FOOTLOOSE: Tom peeks under the piano mid-gig to see if Tim has rediscovered his Green Flash.
Regular readers of this blog will be aware that I've been a strong supporter of Keane's journey into new musical territories over the past few years. Even back on the eve of Under The Iron Sea, I was full of praise for the boldness of the band's experimentation with distorted pianos and altogether sonic darker landscapes. Likewise with the Perfect Symmetry sessions, where it became apparent that they were really pushing the boat out with bizarre instrumentation, crazed vocal approaches and even a new member in the shape of this blog's favourite average-height, multi-talented musical maestro, Jesse Quin. For me, it's all been a tremendously exciting ride and we've got an album and live show out of it that really takes things forward to a new level and keeps it fresh. While others lamented the lack of a return to Hopes And Fears styled piano anthems, I embraced all the quirky synths, chorus vocals and spiky guitars parts that take centre-stage in the new world order. It's all good - nay, it's all great.
It may therefore surprise you to find out that as we enter this new and exciting chapter in the band's existence, there is one aspect of the Keane we've come to know that even I am lamenting the loss of. It is not, as some people seem to believe, the loss of Tom's angelic vocals into what is being described as some sort of cod-rock impressionist cliche (I'd dispute that vehemently anyway!), nor is it the departure from the purity of the piano-driven sound the band originally became (in)famous for (again, I'm a firm believer of change or die when it comes to music). Given my geekish ways, you might even be imagining that it is the fact that the trusty old Yamaha CP70B piano now has to compete with lots of expensive synthesizers for Tim's attention, or even a lament that the band have moved away from the massive distorted piano effects they pioneered on Under The Iron Sea and that sent my desire for piano experimentation into overdrive... but on both of these cases, you would also be incorrect. After all, the more instruments the better, as far as I'm concerned... all the more to identify and get excited about, providing more content for this site (yes, yes - the Gear section of this site will appear sometime before the turn of the next millennium). In fact, I'm mourning the passing of something much more subtle: something much more at the heart of everything, something that had become like an old friend... something that almost defined the band from 2004 through to the present. I refer, of course, to the sad loss of Tim's Dunlop Green Flash trainers.
Some things naturally go together: fish and chips, tea and biscuits, politicians and scandals, The Moomins and Moominvalley... such was the association between Tim and his Green Flash. Even back when I first got into the band, the guys each had their identifiable footwear styles - Tom always elected for his tan-coloured, pointy dress shoes (I believe he even referred to them as his lucky shoes, salvaging them for as long as possible by covering up the holes in the soles with gaffa tape), Richard elected for the tried-and-trusted indie route of Converse All-Stars while our resident piano man went for his beloved Green Flash. Despite the odd foray into Converse, it was the Flash that would win out and become Tim's "on-duty" footwear of choice. Back in those halcyon days, I suspect that he only ever had a single pair at any one time and would wear them until they were basically falling apart before buying more. Some probably bought the dust quicker than others... for example, I presume that the pair he wore for the band's outstanding debut at Glastonbury in 2004 had to go straight into the bin afterwards, given they aren't exactly cut out for use in a mudbath!
As the band became bigger and moved into the dark-and-smart "white belt" era of stage gear, Tom and Richard moved onto slightly different shoe styles, but Tim stuck with the tried-and-tested Dunlops. However, wearing a pair of roughed-up Green Flash while playing some of the classiest and most reknowned venues in the world simply wouldn't do... so it seems that Tim would travel with multiple pairs of them, allowing the wear to be spread evenly and giving him an almost pristine pair for every gig. Various aspects of the band's image and persona changed for Under The Iron Sea but the Green Flash remained a constant: a security blanket to which we could all cling. In fact, given that he wore them at practically every gig and appearance the band made over the past few years, he's been the best advertisement for the brand ever. Lesser individuals like Johnny Borrell may have also been sporting Flash on occasion, but Tim made them become an integral part of the whole band image right across the globe.
