Kent arrived in the early hours this morning. His plane sat in a holding pattern for 40 minutes before landing, with some other delays at the airport. We all met up around midday today & lugged our gear around to a rehearsal studio 10 minutes away. It was freekin great to blow out the cob-webs. It dawned on us that we hadn’t played live since November & not with Kent since June last year. It’s all been writing & studio work since then.

The On Fires, Midi Fest Beijing 2011.

We played through the first half of the set, repeating everything 4 or 5 times. One of the new songs was in there & blew us away – a Happy Mondays inspired thing that slow-funks it’s way through to a big stadium-style chorus. We’re feeling great now. I think we were getting a little down or something, getting all the media & other stuff done with a big tour looming. But, after today’s rehearsal, I think there’s a vibe that this thing is gonna be huge. It was great to see Kent again too. He’s such a great drummer & team player – long lost family member returned.

Out to shmoozeville tonight, meeting at 8.

Checkya later.
Fires out.

Slow start to the day today after last night’s session at a bar down the street. Didn’t get enough work done. Up early tomorrow to make up. Went out tonight to the Red Theatre to see a Kung Fu acrobatic show. Spectacular. Last night out before things get moving. Kent arrives from Atlanta in a couple of hours. Several days of tour rehearsal starting tomorrow.

Checkya later.
Fires out.

Had a great pre-tour night tonight. Still drunk – but on the mend. What did we do. Oh yeah, we ate. Chinese food is so good. Scotty, you’d love it man. Chilli blast from hell. Then what. Beer. Then wondered down the street to the public toilet. Naked flame would take out half the suburb. Held breathe for as long as possible. Not possible not to breathe in there. Made it out & rejoined the crew. Max went to the ladies – which apparently wasn’t so bad.

Went to great bar after that. Saw a great band. Had philosophical discussion about the direction of entire human race. Where we’re headed, what we’re doing. Where the peace is. More and more beer. Left the bar, got lost. Went back & called Badr (my discussion partner). Luckily he came out & directed me home. And here I am. Sobering up to Jeff Buckley. This is gold I tells ya. Gold.

I met him at Gaslight Records in Melbourne the year before he died. I’ll never forget it.

Checkya later.
Fires out.

Lost luggage came late yesterday. Guitar & suitcase now in possession and ready for tour.

Right now we’re on our way to the Great Wall just outside Beijing. Video coming.

Checkya later.
Fires out.

Long haul yesterday. 24 hours door to door – and here we are in Beijing. It’s a hazy sky out there. Been out for a food-sourcing walk & found we’re staying pretty close to where we were last time.

Marty, a few minutes ago on Tom & Tara’s balcony, Beijing.

Check the video below & re-live the plane ride & luggage fiasco at the monolithic Beijing airport.

We’re a bit jet-lagged but feeling OK. Waiting on a call from the airport about where the guitar and suitcase ended up…

Checkya later.
Fires out.

Waiting for the boarding gate to open. One hour to flight time. Up at 5 to catch Tamworth flight here. Hoodoo Gurus playing in my head. Next stop – Shanghai layover.

Checkya from China,
Fires out.

It’s our last night in Australia before leaving for tour in the early hours of tomorrow morning. Doing last minute stuff like diverting phones etc. No panic. Checked through all the gear & equipment over the weekend. Everything seems to be in order. In fact, it’s unusually calm – like before the storm. Unnerving.

Max on stage, Midi Festival Beijing 2011 (Kent in background).

This time tomorrow we’ll be coming in over the East China Sea. Then a Shanghai layover, Beijing at midnight. Mayhem closes in…

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.
PS – the dog knows something’s up. He’s on us, sticking close.

Arrived in sunny Tamworth yesterday arvo. Stayed in Nerandara Thursday night. Eventually found over-priced accomm on busy Easter eve. Lady at the hotel wasn’t happy about the dog sleeping in the van & gave us attitude, Aussie-outback-country-service style. Went to the local RSL & tried to eat massive dinner. ‘Well done’ steak still moo-ing, sent it back for a blast but still moo-ing. Woke at 5 & hit the road again. Egg & bacon roll at West Wyalong. Beautiful weather all the way. Midday, ordered beef burger at Coonabarabran, ended up with Barramundi but found out too late. Petrol stop at Gunnedah, attendant speaks only in mono-syllables, not happy about working Easter Friday or living in Gunnedah…

Max on video set last week.

Finished the video clip for the latest single last night. Everything ready to go for China tour. Leaving early Monday morning.

Checkya later,
Fires out.

What was I saying about the video clip and the recordings being finalised by Tuesday night? Wrong. The video is still going – nearly finished, just one ten second section we can’t get right. The latest recordings needed more attention in mastering yesterday, completed last night – so the audio is actually DONE! Yeah! (ready for release)

Shot from the latest video clip – still in production.

In just a few hours we officially leave for tour, first stop Tamworth. Sydney Monday morning. Beijing Tuesday.

Checkya later,
Fires out.

Spent the past 3 days editing the video clip for the latest single release. Been sitting in the same spot on the couch here the whole time. Feel like part of the furniture. Need a shower. Obsessing.

First draft produced late last night. More adjustment today…

Video shot from one of the verses – taken from last weeks production.

Gotta hit the mastering suite again this afternoon (Crystal). Small adjustment to one line of backing vocals. More obsessing. Having trouble sleeping – head racing when I go to bed & racing as soon as I wake. Adrenaline kicking in. By the end of today both the songs and the video should be done. It’s been a long process.

Leaving for the China tour on Thursday. First stop – Tamworth on Friday, followed by Sydney airport very early Monday morning. Then Shanghai & then Beijing where we’ll be based for a week before the tour kicks off. All the tour dates have now been added to the Shows page.

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.