5TH DAY : SHOWTIME!

Following on from the show, John & Guthrie sat and signed stuff for the crowd, chatting and joking their way through a very enjoyable and surprisingly intimate hour and a half. This kind of thing is greatly appreciated by the Japanese and the guys really endeared themselves to the assembled throng.



A quick taxi drive back to the hotel and then John & Robin, Guthrie and myself nipped out to the Dubliner’s Irish Pub for a couple of pints. Thirst quenched, they all popped off for an Indian meal and I caught the last train home. A magnificent evening and one that will live in the memory for a very long time to come.

5TH DAY : SHOWTIME!

Tomorrow…in stores.



To be continued.

4TH DAY: BURRN!, YOUNG GUITAR & YAKI NIKU

As most of you will no doubt be aware, Burrn! is Japan's rock bible, able to kill a band with a single bad review and equally able to make a band successful with a single good one. In many respects, today's interview was the fulcrum around which the whole trip revolves. Pleased to be able to report that the hour long interview (very long by Burrn! standards) with staff writer Masao Fujiki was an unmitigated success with John ranking it amongst the best - if not actually the best! - interview he's ever undertaken.

Following a quick cup of coffee, Guthrie is whisked off to Young Guitar magazine for an interview and the recording of a short instructional video whilst John and I prowl the incredibly well stocked guitar stores in the Ochanomizu district before heading back to the hotel where John's lady Robin has been feeling unwell today. Whilst waiting for Guthrie to return, we partake of a quick couple in the 'English' pub (...don't ask!) across the road from the hotel. At 10.00 pm, an exhausted Guthrie returns and we all pile into a Yakiniku (meat cooked on charcoal grills at the table) meal that will be spoken of in hushed tones for many a year to come. the word 'epic' doesn't even begin to describe this meal adequately. The perfect end to another extremely productive day. Thanks to everyone involved , especially John & Guthrie for getting it all done.

4TH DAY: BURRN!, YOUNG GUITAR & YAKI NIKU

Tomorrow...the long awaited acoustic gig.
(Amazingly they said they will perform ALL the album songs in acoustic version!)

To be continued.

3RD DAY : GUITAR, VIOLIN, etc

Now, today was fun....