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[iloveasunflower]

Roland's Tour Diary: 7th May

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Saturday, May 7, 2005

Well, another intense period is finally over for TFF, I can stop obsessing about my voice and leave the calorific honey and lemon to one side for a while. I feel we left London on a high, even if some of the reviews have made out otherwise. The mind boggles as to how people read body language – Curt and I are getting on famously – if we weren’t, you’d soon hear about it and I could indulge in some fantastic bitching during this tour diary – but no – live, we are a band and have no desire to ‘Wham’ it up with fake buddiness.

I’ve read some of the comments posted and can’t say I disagree with even the more negative ones. We were caught slightly off-guard by the lack of awareness of ELAHE in the UK, and I think Glasgow was the peak of a mutual ignorance, with us clumsily dividing the set into old and new. It wasn’t until Newcastle that we remedied the situation – and boy, what an audience! Shades of New York!

I also think we have too much of the new album in the set. Admittedly, the touring was designed to get the point across, but I do think we could make a better show, if we increased the repertoire and started to replace some of the newer songs – more upbeat tunes would work in our favor, and as we are hitting the US in the summer, it might well be time for a change. (Points taken about RATKOS – however, bear it in mind, we do three songs from ‘Big Chair’ – ‘Listen’ would be impossible and ‘The Working Hour’ requires a saxophone – any offers? ‘I Believe’ – maybe. )

Cardiff was as close to a home gig as we could get, with a couple of busloads crossing the Severn Bridge from Bath and Bristol. The atmosphere was very casual and relaxed, and the gathering in the green room, after the show, did resemble a wedding. One great thing about being a ‘seasoned professional’ is you learn to take things like playing in front of friends, family and neighbors in your stride – you just imagine you’re throwing a big party!

Points also taken about the dance remixes that are accompanying the UK single releases, although I would say I have a fondness for the ‘Call Me Mellow’ ones. I guess like Tony Blair it’s time to listen to the electorate and start working on some obscure beauty in the form of B-sides, that would titillate the fans, and keep us interested. I’m also touched by some of your comments about RATKOS – I believe that album must have sold by word of mouth, as it didn’t receive much attention at the time. Over 700,000 copies now sold (unless I’ve been misinformed – can’t be that many hardcore fans) – not bad considering.

It’s off to Paris on Sunday for more delightful press and promotion – things, however, have gone our way there with the CTTH video getting a nice bit of airtime. As you are probably aware, we are playing a show in the French capital on June 18 (with Moby and Garbage), and the record company has certainly filled up our days over the coming week. I can’t wait for the late, late night chat shows with some poor sod trying to translate our perverse asides!

Anyways, thanks for all the interesting posts and glad that at least some of you enjoyed our UK adventure. Now is the time to put in your requests for live songs as Big Brother will be watching very intently over the next week ;)

Roland

[iloveasunflower]

Roland's Tour Diary: 7th November

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Sunday, November 7, 2004 Greetings from the "Road"! More than two weeks have past since we played Austin and after tonight (Milwaukee), the ELAHE tour should become a bit of a cakewalk. We're looking at plenty of days to rest our weary voices and time to hopefully get in some tennis. We were spoilt, very early on, when we played New York City as only our third show. Everything snapped in to place that night and it was especially significant for me, having friends who flew from England, and my sons, really for the first time, experiencing their Dad, doing what he does best (well apart from a few other things!). I think Pascal (my youngest) has developed a taste for the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, jumping around the tour bus like he was king of the hill! Since then, we've been surprised by the warmth and enthusiasm of the audiences. Last night (Columbus), on leaving the venue, a fan commented that having seen TFF in concert seven times, this was by far the most relaxed she'd seen us - ah well, that should scotch any rumours about on-tour tensions. After the show, it was on the bus for some very unhealthy pizza and a classic "Animal House" DVD (why don't women wear underwear like that anymore?) - an overnight drive took us to Milwaukee which is where I am writing this, in my bath robe, waiting for my hair to dry!!!!!!!!!! I have been grabbing the opportunity while we trundle along for hours in our rather plush tour bus ;), to program up another tune from 'The Hurting' (wait and see). It would be so nice to play all the songs that people want to hear - 'Woman in Chains' being an obvious one that is missing from the set - we played it in NY with a guest vocalist (the superb Amy Keys) and she will be performing with us on the west-coast. No songs from RATKOS either - I was touched last night to see a guy down the front with the most impressive tattoo of the Raoul Insignia - I'm tempted to get one myself! I will update you , from time to time, to let you know who is winning the ongoing Gin Rummy tournament, how many of Curt's cryptic crosswords we've managed to complete - who's up in doubles (tennis) and whether keyboard player Doug Petty manages to develop a backhand. Well, time to get ready for soundcheck! Tomorrow is...................... another day!

