Representin' EMP...

[Tarkus]

Thought I'd pop-by to give you gents (and ladies) an interesting tidbit...

For the last day-or-so, US Air has had a fare available to the UK that was truly too hard to pass-up... so, I bought it. I'm heading-over, in part, so I can see Noddy's Puncture perform on both 8/29 and 8/30 - so Graham and I will finally get to meet! I just hope I'm not too much of a disappointment... ever since dropping the weight, I drink precious little - and can get quite knackered (I believe I spelled that correctly) on just a few glasses of wine. Regardless, I'll have my big camera in tow for this trip - so I hope to get some great concert pics from both shows.

Beyond that, I'm looking forward to venturing outside the city... since my only real exposure to the UK has been London itself. I have a colleague in Bath who wants me to visit - am thinking of using it as something of a mini-staging area for some cool stuff to see and do nearby.

All-in-all, should be a fun getaway... esp so given that a couple more EMP members finally get to meet in real life!

Will keep ya posted... cheers! :)

[babayaga]

Evening all... just back from a long drive from London so I'm knackered too (...yes, you did spell it right!).

Dave, sorry I haven't got back to you before now but things in work have been a bit hectic, and I've ended up having to work in the hotel rooms over the last week, which is not good generally, but necessary! :-(

Anyway...I'm so glad you've decided to make the trip over to see us, and can't wait to get to greet you in person. Although it was a relatively short meeting, our meet with MarkD in the HRC last year meant so much to me, as I feel we've all got to know each other a bit over the past few years, and to finally get to have a beer together was just fabulous!

I'll contact you direct by email for some more of the details of the area (hotels etc.) but The Six Bells itself is just a typical country pub (16th century coaching inn so lots of low oak beams etc.), but the difference is that the manager Paul (a mate of Emo's from when he lived in the area), has turned it into a cool rock and blues venue which has bands on all year round. Check out Paul's Facebook page from mine for photos if you already haven't.... Steve also has some photos on his FB site.

Chiddingly itself is a tiny village, and the nearest accommodation will be B&B's and a couple of travelodge's etc nearby, but they all get pretty well booked up as its the bank holiday weekend.... Eastbourne on the coast is not too far away, and has plenty of hotels - depends what you want really, but we can work that out over the next few days. I can contact Paul at the Six Bells and check with him...he might know what's available.

We're playing three gigs that weekend - Friday night at 'Trading Boundaries' - a cool shopping, restaurant, music venue not far from Chidders; Saturday and Sunday at The Six Bells. A fair number of the ELP-DISC crew will be there over the weekend (Davy & Liz from Glasgow, Mike Masterson, The Chairman (Phil), Gudrun may also be coming from Germany), and yourself from Florida! Aaron Emerson lives nearby so he could drop in (I was going to drop him a line beforehand just in case) What a gas it will be!!. Over the weekend on the Sunday we could check out The Barn (Emo's old house), or just walk along the white cliffs at Beachy Head. Whatever...!!!

We're travelling down on Friday and being put up in a hotel by the promoter / owner on Friday night...after that the Seaman kids (possibly all three of them and their spouses!), are arriving on Saturday and then we're camping in a huge family tent. We drive home on Monday. Bring the weather with you and we'll have a barbeque!

I've waffled enough....see you soon bro!

Cheers - G.

[MDDRUMZ]

Guys, this is really great! I'm so happy to hear about this and very excited for you both. My meetings with each of you are unforgettable and I'm so grateful for the opportunities. David and I were to have a repeat at BB King's this coming Friday, but unfortunately Emo had to cancel the tour due to his arm. So I'm glad there is another EMP meeting in the making. I'd like to think we'll all eventually make the rounds one way or another.

Graham - Don't forget to pack your ELP book!!! ;)

[SilverHamer]

Oh now I AM envious! This sounds like such a cool time! I am very anxious to see the pics!!! I know you guys will have a blast...and btw, I'm not much for drinking much myself either...apart from a beer here and some wine there. Somehow we've all been conditioned to think that in order to enjoy ourselves with our friends we must consume certain quantities of adult beverages...boy were we ever lied to!! LOL. Although it IS enjoyable, it isn't a big deal for me as I much prefer to have my wits about me anyways. I have personally "pissed-away" many really great times which I have no real memory of today...LOL.

[Tarkus]

Since making my original post, I've fleshed-out a majority of the trip - and I'll be doing a LOT of driving on my rent car! Graham, I'm spending Friday night in Portsmouth and doing some touring there on Saturday - if it does come to pass that you guys want me to join you for a soundcheck, just let me know what time so I can be sure to be there (otherwise, I'll likely check-in to the Boship Farm Hotel in Hailsham around 6pm, then be over at the venue sometime after 8pm).

As far as Sunday, I'd dropped Aaron a FB message asking for any "must see / do" suggestions for the Brighton/Hove area. Still awaiting his reply, but I do know I'd like to see the Royal Pavilion. And if you know where Emo's Barn is located, that'd be WAY kewel! You're camping - will it be obvious where I can find you? I guess you can clue-me-in when we meet.

And Mark / Larry, yeah, this should be fun. Still smarting that I didn't get to meet LC when I was in Houston a few months ago... and, as Mr. D says, at least he-and-I were able to meet three years ago. Maybe Keith's different therapies actually will work and we'll meet once again at BBKing's... time will tell, I suppose.

Oh, and I've picked-up a new little digicam on ebay that should be here late this week - the hallmark being that it shoots High Def video. I plan on bringing LOTS of memory cards to both NP shows... shooting not only high quality stills but now also high quality vids. Til then...

:headbang1:

[babayaga]

Dave.... spoke to Tom yesterday during rehearsal and we reckon that you could slot in with him on 'Fanfare'. We'll be playing the same arrangement as Prakash's video from last year on YouTube, with the impro section slotted in the middle. He could open with the Fanfare, you take over the main theme, Tom does the impro bit, you jump back in for the end theme, you both do the outtro...(or something like that!) :-)

We can work it out better nearer the time!!

We're playing the restuarant gig on the Friday night and will be setting up the kit in the Six Bells on Saturday, so I'll let you know about soundcheck time's etc. The campsite is right alongside the venue so I'll give you my cell number before you arrive and we can take it from there.

See you matey... G.