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A Brief Update, A Small Summary, And, Finally, A Bit Of News.

So, it’s been a while since I wrote something here, eh? Dunno why, I guess I’ve been off busying myself with other pursuits or something. Either way it’s safe to say that I’ve missed you.

First things first, go buy the new Devin Townsend album, Addicted. Absolutely the best stuff he’s released since the awe inspiring City by SYL. You will absolutely not regret this purchase.

Oh, Antiproduct are leaving the sunny confines of LA to return to the rainy little winterland we call the U of K to appear as special guests at The Wildhearts’ Xmas shows. Given that The Loyalties are opening up this evening should effortlessly rank alongside any Xmas special we have ever put together.

And, while on the subject of the Xmas gigs the thorny issue of Chutzpah Jnr. The decision to make this available exclusively to people attending the Xmas shows is not a decision that has been made by me or, to my knowledge any member of the band. I’m sure this is a slight error and that the CD will be available at shows after Xmas. All I can personally say on the subject is that I hope the CD will NOT be on sale outside of the concert environment, dictating that you make some online friends and have them buy a copy for you. Who knows, actual friendships may subsequently blossom ensuring you all have international destinations for your future holidays? Having said this, we have management and a record label that make these decisions for us, so for all I know (and let’s face it I’ve been known to be wrong as frequently as any air breathing humanoid) you might soon be able to download it without any further effort or social value whatsoever. Yay.

Speaking of gigs, the birthday show sold out in a rapid and amazing blast of  excitement, at least for me. It’s a pretty proud old(ish) fart who knows that you are so keen to help me celebrate in style. So proud, in fact, that I have invited pretty much everyone to the party. Expect to see a veritable rainbow of familiar faces and musical masterchefs cluttering up the tiny stage at London’s Relentless Garage. I’d also like to take this opportunity to point out that we’d like you to familiarise yourself with this tune:

We hope to present a live version of this song at some point in the evening and your participation in the chorus would be greatly appreciated. We also hope to have a twitter address set up for live twittering during the evening. So whether you’re in the actual venue or a billion miles away on a nearby planet, or even somewhere in between, you can make your presence known.

We will NOT, it must be heavily stated, be streaming the show live or recording the event in any shape or format. Filming will also be strictly dissuaded. This is a private party after all. All I can say, in my meekest defence, is that I hope to have more than one birthday next year, failing that I suggest you get tickets even quicker next time. We may even make tickets for next years show available at some random point mid-next year, to give some of you the chance to arrange travel arrangements and organise a spot of Xmas shopping. For the rest of you dotted around the world, outside of practical range of this event, I can only offer, as some mild condolence, how the rest of us all feel at not being able to spend New Years in New York, Summer in Saigon and Easter in Egypt. Let’s face it, only God can be everywhere (and, between you and me, even She’s confirmed on the bill for the birthday bash).

I’ve been writing a lot lately. Right now I’ve been happy to write for other artists but it’s got my creative sword quite fiercely sharpened on this welcome stone of demand. Expect at least two albums next year to feature my strong involvement. A bold statement? You betcha. And if it doesn’t happen then I assure you that it won’t be through lack of trying. I’m itching to create like the monstrous creative force I intend to be next year, and I suspect this level of energy will be enough to make this happen. That and your positivity.

I am also pitching for my own radio show through which I hope to educate and entertain with a veritable barrage of unfamiliar delights chosen specifically to stroke the imagination and coddle the mind. Pray with me that it comes off and I know we can achieve this. Sharing my vast love of music is part of the vital service I hope to dedicate myself to in 2010.

There are a few other things that might or might not be happening, none of which I will jinx by announcing here at this point. Instead I’ll exercise a little more respect for the health boosting effects of good news and keep you all waiting.

Still, you know me. As soon as it’s safe to announce I’ll be laying it on y’all. As a bringer of good tidings I find much comfort.

Have a brilliant Xmas, and if I don’t speak to you beforehand keep your powder dry and your intentions brilliant.

Gx

Vegas, Baby!

Picked up by Billy and Jen this morning we met up with Chris and Donovan from Camp Freddy at Burbank airport before being hurriedly rushed into the plane (where we scan the terrifying spectacle of fires tearing across LA, amid billowing plumes of white and red smoke, as the plane flies almost above), business class, natch. Camp Freddy don’t do things small. This operation makes my biggest shows look like pub gigs, hell they make everyone’s shows look like pub gigs.

