Jumping Ships touring hard, touring fast, rating cake..

So this may be a little late (ahem, sorry Ships…) – but after recent fun times on tour, those charming chaps at Jumping Ships thought they’d document the trials and tribulations of their co-headline UK tour with the lovely Lightguides. Here is the first of two installments in which they talk of love (with LightGuides), loss (of wallets) and loads of cake… Read away, oh and keep an eye out for this months Rock Sound. On the covermount CD, 8/10 review and some lovely interview words. Winner. Damn right winner!

ENGLAND

The Old Blue Last – London

On the first date of the tour we picked up a van from our mates Jouis, which was soon christened ‘The J-Bag’ by Lightguides. We spent the day of the gig and the day preceding it making lots of pre-release tour EP’s. They were super limited edition and super fresh – so fresh that the paint was still a bit sticky upon arrival at the venue! At the Old Blue Last we were joined by label buddies Lightguides, Delta Alaska and Mr Paddy Johnston, which made it a nice, family affair to start the tour off.

Mike [Williams, vocalist] managed to lose his car and house keys in one foul swoop, what would become the first chapter in an ongoing saga…

Kai Smith’s Cake of the Day – Cherry Bakewells

The Croft – Bristol.

We loaded into the Croft to find the sound man operating a mixing desk out of a cupboard in the wall! The crowd was looking a bit tame to begin with, but that soon changed when the legend and icon ‘Big Jeff’ arrived. He proceeded to headbang relentlessly, from the first chord of Lightguides set, to the last of ours. Kai even got involved, jumping off stage to throw some shapes with Jeff mid song.

Mike picked up where he left off and managed to lose his wallet. This left him with no house, car keys, cash, bank cards, so basically, er… no nothing! He slept with his iphone tight to his chest that night!

We finished the night at Kai’s friends house, relaxing and playing the crazy Indian game Karrom – (Picture)

Big thank you to Tom Johnson – Goldflake Paint for putting the show on and putting Lightguides up.

Kai Smith’s Cake of the day – Carrot Cake

The Labour Club – Northampton.

The day began with Cold Shower No. 1

We arrived at the gig to find out that the Northampton women’s legion were having a quiz night in the room upstairs. They kept coming down during the course of the evening to stock up from the bar and didn’t really take to the night’s entertainment! Fingers in ears ladies!

On the way back to reading Rich [Thorp, bass] was nearly mown down by an articulated lorry. Two lanes merged into one and the J-bag wasn’t up to challenge and ended up running through a sea of traffic cones into some overnight road works.

Fry up rating 7/10

Cake of the Day – Cherry Pie

The Borderline – London.

The drive to this show left something to be desired. We fell foul to the brutality of the London one-way system and road works and diversions meant we were circling the venue for a good 45 minutes before getting close enough to park.

We witnessed wicked sets from both RunWalk! and Brontide before everyone parted ways – (with Rich and Kai manning the drive back to Brighton, minus a sat-nav).
Needless to say it was a long one!

“Fri-tarrrta!!!” (Rich-ism – and his Yorkshire accent) for breakfast – fry up rating 7/10

The Carlisle – Hastings.

We arrive at Hasting and things are looking up! Mike has been reunited with his house and car keys and Rich has successfully managed to slay the Lightguides boys with some hard partying in Brighton the night before.

Lots of people there from the off and a wicked show all in all. We whipped out some older tunes which went down a storm, including an encore of ‘The Whole Truth.’

Kai Smith’s Cake of the Day – Lemon drizzle Cake

The Milo – Leeds.

We headed to Leeds as part of the Fringe festival to play a little venue called the Milo. One word comes to mind! Oven!

The venue was like a small tin can with metal walls and ceiling and was by far the hottest and loudest show. Steaming!

We made sure to indulge in some Yorkshire delicacies before playing (Fish Chips and Gravy with a mug of Tea) and drove through the night, post-set to stay with Kai and Rich’s family in the Yorkshire Dales. Lightguides however, got seriously lost and ended up four miles down a beaten mud track in the middle of a field. Epic Fail!

Kai Smith’s Cake of the day – Flapjack

The Milton Rooms – York.

Today began with Cold Shower no. 2

This was a massive venue, the biggest of all tour. We tucked into some quality Thai food across the road whilst Kai sorted all the bits and bobs that needed taking care of – PA hire, Venue hire, Backline, etc

Friends Surprise… Fire reformed in time to play the show and it was a great night! Lots of people there and loads of family and friends for Kai and Rich, which was amazing!

Queue after party at Cocktail bar and Thai restaurant Tui’s – but not before the drummers get whacky with some Strawpedo’s [stupid way of downing drinks with staws] backstage – something which will soon become Al {Potts, drums]’s calling card.

Spent the night at Tui’s partying and then stayed at Sam Keyworth’s place – Kai got cake – and poor Mike got Al sleeping on top of him – (cough).

Kai Smith’s Cake of the day – Carrot Cake, Marshmallow Cake

Travel Day.

We took advantage of our travel day to hit up some Yorkshire sights!

We went up to Castle Howard for a hefty fry up in the Castle courtyard accompanied by peacocks strolling around us whilst we ate. Oh, how very gentrified.

We went on a tractor train and hung out with some ducks in a play park before heading back to the cars.

Kai made sure to tape “GAY” across the back of Al’s car before we set off, something which was a sure fire hit with the truckers in and around Glasgow – prompting lots of Flashing and Beeping on route.

Fry up rating 8/10

Kai Smith’s Cake of the Day – Toffee and Honeycomb cheesecake