17/10/08 - New Blog from Javier

Ey up!

We are on full throttle with the promo duties for Decade In The Sun. This week we did the Al Murray show which comes out on telly tonight at 10pm. We had a good time at it, having walked away with customized pint jugs and playing 'You're My Star' and a Queen cover as well. We also spent a lot of time on our precious arses in very comfortable chairs to do interviews over the phone, one after the other. We chatted with journalists from Singapore, Spain, Norway and South Africa, at least in my case anyway, and fill them in on everything that is going on around the Best Of release, touring plans, etc.Another UK TV show that we did this week, is a T4 special that is gonna be aired on a later date. So keep your eyes peeled out there!

Next week.... yep.... more promo.... the things we do for you! Hoping that your memory lasts longer than a sparkler on Bonfire night, so you won't forget to contribute with the brand spanking new 2008 Stereophonics' Christmas Holiday Fund on November 10th. Our new private plane is overdue now! We need you.... hehe.

And keeping up with last week's tradition, it's my turn now to answer some of your questions that you have been sending to us.....

Oasis have just released their new album. have you guys already listened to "Dig Out Your Soul" and what do ya think of it?

No, I haven't in its entirety, so I wouldn't comment on it yet. Noel played us some tracks when we were at Metropolis Studios in London. They were mastering the album there and we were working on 'My Own Worst Enemy'. I think some of the boys got it this week. I'll have a proper listen.

Why no Irish dates on the tour?

We love Ireland and it is great to play there. Unfortunately the dates didn't work out on this run, a bit unlucky really. We are trying to work out a visit in the new year.

With so many songs qualifying as hits or best of, will the shows in December have rotating sets?

Because we have that many hits baby! Yeah, the idea is to play all the hits together in one show. It's gonna be the first time that we do something like this. .I'm sure we'll swap some around to keep the shows changing a bit, and other ones that are probably not gonna leave the setlists.

For Javier - How did you feel about coming into the band after therelease of four albums? Was it difficult to put your influence on to tracks like 'Local Boy', 'Bartender', 'Mr Writter' etc that had already been written with another drummer?

I had to learn a big catalogue of songs in one go, which was a great challenge. Initially, I wanted to play as close as possible the original drum parts, because they make those songs what they are. The vibe that was captured at that point in time. Obviously, you start adapting them to your own style of playing and start growing into something else. I remember that I learnt one album at the time. I wanted to understand each record before moving into the next one.

Describe yourselves in no more than 3 words?

Extravagant Sexual Machines

Until next time,
Jav
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