Pre-tour
thoughts



As
the tour was in the process of being set up I had been talking to Pete
for the interview we just completed, and with Davey and Dave as well.
I had the unique perspective of hearing them talk about the upcoming tour.
The whole feeling about what has been going on since the origional recordings
of
Living
Out Of Time has been a rollercoaster ride. The anticipation of the
possibility of getting this band to tour has been on everyones mind and
now the reality of it coming up just around the corner is finally starting
to hit home.
Some shows are already sold out, posters are going up, the anticipation
is growing.
I would
suggest to anyone wanting to catch these shows to get your tickets now.
Well
around Feb 28th the band will be together for the first time to start rehersing
the material
for the tour. Some standards I am sure, some from LOOT, and now we
hear there will also be some new material.
It
is great to see that the fans in the UK are going to get first crack at
the new remix
of LOOT.
It is dynamite! We in North America have been lucky in the past few
years to
get the music first and I know that a lot of friends in the UK end up waiting
to get
theirs. Hope we don't have to wait long. :o)
I am still hoping to get to one or two of the shows but it's not definate
yet.
I wanted to get a couple of comments from the guys (unfortunatly Robin
was not available at this time but I do hope to hear from him) about their
thoughts going in
at this
moment so I asked them a few questions about it.....
Steve : In anticipation of the upcoming tour, what's going through your mind?
Dave : I guess I'm as curious as anyone else
as to what to expect. All I can say is that the band is sounding as
good, better even, than ever. So those that come along shouldn't be disappointed.
Robin is playing his
ass off, so we'll see!
Pete : Apart from the obvious anticipation
of playing live with the guys again, especially in the UK and Europe
as we have not toured here in this format, I am just really looking forward
to it.
Davey : You know I am so looking forward to
playing with these guy's. This band is one of the best, if not
THE best I have ever worked with. They are just great players, great guy's,
no rock stars, no bullshit.
I was just thinking the other day about bass players. I have worked with
what I consider to be the two
best bass players in the world. Dave Bronze and Randy Jackson. Pete is
as good as it get's, and then
of course there is Rob. If this lot can't "move" you, you have a hole in
your soul!!
Steve : Returning to play as a group in
the UK will prove to be a different experience, particularly for Robin
and Davey, who haven't played there for years. Along with the zealous
fans, I would imagine a lot of
the venues will be made up of your personal friends and family (some of
whom may never have seen
you play before with this band). Granted you're all professionals, but
are there any thoughts about
performing in front of a more familiar audience?
Dave : As a rule I detest playing for people
I know. I feel it affects my concentration on the job at hand, and
part of me is worrying what they think of the show. In general I never
tell any friends or family about
gigs, even if they live really close. I know, I'm weird!
Pete : I don't think it will affect me at all. There aren't any real 'home town' gigs, so I'm not thinking about that.
Davey : Well I tell you what mate, this wee
Scot, and the three English guy's are going to do what we do, and
if they want to "roll' with us, everyone will have a great time. I can
tell you this....we will rock the joint!!!!
Steve : Are there any little rituals or routines you perform on your own or as a group prior to going on stage?
Dave : As a group, I don't remember any. As
for me, I just like to sit quietly in the dressing room and not
shmoose with anyone. Mental preparation is very important to me.
Pete : Just being alone backstage for a while and doing a few wrist stretching excercises.
Davey : Speaking for myself, I have two Budweisers
before going on stage. I give Pete as much shit as I can
possibly come up with (In cahoots with Bronzie) As you may have figured
out by now, Pete takes a lot
of kidding. We do laugh a lot!!!!
Steve : Do you think this tour will make it's way to North America?
Dave : I have really got no idea. That is firmly in the hands of RT, Derek and the North American public!
Pete : I have no idea, but I hope so.
Davey : Going by what I am told, not this year. but I hope so.
Steve : I have heard UK audiences,
as a rule, are more subdued than those in North America. From the mail
I've received from fans in the UK, I will bet that this tour will prove
to be an exception to the rule.
Dave : I honestly don't know what to expect.
Pete : We'll just have to wait and see
Davey : I dont really know what to expect
from a UK audience now. It has been 22 years since I played in the
UK with the Gamma band. It is I think different from America audiences,
but I think they will turn out in
force, and be happy to see us.
Steve : Can we expect any new compositions
scattered throughout the songs chosen for the set list(s)?
Dave : Yes.
Pete : Yes, there will be some new songs
Davey : Well I know that we are preparing
to do another album when I am over there, so I guess we will
try some of them out to see how they go down.
Steve ; Any final words you'd like to share
before you hit the road?
Dave : Only this; life is very strange! Up
until very recently I would never have thought this tour would have
happened. Interesting times!
Pete : I'm really looking forward to it.
Davey : I think that anyone who has the chance
to see this band in a live situation should make the effort to be
there. I tell you truthfully Steve, when I was in this lineup in the mid
eighties, I thought it was the
best band in the world. For me as a singer, I am privileged and honoured
to work with these guy's.
They are the best of the best.