NME
EP tour diary parts 1 & 2
21.06.2010Friday 11th June – Skibunny arrive in INVERNESS, bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready for action. We already have fond memories of Highland good times, having previously DJ’d at Rockness and Belladrum festivals over the years. But this time it’s different, cause this time we’re playing LIVE! So first up it’s a showcase at Madhatters, part of the Go North event. We have time to catch Woodhands, a duo from Toronto whose equipment has been blown up with a dodgy converter and we are unfortunately deprived of all the synths and keytars they’ve brought along. We get the general idea however, and very much enjoy their synth/drum party vibe. Soon it’s 12.30am and time to play. The audience are in good spirits to say the least, and the show is super fun, and so we reward ourselves with a pint or two at the hotel bar with some old friends. My back is to the elevator, and therefore I do not see the doors open to reveal the sleepwalking naked man, who is… well… pleasuring himself! I am assured it was not a pretty sight. This story is told and retold throughout the weekend and has now become the stuff of legend.
Andy & Jon
Sat 12th June – ROCKNESS! After a stomach lining brunch we head out to Rockness and make our way over to the Go North stage. Once again we are reminded what a beautiful location this is for a festival. I stand and watch the Loch for some time to see if I can catch a glimpse of the monster, perhaps all this loud music has scared it off… Later I’m introduced to Toki from the band Mothercoat from Tokyo, Japan, and I try to remember my Japanese lessons (pretty rusty I’m ashamed to say). We manage to catch a few bands on the Go North stage, including Miaoux Miaoux from Glasgow, (he’s playing with us in Edinburgh too) and then we’re on. Again the crowd are up for the craic and lots of friends have come along to lend their support, thanks guys! After the show and a quick podcast interview, Andy (drums) and Jon (bass) head off to meet friends while I make it back to Inverness to catch Mothercoat at Madhatters. The place is packed and they are totally brilliant. Glow sticks are flying around the place and the band and audience are jumping in unison. A fantastic way to end the night.
Mothercoat
Sun 13th June – Back to Rockness for some more interviews, and then it’s time for Blondie. Everyone is super excited and it’s great to hear the hits. Then it’s time to go, and we start our 2-part journey to London, where we arrive on Mon 14th June Chez Liana in time for a couple of pints at the local and a good nights sleep.
Blondie
Tues 15th June – LONDON! Tonight’s show is at the Monarch in Camden. At this stage we are joined by soundman and good friend Finian. He works with Rolo Tomassi, Gallows and just last weekend was mixing Shy Child in Portugal! The gig goes really well, with a great deal of dancing going on down the front, so we are all very happy indeed.
Fin & Tanya
Wed 16th June – NOTTINGHAM! Last time we played Nottingham was on the Har Mar Superstar tour, such a great night, so we are excited to come back. Plus it’s Wednesday, or “Big Wednesday” which means ditching the car early and getting the jeagerbombs in. Spanky Van Dykes is a pretty new venue, with awesome TOTP style lights behind the stage, we love it. The show is a little quiet (don’t they KNOW it’s Big Wednesday??!!) but those in attendance are won over, they buy merchandise and we give them free badges. Then promoter Jeremy takes us all to the Bodega Social Club, where Big Wednesday is happening big style! We just miss Fin’s pals Pulled Apart By Horses, but we do get to meet James from Rolo Tomassi who seems like a top bloke indeed. Many Jaegerbombs later, it’s time for me to call it a night, leaving the boys to continue the Big Wednesday fun, and the next day I hear stories of parties in student Halls of Residence.
Spanky Van Dykes
Thurs 17th June – We awake to news that our show in BRISTOL was double booked, and therefore we are forced to cancel the trip. Major bummer… We settle instead for a couple of nights at home and the chance to do a bit of laundry and eat some fruit. Bristol, we’ll reschedule as soon as is possible!
Sat 19th June – LEEDS! The one way system in Leeds is very frustrating indeed, and with a Sat-Nav that has no signal and an iPhone map app that just tells lies, it takes us some time to find the venue. But we do eventually, and arrive at Carpe Diem ready to rock. We’re know we’re in the right place when we see the bartender is wearing a Lafaro tshirt (up the STA hoods!) The kitchen has closed though, so we wander off to find food, and decide to treat ourselves to amazing burgers at Nation of Shopkeepers, which looks like a pretty sweet venue too. Back to Carpe Diem and while we get set up, the DJ is playing our remix of Forward Russia’s “Thirteen”. Yay! By the end of our set we have definitely won over some new fans and we look forward to coming back to Leeds again soon.
table 5
So that’s half time I guess. Part 2 follows soon!
Thurs 24th June - BATHGATE, Harleys - FREE Fri 25th June - GLASGOW, Capitol, £5 on the door Sat 26th June - EDINBURGH, Electric Circus - BUY TICKETS Sun 27th June - FIFE, The Greenside, Leslie - FREE Fri 2nd July - ABERDEEN, Polar Bear Club @ Tunnels - £3/2Tour diary part 2
Thurs 24th June - After a few days off the tour continues, starting in my mother’s hometown of BATHGATE. We’re playing in Harley’s – “Midlothian’s no.1 live music venue”. There are 5 other acts on the bill, 3 of them play only covers. One of them plays 2 Oasis songs in a row. Clearly this is going to be a tough crowd. But I think we get away with it!
Fri 25th June – GLASGOW’s venue has been double booked, so we are moved to a slot downstairs in Maggie Mays. There’s a good turnout and although nobody knows who we are we receive a very warm welcome and leave with a bunch of new friends.
Sat 26th June – Can’t believe this is only our first EDINBURGH show! We’re playing Electric Circus, a great wee venue with amazing karaoke rooms. MIAOUX MIAOUX are also on the bill, it’s nice to finally get a proper chance to chat to Julian, he’s a lovely chap, check out his stuff immediately! PILOTCAN are playing too, the new line up sounds good, and later their soundman gets in trouble for making it too loud! Despite the 16 or so screens on the back wall, we are unable to make our visuals work but despite the technical problems it’s a fun gig. It’s great to finally play for some old friends and afterwards there is much catching up to be done.
Sun 27th June – Pretty excited to be back in FIFE again. We played at The Greenside in Leslie before, supporting YUCK, so it’s cool to be back headlining so soon. We’ve just found out that the other band on the bill (Be A Familiar) have cancelled, which is a shame. But the gig is fun, the crowd is up for it, good times all round! One thing is for sure, Fife KNOWS how to party, not bad for a Sunday!
Fri 2nd July – We head north up to ABERDEEN for the final show of the tour. We go to a nearby courtyard bar to meet the promoter and watch the end of the football and then it’s back round to the venue. We’re playing the Polar Bear Club at Tunnels, a great venue that will soon be hosting the likes of Mudhoney and The Wedding Present. We are warned that the students are all away and that the club may be quieter than normal, but we manage to make everyone come down the front and it turns out to be quite a laugh.
So that’s the end of the tour then, we have a bunch of festivals still to play through the summer, then we’ll be touring the album release (6th September! Not long to go now!) Thanks to everyone who came along, hopefully you’ll spread the word and we’ll see you all again very very soon!
SKIBUNNY xox