2005 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.
