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PORTSMOUTH, CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON TOWN |
posted by jim on 3/12/04
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Spent a couple of days whipping myself into shape, press-ups and sit-ups, 10 mile morning runs, floatation tanks, meditation, yoga, primal screaming and such like. Ready for action and a gig at a student bar in Cambridge, best gig of the tour so far perhaps, feeling good, stayed in a capsule hotel, it felt like Amsterdam without the drug bores and stag weekenders.
Next day Portsmouth, Edge of the Wedge(wood Rooms): a free gig with a guest list, it was a bit like an office Christmas party before I started playing. I read one section of my book for 17 minutes, a new book reading onstage record. Lots of songs, played for bloody hours, striped cocktails, nice staff, no Doug Hedges, who is Doug Hedges?, Best gig of the tour.
London: does storming off stage, throwing your guitar on the floor, kicking a wall and a door and headbutting another door mean it was a good gig or a bad gig? If everyone says the gig was great and I hated it was it good? If a tree falls in a forest and there’s nobody there etc…
I hate technical problems, the sound on stage was the worst of my short solo career and I struggled to play and sing with any confidence. It started with a buggered up intro tape and ended with a premature balloon drop. With hindsight I think the rows of seats gig is not the best place to see me perform. Random chairs and tables, some people standing = good. Everyone in rows = not so. I woke up this morning with less idea of what to do with my life than at any time since I was a depressed teenager. All suggestions should be posted on the jim bob forum, perhaps under a heading of ‘what I think Jim Bob should do next’.
Thank you to everyone for coming to the gigs, buying stuff and putting up with my rambling, meandering, bad guitaring and door headbutting.
Special nod to Team Jim Bobbers Marc and Neil.
As Arnold S once said, “I’ll be back.”
(And look where he ended up.)
SONGS PLAYED ON THE TOUR
COME ON SMART BOMB
VICTIM
BILLY’S SMART CIRCUS
ALL AMERICAN NATIONAL SPORT
RENT
ALWAYS THE BRIDESMAID
TONGUE TIED
RAY OF LIGHT
A WORLD WITHOUT DAVE
BORN ON THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER
BACHELOR FOR BADEN POWELL
GEORGIE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE
BAD DAY
WHEN YOU’RE GONE
REVENGE OF THE SCHOOL BULLIED
BIG FLASH CAR
CANDY FLOSS
FERAL KIDS
THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW CROSS
TRAVIS
JOHNNY CASH
GLAM ROCK COPS
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
SHOPPERS’ PARADISE
A NATION OF SHOPLIFTERS
ANGELSTRIKE!
HER SONG
SHERIFF FATMAN
TOUCHY FEELY
CLOSURE
CHILDRENS’ TERRORISM
AFTER THE WATERSHED
PRINCE IN A PAUPER’S GRAVE
GI BLUES
55 CARDS
SOULMATES
COMMON PEOPLE
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TOUR PART ONE |
posted by jim on 28/11/04
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I’m never sure what level of honesty to apply to this thing. Brutal? The truth the whole truth and nothing but? Boyband bullshit?
I am my harshest critic, and that’s saying something because some people in the press would prefer it if I was dead. So I apologise for any misery in the following guff, I’m writing it on a Sunday, my least favourite day of the week. Hollyoaks is on for too long, my Channel 5 reception is too wobbly to watch ‘Battle Of Britain’ and Monarch Of The Glen has seriously deteriorated since the first series. It’s the first non travelling day off and I’m holding an autopsy and they’re always a bit bloody and unpleasant, so if you’re of a nervous disposition, look away now.
The last UK tour was always going to be pretty difficult to top, there were so many extraordinary gigs, some of my favourite ever – and that includes Carter ones.
So: Sheffield Boardwalk, I think I chose the wrong set of songs and as a result I felt I was losing people a bit in the middle. The reading wasn’t as good as it was in May, perhaps because I felt I was repeating myself and in desperately trying to avoid doing so I decided to read bits from the book I’d not read before – with hindsight not maybe the best stuff for a live reading. Sorry, my fault, I’ll sort it out before Glasgow. We had a long Team Jim Bob discussion/argument deep into the night about the setlist and came up with a better one. King Tut’s I’m afraid was not as intense as the ridiculously packed and just painted 13th Note, so it was harder work. There was football on to keep people away and Mull Historical Society gigs in town as well. Don’t get me wrong, both Sheffield and Glasgow were fantastic, it’s just after last time, anyone who was at the previous Sheff and Glas gigs will know they were a fucking riot.
My girlfriend and daughter have narrowly missed a drive by shooting, I hate guns and violent people, why can’t they just shoot themselves and leave the rest of us alone.
Birmingham, I played two sets as there was no support, it was quiet at first, mainly because of the school hall seating arrangement but came together and turned into a fandabidosi evening. We did however have a spot of trub with getting paid, which left me feeling like a shit busker who just started playing the guitar about a week ago. More news on this soon.
