Our guests; former band members, with a total of 12 years service in the band between them, lifted the performance energy even higher and did not disappoint. Mark Birch, Mervyn Spence and Ben Granfelt each displayed their unique talents, which, during recent years, have helped push the recording and live performance envelope in all directions, ensuring a legacy which has totally complemented, and in many ways superseded the previous 24 years, musically.
Vocally and musically Mervyn Spence and Mark Birch both scare the pants off me, to say nothing of their individual post - Ash, business savvy, these days. I’ll clue you in some more on Mervyn’s recent very interesting activities, for example, at a later date. The muscular guitar playing of Ben Granfelt, who can hold his own, nay, supersede, any Satriani, Lukather or Morse, is a force to be reckoned with, and again, he’s also a very active guy businesswise, working his own career in different music-related fields alongside his songwriting and recording projects. It just makes for a wealth of collective talent which has been brought to this band, taking us forward through the years. I’m right proud to count these fellow musos and songwriters, amongst my true friends.
Success is an interesting concept. Too often these days we equate it merely with financial status and competitive edge. But when that’s ALL there is to something, then the heart of a project can go out the window. This band and its fans are ‘all heart’ and its always been the most fulfilling when that’s the case. I felt that, when looking out onto a sea of familiar faces in the audience on Saturday evening. Whenever the ‘heart’ side of things has been traded in for short term gain or power within it’s ranks, the band has stumbled. Not so, last night at the Empire. We saw a fantastic crew, an audience of loyal fans, along with current band members, plus former members, all joyfully rising to the occasion and giving it their all. As many have pointed out; we have a genuine community of like-minded souls out there. Oh yes, and please don’t forget the music! The boys in the band, Bob, Muddy and Joe; it’s a pleasure to work alongside you as we travel the world!
Back to the night itself: I loved the tongue in cheek, show opener, the Voice of God' courtesy of Planet Rock radio. It was also funny to have Bob Skeat almost personally meeting and greeting folks outside as they entered the building. We had our two youngest fans, Amy Bannister and Mara Sophie Kirf in the audience - both themselves, budding young guitarists at 9 years of age! Kevin Harrington, our dear old friend and former tour manager, stage managed the event and joined us all for the post, post show party at our favourite London hotel. Here, we celebrated the 88th birthday of my dear old mum AND the 18th birthday of Lilia, Muddy's youngest daughter. They were both born on the same day - the 18th of May. The cake sent from my family was spectacular.
I’m proud to be a part of WA as I always have been. It would have been something, if the first incarnation of the band could have joined in the celebrations on Saturday, but sadly that was not to be, due to distracting business manoeuvres. That chapter is now closed.
An extremely active year is going to dominate our time and energy. We now have, in the can, great live DVD footage and sound recording from the Empire Theatre ready for mixing, plus a road movie to edit. Importantly, work starts in earnest next month, in France, on the new studio CD. Oh yes, and later, in October, 14 dates have just been inked in for the autumn UK tour (once again with that lovable band, the Hamsters, supporting). There will also be some random summer festival dates, plus a USA tour in December.
A quick word of sincere thanks to the Gig Cartel, agent supremo - Andy Nye aided by Sarah Auerbach, Guy Roberts, Leon Tsilis, Talking Elephant Records, Backstreet International, The Crabtrees, The Manninens, The Powells, The Skeats, Our crew - Daniel, Olaf and Andy (on stage video projection) helped by Beth, Rosita on merch, the street team and especially you, the fans.
Don’t forget to book early for AshFest Florida, USA next June AND in the meantime, we’ll no doubt bump into you on a gig in your town, during the next 12 months of partying!
Cheers ~ A.P. and the Bones.
P.S. Thanks for the photo Linda Raymond ..Hope you don’t mind me appropriating it for this blog entry!
