Gavin's Journal
02 July 2002
leaving amsterdam

The view from Amsterdam....

Just leaving now on the way to groningen-we’ve been here for a couple of days.Amsterdam is such a civilised place to be.people are so easy going,smart,helpful,multi-lingual and modern-it’s relaxxxed.the world could learn much from the dutch.

I think they had the right idea about vaccinations when the foot and mouth disaster happened.they reacted with calm logic and we burnt the lot(10 million animals)

Anyhow-enough of that right now….

The tour-well Glastonbury was excellent with a massive bush contingent at the front with signs excitement chaos and vibe.thanks for being there you lot. The first drinks and refreshments of the day are often the best and we just played our music to the crowd-it’s all we can do.

Having not played together since Toronto a few weeks ago,it was the best way to rehearse!!!!!!then on to Belgium with the werchter festival-the crowd were very into it and going for it.that is a really good good festival

It’s funny cos really Glastonbury is about the EVENT and the music whereas most festivals are about the music(duh).we watched queens of the stone age with dave grohl drumming in a pretty spectacular fashion and the band on form as ever.

My favourite moment though was mark lanegan singing a song-as he did at the el rey in la a while ago.i guess he tours with them.anyhow

The man has one of the best voices in music and he just resonates-all soul boom And style.he was great in the screaming trees and his solo stuff is awesome. He’s gotta be seattle’s finest.

Last night we did a club show in hardinger which is outside Amsterdam(90mins) And it was a great great show.i love the small clubs as well.i’m glad we get to do both with the emphasis on bigger mainly so the clubs are welcome relief .it was a really pretty layout.we were so close to each other on stage me and chris only smacked into each other once.

The crowd were on fire and the balcony pumped while the floor barely contained the people.

I had been pretty pissy all day but come showtime I started to feel it again.most often I feel like a coiled snake(scorpio)ready in preparation for whatever the day brings.

When on tour it’s hard to be buzzy the whole time,so I save it for the reason we’re here-the shows.

it is essential for the head to get these two weeks left in the right way And continue to shock and move and shock and move-all by being good.

Trouble is in the past our success has been a weapon used against us that filtered through

To people not finding out about us enough in terms of MUSIC.so at these festivals it’s as much about changing people or rather surprising them with good shows.it is strange but you cannot expect people to know you(the music) just because of being a bit famous and songs on the radio(in certain places) Anyhow it is all good right now to be out here and giving the usual 15000%-too many bands seem to just not have the passion or energy I associate with good music and bands etc.and I don’t mean rock or loud-just belief and some soul system.

Blah blah blah

So today is dave’s birthday so we’re planning some surprises for him at the show.

Trying to get a squeezebox or a trumpet player or something someone to come on stage and sing a song for his big day.

It must be crazy for him with another baby coming and all that.he’s doing well with it and all seems good with him.it suits him.

Now we’re in a massive traffic jam in the rain.but only physically not mentally!!makes a change huh!!!!

The writing needs me.i need the writing.i got so much music to spill.last night I played a few new songs for the boys.i think they liked them-maybe it’s a shock at first to hear them-I don’t know.we’ll work them up good. But first the drawing board.the demos.the fields of dreams and ideas. I have a great book with me that I am not reading yet-will tell you more when I’m done.

The breeders are playing,some underworld ready to go and food and drink-that’s good as we could be on this bus for ages.

So wherever you are I hope you’re good and that your god is shining on you somehow-even if it’s just a parking space.

Be well

Be happy and as always be yourself-there’s no-one like you

Gavin x