There is so much to talk about this week, I’m not even sure where to start. So I may skip or keep things short, just because this could be a long blog.
It started the usual way, Spice made his way down to Stafford and we loaded up and made our way to pick up Jake.
But this time we had two stops to make before finally heading to the venue to load in and Sound check.
I also knew it was going to be baking hot today, so I opted to wear shorts and T shirt. It was a wise choice because it was over 30 degrees, probably much more on stage with all the amps, stage lights and people.
We headed to Birmingham, and some of you may or may not have noticed something on the website.
A date coming up later in the year.
Well, we had set up a small meeting with the venue owner, and so we all sat round a table and discussed things. That’s all I’m saying on this particular subject for now.
I’m sure there will be a News Announcement soon enough when finer details have been added.
Then we made a phone call to Robannas about meeting our producer Miguel, this is more news to come.
I feel this blog has started cryptic, and I already know it is going to finish this way too.
But you will have to read more of my waffle before we get to that bit.
Just don’t cheat and scroll down.
Then we finally head to the venue.
Navigating the Birmingham city centre one way systems, we finally turn the corner and see the infamous Scruffy Murphy’s
We drove past the main entrance and pulled up at the rear of the pub.
I said I would run in and find out where we needed to load in. I spoke to the barmaid and she gave a shout to a guy called Matt to open the back door.
Once opened we started to load in. The stage was quite a good size and it looked like this was going to be a real up close and personal gig.
We met with Dean, the drummer from Colorado Lounge. It was through him and us playing on a bill with Colorado Lounge earlier in the year that landed this gig.
Dean was quite busy setting up the backline so we continued to load in.
We stored our gear and explained we were going to park the car. We also had sandwiches again which I made earlier, as none of us had eaten since midday. It was now quarter to six.
We pulled up to the nearest NCP car park just across the road and it was £16.50 for 3 hours or something like that. We all coughed and Grace who drove this time threw the car into reverse and we went to the next NCP car park which really was next door. We think the first one must have been a more secure one with gates and cameras.
Anyway, we parked up just inside the entrance to the car park. We tucked into the sandwiches and played a game spotting the happiest driver queuing to leave.
Most of them looked really cheesed off as they obviously just wanted to get home on a Friday night.
So back to the venue, and for the third time this year (I think) we were not first on the bill. So of course this is a good thing but also means no full sound check.
Just plug in and a quick line check before we start.
First on were a band called Get//Rek’d , now as you know or may have gathered I don’t do little reviews of other bands.
It’s not my place to do that and honestly I waffle enough as it is.
But if you get chance then check this band out, they are only a month old and are really lovely guys.
I got talking to all of the band throughout the night and again just really really nice guys.
I got to say all the bands on the bill tonight were super lovely.
Honestly everyone on this bill was dancing and jumping around to each other’s show.
It was a absolute blast tonight.
So the time was 20:20 and we started to gather our gear from behind the secure bar. We were due on at 8.45pm, and Get//Rek’d finished their set at 20.30
The place was filling up and as we walked through the crowd onto the stage we started to get set up.
After 15 mins or so, a quick thumbs up to the sound engineer and the background music slowly became rain and thunder, a crash of lightning, then a shake of a spray can and Spice takes to the drum kit.
Jake, Grace and myself were all stood to one side of the stage as we look at one another before we run on to the stage. (That sounds epic, but really we were stood on the stage, just to one side) But one day we will run onto a huge stage haha.
Grace takes to the stage first and then me followed by Jake.
A huge intro, a roll on the drums and crash of cymbals and I scream into the mic, We are the Wild Strays and this song is called 20/20
This song blends straight into The Beast Inside and we power through until the guitars let ring into a Flatline and a huge vocal from me.
Then Grace starts this beautiful intro and I announce “This next song is our Debut Single and we would love you to go crazy this.. is.... 9 Lives”
The song builds and with punches in the air, the crowd are bouncing their heads.
Just such a great track to play live, next up is Guilty of my Innocence which we now have three live videos up on YouTube of this song.
We are of course super grateful for any one uploading a video of us, but if you fancy filming another song then you totally have our permission :)
And so it’s onto our newest track Own Personal Hell and I got to say, Scruffys in Birmingham..,
You have been the loudest Strays we have played too this year.
The backing to the chorus with you all screaming “This time it’s Personal” was the very best we have had yet. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
And further more your clap track in our final song The Wild Strays was amazing.
A fantastic night and one we will hold fond memories of.
And then the night was taken by Among the Hollows which I got talking to the lead singer Ian later in the evening and again such a lovely guy.
A great sound and a pleasure to watch, and finally our hosts for the night Colorado Lounge. With clown masks and a great stage show. We were all jumping around and having fun. There was even a head banging conga train in the pit which I just had to get involved in.
A great night and a huge thank you to Colorado Lounge for inviting us on the bill. We had a fantastic night.
A special mention to a friend of mine called Steve who I have met through work. He came down on his own just to see our show, he had been reading my blogs on here and talking on the phone through work.
It was great to see you and we look forward to seeing you at another show soon.
And so there we have it, another show done.
But.. instead of dropping everyone home, this time the entire band was crashing at our house.
We stopped by Tesco’s which must have gone way past midnight by now, we wandered around hunting the isles for food so we could have a hearty breakfast in the morning.
We got back to the house and Spice was like “Hey ummm, I’m hungry do you mind if I cook a bacon and egg sandwich now ?”
I said nah I don’t mind, so I made a cup of tea while Spice was frying up his food. We chatted for a while and then me and Jake pumped the air bed up and I chucked down a few duvets.
A few hours sleep and with breakfast served and devoured.
We headed to Nantwich for a meeting that had been planned for a month or so.
This is where it gets a little tricky.
Because I have no clue how much I’m supposed to reveal.
There is not actually too much to say really..
We met someone who knows a lot about the music industry.
That would be fair to say, and he likes us Wild Strays. He would like to help with advice and to hopefully secure a few gigs and festivals next year.
That’s all we know,
I don’t know what exactly will happen, but we are open to ideas and will see where our Wild Stray rollercoaster takes us.
Until then,
I will catch you again next week,
Keep it Wild,
KT xx
P.s
Below is rare photo that caught half of the Strays in the Wild.
Grace Hale and Jake Adshead.
The location of KT and Spice are not shown here, but you can be sure, they were not far away.
Until next time,
KT x