23 May 2012
Ensconced in the café bar at Exeter Phoenix now, long time ago we were here on the “13thStar” tour with damp laundry bedecking the rails on the load out bay! Considering the promo machine only ticked over on these gigs the numbers have been more than healthy and the band despite having been in storage for over 3 years are together and grooving in a sweet space.
Set list for these shows clocked in at an hour and 45 in rehearsals but with Fishy jabbering and incidental music it’s been over 2hrs 15 in Southampton and 2.20 last night in Bath!!”Perception of Johnny Punter” launches the show followed quickly by “Credo” and “Assassing” that sit well together early doors.”Long Cold Day” is the first song where I allow myself an intro.“Moving Targets”, “Brother 52” and “Square Go” are the next 3 in a row before “Vigil” is intro’d and takes on another energy form in the electric set up!
“Innocent Party” rocks out before “Dark Star” gives us a breather and then “So Fellini” and “Openwater” slide the tempo up again.
Frankie unleashes the magic on the whammy bar on “Cliché” and then the welcome return of “Forgotten Sons” closes the set with a revitalised attack.
“Fugazi” reigns as the only encore and brings the curve home.
I have to cut the set back to an hour and 20 minutes for the double headers and tbh I am torn at what to drop out!
Frankie has handled the single guitarist situation brilliantly and the shapes and vibes of the songs are leaner, groovier and harder.
My voice has held up well and is continuing to strengthen in the electric format.(Something I admit to being slightly concerned about after 180 acoustic shows!)
It’s a welcome day off tomorrow in Exeter and I’ll be padding about town on a shopping expedition before diddly bopping bars later on.
The soundcheck rumbles through in the hall and I have to find a way to kill another hour and a half before my turn.
Looking forward to tonight’s show – it will be another hot steamy affair me thinks! 🙂