But now, in the new era, it would seem that the Green Flash have been consigned to the history books - a sad day indeed! Interestingly, Tim was wearing them in various publicity shots from Berlin, but by the time the band had properly broke cover and started gigging, they were conspicuous by their absence. Tim may think nothing of ditching the shoes in favour of some newer, trendier numbers (though his silver shoes from the Later... performance a couple of weeks ago are a step too far!), but I don't think he realises quite how profound an effect this will have. Given the fact that the Keane organisation must have purchased literally dozens of pairs over the past few years, combined with the numerous sales to fans who also want to pretend to be their idol (let's draw a discreet veil of the exact number of pairs I've been through over the past four years), we can only presume that their will be a sizable drop in sales as a result of the move. Dunlop (or whoever it is that actually makes them under that brand nowadays) will no doubt announce a profits warning any day now, jobs will be lost and an iconic brand will be lost forever. In fact, it makes me wonder if Tim has truly considered the ramifications of abandoning the nation's favourite tennis shoe...
I actually quite like Tim's new trainers (excluding the aforementioned silver efforts), but they'll never surpass the mighty Flash. In terms of the other guys, it's been business as usual for Tom (immensely pointy, super-shiny black shoes), while Richard has been sporting some dark rainbow-styled trainers. Only ladies-favourite Jesse has been the wildcard in the pack, varying his footwear for practically each appearance in the short period that touring has been underway: he's been spotted in canvas plimsoles, stylish tan brogues and Converse All-stars, to name but a few. Perhaps JQ could be persuaded to adopt a pair of Green Flash and follow in Tim's (oversized) footsteps? Probably not... as great as Jesse is (and I hope everyone on the front row of future gigs will show him how much you care by purchasing one of these fetching t-shirts), it just wouldn't be the same. Alas, I fear that we may have reached the end of the line for the humble Dunlops within Camp Keane... it's a sad day, but we'll always have the memories!
Fear not though, loyal readers... Tim may have moved on from his Green Flash, but I am much more of a creature of habit. So you can rest assured that I will be wearing them (and buying more pairs as necessary) over the coming months, especially whenever I sit down at my CP70 or attend any Keane-related events - keep the faith! I trust you all to do the same - wear them with pride, remain steadfast and resolute in the face of accusations of being an obsessed fanboy or fangirl - your Green Flash need you, now more than ever!
RECORD CRISIS: One stock market trader rues the decision not to buy the deluxe edition of Perfect Symmetry.
Unless you've been living in a bubble over the past few months, you'll be aware that the world financial system is in a state of disarray - tumbling stock markets, banks on the brink of collapse, the descent into global recession, rising inflation, rising unemployment... everyday seems to bring a new apparent catastrophe. Indeed, the way the media picture is being painted, give it another few months and the house of cards will have collapsed entirely, western civilization as we know it will have ceased to exist and we'll all be back to living in mud-huts, scavenging the overgrown streets looking for vermin to feast upon. Now, I must confess that my knowledge of economics is lacking (non-existant is probably the most accurate phrase), but I find it all a bit hard to believe that a lot of it isn't just scaremongering by the media. There's no denying that we're clearly in the midst of a difficult situation, whereby the greed of the large multinational banks has come back to bite them and we are in some quite remarkable circumstances - but will it really affect society at large going forward to the ground-shifting degree that keeps being predicted? It all seems like a pudding that has been rather over-judiciously egged. However, I must hold my hand-up to the fact that my knowledge of economic theory is a little lacking (some might say non-existant), so the scaremongers might just turn out to be right. So, with society staring into the abyss and the descent into chaos already underway, I think we'd better make the most of today and enjoy some music and gigging. How fortunate then, that after months of waiting, we at last have a new Keane album and some live shows to enjoy before everything goes tits-up!
There's a review of the new album elsewhere on this very site, so head on over to there to read my full, no-holds-barred thoughts. But suffice to say, we're now entering the most fun period of Keane's existence so far - and what an apt time to be injecting some fun into the mix! Not only do we have an album that manages to mix Keane's traditional songwriting strengths with an altogether funkier musical backdrop, but the band have even rewarded a lucky few with some unique, intimate gigs to celebrate its release. If you've been keeping track of the latest news on the official site (and haven't wanted to tear your own eyes out in horror at the 90's animated page backgrounds), you'll know that the band decided that the best place to come to launch this new technicolour extravaganza of an album was, of course, Scotland. As you can imagine, there was no way I'd be missing out on seeing the band up-close on my home turf, so I took a midnight spin down to Glasgow's Buchanan Street branch of Zavvi on Sunday night for the acoustic in-store and album launch, followed up by a trek through to Edinburgh for Monday night for the first of the three club gigs at The Voodoo Rooms. Two nights with insufficient sleep, all in the name of Keane: it's a hard life, but someone's got to do it. I was prepared to take the hit, just so I could report back to you, dear readers - the things I do for you all!.