Straight into the rooms (VIP natch, this one I’m sitting in is fucking huge) and then down to soundcheck, in this cavernous, 4000 seater venue, where I find myself singing You Really Got Me with John 5 and Surrender with Corey Taylor and Mark McGrath singing backing harmonies, while Dave Navarro shows me their new arrangement of the track. Duff McKagan is here, as is Matt Sorum (watching them play It’s So Easy brings a shiver to the skin), and then Steve Stevens and Corey Taylor join the CF circus for an astounding rendition of Rebel Yell. Corey really has the best pipes in the business, no doubt about it.

Just ate the best catering I’ve ever eaten in the dressing room, and I’m now waiting for the meet and greet, where Ozzy and family will be present.

It’s a surreal day, and one that I thought I should share with you.

Vegas is a place that Camp Freddy were formed to play. Their ultra-pro, huge production sits at ease with the larger than life attitude that this place is famous for. No one acts like stars in this outfit, more like a mutual appreciation society that get to hang out and play their favourite songs with each other.

Tonight I will play Anarchy In The UK, with Steve Jones.

This could be the most wonderful live experience of my life.

I’ll let you know how it went.

Vegas, baby. First class. Life is sweet.

Gx

So, Let’s Recap…

Jebus H Corblimey what just happened?

Only two weeks ago my family and I were sitting at Heathrow airport waiting for our flight to Sweden to meet and perform with Maria McKee, then to Finland to write with Michael Monroe.

Next I’m saying goodbye to my family at Heathrow where I’ll board a flight to LA. Luckily I can upgrade my seat to premium using my airmiles, so far so good.

After some spattered LA sleep peppered with jet lag we make our way to rehearsals where we write the first song for our new project, Mystery Number, which we will fine tune tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, however, things will begin to take on a momentum of their own based on the tangible life force of simple positive thinking. And nowhere is the power of positivity evident than within the characters of this band. Scott Lipps, the president of the biggest modelling agency in USA and one of the best loved guys in the business world, Billy Morrison, the heart and soul behind Camp Freddy, the biggest all start covers band in the world, and Michael Butler, a rock n roll historian, DJ, host and generally universally loved human being.

So the morning of the greatest day of the year begins with the mighty Mike Clink (Guns n Roses, UFO etc. etc.) coming to the studio to discuss the possibility of working with us. While were talking Michael Lee Smith, the magical voice behind Starz, turns up to rehearse. Suddenly I have to call Lemmy at home to ask if he’s coming to the show. Spinning in blissful confusion we make our way to the happiest place in LA, the home of our friend Mike, who furnished us with fine wine and conversation about the Secret , Dr Wayne Dyer and the power of positive thinking, my absolute favourite topics.

When I wake I have a funny feeling ‘the greatest day of the year’ is going to be beat. And sure enough at sound check on gig day Steve Stevens shows up to play Rebel Yell and shred his way through My baby Is A Headfuck. After a quick dinner with the Buckcherry guys, and successfully persuading Tre Cool to come to the show, we head back to the venue where I will be greeted by a flotilla of names and faces, Mickey P, Paul Cook, Casey Chaos, Duff McKagan, Donnie Vie, before climbing the stage at Viper Room to perform with a live stream, set up by the ubiquitous Billy Morrison and engineered by Beans and Butler, that will pipe the show out live to USA, UK, Japan, Brazil, Australia and Europe as well as to those gathered here in person to watch Michael Lee Smith sing Loveshit, Steve Stevens destroy Rebel Yell and own Headfuck, while we gallantly plough through an eclectic set. The greatest day of the year has officially been replaced.

In the morning I wake with the feeling that the greatest day (‘officially replaced’) may, somehow, be usurped by an outside horse named ‘the greatest day of the year, period’, only to be ushered into the truck of the lovely Chelsea Schwartz and taken to the Gibson offices where I’m face to face with Ace Frehley for a 30 minute interview. The greatest guitar player that ever lived is in great spirits and excellent humour as I ask him some very pressing questions about drugs, sexuality and his opinions on Ramones. The thrill that carries me from the interview takes me to the house of Matt Sorum, where we are recording our new song with Mike Clink (oh yes, it all went gloriously to plan), only to be told that Ace has mentioned me on twitter, saying I’m a nice guy.

