England
This is the first time I have had a chance to write since the whirlwind end of the Curiosa tour that brought us straight into this European festival run. So here's what has happened:
Curiosa was very hard to leave, we had grown so close to the music, the people and the amazing opportunity to play in front of like minded people in the U.S.A. but we had fun obligations in Europe.
It began in Belgium at the Pukklepop. Festival. It was a great big festival with a fun diverse line up; the Darkness, the Streets, Chemical Brothers, and us on the big stage and then a great line up in the tent with; Mondo Generator, Mark Lanegan (what a voice!) and Greg Dulli. It was a great way to start it off out here.
The next day was Holland! I love Holland because of how liberal they are. You can feel it even in their attitude towards music, really open minded and enthusiastic. I have had great time on all my tours to Holland this year; they have been extremely supportive of this music. Our show at the Holland Lowlands festival was really great!!!! The crowd response (around 12,000 of them!!!) was amazing. Singing along and made us feel so welcome.
Next stop Austria!!! Another German speaking country who think Auf der Maur is a stage name, It actually means On the Wall in German, and it is only a family name in Switzerland, so in the other parts of Europe they just think it is a silly band name! Nonetheless the Austrians were extremely into the music. We had only been through once this year, opening up for Perfect Circle before the album was even released, so it was amazing to see the evolution since February. It was a fun rainy festival and I got to see great sets by the Distillers, Franz Ferdinand, Supergrass, the silliest band around the Bloodhound gang (Steve and I had tons of laughs with those Philly boys!) and Urge Overkill (that I hadnÍt seen play since 1994!).
Then off we go to the Kerrang!!! Awards! where I presented the award for best British live band to THE DARKNESS. Had I not seen them a few days earlier in Austria I wouldn't be able to vouch for their abilities, but I must say it is true; these guys are great entertainers in the spirit of Benny Hill (great British comedy TV show from the '70s about a silly pervert man,). And they are amazing guitar players! So the night was quite silly. There were tons of bands being awarded - Greenday, MC5, Ash, Muse, L.A. heroes Velvet Revolver (winning for best new band, go figure...) and much more. England is the most enthusiastic and music obsessed country - As they should be! Just look at the history of modern music from Britain; it starts with the Beatles and The Stones, then to Zeppelin and Sabbath, then the Sex Pistols and all TRUE punk, then my faves The Cure and The Smiths, then that brings us into the last decade or so were weÍve got the Stone Roses to Radiohead. I am always in awe and aware of that context of music when in England. They have seen everything! That is why I am so excited that the response to my music has been so great there! The support I have felt there has been incredible!
This brings us to the READING AND LEEDS FESTIVAL!!!!!!!!