Last night I went to see a band that had a big impact on me growing up. It was a one off reunion show by The Beekeepers. They’re from my home town and NOT one of the many other bands from around the globe who have since adopted the same name.

Its hard to describe how important this band is to everything I’ve done since. Having been listening exclusively to Queen since the age of 5 our new guitar player, of the band we had at school, told me about this band I should check out. We went to see them play in a pub (we were dramatically underage!), in Belper which is near to Derby, I was instantly convinced of their greatness.

The Beekeepers captured my imagination to such an extent that looking back I’m pretty sure the songs I was writing at the time, for my school band, were my own interpretations of the early Beekeepers demos!

I was actually hesitant to go to the show last night, some things are best left in the past as great memories but I am so glad I went now! Although they were missing original rhythm guitarist Julian Berry they still had the exact same power and passion that captured my impressionable musical mind years ago. I believed back then and last night reaffirmed the belief that it is a crime this band didn’t achieve bigger success.

My favourite recording is the 6 track demo that I managed to get because our guitarist at the time was the nephew of the bands manager, it really captures the band as I remember them, intense energetic and fun.

The song Elsewhere is one of the few songs I wish I had written (along with Queen’s Somebody To Love) that’s the best compliment I could give a song!
I’ve been thinking a lot (maybe too much) about time on earth, destiny and legacy while making our new record and it makes no sense to me that a song like Elsewhere (from the mini album THIRD PARTY FEAR AND THEFT, BUY IT FROM iTunes) is not in consciousness of the world – Although we did try and break it into the US market while cruising along Santa Monica during a day off from recording, blasting it out the hire car speakers!

Thanks to the Beekeepers for the music, the memories AND for playing Deep Fried Thought!!

x

Thanks so much to all who sent in photos of your cities, its so interesting going through them.
From what I have seen so far they’re almost equally of cities we have already visited AND cities/countries we have yet to reach which is amazing!
I don’t think I really thought, in advance of receiving them, how much of an insight into your worlds these photographs would provide us.

My friend Rob sent me this picture of me on tour which I love, check more of his work out at robbakerashton.com

Hey everyone, hope you’re all doing good. I just created a Ustream account. Still figuring out how it works but I’ll be broadcasting from it as often as I can, playing some songs and generally existing online! I’ll let you know when my first broadcast will be! check it out!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/we-exist-as-shadows

Spent  a wonderful few days shooting some photos with our great friend Rob Baker Ashton. The main set of pictures are planned for inclusion in artwork but here’s a little hint at what we’ve been up to … I think we really captured a moment and mood of the band perfectly at this point in June 2011 …….ps I did all my own make up!

Check Robs other stuff out here  http://www.robbakerashton.com/

Paradox On Earth
I was searching for a sign
For a beacon for a doorway into time
I was searching for a sign
For a reason but we’re always here too late
It’s always December
When the nights last forever
Its endless time
A shared thought is freedom
As history breathes deep in
Its endless time
I’ll walk forever to solve paradox on earth
And we go on and on and on
I was searching for a sign
For a beacon for a doorway into time
I was searching for a sign
For a reason but we’re always here too late
The decades are bleeding
As years fall, age creeps in
For endless time
On and on and on and on and on
I was searching for a sign
For a beacon for a doorway into time
I was searching for a sign but we’re always
Paradox on earth

I love it when music makes the spine tingle, this song by Marina And The Diamonds plays havoc with my senses every time. Go check out the original on her Family Jewels album.

If I can open a window into how I personally feel about touring, imagine being welcomed open arms into a brand new community of like minded, passionate and unhinged music fans every night. Like being the new kid at school except instead of isolationist feelings it’s a barrage of beautiful acceptance. I do not believe that every band would have had the same experience playing such intense and scrupulous fans as the MCRmy but I hope you guys feel the same when I say I felt an instant connection with you all, we are treading the same path of truthfulness in music and I am grateful to have fed off your energy for the past two months.

To pick a highlight is impossible, every show has had special moments.

I’m overwhelmed by all the comments and messages on our various online platforms, we read everything and it really does make it all worth while to know we have had such an effect on you at these shows. Seeing all the new fan communities springing up is a ludicrous feeling! I’m looking forward to experiencing this next year and beyond with all of you as a part of the family.

I would like to personally say thank you to My Chemical Romance along with the whole crew who made out touring experience the most enjoyable time of my life, I know Alan, Mark and our crew feel the same.

Lastly thanks to YOU, ever one of you at the shows for being ridiculously addictive! I’m having major withdrawal symptoms right now. Music is my drug and in you guys I have found the perfect syringe in which to inject the melody.

I hope to see many of you in London on 29th March at Notting Hill Arts Club for our headline show. If you are coming to the meet and greet have you voices in fine form as I have a feeling we may get musical

xx

France definitely has good water pressure, this morning I’ve been experimenting with the various settings on the shower in my hotel room and I’m happy to confirm it was a victory all round. I’m slowly and somewhat purposefully getting a reputation as a flooder of hotel bathrooms. Maybe its the Merman in me but  I just dont feel complete in the morning unless I know that the once dry floor is submerged and that I alone caused the carnage.

Since the first show in Tilburg, Netherlands we have been having the best time, mainland Europe proves once again to be the most beautiful and receptive of places. I definitely feel we have begun a love affair with France, these past two shows have been amongst the greatest ever for us, combine that with the quality of water pressure and its a dream combination.That’s not to say I’ve not loved every city on this tour -I just think having not played a show for a YEAR, before this tour, we are just hitting our true form. Like Apollo 11 blasting away from its earthly restraints its a truly turbulent trip as it races to escape the atmosphere but then once you clear the Van Allen radiation belt you’re clear and cruising. Cant wait to revisit every single city we have played on this tour.

Before last nights show we had a little play around with one of my personal favorite songs – Numb by Marina & the Diamonds. Its a song we will pursue and may turn up on something in the future, I hope so. You can watch the clip here

Barcelona next

x

Uk and Ireland shows with MCR and The Blackout have been amazing, we’re having the best tour ever! Really excited to carry on for another three weeks in Europe now starting Saturday In the Netherlands.
Last night while we were on stage in Newcastle Zane Lowe gave Paradox On Earth its first radio one play, check it ” ! Which makes this excellent for us!
Thanks to Zane for this!

Jumping the shark and landing it

Hey everyone I’m sat on a ship watching the waves and listening to MEW – its literally too perfect. Alan is in the on board cinema specifically to sleep! Mark is playing table football (badly) with my guitar tech James and our TM and FOH are in various states of “in isle floor sleeping” much to the continued annoyance of the fellow passengers. Glasgow was amazing last night, really cant wait to get back to Scotland with our own shows and take in a few more cities. Really excited for Dublin 02 arena tonight.

I’ve been loving all the feedback on Paradox On Earth – I’m looking forward to you being able to hear it in its true context, as a part of the full album, news on that is forthcoming.

Steven
x