Friday, October 14, 2011

2011 so far...


As seems to be customary when doing a retrospective of a given period of time, and looking back on the events that have happened in past months, it never fails to amaze you at what you’ve actually achieved...when you put your mind to it.
 
This year started for me on January 2nd when I travelled down to Bath to continue the writing for the forthcoming album, and to start rehearsals for the Black and Blue tour in March. We’d had our Christmas and new year break and were raring to go...I got there, just, when the weather closed in and I spent the first week of the new year alone and snowbound before anyone else could get to me...which was actually very nice after the hustle and bustle of a typical Warne family Christmas I have to say.
 
We spent a month or more writing more material and honing what we had before we headed out in March on tour for what was one of our best in recent years. We’d toiled long and hard to pick a set that would please everybody (yeah right) and were very satisfied with the reactions and reviews we received. It could have all gone so wrong at the third gig in Edinburgh when I lacerated my hand after breaking a shower door at our hotel an hour before stage time, but with luck, and a trained medic on the team, we prevailed and the rest of the tour went off without a hitch...I think.
 
It was then back to Bath for more song writing sessions during late spring and into early summer, interrupted only by the odd jaunt out to play festivals, including the legendary Benicassim , Spain’s biggest music festival, in July...where we really enjoyed Elbow, but were bemused by the attention lavished on the Strokes...who struck us as a not very good Television...horses for courses...
 
As I write this now we’re just about to reconvene after a short break to resume work on the record and, with 5 tracks down, works well and truly in progress, it’s looking good for next year...
 
We’re all looking forward to the convention in November very much too, and it’ll be nice to do something different and see some old and new friends. There’ll be surprises aplenty and it’ll be good to play with our mate Neil Sparkes again for the acoustic show, as well as Mike Peters, Glen Matlock and our old pals Goldblade, led as always by John Robb, who’s also compere for the whole event.
 
Then of course the touring starts again in March next year,and runs through into April in Europe, followed by more festivals during the summer...and beyond that...is, as always, a mystery...
 
Hope to see you all there...


Baz/14th October 2011

26 comments:

  1. so lookin 4 wards 2 a whole weekend of stranglers in november !!!

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  2. Nice One Baz.

    Sounds Very Positive!

    I'm certainly looking forward to the Convention and next year.

    Cheers!

    Ian

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  3. Maybe a tour of the USA including Chicago?

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  4. "We’d toiled long and hard to pick a set that would please everybody (yeah right)" SNERK!!! All I can say is, it worked for me (well, apart from... naaaah!) - possibly the best tour ever. Hell of a year so far, looking forward to the convention, and just generally glad that we're all looking forward!

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  5. I hope the acoustic set isnt simply a reprise of the Belgium/Holland set

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  6. Ah...I've been saying the same thing about The Strokes for years!

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  7. Sat in afghan reading the ratter will be home for the convention looking forward to a great stranglers weekend

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  8. Seems you forgot the acoustic tour in Holland/Belgium..

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  9. 4 more to go then
    Keep the "bleedin" goin

    Manc

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  10. who the fuck are the strokes?

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  11. Cushty. Great gig at the Southside in Easingtin last month Baz. Can't wait for tour next year.

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  12. Back in Bath....glad to hear that, much safer than the shower in Edinburgh!

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  13. Just hope they've sorted the air conditioning at "The Pyramids" Portsmouth,last year you were red hot in more ways than one :)

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  14. Looking forward to the new album
    And I hope the European tour includes Sweden
    And play the song Sweden
    I think many swedes wanna hear that song ;)

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  15. Awesome show this year but pyramids portsmouth a killer, fix the bloody air con, or switch it on. Superb performance guys, can't make the convention but see you March in the sweatbox again.

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  16. Thanks for the update Baz, really looking forward to the convention and new album and tour.

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  17. nice to hear baz
    and you are missing nothing at sunderland fc while you are away xxx

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  18. Stanglers fan for 30+ years - bugger the commercial stuff great to hear genetix sweden etc.... new fans need to appreciate the range

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  19. not bad for a SMB!

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  20. I Hope the album is an improvement on the last tracks that were released as they were pretty dismal in my opinion.

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  21. jack in black.kenilworthOctober 21, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    relentless,pretty dismal!anmazing track,jack in black kenilworth

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  22. I Meant the two most recent tracks (Retro Rockets & the other one which is so dire I forget the name of)The band need to up their game with the new album,there is hope as I do like (Freedom is Insane).

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  23. wye eye man pet man pet man pet pet man, cheers Baz for the blog,looking forward to seeing you in Lincoln at the Engine Sheds In March 2012,Oh Jet great book by the way, Brian (in Lincoln)

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  24. Retro Rockets pdg !

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  25. Retro rockets Awesome!!!!! Relentless, Fucking awesome!!!!!!!!! Album as good as any of the others!!!!!!!!. next album will be as good as well. But then I'm biased being a Stranglers fan.
    Ping. Huntingdon

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  26. Have I ever got a song for you guys! circle.studios@virgin.net if you are interested

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