Hartlepool was a struggle, too much talking, not enough new songs, who wants to hear some bloke reading a book anyway. The supports were fantastic and Keith Burton was perhaps too funny for me to follow him with a load of songs about getting mugged, war, pestilence, etc. Lovely promoter called Wayne.
The next three shows will be totally and utterly brilliant. I will make absolutely sure of this. I’m going to play them like my life depends on it. Cheer up Jim you miserable sod. My fingers are hurting.
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STICKS AND STONES |
posted by jim on 21/11/04
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'The Revenge Of The School Bullied' from Angelstrike! was reviewed on BBC 6 Music the other day by Mari Wilson (80s star/big hair), some bloke from Rough Trade and the editor of Word magazine.
For anyone who didn't hear it, the general opinion was that Carter were rubbish and therefore so is my new album. I think listening to it was fairly pointless. I do hate it when people say things aren't their cup of tea though, what does that mean exactly? What's your cup of tea? Mine is Tickety Boo Tea, with Billy Connolly on the box and profits going to charity. Although I do generally drink coffee, unless I'm round at Fruitbat's house where I usually have PG Tips.
Anyway, it's nice to still be judged on my ridiculous haircut and big shorts, I really must get some long trousers and a date with my barber.
It doesn't really matter of course, Andrew Collins likes the album – he' s recommended 'My Face Your Arse' in this month's Word mag and reviews the album in next month's edition. And as long as it's being played on the radio I don't care what people are saying about it afterwards.
Which of course I do, because I'm pretty sensitive and for me I'm afraid words hurt just as much as sticks. And indeed stones.
I should be appearing on the show myself soon and hereby swear I shall not refer to any record as not my cup of tea. In fact I herby further swear to try and slot in the all new breakfast drink related phrase: "I like that song, it's my cup of tea."
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BEEF |
posted by jim on 19/11/04
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A good week for do gooder vegetarians such as me.
Hunting banned and beef removed from Bovril.
I remember when I worked for a living, on a cold West End winter morning unloading a lorryload of silk and breaking for a bacon or sausage sandwich and a steaming cup of Bovril. Quorn and McCartney have made the sausage and bacon ingredients possible but Marmite makes a rubbish drink. Now my silk unloading days can be relived and remembered in full. And anyone who could kill a fox or take part in killing one has something wrong woth their chi. Boomshanka.
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MY RECENT LIFE |
posted by jim on 15/11/04
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Birthday, Christmas, Easter, Pop Idol type programme/record, Nick Cave gig:
Every year I go and see Nick Cave live and every year he fails to dissapoint me. The only thing is my memory of the show is always tainted by the memory of the big drunk twat stood next to me swaying back and forth, taking poxy crappy little out of focus pictures on his mobile phone, doing ridiculous gangsta rap style gestures during 'Stager Lee' and generally obscuring my view. Also the other twats stood behind me with the entire contents of their hallway coat and hatstand piled up under my feet so I can't move. And basically anyone who can't pass two hours of their life without making a phone call.
Played the Joe Strummer Remembrance Sunday gig in Brighton for the second year running, tried out a few new songs live and a few more Carter ones I haven't played before. Enjoyed myself, had some crisps on the way there.
Band Aid, mmm. I think charity is a great thing I really do but I can't help feeling uncomfortable when I see all these pop stars on the telly dressed up and hairdo'd with their posh cars and butlers and personal assistants and minders. And to hear Joss hasn't she got an amazing voice for a teenager from Cornwall Stone asking her mum what was the name of that bloke...that's it Bob Geldof. And Busted, who I normally have a lot of time for, talking about reading a leaflet about it on the way to the recording studio and how there's a problem out there. And then knowing there'll be the ad libbing of the chorus by all those great singers like Stone and Beddingield, ruining any tune or trace of melody that was there in the first place. And Bono flying over to redo his bit because his manager heard that that bloke from the Darkness had done it instead, and oh the money it must all cost and do they really make any profit after they've paid all the hairdressers and stylists and helicoptor pilots and drug barons and poodle (to stroke) handlers, and photographers, and cameramen, and and and and and and...
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My New Band |
posted by jim on 9/11/04
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The last firework has been lit.
A busy week for Jim Bob as I rehearsed with my new band: Rowland Rivron on drums, Richard Vranch (Whose Line Is It Anyway etc) on keyboards, Dave Catlin Birch (Bootleg Paul McCartney with the Bootleg Beatles) on bass and Robert Newman on Banolele (neck of a ukele/body of a banjo).
We formed briefly for a BBC Radio 2 programme called Jammin’ – a mixture of music and gags. I won’t tell you what I did as that would spoil any enjoyment you might get out of it when it’s broadcast at the start of next year. Anyway, I had to learn a lot of new guitar stuff and become a musician for a day.
Despite ridiculous pre-rehearsal nerves I enjoyed myself and hope this is my big break into the world of BBC light entertainment. Maybe I’ll be asked to appear on Band Aid’s 30th anniversary re release in 2014. I hope I can do the Bono bit.
