'Wabsnazum' or 'brilliant acoustics and active friends'

Jim here! I’m blogging in Isobel’s stead while she catches up on some sleep, books the next leg of the tour and writes the next album – it’s true!

We’ve just completed probably the most diverse set of gigs of our career so far, and seen some of rural England at its very best. Firstly to Berkshire and the Swan at Compton (already it sounds like Jane Austin booked this one, doesn’t it?). An unamplified gig to a select number of friendly locals lured in by the promise of a bit of Bruise with their gourmet burgers. We met a Jockey who really is best friends with Dolly Parton, got a bit terrorized by a MASSIVE bug, and chatted with Pippa and Nick who’d come over from Henley specially to see us.

The Hawkley Inn near Liss in Hampshire was next and our route took us down the A34, a scenic enough road with a colourful array of roadkill. We while away the miles putting together a menu or two. My great friend William Topley lives in Hawkley and he and I have spent much time in this pub drinking and playing in about equal measure so was good to bring Bruise here. A very chilled acoustic gig with a proper listening crowd – absolutely ideal with a gentle pint of Darkstar.

We were off to Lincolnshire next (a good-ish drive) so we broke our journey and got a night in our own home. The A1 being closed at some point, Isobel found us an alternative route which took us across the Bedford Level. This is the fens and very impressive. Big skies, raised roads, a continental atmosphere and villages called Wabsnazm and the like. The sun was out and the countryside looked superb as we indulged in that most Rock n’ Roll of pursuits – naming the wild flowers of the hedgerow. Ahh. Hough on the Hill (Lincs) has a church with substantial history, brilliant acoustics and active friends. We were to play the first in a series of fund raising summer concerts put together by another old friend, Gary Southwell, and we had high hopes. We were not disappointed. The sound was so good, the audience so respectful and the PA so top notch that every tiny nuance was clear. There were a great many grey heads in this crowd and I wasn’t sure we’d be their cuppa, but we really were. Maybes (the final track on our current album) sounded so beautiful. An emotional moment. Thanks to Tony, Sue, Sarah, Mark and Mervyn for making the journey.

Then the weather broke and we headed into the city – Reading! A venue/rehearsal space on an industrial estate played host to the rockin’ little, invite only Smithfest 2011 – a happening and a wedding reception all in one. This was an electric two-piece gig so we got there for an early soundcheck and found Isobel’s amp was playing up. Dawsons, the local music store, put is in touch with one Mick Johnson who, alongside top secret work for the MoD, builds guitars for the Shadows and still took time out of his weekend to save our show. What a man! Back to the venue for showtime and there’s the coatcheck guy asking everyone “Bride or Groom?” Ha Ha!