The Strypes are supporting the Arctic Monkeys on a European tour, they are treated well with loads of stage space, catering and a 45 minutes set, which is perfect for the band. Earls Court in London holds 17,000, x 2 nights and its an amazing place to be in this world, right there in the moment of the tour. In ears (monitors) are new and the band at firsts struggle with them but soon understand that they work in these big halls. Back stage the crew are amazing Steve the ™ is a very special person as is Chip, the catering is amazing, Popcorn they say. Its all going very well. Birmingham and Alex loses his voice, back stage the band carry on playing ping pong. They fly home for two days as the tour dates are cancelled and shifted around. They have been away for some weeks, Japan and now in the UK. Hard working good looking professional young men, but we all need a rest from time to time. And now Paris two nights at the Zenith, its all new to me. Squeeze used to support and its from the support slot that great things happen, you have nothing to lose as its not your show. Its a win win. We started with Eddie and the Hot Rods, i loved the energy and the short sets, it was quick. The Feelgoods, a tour of beer crates and chips in the van, city halls and more chips in the van. The Tubes, bigger stages, yet less room for us, and then there was the drinking, and the larger halls on the US leg. Sushi and chips, which were now called french fries. Before all of that Curved Air and Climax Blues Band, no stage and we were quick, so quick it was pre being quick. It was on all of these dates that we learnt to handle the crowds and enjoy our songs in double time.

Paris and the band go down a storm the crowd lap up the set, its so exciting to see and to be part of. The best show of the tour thus far by far. Pre Monkeys set, the build up is electrifying and the walk on tease brings on the 5,000 crowd, screaming and diving into the first notes of the opening riff. I sat mellow back stage wondering if that ever happened to me! The walk is of confidence and glory, its like the walk on to a football pitch for any big team, shoulders up and down, faces cold and stern, soldiers up and over the trenches. The power of that walk is the ego in full flight, its the take off into the gods, its the angels wanting to wear your red shoes. On the tour bus some Irish folk songs as we sail along the streets of Paris, the rain drips on the tour bus window and then the hotel. Paris, and me in bed with my laptop, odd noises from upstairs, Velvets on the i tunes and a nice room, functional and modern. I can hear the sound of disco drums from downstairs, it could be the end of me if i don’t sleep, its been a long day with lots of thinking, always a mistake. I will zone out the beats with some ear plugs, i would normally change rooms but i think it might follow me like a nasty ape with wings. America sticks its nose in, January here we come, and a TV slot all in the bag. I will sleep on it. A sleeping bag!