He bangs the drums
The excellent news on the iPod front is that it’s now made its way up to Edinburgh, clocking up several hundred more miles. Also, the epic international search for disappearing Dutch reader Jorick was called off after just hours, when Jorick himself came forward and left a comment. Welcome back Jorick. It’s a shame I had already got MI5 involved and made an emotional televised appeal.
And speaking of Edinburgh, last night I took a major step towards fulfilling one of my personal challenges: indeed, I DID fulfil at least a part of it. You might remember I always wanted to play drums in a band, but haven’t really picked up the sticks since I was 14 and played in The Rhetorical Juggernaut, who were pretty big at Bristol Grammar School in the 90s. One of my TYSICs was to play at ‘some sort of a gig’ before too long.
I’ve had a few lessons when I can fit them in, and then of course there was the Vernon Kay Show where I briefly beat a military drum. But last night at Alex Horne’s late show, the Horne Section, I guested with his jazz band and played the bloody drums in Living On A Prayer. Just like in the 24 hour shows BUT WITH AN ACTUAL BAND. And I wasn’t too bad. It was wonderful. Next stop, forming a supergroup with Minchin and getting in the charts.
Oh, I also sang a song I’d thought up on the way. It was called On The Bouncy Castle. Thinking of putting a couple of songs in the next show. Quite a big call for someone who doesn’t play a musical instrument. Could work, though…
Tomorrow it is time to LAUNCH THE NOVEL. If you are in Edinburgh get to the National Portrait Gallery for 2. Or Waterstones on Princes St- the Lothian Road end- about 4.30. LAUNCH! LAUNCH! LAUNCH!
Posted by Kate W on August 12, 2010
That’s fantastic – well done! Even sadder I couldn’t see that Horne Section, but what a lovely show it is. If Key can sing in Russian during a show, I see no reason you can’t drum on a more regular basis – or indeed sing, if the fancy takes you.
(@MusicalLottie “Horne Section” is both in reference to Alex Horne’s surname – it’s his show – and to a brass horn section, because it has one. Well, almost – the show band’s keyboard, drums, guitar, trumpet and sax.)
Posted by Laura-B on August 11, 2010
I loved The Horne Section. It had the spirit of the long shows and brought back some good memories.
Posted by Jorik on August 11, 2010
….could I still have the prize?
Posted by JontyLarr on August 11, 2010
Actually, my previous offer stretches to anyone who wants to be in a band, or has space in theirs
Posted by JontyLarr on August 11, 2010
Can I be in yours and Minchin’s supergroup? Can’t find anyone who wants to be in a band with me now I’m the wrong side of 21…
Posted by Madeleine on August 11, 2010
Wonderful news! I will now start spreading the Minchin supergroup quip as fact to every news outlet that will buy it!
I am also continuing my musical endevours trying to learn how to play the guitar. It’s going… fine.
Good luck with the LAUNCH LAUNCH LAUNCH, have an awesome time!
Posted by Misha on August 11, 2010
I have heard of your srumming exploits. Well done sir! (zshirt comment due to drnk)
Posted by Paul on August 11, 2010
Erm, that was meant to be English…
Posted by Paul on August 11, 2010
Hi I felt like commenting when I left the show tonight, because I wanted to thank you, you have been the highlight of a bizarre week in Edinburgh, which included exam resits, holding unicycles for guys with dreadlocks and unfortunately, being at a party where a girl fell off a ledge to her death. Whilst I or my friends didn’t know her, it was a obviously a shock. However, I went to your show as planned and an absolutely fantastic time and made me able to relax properly for the first time in days. So without giving too much away about your show, some of the what you said, made me think, in a sort of reflective way (which is a first for me in a comedy show), as much as some of your blogs do. So whilst you were amazingly funny, you also gave me a bit to think about as well. So thank you.
In regards to your show, I feel like I owe you a slight apology, there were 3 things I was going to say, obviously not what was above, that would be a bit weird in the situation. But a thanks for the show non the less, I’m not sure, that came out. It meant to, but I can’t remember if it did or not. Ask for a Where’s Watson? point, which I did and greatly received, although I did feel I was a little cheeky, so sorry about that and third, hopefully get a copy of your book. Which in relation to today’s blog, I will go out tomorrow at 2 and get!
