Prague

After not getting any real rest and not having any time to sort out a set I headed of to Prague for a dj set with Tm Juke.  I was feeling broken, real broken but always looking forward previewing our first live dj show.

The venue was a large empty cinema with the worst sound you could wish for, real bouncy! 

After spending a few hours trying to workout what we were going to play we hit the stage.. The only thing that was missing was the crowd, it was empty.. a real bummer! But the people that were there really made the difference, they had a good dance and looked like they were enjoying the tunes.  I'm not sure how big Dub-step is in Czech Republic but people seemed to enjoy it, we felt like we were playing music from the future, "Their kids are going to love it". 

Now I'm home for two days before starting the England leg of the tour, check alicerussell.com for details.. 

Oh we have a tv show to record in Paris on Tuesday, I forgot about that one!  Onwards and upwards!!

Munster to Berlin

Well it's been a few days since the last post, the end of the tour flashed past in a blur of confusion and partying. 

Munster was a real treat for us to play, a small little venue which reminded us of little clubs in london, a bit rough and with a small little stage.  We had got used to playing on large stages and thought this one might be a little disappointing and maybe an anti-climax, however the crowd were amazing, they danced and sang from beginning to end, listened and cheered at all the right places.. This ended up being one of the best shows of the tour, a real treat thanks to the lovely people of Munster.

The last show of the European leg was Berlin, my favorite city outside of hometown London.  I was spoilt to have a home cooked fry-up with some old college friends and their kids, it was a lovely moment to take me out of tour mode and allow me to play chase the car with a giant Gorilla.. 

After a bit of shopping we hit the stage for the last show, again to a lovely crowed who seemed to be enjoying Alice's power voice, as they cheered at every attack. 

The tour was then over, just a long drive back to london ahead of us.  

This journey ended up being a long one.. was dropped the Brighton guys off then managed to breakdown on the motor way on the way up to london, I was leaving for Prague the next day and only had that evening to get my stuff together, I wasn't happy.  After a while our lovely tour manager put us in a taxi and sent us home. The Tour had finally come to an end.. 

Home for 6 hours.. Bliss

Munster

Today Alice is single of the week on Itunes!!! It's a free download.. Go check!!!!! 

Bremen

Bring your daughter to the slaughter! 

Today is the 20th anniversary since the Berlin wall came down and we are playing in a slaughter house in Bremen.  It is cold and miserable and everyone is feeling the gloom of being on the tour, Alice is losing her voice, Ewan is still ill, and everyone else is drunk!  I'm cold, tired and feeling pretty sick from eating to much cheese.   

Randomly the show was pretty good, a sit down affair with a few psychedelic dancers down the front. After a relaxing massage I was feeling much better.. 

After the show a few of use ended up in the smokiest bar in the world.. I can now see why it was banned in England.. Nasty.. I can sense a headache coming on! 

The show was recorded for Radio Bremen, so if you're local check it out. 

Cologne

We are now back in the bus of love an heading from Cologne to Bremen (not sure of spelling!).  The day in Cologne started off real well as we found an amazing cake shop that sold things of beauty made form cream, dam they were nice but I don't think I really needed the spaghetti bolognese straight after.  I really have to cut back on the fatty foods that I'm eating, so much cheese and beer! Even though it so dam tasty I'm starting to look huge, time for some health.. 

The show tonight ended up being quite a surprise, the venue was in the middle of nowhere and was pretty small and to top it all off it was a sunday! Personally I was pretty broken, the playing every night has taken it's toll on my body, my arms feel like jelly and my leg is aching after doing a kung fu round-house kick into a bench last night.. The crowd and the people that worked at the venue were really amazing, they made us feel very special and we wanted to do a good show because they made such an effort in coming out of town to this random squat of a place.  It seemed like they really knew Alice's music as they sang along to the whole set, which gave us the energy we needed to perform. We had a blast! 

Now after a fridge of Guinness's and a few games of football on the Playstation i am ready for bed.  We have a spa and massages booked in the morning, I hope they know what they are getting themselves into, we are a big bellied band!   

Frankfurt

My belly feels like it's got a hole in it! I'm eating so much food right now but I'm always hungry.  I'm laying on the tourbus dreaming of fried breakfast.. please someone bring me some food! Anything would be nice, some random meat that tastes like plastic, or some chocolate that melts in your mouth, not in your hands!  All I've got in my bunk is sparkling water that come out of my nose when I drink it! 

