Thank You
I am rubbish at saying goodbye. I clammed up big style on Friday night - think the emotion did actually get the better of me in the end. So I hope the vehicle that is NWB can help me convey what I didnt manage to in person.
I joined Phoenix 4 years ago after a stint with another northwest band called The Otherside. There was a definite change of genres which I was totally conscious of when I jumped that fence.
I'd never really been into Classic Rock but was attracted to Phoenix because of their sound and the need to gig more frequently!
I 'auditioned' to four of the most talented musicis and and genuinely nice people i'd ever met.
There is alot said about bands and the need for all the individual members to be good at what they do but Phoenix are more than that. Phoenix are a collective of blokes both passionate about music but - and for me heres the rub, they support, challenge and care about each other too.
Unknowingly I made four great friends in Lloyd, Steve, John and Sam.
I think that came across when we played.
I liked nothing better than to have a laugh (metaphorically) in the middle of a song with a knowing smile or a gesture to one of the lads to point out a dodgy dancer, an 'interesting dancer' or a bum phrase / note.
There was never any real critique - just an acknowledgement that one song worked or another needed work.
It was simply good good fun.
Thats for me what a band should be and lads. if you are reading this - thank you for the best 4 years of musical mayhem i'm ever likely to have :-)
Love you all.
Steve.