This crazy trip has started with Maria McKee saying she likes my songs and bookended with Ace Frehley calling me a nice guy. Will someone wake me the fuck up?

Tomorrow I will head out to Vegas where I will perform with Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Navarro, John 5, Steve Jones and the entire Camp Freddy circus, in an attempt to override ‘the greatest day of the year, period’.

I think this is likely.

I’ll let you know how it went.

What’s that you say? I dropped a name or two?

You’re damned right I did!

Gx

Up, Up And Away

Just touched down in LAX, and after a visit to the wonderful Chelsea at the Viper Room we head off to our digs where we are confronted by some awesome Toadies fans who saw my show with them a few weeks ago.

Strangers truly are friends you haven’t met yet, especially in Korea Town, CA.

The wonderful Guillian makes our arrival as sweet as that of a waiting mother with warm bread,  and the awesome Elizabeth provides us with bedding and the best hug in LA. Chugged down a drink or two with Scott Lipps at a place so posh that the seat even asked if I’m really sitting at the right place.

Rehearsing and writing today and tomorrow, then playing Viper Room on Wednesday, with a guest list that is starting to look like the Kerrang! awards roll call. Then me, Billy, Michael and Scott (my LA compatriots) go into a studio with Mike Clink (Guns ‘n Roses’ Appetite For Destruction) to record the fruits of our labour. Still don’t have a band name for the project yet, and my ideas for a moniker are just getting worse.

Once recording is done I interview Ace Frehley for Michael’s radio show (an event I’m relatively thrilled to be involved with, to say the very least) then we’re off to Vegas where I will perform with an all star cast at a Camp Freddy show. Then we have a day off in Vegas before leaving for the UK.

“A day off in Vegas” you say? “Is that wise” you ask? And with Guillian, Chelsea, our friend Mike (with the amazing wine collection) and the assorted crazies present you’d be wise in assuming that this will end up like The Hangover movie, complete with tigers and stray babies. I will report from the frontlines and let you know just how bizarre this all gets.

But suffice it to say this will be no ordinary week.

 

Gx

Ginger at DOLLAR$ FOR DEADBEAT$

Ginger will be appearing at the DOLLAR$ FOR DEADBEAT$ one-off gig of Sorry & The Sinatras songs and other punk rock classics in London on Sunday (24th May)

DOLLAR$ FOR DEADBEAT$ – a benefit gig for Roger ‘Rags’ Segal of Sorry & The Sinatras. Roger got stuck in the UK when the Sorry & the Sinatras tour got cancelled and he is currently broke and homeless in London until he can get his flight back which was scheduled for the end of the tour. So we’ve gotten together a group of Roger’s friends to play a one-off gig doing Sorry & The Sinatras songs and punk & rock’n’roll classics to help raise money for Roger’s living expenses while he is in London.

Appearing on the night alongside Roger will be Ginger (The Wildhearts), Acey Slade (Murderdolls/Amen/Trashlight Vision), Dave Kerr (Sorry & The Sinatras, The Cherrykicks), Tom Spencer(The Yo-Yo’s, The Loyalties), Rich Jones (The Black Halos, Amen, The Loyalties), Eureka Machines (also playing a short set), Pat Lynch (Junkstar), Rich Rags (Madison Strays, Role Models) and some surprise guests. There will be drink specials and a late bar and this is a bank holiday Sunday so no work the next day!

Sorry & The Sinatras (featuring Scott Sorry from The Wildhearts) debut album ‘Highball Roller’ is out now on Undergroove! More info at http://www.myspace.com/sorryandthesinatras

Ginger Tour Poster & Southampton Gig Rescheduled

The poster to promote the Ginger Tour is now available for download Please note this is a large download (approx 4MB as it is high resolution).

Also, please note that the Southampton date has been removed from the tour listings and is currently being rescheduled

Ginger Solo Tour and Street-Team Request

Ginger would like your help to get involved in street-teaming and helping however you can to promote the forthcoming solo tour – please post your thoughts, ideas and offers of help in this thread on the forum

I’d like to establish some groups of people who can help us promote the forthcoming May solo tour by using their imagination. I know our supporters are largely a smart bunch, so it would be a lot of fun to see what cool ideas you could come up with to get the tour promoted and advertised.

We will provide a link where people can download a poster to give to record/music stores and venues in their area, with the nice big space on the design in which to write the nearest venue details.

