The Peoples' Acoustic Faith Tour,
February / March 2002.
By Paul Roberts.
Hello People! Apologise for the slightly
late tour diary; I'm afraid The Stranglers
and a terrible cold have taken up a lot of
my time. Not to mention the compilation of a
live CD!
First I must thank Chris for his efforts,
the use of his car and for the 3 months work
he put in before it all kicked off. My total
respect to him.
My equal thanks and respect go to the lovely
Sarah, who puts up with all this!! Thanks
for the lovely grub and warm beds. XXX.
Next I must send my thanks and a big kiss,
XX, to Baz's partner Julie (always with a
smile) who put up with me and Chris for a
few days and nights. Thanks for the
hospitality, the food and the wonderful
attic!! (it's great).
Big HELLO to all the kids that's Rachel,
Claire, Brett and Heidi, hope you enjoyed
your Easter presents! XXX.
Next I want to express my delight on having
Baz on board, he plays great and has a
wicked voice to boot. We never had a dull
moment. I'm sure you'll agree Baz's
performances added an extra dimension to the
shows. I love ya man!
My total respect goes out to all the
promoters: Karen Parfitt, Esther Hatch, Coco
Verrico, Mike Shewring, Scott and Heather
Philp, Andy Swallow, Rob Pilling, Paul
Templeman, Geoff Hampson, Barry Spooner,
Andy Rotherham and Mark "Salty" Salter. You
all did a fantastic job and I'm deeply sorry
for anyone who thought we may be turning up
late!!! These things happen and the last 8
days were particularly gruelling, with us
doing 11 (eleven) shows.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and feel it is
one of the best things I've done to date. It
was flattering to see so many people turn up
and special mention should go out to Ruth
and Paul, who attended every single show,
Cheryl Davies and Julian who came all the
way over from Australia, and Maaike, Manja
and Robbert who travelled over from Holland.
Sorry if I've forgotten any other foreign
visitors.
When you're running the show you shoulder
more weight than if you only have to perform,
so with that in mind you are always
concerned about how it will be accepted, on
top of organising stage set ups etc. However,
everything went very well and Chris really
excelled-especially in the driving
department! The Loch Ness drive is now
folklore and the tour diary alludes
occasionally to Chris's navigational skills.
The show very quickly established itself and
I must say listening to the recordings that
everyone seemed to have a really good time,
all in all very, VERY rewarding. Also, I
said before the tour that the idea is
open-ended and we will definitely be back on
the road before Christmas.
All the shows were excellent for different
reasons be it sound, fans, laughs etc, so I
won't pick a 'best'!
Swindon (15/02/02)
Arrived at gig and met Chris and lovely
family. No problems first night and we're
off... Always tricky-great sound in an
unusual venue-but ideal really and a great
way to begin the tour. Not bad for a first
night!!! Great audience and excellent
feedback-Karen Parfitt 10 out of 10!!
Barnstaple (16/02/02)
Long drive! Very warm welcome from staff and
friends. Sat down to home made food made by
the lovely Andrea, who was very kind and
accommodating. Special mention to Mark. The
place was crammed and Esther and Gavin made
a pretty penny for charity on top of a very
enjoyable night,.. long drive back to farm
through very thick fog. SLEEEP!!!!!!!!!!!
Bournemouth (17/02/02)
Really nice drive to hotel for Mr Verrico's
big night out. I managed to pick on the
owner of the place to start the evenings
frivolity-a very funny (ha ha) night and the
show begins to develop. The sound at this
show was excellent and the audience very
studious and appreciative-a thoroughly
enjoyable night-well done mate. Terribly
awful drive back to farm-this is the shitty
bit about touring like this, but, with a
good gig under our belts we can do anything.
Then just as we were enjoying ourselves we
have to stop... After a brief respite we're
BACK!!!
Market harborough (22/02/02)
Bit of a weird one this-where to set
up-eventually it wasn't too far from the
bar!!! A very busy night and I thought we
played excellently, the show's really coming
together, we seem to be laughing as much as
playing. A lot of new people at this gig.
Met some old fans and went home very
satisfied-fantastic night. Mike
Shrewring-TOP MAN.
-and now a short break-
Sat 16th March
Leave London for Bazs. Arrive in time for
footy with Baz and Brett - his lad. Down to
the local with Mick Battle, top geeza, and
back to Baz's for a scrumptious dinner
cooked by the lovely Julie, Baz's partner.
