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!