Feeling good with FP in Brum

[harembee]

When FP's former Tour Manager, Eric, contacted me to tell me that the guys were to support The Feeling on their UK tour, I was excited - well, fairly ecstatic actually! But when I looked at my work schedule my heart sank. I had always been lucky in the past, always able to take time off when needed, but there was no way I could pull it off on this occasion. So I quit my job, phoned my dogsitter and threw a selection of FP t-shirts into my rucksack. I was ready to rock!

I am extremely patriotic and just adore travelling around the UK from city to city, seeing the sights and meeting interesting people along the way. Every day is different and offers experiences new. Every gig is different too of course, so each one is looked forward to immensely and cherished.

The guys were great every night of course, but if I had to choose one gig to relive it would be the one in Birmingham. This preference is founded purely upon the fact that I find the folks of Birmingham (Brummies) extremely friendly and always receptve towards new bands. Spreading the FP word there is relatively easy there in comparison with other UK cities. The promotional highlight this time for me was giving a live interview about the guys on a popular radio station. It went well and I loved doing it.

The last time the guys played at Birmingham's Carling Academy they were in a tiny, dark, extremely hot hell-hole upstairs, to the rear of the building, yet they still gave it their all and quenched the musical thirsts of some friends and I. This time however they were to perform on the main stage to 800 fans of The Feeling, plus myself and two other FP friends who I spent time with later.

I met up with the guys before the gig, during their soundcheck, and took most of the photos you find attached. The group shot was taken by Pete in the green room however. I am with Joe and Seton of course and The Feeling's bassist, Richard Jones.

The setlist varied a little during the tour. In Brum the guys played Death Machine, It's A Lie, Cross The Line, Put On Your Shoes, Runnng The Country, Sadr City Blues and Two Sisters. The crowd gave them a decent response but as always it was all over way too soon. I watched part of The Feeling's performance then prepared to hand out some posters that Joe had thust into my hand. A couple of local DJ's hosted a bit of a do aferwards so I mingled with everyone for a spell before heading off to my hotel. It had been a long but rather fantastic day.

[drinksmithwicks]

Wow, these are really good pics! Very in-the-moment.
Cool to see Euro pics popping up!

Great review, too. You were interviewed on the radio to promote the show? How did that happen? What did they ask you?

Looking forward to hearing about this, too.

[lizmontana]

What an awesome hat! I wish to have my pic taken w/that hat!!
Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Liz

[harembee]

More about the interview? OK, let’s see........

I had been interviewed by the same radio presenter on previous occasions and so was confident enough to just call her and ask if there was any possibility she would like to chat again, preferably on the day of the gig. She said that she had a guest speaker booked already that day but would see if she could squeeze me in by allocating us both half of the airtime available. However, when I arrived at the studio she had good news for me. The other speaker had pulled out so I could have the whole slot to myself. I was delighted and quickly added a couple of extra tracks to my playlist.

We started by chatting a little about me personally, then the first of my song choices was played – ‘Roxanne’ by The Police. I explained that this song, though a solo version by Sting, had blown me away at the Live Aid gig, way back, and had led me to rethink the music I listened to from thence on. I used this then to make the link with Fiction Plane – saying that their music had had a similar effect on me and how wonderful it had been therefore to see the guys support The Police recently. There was absolutely no mention of any DNA connections. I had specifically asked that this be avoided prior to going on air. We are all so tired of that old chestnut aren’t we? I briefly described the guys’ music history next and ‘Two Sisters’ was played.

We discussed the Fiction Plane Harem fan group next. I explained how and why I had founded the group and how linking up allows us all to increase our ability to promote and support the band. I informed her of the ways in which we bombard radio and TV stations with requests for FP’s music to be played, hassle record stores to stock it, encourage others to join us in chat on this website, and generally spread word that the guys are awesome and should be thus acknowledged.

I then plugged the gig at the Academy that night and thanked The Feeling for inviting FP to support them by requesting that their single ‘Without You’ be played. We talked more about the tour generally after that, which enabled me to plug all the other venues. Most dates were supposedly sold out but it was still possible to get your hands on a ticket if you tried hard enough. I also told a couple of funny stories about my experiences ‘on the road’ over the years.

I promoted 'Left Side Of The Brain' next and ‘Drink’ was played. I got emotional. Good job blushes and watery eyes can't be seen on radio! The presenter really loved it so I invited her to join me at the gig and an after show gathering to learn more about FP. She accepted the invitation gladly.

My final song choice was Nirvana’s 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' which I dedicated to Fiction Plane. It is my favourite Nirvana track and seems appropriate as the guys were just teenagers themselves when they first heard Nirvana and were inspired sufficiently to want to become musicians themselves.

True to her word, the presenter came along to the gig and continues to play Fiction Plane tracks now and then. Her partner DJ’s at one of Birmingham’s clubs and does likewise. I am very grateful to them both.

Thanks for reading my off-the-top-of-my-head interview ramble. Does anyone else have any other FP promotion stories? If so, do share them!