LETTER FROM PAULI

Hello Strangefolks, here is the latest missive from the backline.

It's been a relatively quiet summer, interspersed with some very loud bursts of semi-structured indo-rock.

I think Crispian already posted a photo I took from the stage at Fuji rock but this is a much more interesting, mysterious long-legged badger I spied at dawn behind the festival

If any Japanese fans can help me identify this strange creature could you let me know?



On our return with the boys in Europe doing promo, I ventured west to a military drum workshop in Surrey to fix my favourite snare drum.



It was like something from another age; Victorian drum porn on the ceiling, very little natural light, and the heavy odour of brass, tin, copper, and the various alloys and acids needed for making timpani. Wonderful. (for someone interested in old drums).



We travelled to Gijon (northern Spain) where Harry, Lonze and I swam in the Atlantic (no pictures - we wouldn't want to show off our magnificent physiques…).

The show was in a town square where I managed to catch some medieval Italian flag wavers who had some great footwear.





It hasn't all been sun and sand, however. We travelled to Stavanger in Norway. We each went on early morning strolls, on our first day. Crispian and I met by chance in a Mexican restaurant (trying to track down a vegetarian breakfast)...



I also went to my brother's birthday bash in a crypt in Bristol.

Here a super group comprising of Bucky, Don Pecker and myself entertained a small crowd and were then blown off the stage by the charisma and musical prowess of Dr Joel. An Indian multi-instrumentalist and abstract raconteur. Watch this space.



Then in September, our album was born. Instead of doing the usual round of hawking your arses to all and sundry and doing the dance with the worlds media we all went on holiday. Separately. Back in the day we used to go together. What were we thinking? No wonder we all got sick of each other.

What else? Oh yeah, we're rehearsing at the moment so that when we come to a town near you we'll know what the hell we're doing. The set is getting mixed up, learning some odd covers and old tunes. I can't wait; hope your tickets have come through,

Love from Pauli