Anyway..here is my contribution seeing as I suggested the idea..thought I'd better follow through with the goods..
most of this next report is from what I wrote a couple of months back..but I've re-edited it with a bit more info. Other frogs can make their own new posts about their gigs..but I'm sticking with this thread because I dont wanna hog the board.
Well, ok everyone. Heres a run down of my day leading up to the Wheatus Gig at the Leeds Met yesterday (Thursday 26th)
It was about a 50 mile drive to the gig. So I made sure I got out of the house by 10.30am. By the time I'd gotten parked and to the venue. It was a little after 12pm. I found the tour bus empty, the guys having stayed in a hotel the night before as it was their day off. No problem. I was soon informed by Tony the tour bus driver that they would be arriving arond 2pmish. So I hung around. Talking to Tony and a couple of the crew. They are all great guys, and have a great friendship with the band. I saw a lot of them during the day.
Just before 2pm a fleet of taxis appeared, and from them emerged the guys, with whom I promptly introduced myself to. They were all friendly and when I showed them some art I'd done for them, they were really into it. I got some great comments form the band. They were very encouraging. I got some stuff signed and photos taken.
I managed to sit down and speak with Phil for quite some time prior to soundchecking.. He's a funny guy and kept me entertained throughout. He was playing with a new instrument he'd bought just that morning. Something called a Bezuki (probably not the correct spelling!) It looked like a sitar. He just strummed and twiddled with it as we talked.
He was really pleased with it. It apparently was a complete bargain. He did notice that it had slight marks on the fret board, so he asked to borrow my silver marker pen and began to vover up the stains with it. He did however give the pen back to me...which is surprising due to the notoriety these guys have with stealing frogs pens!!!
Phil then told me that he had to go and do an interview with Pete at Yorkshire Radio. And he invited me along to watch it being recorded. Of course, I couldn't refuse such a unique opportunity and I jumped at the chance! As it happened, Phil didn't end up going and Brendan took his place. We all jumped in this car and got whisked around to the station. The guys were marveling at some of the buildings being so old. Pete had Phils camcorder with him to tape the interview. I offered to do it for him and he agreed.
The interview was fun. However I did have problems with the video camera. The tape wasnt long enough and halfway through recording the interview it whirred and clicked as it came to a stop. Pete noticed it as it made noises and we just sat there shrugging our shoulders as Brendan continued talking to the DJ. When we were driving back to the venue, Pete and Brendan went mental when they saw something. "What the hell is that? A three wheeled car???!!!!!!"
And so it was with great amusement that I explained the inovative design of a Robin Reliant to them..and that it was indeed classed as a motorcycle by law. The guys just thought it was stupid...which of course..it is!!!
Back at the venue I again spent more time with Phil, as well as Vanesa the backing singer. Who is a complete treasure. She was lovely and was fun to speak with.
The soundcheck got called and everyone got on stage to check their gear. It was great. Apart from the crew I was the only person there. I got my own mini Wheatus concert. It was a fantastic photo oportunity, and the guys were brilliant as they would all pose on stage for me. They played several tunes. Wannabe Gangsta, Dirtbag, Hump em Dump em, and a couple of others. Phil tried his new instrument and everyone thought it sounded great. So they decided to use it in the show later.
After the soundcheck, I spent even more time with Vanesa and Phil. I mostly talked to Vanesa this time as Phil was being interviewed by someone. As was Pete and Brendan in other parts of the building. the guy who interviewed Phil asked some really, REALLY bizzarre questions, and when he left. Phil couldn't hide his amusement .
Interviews over, Phil left to watch a movie before the gig, and Brendan turned up. I found myself having a great one to one conversation with Brendan, which lasted over an hour.I was still chatting to him when the doors opened at the venue. And every so often he would get up and look out at the crowd, to see if the place was getting packed. Which it was.
One by one the guys made their way to the dressing room, and about 10 minutes before the gig I wished them the best and headed down to the crowd. Luckily finding myself at the front.
I didn't have to wait long until Regency Buck came on. And I was very impressed by their set. I might just have to check those guys album out. When they finished, the crew started to get Wheatus's equipment ready. One of the guys I'd gotten talking to earlier in the day, James. Who I think was the tour manager, was being heckled on stage by loads of girls at the front...and he was lapping it up!! LOL!
Of course, when Wheatus took the stage everyone went mad. And it was a blinding gig. Everything that you've ever heard from a fan who's seem them live is true. They were awesome. Phil was a complete nutter from the start, bouncing all over the stage. He even got Brendan and Mike involved in his antics. It was all fun to watch. As they were starting to perform 'The song that I wrote when you dissed me' everything stopped, and Brendan started laughing. He'd accidentally spilled water on his guitar. Which caused it to short out..a minor hickup, but they entertained the crowd as they sorted the problem out. Phil also did his best to make Brendan laugh during the set. Shouting out 'Atomic Kitten' during one of the songs did it!!!
It was a perfect gig. The band gave their all and the crowd reacted in kind..it was a fantastic atmosphere.
After the show. I went up to the dressing room again. I'd managed to nab a drumstick that was well beaten and used. I got Pete to sign it.Vanesa took one look at me and said.."Man, you look like you've been rockin!!!' commenting on my soaked and bedraggled look. Oh yeah! I rocked!! Phil also said that he'd seen me at the front. I figured he had, because during the show he stood right over me, looked down and gave me the hugest grin!! A few other people got backstage. and the guys entertained everyone. I met Claire_Frogwheat , as well as Lil_Froggette (Claire and Loz to those in chat!!). Both who I knew were at the venue.
It was getting late, and the guys were heading off immediately down to London for tonights Astoria gig. I said my goodbyes to everyone.
It was a fantastic day. The guys were great. There was no trace of an inflated ego in any of them. They were all completely down to earth and very welcoming. They are having a great time on this tour and I wish them nothing but the best for the future. I left Leeds last night with some fantastic memories!
well, that was that..I had a great time and I'm looking forward to the new tour..not long to wait now!!!
Warpangel
