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@ThorEgil. Thanks for some clarification on the matter.
@supernaut – I guess so. I hadn't been planning on getting a copy in the first place as I'm not a collector and I don't have a turntable and don't plan on getting one. But I was interested in the package, and in particular the Motorpsycho book/mag. Once I've read that, I might even pass the whole thing on. But you're absolutely right, if they advertised certain things in the package, they should be included.
@sleepynaut – All good points. I would definitely travel up from London if they played in the Midlands – at The Robin, for example. Like you say, London is spoilt for choice.
In case any of you are wondering, I recorded the performance, but it may be a few days before it's ready to make available.
So I spoke with Bent, Snah and Tomas last night. My first interaction with Snah was brief and embarrassing. He was browsing records in the shop about an hour before the gig and on the second attempt I approached him, shook hands and then thanked him for everything. It was pathetic to watch, really. Grown man stumbles over words when meeting hero. A short while later I spoke to Bent outside the shop. This time, I first said thanks for everything … again …, then explained to him how I had said exactly the same thing to Snah because I didn't know what to say. Then said how much I enjoyed the gig night before and was looking forward to the acoustic set. After the gig I approached Snah again, after he smiled at me, and asked him a question that had been on my mind since juergen passed me a copy of past setlists and I noticed they'd played "You'd Better Believe It" at their first gig. Looking for confirmation of this being the Hawkwind song, as soon as I mentioned the title, Snah opened his throat and sang the title refrain "YOU'D BETTER BELIEVE IT!" then gave a smile and a little chuckle. He seemed pretty pleased. I certainly was.
Two friends had been in the pub when Bent and Reine came in. One of them approached Bent and had a good chat with him. My friend mentioned we'd been in Drammen for the gig they did with Elephant9 supporting. The first thing Bent said was, Elephant9 blew us off the stage that night. I can't say I really disgaree.
Finally, the two frineds and I all talked with Tomas after the gig. Intersting points:
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The new album is in process
The first three names he mentioned regarding his influences were Deep Purple and Ian Paice, Buddy Rich and Bill Bruford. He then listed names I hadn't heard of, including what I think were jazz drummers.
King Crimson's Red was a big eye-opener for him – really suddenly made him realise what was possible.
There's a definite generational gap between him and Bent and Snah which he mentioned very briefly in regard to influences as Bent and Snah don't know many of the bands he talks about – that was a funny moment.
I said it sounds to me almost like Triggerman was written for him. He said that, yes, it feels very natural to play that song. He loves it.
He has no plans to move on. One of my friends tried to make him promise to stay with the band for at least another five years
@JERO – I can't understand why the band isn't more loved in the UK. Every time I talk to somone online or at a gig it's the same story – "It's criminal that Motorpsycho aren't bigger here". Yes, it's lovely to be able to see them in intimate surroundings, but it's a double-edged sword, as you point out. Apparently there was some difficulty with the promoters (this is second-hand info from a friend who spoke to Bent at the acoustic gig), which meant the British stuff was all arranged late and I think a couple of other dates on the tour fell through during the booking process. The London gig was announced much later than the other tour dates and they performed on the same night as Gong, which I know a lot of the prog community fans had already booked for. And the record store gig was only announced last week. So all of that would have kept the numbers even lower than usual. The problem is, if there isn't enough people turning up to the gigs, why bother coming to the UK? That's the double-edge for the fans too because next time they may just decide it's not worth coming here.
Enjoy the Utrecht gig. See you at Vera on Tuesday!
@sleepynaut – Thanks for the sticker warning – I'm just about to open mine… Ooh, that did not go well. Oh well, I'm in now and nothing's damaged. No artwork at all – just the vinyl (green) in a plain black sleeve, and the book/mag. When I bought it at the merch desk, presumably just before or just after you did, the guy said (IIRC) that they had run out of posters. Presumably all the artwork, the signed stuff was limited.
@sleepynaut – Glad you enjoyed the show too. And that you got off on Psychonaut. I loved the beginning. Hopefully it'll work for me at the next gig
@Blashrykh – It was exquisite. They were in very good voice and the guitars were crystal clear. Seriously beautiful.
@Juergen – More than everyone expected I think.
@fillmore – You're welcome.
@coldnebraskablue – Great shots – thanks for sharing them.
Year Zero – Opening with this was genius. The venue was a small club, perhaps more suited to a jazz setting, so the slow move through the gears in Year Zero, which was played beautifully, brought the audience and band together. Exquisite – almost had me in tears.
Triggerman – This was a barnstomer. Energetic, lively, bouncy, punchy. Smoothly executed and all full-on forward motion. Superb improv. I'm feeling like I'm hovvering sllightly off the ground by this point.
Psychotzar – Massively awesome opening riff, but somehow I lost that high and came back down with a bit of a crash. I can't say this worked for me last night.
A Promise – And then the pick-up. Normal service is being resumed and …
The Cuckoo – … by the end of this we're off the ground again. The ending jam was sublime. This track just gets better and better for me each time I see them play it.
The Crucible – By the end of this I felt like the band had been restrained for too long – as if being bound by the complex structure of this piece they were not able to loose the shackles and go mad. However, the first half of the piece really moved with pace and spit. The middle pounding, heavy, mental section was just that – mental, heavy, pounding. An awkward segue through the quiet bit and then the finale. It was in parts brilliant, in others just too involved. I'm looking forward to hearing it played live again though.
August – I'm not much of a fan of this track, but the Fiske and Snah solos always make it a joy. Last night was no exception.
A Pacific Sonata – Track of the night? Hard to put into words just how brilliant this track is live. Completely overwhelming. And time here for a shout out to Tomas. It was during Triggerman that I caught myself open-mouthed, gaping at Tomas's ability to add rocket fuel to the mix. With frills, fills, rolls and restraint he gives tracks like Triggerman, A Pacific Sonata and the opening sections of The Crucible the jazzy chops that make you feel like your legs just can't keep up with the pace you're running. Masterful.
Uberpilgrim – And now the fun starts. Boogie, jig, pogo – whatever. Upbeat rhythmic playfulness carrying us through a shower of sparks.
The Other Fool – The fun continues. Loved it!
Master Builder/Om Riff – Thinking of my friends over at the Gong show (
) – which by all accoounts was brilliant, and did indeed feature the same track – I wondered what they would would have made of this brilliant excursion into Gong territory. But I soon forgot about them and just let myself get immersed in this riff that's been drawing me in over and over for decades now. What a trip!The Alchemyst – Hello wall of sound my old friend, its good to hear you once again. Loud. Insistent. Face-melting.
Lux Aeterna – A fitting ending to a wonderful show. I have to say the new tracks were not my favourites of the night, though each had their moments. It'll be good to hear them again. I'm curious to hear how they sound further down the line as the band continue to grow into them on stage.
All in all a brilliant evening. I had a position about three rows from the front, just left of centre, with a great view (I'm tall – so that helps), though for much of the gig the view was of the back of my eyelids
Year Zero, Triggerman, The Cuckoo and A Pacific Sonata were my high highlights. Now I'm looking forward to this evening's shenanigans.
@Juergen – Exactly what coldnebraskablue said – they hit the curfew. But it was no loss really. The show was magnificent, and very intimate.