The tour’s approaching, I need to start decorating my table and picking my songs. To sit on a stool or to not sit on a stool, so many questions. I expect I’ll go for a bit of both, just like Westlife.
I was watching the X Factor on Saturday and it was annoying me so I turned over for strictly Come Dancing, where there was a really bad singer performing bad covers while someone from Eastenders was thrown around the studio by a man in a shiny trouser suit. The bad cabaret singer on the BBC was however slightly better than the nob jockey over on ITV who apparently has the X factor, whatever that may be. Is it like the wow factor in all the house buying programmes.
We used to be a nation of shopkeepers but now we are a nation of estate agents.
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JAMMIN' BUB SHEEWAR DE DAH |
posted by jim on 4/11/04
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I have this blog thing so I feel I
should occasionally use it.
Yesterday (Wednesday) I went to a church hall in Totto Court Road to rehearse ideas for 'Jammin'' – the Radio 2 show I'm on. I feel better about it now, I was beyond anxious before, thinking I would be out musicianed and out funnied. I'm more relaxed now and just have about a million or so songs to learn.
The show is recorded next week and broadcast in February by the way.
Halloween = only one set of ghost kids showed up, so felt less terrorised than usual. And got to eat all the mini Mars Bars and Starburst ourselves. Ronnie result.
Bonfire night continues, now into it's second month. This year we'll be at the girlfriend's brother's for sparklers and baked potatoes. On November the 5th, wasn't somebody born on that date?
More soon.
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SURPRISE, SURPRISE |
posted by jim on 27/10/04
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Attending your own surprise party that you know is taking place is bound to be a bit weird. When I walked into the Angelstrike! album listening party at the weekend that's what it felt like. I'm basically quite shy and needed to get to the bar as quick as possible for a couple of alcoholic relaxers. Got to meet the hardcore, who are all scientists and doctors. I like to think I've got the most intelligent audience in rock. A great night.
I've got good feelings about the album, a couple of reviews have been promised already - good or bad I don't know but we live in hope. Measure your reviews Jim, don't read them.
I met John Peel once. It was in A BBC radio truck at Reading Festival in 1991. While he was interviewing us he told us how he didn't really like Carter but had warmed to us after hearing our sample of him on the 'Rubbish' single. Rest in punk rock peace John Peel.
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IN A BIG HOSPITAL ON A SATURDAY NIGHT! |
posted by jim on 17/10/04
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Saturday night on the 29th floor of Guy’s Hospital at Dave the Socialist’s 50th birthday party. Yet another different and hastily formed version of the Abdoujaps – with Arran J Rhesus Lovechild on drums and Danny on stolen Hospital ward piano – performed a few songs, while I played an even more hastily assembled – ie: during the first song – set with Bransby, performing covers of Common People (William Shatner version), What I Go To School For, All The Small Things, The Only Living Boy In NC and the first 2 lines of Another Girl Another Planet, which was round about when I forgot the words.
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Friday afternoon at JBHQ |
posted by jim on 15/10/04
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I can’t apologise enough for suggesting there was a gig of some description on 22nd Nov. Even Team Jim Bob: Marc and Neil asked me where the gig was taking place. For my birthday I would like everybody to buy my album and to come along and keep me company on tour. I’m looking forward to it.
If I make too much of a nob jockey of myself at the Radio 2 thing – I’m nervous about that by the way, I will have to have a couple of glasses of something before it for confidence – if you’re in the audience don’t let it put you off coming to my gigs. If you are in the audience incidentally, remember to laugh at all my ‘funny bits’. If there are any.
Thinking about what songs to play on tour, so many to choose from. I was contemplating the songs on 30 Something when I realised I haven’t got a CD copy of it. I had to check it out on vinyl. And to play that I had to take it off the wall and break the glass and prise it from the felt backing it was glued to. Which was when I discovered it was just an old Black Lace album sprayed gold.
Since buying my digital radio I’ve been listening to a lot of BBC 6 and have noticed that all new music sounds like it was made in 1978/9 by XTC and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.
Watching Darius on GMTV this morning I remembered how much I hate him. He’s very arrogant isn’t he. But in a very humble sort of way. Like he’s Elton John or somebody. His new single is bollox as well.
Saw S*M*A*S*H* the other night with R*H*E*S*U*S* in New Cross. Weird night, I don’t get out much these days. It was very loud. I’m very old. I’ve got a muffled thing going on in my left ear and my eyes are craving some sort of lens and frame get up. I like Elvis Costello and Thora Hird but I’m resisting.
Sex Traffic on Channel 4 was good. The drummer in Razorlight once asked me if he could play drums with Jim’s Super Stereoworld and I considered it seriously at the time, too late now I guess. Actually, seeing Salv the other night with S*M*A*S*H* made me think about the Stereoworld, I wouldn’t mind doing a gig one day. Don’t hold your breath though because I’ll probably disappoint you. I might form a tribute act instead and call them Jim’s Superb Stereoworld.
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