Hello. It's been a long time since the last installment:
a period which takes in a Japanese tour, plus dates with R.E.M.
and Soul Asylum, and festivals in Europe. Unfortunately, due to
the excesses and rigours of the road, my added memory cells will
only take me back to as far as last week. I will try to back track
a little further.
Most recent personal highlights include hanging out with Vudi
and Mark Eitzel from the now sadly defunct American Music Club.
They were one of my fave bands, whom I discovered via their ace
album, 'Everclear' in 1990. All their other albums preceeding
this one are utterly fab, and you should check them out if you
have'nt already. Mark and Vudi came to see us play at the Warfield
Theatre in San Francisco, on Thursday, October 12th. Afterwards
they took me to an Italian bar, where I got pissed on a drink
called a 'cosmopolitan', and we rambled on about how great Pulp
and Supergrass are.
More recently still, we shot a video for 'Street Spirit', which
involoved staying up from 6pm to 7am for two nights, and hopefully
loads of cool effects involving something called a photosonic
camera. The guy who directed it, Jonathan Glazer, did the video
for Massive Attack's,'Karmacoma' , whom we like loads.
We've just finished supporting Soul Assylum - I'm typing this
after the last show at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas. Dave Pirner
wanted us to come on stage and 'jam' after their set, but we're
not too well versed in the Rock Standards, so we had to decline,
and everyone wentto hit the gamong tables instead. So, back to
Blighty and a long awaited U.K and European tour - I hope you
get to see the tour and enjoy it as much as I've been looking
forward to it! Lots of love,
Colin
dear w.a.s.t.e.oids,
it's okay. everythings okay.
except i am developing a paranoia about people going through my
garbage (rubbish) like they do in Beverley Hills
R.E.M. made 1995 really mind blowing for us. now i just want to
keep it all for myself. anywat i would'nt know where to begin.
these things slip through your hands, "waking up was sheer
delight for him. he always shared a naive and simple amazement
at the discovery that he was back on eatrt, he was sicerely pleased."
Milan Kundera-'The Unbearable Likenness of Being.'
thank you for being interested tolerant and supportive, and thankyou
for all the perverted letters.
wish you were here love thom.x
Dear 'W.A.S.T.E.'r..
'Good to be back, good to be back', as Gary Glitter once Penned
and sang, or though I doubt it refers to returning home after
a tough U.S. tour after all his equipment was stolen: more likely
his very words as he entered the gates of his favourite Scottish
Whiskey distillery. Yes. the last three weeks in America was hard,
after the gear was ripped off, but as Keith Richards once said,
'Shit happens', and at least no one was hurt.
The R.E.M. dates were however a Utopian Tour Experience, Not only
a wonderful band, but lovely, lovely people. I was talking to
Tom Gorman of Belly, (who also toured with them) and we decided
that it was about time that an R.E.M. Appreciation Society should
be set up by bands that opened up for them. I only hope I didn't
disgrace mrself too much upon introduction to Peter Buck, as I
bombarded him with nerdy music questions regarding their first
album. 'Murmer'. He was very understanding in the face of a total
fan.
Many thanks to those of you who attempted to console me over the
Man. Utd. defeat of last season. Well, we're out of Europe and
the Coca Cola Cup, so keep writing. I'm trying to be positive
and taking that, 'At least we can concentrate on the Championship
and the F.A, Cup' stance.
A big thankroy to all those who came to see us in the U.S., even
after a year and a half's absence, Japan and Europe, I think we
managed to play some half decent shows. We look forward to seeing
you, yes you, in the U.K. and Europe.
Essential tour listening: 'Gideon Gaye' by The High Llamas: 'It's
Great When You're Straight...Yeah', Black Grape: 'Grand Prix',
Teenage Fanclub; Glenn Campbell's Greatest Hits; 'Shaft', Issac
Hayes; 'Home', Spearhead. The Order Of The Red Guitar. (TOOTRG)
no longer exists, and in view of what we own at present, it will
have to be The Order Of The Grey Guitar Plectrum (TOOTGGP). It
goes this quarter to Tony Benn M.P..(a lifetime achievement award)
for his continued integrity, and good humour in the shitty world
of politics, See rou soon.Love Ed.
Hi. My name is Philip and I have a sugar problem.
It all started innocently enough-just the occasional chocolate
bar whilst socialising at playgroup. It helped me relax. I really
thought I could handle it. I chose to ignore all those tell-tale
signs of my escalating habit-the discarded wrappers of the solitary
sweet eater, the midnight binges on chocolate and cola. And now
its threatening to destroy all that's precious in my life-my teeth
You join me here in Los Angeles with the most unbearably nauseating
toothache. However, this is just a minor blight on a couple of
months which have witnessed the inaugural meeting of the 'Phil
Is Great' fanclub in Japan, tours witil Drugstore and R.E.M.,
and our contribution of 'Lucky' to the 'Help' album.
Anyway, when this tour is over, I'm checking into the Nutrasweet
Rehab. Centre.
Just remember: sweets-just say NO
Dear w.a.s.t.e.r.s,
right now my mind is on the people who stole our instruments,
and, specifically, the person with my guitar, which will no doubt
end its days having Green Day songs worked out on it. A better
fate was deserved-and while the reverence given to guitars annoys
me, I shall miss it. Less of a '63 sunburst mint and more of an
'89 battered wreck it may have been, but Emily loved him. My only
comfort is knowing that whoever has it will find it unplayable,
with it's Heath Robinson buttons and bolts all over it, and hopefully
throw it away.
We're two days into the U.K. tour as I write this, and everything
being new has put new life into us. I hope you got a chance to
see this tour. Write soon (enclosing witty-but-realised-too-late-heckles).
Love Jonny G
The 'Answerphone' fan club pack advertised in w.a.s.t.e. #8 is now complete. For £5 or 14 I.R.C.s (international reply coupons), you can be the proud owner of a sixteen page booklet containing a full biography, lyrics for Pablo Honey and lyrics for the My Iron Lung E.P.s., comments by the band on the making of The Bends, personal files and some great photos. Also a poster and a very funky chunky 'r' badge. Hope those of you who have already got the pack have enjoyed browsing through it, and we trust you are wearing your badge with pride! Here are the names of the ten lucky winners of the prize draw: Tim Swann, Keith Brown, Darren Dootson, Reiko Nakogawa, Lisa Michalski, Mat Beny, Adam Craze, Akiko Machida, and in Brazil Elaine Emi Uezu, and from Spain Elena Zamora Monreal; hope you like the goodies! If the sales spiel has grabbed you, then send a cheque made payable to 'Radiohead', or a postal order or 14 I.R.C.s to:
Fanzines can still be obtained from
UK - `POP IS DEAD' JAPAN - `DRILL' CANADA Val Savage Tomoko Kurokawa Kathleen Smith 26 Arundel Court 8-8-58 Hisagi 432 Rouge Hills Road Beadham Drive Zushi Scarborough Manchester M9 OGY Kanagawa 249 Ontario MlC 2Z7 ENGLAND JAPAN CANADA (GBP1.50 + 29p A4 SAE (Send lRC for prices) (Send IRC for prices) or & IRC's)
If you want to become pen-pals with another Radiohead fan send a Stamp/IRC and Self addressed envelope to: Lee Potton, 64 Danesmoor, Ruscote Estate, Banbury, Oxon. England OX16 7QB