If there are any other cool ideas that anyone has about how to spread the word about this tour then I would LOVE to hear them all.

People can digitally help from the comfort of their living room, bringing great new ways to promote the shows on the web. While others can take advantage of their crazed social lives by getting the poster stuck in as many shops, bars and clubs as they can.

All help is greatly needed and massively appreciated.

We’ll find a super cool way of making it worth your while, whoever you are.

Thanks, in advance, to everyone who will lend a hand in making this tour a success.

Gx

Also the all important dates – this is what is currently confirmed, but may be subject to change. Tickets should be on-sale from tomorrow.

May

1st – TJ’s Newport
2nd – Fibbers, York
3rd – JB’s, Dudley
4th – Ruby Lounge, Manchester
5th – Corporation, Sheffield
6th – Seven, Nottingham
7th – O2 Academy, London
10th – Rios, Leeds
11th – Academy 2, Newcastle

The tour also features special guest Tony Wright of Terrorvision, playing in his solo band.

It’s the first time that Ginger and Tony have ever toured together so be sure not to miss it.

Ginger also has a few words about what to expect on the night:

My band will feature Jase Edwards on guitar and vocals, Denzel on drums, Eddie Eyeball (2 Skinny Js) bass and vocals, Dick Decent on piano/keyboards and vocals.
I’ll be playing a selection of solo material from SG5 onwards.

PLEASE don’t come expecting Wildhearts songs, I’m afraid we aren’t learning any as there is just WAY too much solo stuff to learn

Ginger New York Residency

Ginger – Every Thursday In April @ Pianos, NY – Thursday April 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th

Advance tickets available at Ticketweb

Hey kids,
Hey cuties,

I’m playing New York.

Yeah, that’s right….AGAIN!!!

Only this time it’s again… and again, and again and…y’know

Again

Every Thursday, beginning April 3rd, I’ll be appearing at Piano’s with the best players in New York. Only the creme de la soul will be playing, with myself, YOUR favourite songs from my huge stash of choons.

Okay, okay, I get to decide exactly which songs are your favourite songs, but that’s besides the point.

I’ll be playing crazed up versions of my (er, your) absolute toppest tracks from my catalogue with various musicians, using various styles, with various instruments, from people with various hair-cuts. Most likely different people every week. Depending on who’s the best people for the job that week. Every week.

EVERY GOD DAMNED WEEK…..I tell’s ya.

On a Thursday.

Not only that but I’ll be presenting the absolute weirdest, unique, odd-ball, bizarre and generally artistically essential of NYC talents on the bill. A different line up of talents every week.

On a Thursday.

From April 3rd.

Each bill will be rounded off with a colourful barrage of low-brow hi-jinx from New Yorks top comperes, MC’s and orators, keeping the proceedings lively, sparky and warm.

An evening like this could only happen in New York. And only on a Thursday.

And only at Piano’s.

Come with me on a journey of sonic and visual experimentation, where all tension will be jettisoned out on the sidewalk, and the remaining effervescence will permeate every pore and fibre of your fine persons, leaving you bathed in wonder, showered in amusement and douched with amazement.

Entertained? You will be.

Or your money back.

And we’re not planning on parting with a penny.

Oh yes.

Oh, good God yes.

Be there, or be elsewhere.

And why would you be elsewhere?

That’s right, you wouldn’t.

Oh, no.

Oh, yes.

Amen

Ginger

Ginger – Acoustic Tour

Ginger will be touring in February / March, playing acoustic shows. Confirmed dates are as follows:

February
22 – Blackpool, Riffs
24 – Glasgow, Barfly
25 – Sheffield, Corporation
26 – Manchester, Rockworld
27 – Leeds New Roscoe
28 – Leicester, Charlotte
29 – Nottingham, Junktion 7

March
1 – Worcester, Marrs Bar
2 – Exeter, Hub
3 – London, Water Rats
4 – Brighton, Freebutt
5 – Winchester, The Railway,
6 – St Albans, The Horn

Support at all shows is The Eureka Machines (featuring Chris Catalyst), London also hosts The Loyalties (featuring ex Yo-Yo’s Tom Spencer and Rich Jones).

Ginger – New York Gig

Ginger plays a special acoustic set @ The Mercury Lounge in New York City on January 12th, opening up for the fantastic Children of the Unicorn.

Doors are at 9.30pm.