| Letting Off Steam |
| Written by Scott | |
| Tuesday, 27 May 2008 00:00 | |
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Hey there everyone Scott here, blogging what's been going on over the past few days.... Starting with the most recent happening, last night saw the first ever appearance of PAE acoustic. Actually, it was myself and Craig performing a few songs for charity. We did Choke, Too Many Friends (in the style of the 'hidden' track from the EP), MorningStar, Save Me (from the old Bateman days) and A Lie which we dragged Mike up to sing ... watching our mate Andy Hanlon do a set, we watched the Outsiders who were awesome. I know the singer alluded to the fact that I've had plastic surgery to look like him, all I can say is it's A LIE!!!! (hmmmm good name for a song title). LOL The night before, we appeared at the Semi-Finals for the Battle of the Bands at the Porterfield in Sunderland. If you don't mind, I'm going to have a bit of a rant here......... There was a certain band at the event who seemed to believe that the event revolved around them and their appearance. After them getting up and soundchecking the SAME SONG TWICE (incidentally I've been on the phone to Rod Stewart and he's been wondering where he'd put his version of 'Young Hearts' for a while now, and he'd like it back...), we got up to do our soundcheck only to be told we couldn't use their guitar gear. We've checked the price out of your gear mate (Mike does work for Sounds Live after all), and when our floor effects cost over TWICE the amount of your amp set up, then you really need to take a long hard look at your unbutton-shirted self in the mirror. We managed to scrape together the rest of the gear, thanks mainly to one of the other bands playing (cheers lads, I've forgotten your name at the moment, but we'll happily play with you guys again) [they're called "In Cities" -WM] , we did our sound check then sat back waiting for our spot. After watching the two other bands (pretty cool guys), we had to sit and wait over HALF AN HOUR for A********T to sort their gear out and do a change over (perhaps they were busy prepping the shrews at the front of the stage on when they had to dance provocatively). Keeping an eye on the clock, we noticed that time was indeed running short. After checking with the PA guy who informed us that the venue's curfew was at 10.30 we got our gear and got ready at the side of the stage, waiting for the sub-Snow Patrol wafflings of a really dull band to finish. When eventually at 10.05 the venue put music on (a hint to the clueless egotistical morons on stage that their set was finished), we all had to endure the sight of a petulant singer throw a bit of a diva strop and play another song. On our time!!! We don't take kindly to that! After 'helping' them clear their gear from the stage (i.e. starting to move their stuff as they'd gone to have their ego's pampered by their entourage and have their blandness, erm, re-blanded, we got our gear together and played an angry, violent set (it helps when the great guy running the PA goes "curfews at 10.30... I'm not pulling you off stage"). Every angry sarcastic barb was directed at the above blanked out band (too many friends and not enough soundchecks anyone?). We don't know who won. Don't think we even care. [Incidentally, the barstaff stopped taking votes before PAE finished the set! -WM] Popularity contests don't actually mean that you're a better band. There are a lot of people out their playing your style of music even better. The second band on sounded SO much better than you guys anyway. We don't care that we don't appeal to your 'crowd'. If they get us, they do - if they don't, they don't - simple as that. We'll keep on playing our way for as long as we want. You won't see us changing our 'style' to fit in. Oh, and by the way, you look like a bunch of Working Men's Club musicians (perhaps I could suggest that as an avenue for you? The Rod Stewart song would go down great in your first spot before the bingo......) So, on a closing note, if you ever see A********T out there, do yourselves a favour and go and vomit in the nearest toilet. Preferably a one without mirrors, as they'll no doubt be hogging them. Dos dedos, mes amigos Scott. PS This is just 'my' opinion. If you want the rest of the guys in PAE's take, just ask them. I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige. |