Welcome to another KT Tuesday and today had the all the hallmarks of being an epic day.
We also had Spice back for this gig which meant we are back to full strength.
We have had this particular gig booked since March of 2018, and now it is finally here.
Tonight we are supporting, the very busy and most awesome Ramonas.
Since booking this gig we have really been looking forward to it, and after last weeks strong performance with just the three Wild Stray's pulling off a headline show.
We felt super strong going into this show.
I have also got rid of my old amp (we actually wanted to find a demolition company and blow my old one up) but it’s still living down PMT at the moment.
We might have to get it back and try and achieve the blowing up of my amp :)
Anyway, I have tried and tested my new amp once at the Claptrap gig and some practice sessions at home and I was happy with the set up once Grace help me achieve my tone.
The plan today was to rehearse for a few hours then head back to the house for a bite to eat and then make our way down to the venue. I got the message that we would be leaving at 9am on the Friday morning to get to the practice studio scheduled from 10am till 12pm.
This studio was in Stoke on Trent, so the idea was that we would run through the songs. I mean the last time we practised together as a four piece was at Tanya’s audition. But we of course practice at home and myself, Grace and Spice have been doing the set for a while now.
Back to the story...myself, Tanya and Grace loaded the car and set off to Stoke. We pulled up outside of Spices house.
Tanya jumped out the car and knocked on the door, then went in. They both came out a few minutes later and we headed to the studio.
We have never been to this studio before and I think it was about ten minutes from Spice's house. It was a place called Venom Base Studios.
Honestly we arrived or at least in the area. I stated to have flashbacks of our practice in Stafford. This studio was next to a garage or breakers yard. Not knowing where we were really going. Tanya and Grace jumped out and was told by the owner to head to the Boilers Room on arrival. I presume they knew where the studio was.
They then waved us back down the street as they now have the directions to head behind the building to the studio. We had to reverse the car down the slope and then was faced with lugging our gear up the steel fire escape steps.
Once in, the studio looked amazing and welcoming.
We were treated by a smiling guy called Chris and he offered us free drinks throughout our session. The room was toasty warm and a good size. We set up and started to practice. I didn’t really work to hard on beating out on the vocals at full volume because we had a full show to do later.
So we jamed through the songs and ran around the studio while doing so. Head banging while playing and just generally having fun.
It was a great session and we ended up staying a extra hour till 1pm.
We packed up and then set off back home to Stafford with Spice in tow. I cooked some fish and rice and we pretty much chilled for a few hours.
It was then time to head to Birmingham.
We knew it would be quite busy being a Friday so we left in plenty of time. The venue was supposed to be a bit of a bugger to park outside as well. But we’ll figure that when we get there.
The Sunflower Lounge is located on the Queensway pretty much right next to New Street station in the centre of Birmingham.
We pulled up and then locked the car, just so we could find the lay of the land and figure out where to load in.
We all walked down the stairs and The Ramonas were on the stage doing there sound check. They sounded loud and and pretty damn awesome. I must admit I was super excited for this show. I think we all were.
We then laid eyes on Adam Ward who always gives both me and Grace the biggest and warmest of hugs. I’m sure he would have done the same to Tanya. He probably would have shook Spices hand. I’m actually not sure but anyway...
Then spotted Chris Long and another warm greeting.
This night felt so friendly and Tinfish hasn’t even arrived yet.
We loaded our gear into the back room and then Grace rode shotgun with me to the O2 car park.
We met up with the others and decided to go for walk to find a shop and pick up some drinks.
On the way back we bumped into Ernest from WildSpiritz Magazine. Well he hit me with his book. Gently I must add :) and he was like.. oi oi lol
He contacted us a few weeks back and enquired about doing a piece in his magazine on The Wild Strays.
A Ep review, A live Gig review and a Interview.
Of course we jumped at the chance and it was nice to finally meet him in person. (This will be shared on our page once released, as we are in the Christmas edition of Wildspiritz Magazine. (More details to follow)
We then headed back into the venue. Ernest was introduced to the whole band and he then left to introduce himself to the other bands he was reviewing that night.
The time was ticking by and we got chatting to Adam Ward and caught up with Chris Long who we hadn’t seen for ages.
The first act Endangered Species were on first and as we were there enjoying their show Tinfish arrived. Dave was the first person I saw and again a big hug and kiss on the cheek.
We have been doing the odd gig with Tinfish here and there for over a year now, and they are super lovely guys.
It was only a few minutes after that, we got wind that one of the bands were running late. Forty five minutes late.
There was talk of us being bumping down the bill, but as we had people coming down to see us, it was a difficult decision.
As it was, Jenny from Rebellion was there alongside Adam and they decided to let us keep our slot and asked if we minded doing and extended set by going on 15 minutes earlier.
Well, we jumped at the chance.
I mean Ernest was here to review the gig, and we were fired up to be supporting the Ramonas so we were eager to hit the stage.
We enjoyed the rest of Endangered Species show and then started to load our gear onto the stage.
Once set, we had a few minutes before we could start our show, then it was time for our intro and we kicked our show off with the traditional rumble of thunder.
We belted straight into our recently new track called Broken Glass (which can be heard on our up and coming Ep) then into the full version of The Beast Inside.
I then started talk for a bit while Grace is doing the warm intro to our Debut Single 9 Lives.
The sound was amazing here at the Sunflower Lounge and I actually forgot Ernest was reviewing the night. Because we were having so much fun. The monitors were perfect, it was also a good sized crowd too. In fact it was a great turn out.
9 Lives ramps up and that song always sounds so strong.
The call and answer from the crowd on Own personal Hell was one of loudest I have heard.
We also did a couple of covers which is rare for us. But we had a fantastic night and how cool was it that the Ramonas were in the wings listening to our set and the other bands on the bill. I was only saying last week that some main acts don’t check out or watch the supporting acts. As we are headlining last week, we made a point of seeing the other bands on the bill.
But the Ramonas watched every band that night. I thought that was pretty damn cool.
Next up was our friends Tinfish and they played a blinding set, also a quick mention to Lawrence thier drummer. It was his birthday on this day and he looked liked he was having a blast tonight.
A very happy birthday to you Loz, from all us Wild Strays, we hope you had an amazing birthday xx
Then it was time for the main event. As always I don’t talk much about the other bands on the bill. But I gotta say, we spoke to the Ramonas back stage before the doors opened and they were super lovely girls, we sat and chatted for a while. Hearing a few stories of their life on the road.
Tonight they were playing their First World Problems album in full. The room was now full and they came on stage and kicked the night off with 2016 Fuck This.
They came bolting our the gate and we just jumped around like crazy. One of my highlights was jumping up and down with Grace, shouting, "you got problems, i got problems, First World Problems, First World Problems"
That was awesome, jumping up and down screaming this at the top of our voices :)
Such a great, great night.
Thank you to everyone who came down to see us and the other bands.
A special photo below, this marked our first year having Adam Ward as our promoter. He was the one that gave us our first shot a year ago into the Live scene and we been working on the Birmingham circuit ever since.
Also in this photo is Chris long, me and Grace met him for the first time in Coventry a year or so ago and again such a great great guy. If we were ever to make it on tour, he would be the first person we would ask to come with us. We should take more photos like this one.
Tanya, Spice, Grace, Adam, Chris and myself, KT
We now have a week off and then it’s three gig's on the bounce for us. Two of which are Christmas party's.
Hmm.. we must come up with a little name for the next three gigs.
Anyway,
Till next time, as always,
Keep it Wild xx
KT x