Anyway, thanks for the show, taking the time to talk to the audience afterwards was a pleasant surprise, and not something I’ve ever experienced before at the Fringe (or in any show I wasn’t working at for that matter) and it’s nice to know you are as nice as you sound in your blogs.
Posted by Ally on August 11, 2010
Well done! I’m nowhere near even completing part of one of my TYSIC challenges… Oops… I hope everyone has fun at the book launch tomorrow!
Posted by heatherooo on August 11, 2010
Well done on fulfilling a TYSIC challenge. Impressive stuffs. See ya tomorrow
xx
Posted by helen (@iamanicelady) on August 11, 2010
i won’t be there for the book launch, but shall be launching in spirit. whatever that means…
xx
Posted by Alex on August 11, 2010
Hurrah!
Have fun at the book launch everyone. Sadly I will not be there. Sadface.
However I am now going to Edinburgh NEXT WEEK. Train tickets booked today. This is the most spontaneous and financially reckless think I have ever done.
…Hurrah!
Posted by MusicalLottie on August 10, 2010
Brilliant! Good for you
“Quite a big call for someone who doesn’t play a musical instrument. Could work, though…” 1) the voice is a musical instrument*, as are the drums, so, y’know … and 2) I like the optimism.
*Listen to some a cappella if you’re in doubt (I recommend Voces8 but I’m biased. You could also try The King’s Singers, The Swingle Singers, etc.)
I hope all at Edinburgh have a smashing time, and that the book launch goes even better than you hope, Mark
By the way: Anyone know whether ‘the Horne Section’ is in reference to the wind and brass in a jazz/swing/big band? Or is that just me? [/muso geek]
Posted by HelenLS on August 10, 2010
The drumming was indeed brilliant. Very much looking forward to the book launch tomorrow!
Posted by hornseygirl on August 10, 2010
All the very best for THE LAUNCH – how very exciting. Enjoy!
Posted by Steph on August 10, 2010
Supergroup sounds good.
Have a nice time at the launch, hopefully see everyone at the LONDON LAUNCH!
Posted by Rachael on August 10, 2010
I think that makes you top of the tysic class, what are you gonna do with the other nine years?! maybe you could get a britney head mic so you can play the drums as you sing ‘On The Bouncy Castle’.
Posted by A lot of Rach[a]els on August 10, 2010
Great that you completed one of your tysics and I’ve heard the Horne Section was a great show to be at.
Hope everyone has a great time at the launch tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to getting jealous at the reports from it.
Posted by Someone on August 10, 2010
SO jealous of people in Edinburgh right now, and triple-y so of people going to the book launch. Can’t wait till the London one. It best be better somehow to make up for the lack of Scotland. Ooh i.e. by performing one of your new songs with mega band comprising you, Minchin and maybe David O’Doherty or someone… or TIM KEY… not that the two of you aren’t enough; you’re plenty! But I mean a two-piece band? Awkward, surely. I Would sell my foot to see it happen though. Probably.
Posted by Megan on August 10, 2010
Damn, dude. I have made little-to-no-progress on my TYSIG and I’m not nearly as busy as you are. Well done!
My book got here yesterday. Perhaps I will try to be reading it when the launch in Edinburgh begins.
To all y’all heading to launch, have a fabulous time. Turning green with envy across the pond.
Posted by Zoe Fell on August 10, 2010
Ah, another early blog. Lovely.
Quite a few friends of mine were at The Horne Section last night and their reviews glowed like a supernova. I’m thrilled that you got the chance to fullfil one of your TYSIC Challenges. Can I put in a request now that you sing ‘On The Bouncy Castle’ at all future shows now? I’d hate to think that it was just a one off.
Have stacks of fun at the launch tomorrow, I expect lots of photos and videos when it’s over…
Posted by Sarah on August 10, 2010
A super group with Tim Minchin that would be AMAZING!!!