[iloveasunflower]

Roland's Tour Diary: 30th November

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Tuesday, November 30, 2004 Let's see if I can answer some questions while reporting back about the tour. A live DVD? - you know, it has been discussed. There are plenty of companies willing - I guess the longer we leave it, the more the set will develop, creating a better show to film. As I mentioned, the UK release of ELAHE will contain extra tracks. Also, Gut Records have done a couple of dance remixes for CTTH - they are......................... interesting (?) and very hooky! I like the way Gut are aggressively pursuing every option. I can see a few of you dancing around in your underwear to them (that one for the ladies!). .........and.......( drumroll! ).............we're making a video (shock horror!). We film the mainly animated clip in LA on Dec 6 - director is Mike Palmieri. Award for most patient audience goes to Tucson - I could see the relief on their faces when we only played one encore. No one told me it was an outdoor venue - needless to say the jacket did not come off - it was freezing and a real struggle for the ailing vocal chords. Big Brother is no longer in Vegas (great show) but did enjoy an incredible Thanksgiving with Perry Rogers and his family. (He manages Andre Agassi, Shaquille O'Neal and many others.) It's fascinating to see the other side of that town where people lead wholesome, honest lives. We talked about next year's Agassi CF show - it's the ten year anniversary! hopefully, we'll be invited back ;) Well KMK has safely returned home. It was great to hang and I'm waiting for her side of the story with baited breath - hopefully, she won't spill too many beans!!!!!! I would say, however, that her view of the shows may well be affected by her choice of footwear???????!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here in LA, I'm looking forward to some time off. I watched my first English soccer match, this morning, for some time, and tonight, I can't wait for 'Desperate Housewives'. All the best Roland

[iloveasunflower]

Roland's Tour Diary: 17th November

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Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Back in LA for one night before we head down to Temecula for two in a row. This really is the home stretch - light at the end of the tunnel and other birth/death metaphors. The flight back from Denver was rather bumpy - if the tour bus is purgatory for Curt, then turbulence is hell for me. I'm afraid when it gets a bit rough, my head goes between my legs and among all the cursing, an instinctive need for a saviour re-emerges. LAX at the gate, strolled past Ashley Judd - WOW! (funnily enough, I'd just been thinking about her) - if that's not an example of the moon transiting my natal venus, I don't know what is. Arrived at the house and was greeted by the sight and sound of seven workmen in the backyard, ripping out trees and taking pneumatic drills to the (now empty) pool - one HELL of a racket - so much for a nap! (it's all change round here!!!). Last night was a solid performance - we threw in 'Memories Fade' - obviously a lot of 'Hurting' fans - they were pleased; we were relieved to get through it. Funnily enough, since we added some programming (yes we use a laptop!!!!!!!!), 'Pale Shelter' has become a very strong live track (who knew?). I'm very chuffed that we have Amy Keys with us for the majority of the remaining dates - you know my feelings about WIC - Amy did a great job in NYC and this will see the tour out nicely. Tomorrow morning (11/17), we have an early call, playing acoustically for the KLOS morning show. We're trying to ensure that LA is a sell-out - it's the largest show by capacity and should be a real hoot, being our 'home' gig???!!!!!!! It's an early night with salt water gargle. Vocal warm-ups in the morning to be drowned out (probably) by the sound of drilling! Yours clairvoyantly!

[iloveasunflower]

Roland's Tour Diary: 14th November

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Sunday, November 14, 2004

I thought I would take another break from aloofness (ha ha) and let you know how excited I am about last night's show in Kansas. After two well deserved days off in LA (you forget how great the weather is in that place), Curt and I took an ugly, early morning flight from Burbank to Dallas and on to Kitty Kitty Kansas. I had received an e-mail, the night before, telling me that Oleta Adams and her husband John were coming to the show - there was also John's cell number. I called immediately, mostly to see if there was a chance 'the great diva' would come up and perform my favourite song with us. Having been greeted by an answer machine, I really had no idea what was going to happen but JUST IN CASE we had Cory set up a mix and a mic for Oleta. When the curtain went back, there they were in the third row and I felt suddenly nervous, proud and excited. I made a (subtle) remark, after the fifth song, about Kansas being a special place of destiny and that we had a friend from there with a wonderful voice. Basically, it didn't take much for the audience to cotton on and it was then a case of could we get through the set without everyone clamouring for 'Woman in Chains'. Luckily, the audience calmed down enough for us to deliver a great show (apologies for my keyboards on 'Snow Hill') and before the encore, we sent Gruno off to ask the golden question. Well, the rest, they say, is history and will go down in my memory as a tour highlight. I feel WIC is such an important song and that we are somehow short-changing the audience when we don't play the best of our material. I've read some of the posts that are up already about last night and I'm glad to see that people are as excited as we are. Well, I'm not sitting here in my dressing gown and there seems to be a serious lack of tennis courts in downtown Denver - maybe I'll watch 'Animal House' again? All the best, the almost accessible Roland. (Now where did I put that ring?)