SLEEP!!!,,Coz we've got 5 hours of driving
and a show ahead of us, then 10 more in 7
days!!, Should be a gas… I hope!!
Nairn (17/03/02)
We started the last leg in the Highlands of
Scotland in a town called Nairn, where they
make clouds. Baz and I drive to Livingston
on Sunday lunchtime via a bacon sarnie
stop-to meet Chris, Scott Philp and his
partner Heather. Shortly after our arrival
we depart for the Highlands-3 hours ETA. Fab
drive. What a setting-backing onto the Firth
of Moray- the wonderful couple Paul and
Barbara that run the Invernairn Hotel made
us completely welcome and fed us proud. We
set up in the bay window of the bar
overlooking the Firth and what followed was
a night of hilarity and music-we really
nailed the show and to top it off we'd been
loaned a kilt each for our Scottish tour.
Stayed up with small but vocal audience and
were truly sorry to leave so soon. Go there
for a holiday!!! Baz also played a special
song for Paul the manager. Had a great trip
to Loch Ness and appeared in a dutch
Arthouse film! Our scene included
stone-skimming and sinking a bottle. Went to
Culloden, very weird but intriguing, you can
almost see the corpses of the clans in their
graves. Great day!
Aberdeen (18/03/02)
Arrived a bit late, just enough time to set
up and do a gig! Andy Swallow did a sterling
job and certainly never left his back door
open!!! Kilts are going down a storm. It
seems the show is now running itself, but
sleep would be good!!! Stayed overnight in
Aberdeen, hotel owner ends up being a
Stranglers fan!!!
Livingston (19/03/02)
Up and out for the schlepp to Livingston,
and back to Scott and Heathers for tea and
rest. In the afternoon we entertained some
local kids and adults too!! Neil McCann of
Glasgow Rangers gives us a signed shirt for
our auction-what an excellent bloke-thank
you. The kids were great but they ate all
our "glutinous bairns". After this matinee
we set up in the golf club and tonight we
are supported by the "Sawdust Caesars", a
great little combo. After soundcheck its
back to the house and Heather cooks an
amazing dinner of Chicken stuffed with
Haggis in a whiskey sauce-Scottish or
what-even tartan serviettes!!! Another great
audience and sound-really enjoyable gig-
lots of laughs but its our last gig in
Scotland. Scott and Heather were really kind
to us and even gave us gifts. Chris got a
Scotland 1 England 0 video, Baz some joke
Durex!! and me a Scottish to English to
Scottish language book-Excellent, two very
kind, hardworking people- THANK YOU!!!
Tonight we drive to Sunderland, capital of
the north-east!! No sleep again.
Darlington (20/03/02)
2 gigs today-should be fun. The first gig is
the weirdest I've ever done-in someone's
basement-what can I say. We did find Baz's
Dad's shop though-"Reg Warnes"-So we went in
to claim his back dated pocket money. Saw
Cheryl and Maaike. We played very well and I
must say it was a lot of fun-nice one Rob.
We had to navigate Chris out of the house
however. Back to Baz's for tea.
Sunderland (20/03/02)
Drove to Ropery-lovely venue-set up and had
dinner. Maaike joined us and Baz ended up
with a whole shark for dinner-biggest cut of
fish I'd ever seen! Gaz Davidson was our
fine support and the place was crammed!!! I
didn't know what to expect as the whole tour
has had the Stranglers running
through-inevitably-and one never knows what
the fans expect to hear at FAITH gigs, but,
apparently people were travelling from all
over to see the show, it was very exciting
and it was a fantastic night, the audience
loved it-'Nuff said!! Saw Tony of the "Smalltowns"-
excellent. Back to Baz's for tea!!! Cheryl
and Maaike join us. Sleep-Excellent!!
Liverpool (21/03/02)
Another 2 gigs but the first with a
difference. Eddie Lunden, of China Crisis
whom I did a guest appearance for a few
years ago, asks us to lecture at Paul
Macartney's Institute of Performing Arts in
Liverpool, LIPA. The lecture was "how to
survive the music industry". It was a lot of
fun, we told them not to go on "Popstars"
etc… and played a few favourite songs. It
was a very rewarding experience actually and
Baz enjoyed it thoroughly too.