In a strange sense, Sunday night's in-store event was almost a pleasant trip down memory lane for me, as the first time I ever met the band and saw them play was at an instore at Fopp in Glasgow to celebrate the release of Somewhere Only We Know. Fast forward four-and-a-half years and there was still the same sense of excitement and trepidation about it all - the band did an all-too-short acoustic set before decamping downstairs to do a signing. All good - nice to say hello to them (though sadly no JQ at the signing - apparently he had elected to do the decent thing when in Glasgow and go out drinking) and Richard gave Keane Backline his seal of approval, in much the same way as they gave my god-awful cover of Everybody's Changing some kind words back in the day. After that short bit of mutual back-slapping, it was then back out into the cold night for me while the band had a trawl round the 3 for £20 offers in the store (see, the credit crunch is so bad, even rock stars are having to bargain hunt). All-in-all then, a perfect warm-up for the main event, which was the following evening's Edinburgh gig...
And wow... what a gig it was. I think that its safe to say that it was the smallest Keane gig I've been to since the my first at King Tut's and the atmosphere was heightened by the fact that I'd let loose my inner fanboy and bagged my first ever barrier spot at a Keane gig. Well, I say barrier spot... there wasn't actually a barrier, just the stage. I took up a spot between Jesse and Tom, whereby I could keep an eye on what The Mighty Quin was doing with his bass, pedals (again, literally inches away from me - it took all my strength to resist half-inching his pedalboard), synth and claves, while still getting the chance to observe Tom's guitar action up-close. What a difference it all made compared to a "normal" larger gig - the band were playing out of their skins right from the first notes of The Lovers Are Losing, through to the final moments of Bedshaped - it was truly rocking. I was particularly impressed by the vigour with which Tom attacks his guitar during tracks like The Lovers Are Losing and Again And Again - he really thrashes out the chords, giving it the same kind of passion as his singing. Richard and Tim both gave it their all (as always!), while Jesse looked like he'd always been a part of things and played a blinder. Top marks all round!
The most amusing aspect of the gig was that the lack of barrier and closeness to the the band made it almost a dangerous place to be - I had to lean back a few times to avoid being elbowed in the head by Tom as he used what little stage area was available to engage the crowd, while the less said about nearly getting his crotch in my face, the better! Early on in the set, Jesse's claves nearly caused injury when the shaking and vibration on-stage caused them to fall off the top of his Minimoog Voyager - being that close to a Keane stage really can be a health hazard! Any more mishaps and I'd have been expecting the gig to be shutdown by Health And Safety officers in high-visibility vests. Seriously though, it was a joy to behold - watching Tim's grimacing when he hit some duff notes again during Perfect Symmetry, Richard's laughter when he randomly hit one of his drums during the break in Somewhere Only We Know after quickly snapping some photos mid-song, Jesse returning my thumbs-up at the end of Is It Any Wonder? and then giving me his plectrum at the end of the gig - priceless stuff. I also nabbed Tom's discarded plectrum and had a quick chat with Thom, the wonder tech guy who has the unenviable task of making sure Tim's massive keyboard and piano set-up works as it should. Combine all that with the chance for a closer look at some of the effects units on the stage (good research for this site!) and it could well be the best Keane-related gigging experience yet!
But now it's all over, it's all back to the grim reality of impending rack and ruin waiting for us all. So, before we all end up out of work, broke and being evicted from our homes, be sure to make the most of any Keane gig you'll be attending soon and keep playing Perfect Symmetry until you wear out the CD or your iPod - because, with Armageddon approaching, such enjoyable and funky pleasures may be hard to come by in future!
