in a pack for some food.
The options were limited and we settled on pizza which Hutch and Alex ate on the side of the road watching traffic go by. Myself and Dan opted for the more luxurious surrondings of our beloved Wendy who I think was pleased with the attention.We then had the luxury of a local bed for the night so set about having a beer and boogie in the venue. The music was rather good even if the locals wern’t present. I was interested to see what kind of client the establishment attracted. A few hours passed and the boys were in fine form. By this time the locals had appeared and my thirst for local knowledge had been quenched by a larger than life female who took a particular interest in the way we dressed. Some locals had taken offence to our tight jeans and shabby hair though. Apparently Dan in particular looks like Russel brand to the folk of blyth? and they didnt like it.
We played the gig and I think won over the locals with our jollyness. This was one of those gigs were we dont have a local fanbase and play to the locals. We dont do many of these anymore as the word of the steeples is spreading but when we do it is a nice change and a humbling experience. One vital To a band like ourselves.Post Gig we ended up back at a house party in this fair town, we were trying to get involved but the tiredness had well and truley kicked in by this point and It wasnt long before we headed back to our hostess with mostess’s house and took our rightful place on the couch and sofa bed provided! Vince was a good host and a good lad! I look forward to the next north east outing with him!Next week’s installment see’s us take in York, a ‘Private Party’ and our first festival in Glasgow!
Andy, Dan, Hucth and Alex
The Steeples x