Widnes (21/03/02)
Drove out to Widnes and arrived at the gig
greeted by "THE STRANGLERS (yes the real
ones)". Chalked on a board-Not Good!. Anyway,
Geoff Hampson is a lovely guy and the owner
of the bar, Peter, has 7 nights of music
every week-he's a top bloke!!. Lovely dinner
and best M.C yet, what a voice-she'll make
the album!!! This place was rammed too but
very noisy and not easy to work in the
respect of intimacy, so we just dig in and
deliver. This was work, but that's ok it
happens, we did play really well though but
it wasn't the funniest night. Although the
punters were very enthusiastic. Nice one
Geoff!! And then drive to Morecambe to see
the lovely Sarah.
Nottingham (22/03/02)
Sarah sends us off with a great breakfast.
Beautiful drive through the Peak District.
Beautifully late for the show!!! But, we
only need our desk at the gig, Phew!!!. Set
up in a nice little cove facing a packed
house at the "Golden Fleece". Went across
the road for a sit down in the "Nags Head",
but it was karaoke night and it was the
funniest thing I've seen for ages. Met a fan
who was the only person who could sing, the
rest were so funny we just had to leave.
This gig was an absolute stormer, we changed
the set a bit, but it really was a fabulous
night. Barry Spooner - Respect to you and
you lovely missus. Also a big shout for
Steve Greatorex, who supports live music and
collects for various worthy causes- TOP
MAN!!
Very suddenly we only have 2 shows left. We
definitely have a good show here and
although I feel we have to think before we
leap I know it works, so we'll have to do it
again this year!! Down to London and
SLEEP-found it yet Chris???
Aylesbury (23/03/02)
Now today is serious, we are A- playing in a
police station and B- we have a ride in a
squad car lined up-oh my God!!
After a pretty drive we arrive and Chris's
driving hits new heights. With the police
station Identified on our right, and a
round-a-bout ahead Chris turns left!!
Absolutely excellent.
Richard is showing up and the thought of he
and Baz playing together is exciting,
they're in the same band but have never met!
We set up and then I decide we need a bigger
rig, so all at once Baz and I and the
excellent promoter, driver and all-round
wicked geezer Andy Rotheram went to get
them. I have never gone so far, so fast in
any car. Leaving Richard alone for a brief
rehearsal we returned for sound for Andy's
kids. Tonight the brilliant Aziz Ibrahim
supported us with his excellent guitar
tricks. Steve Hogarth from Marillion showed
up and did a couple of songs with Aziz and
joined Me, Baz and Rich for the Faith bands
version of "All Day....."!!!. it was
wonderful to hear Rich and to see Bob(Rich's
buddy, an amazing guitarist). It was an
excellent night though at times hit and
miss, but, I like that tension, something
good always comes out of it, it's what you
feed on and it keeps you from the comfort
zone. Avery good and polite audience. Baz
and Rich worked brilliantly together and
I've got to get them back with each other
for some more gigs soon!. Thanks Andy-FM-top
driver!!. Back to London-slowly!!
Sleep??? What's that?
Ipswich (24/03/02)
Up to Ipswich for a BBC Suffolk live
interview with my good buddy Steve Foster. I
am Shattered!! We do interview after
arriving-11am!!-a bit late. Did we go the
wrong way?? Yes a bit!! We do "Walk on By"
and "Chasing Rainbows". Nice one Steve and
well done Mark Salter for getting it
together. Mark is our 'nice guy' and
promoter, (that's Good Cop-Bad Cop,
ha!).We're whisked off to a lovely
water-side restaurant for lunch. We meet up
with good old Bob Christie and drive to
Mark's for Sleep!!. We go down to soundcheck
at 6 and say hello to my mate Debs Warren.
Her band is supporting us tonight. No rig to
set up-Excellent-we can relax for a while.
Tonight Debs will guest with us on a version
of "Dreams". We also have another special
guest appearance in the shape of an
incredibly nervous Chris Lammiman, who will
perform Green Day's "Time of Your Life".
Tonight was always going to be special and
it was an excellent gig, Chris taking
MASSIVE applause for his performance while
Sarah listened via mobile phone. The place
was packed with lots of familiar faces-all
smiling-as were all of the faces we've seen
on this tour. Me and Baz agree unanimously
to "Do It" again, and the fans go home
happy-again!! Baz Bob and to Sunderland, Me
back to London, Chris back to Lancashire.
A Truly Great Adventure!!
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