Today we spent wondering around town, checking out the local shops and markets but ended up in a pub called Zum Kukuck, which we were guessing is a gay bar as Alice was the only person there without a goatie and a bald head but they did serve some fine beers. 

We just finished the frankfurt show and the vodka has been flowing, the small beef steak we had hours ago seems like a distant memory.. Tonights show was like a circus performance, full energy and dance routines, we're not Beyonce but the crowd were in party mood and we were up for getting involved. 

Germany seems like it's gonna be fun, I'm looking forward to the next few days eating sausage and drinking beer, oh and maybe playing a bit of music while I'm here! 

Paris

Well I'm now officialy in tour world, hangover, tired, confused to where we are in the world.. but it feels good..
Last night we played a monster show in the Bataclan, in Paris. The place was packed and the people were up for a party. The Killer Horns joined us from london which is always a treat, those boys can smash any show with their dance moves and their tight playing. The crowd were feeling it and made us feel very special on stage, we had a blast..
We then had to hit the drinks, you don't go to Paris without getting smashed, and with the help of a few dear friends we hit the Panic Rooms bar.. After challenging sound man Petebull to down our shots through straws the party kicked off.. but as we had to then drive to germany it was a short lived affair, but judging by the state of everyone it was best we left early..
Today we are in Frankfurt, I've been told I have been here before but I can't yet remember it.. the hangover is still here and I've just done the worst thing a man can do, eat in McDonalds! I'm sorry!!!!!
Till tomorrow folks......

Cheese.. that's what we are about right now.. oh and a bit of wine. 

After a few days off relaxing by the pool we are back on the stage, where Alice joined us after two days in Germany doing press. 

Last night was Feyzen, near Lyon.  A lovely crowd and a fun show.. We tried out the new Frank Zappa stage plan, my self and Ben Jones up on riser's across the back,  with Dan in between... a 3x3 formation.. and it worked a treat. 

We are now in the beautiful city of Bordeaux, ready to do it all over again.. with a new cover of the Common tune "The Light".. 

Then over night to gay Paris where the Killer horns will be ready and waiting for a pants party.. 

  

Why is it when one drinks, one ends up talking about god? We all do it, why? is beer such a eye-opener? does it make you challenge the worlds biggest questions?   Well I've said my bit and now I'm heading to bed, the early hours are here and it's time for sleep. 

I'm trying to keep away from bad hangovers this tour, I've had one too many over the last few years, and I'm sure they are lasting two or three days now.  Most of my days are spent thinking why did I drink loads last night? If I'd stopped earlier or even drank some water, I wouldn't have such a bad hangover today.  But it rarely happens that you don't go to bed without a class of wine by your side, or maybe a whisky if you're feeling healthy.  This will change i promise! 

We have played our Halloween set to the folk of Istres, I think it went down well.  We had the classic drunk guy in the front that wanted to clap the whole way through all the songs, including the ballads, this is enough to throw you off any form of time keeping, but he was having fun, so it wasn't too bad. 

We now have two days off to relax by the pool, so the sun tan session is on.  it's hot here, so I think the swimming shorts will be at the ready! Somebody get me some baby lotion.... Er? 

Sonnois France

After having a grueling rehearsal in the red room of doom in London we loaded up the bus and headed overnight to the first town of Sannois.   None of us know what part of France we were in but we guested it was near Paris, as it was cold. After eating a Chinese meal that made mud seem tasty, we hit up the EMB venue. It was a treat to have Quality Street chocolates of the rider, so we were a happy band. 

The show included some new and some very old tracks that we haven't played for a while, all good fun.  

After a few drinks and a bottle of sparkly we challenged Ewan to "play that tune" on the guitar, amazingly he know them all.. He's either a genius or he had an abused childhood where he was made to learn every classic song in a darkened room. 

Off we go to the south of France to Istres, again I have no idea where it is... But it's Halloween.. Bring on the devil heads and pumpkin faces!!

Oh did I mention we're making a movie? 

Alice Russell 30th Oct 09

Here we are, back on the road, bringing on the madness!  This is gonna be the first of many daily blogs by myself and the band whilst we travel across France, Germany and Britain over the next 4 weeks.  I must apologize in advance for the randomness, being on the road can lead to many drunken moments that wont make any sense.  But hey it gives us something to do with our spare time.. and hopefully an insight into the band.. Enjoy! 

Alice Russell tour book, the test.

Testing testing..  Just making sure this thing is working, I'm a bit new to this crazy world of blog town!