Almost famous

With most bands careful products of well-oiled PR machines, it's difficult to get a honest insight into life on the road. Which is why THE VINES diary is great. Straight-talking words of a band on tour, and not just any band. A band that had been compared to NIRVANA, and is billed to be the next 'it' band. In a few months time you won't be able to get within six feet of them. And you'll be able to say, I remember them when...

The Vines diary part 1: 'We did the usual smoking of cigarettes and applying of hairspray'

The Vines have just jetted into Britain from their native Australia. Bassist Patrick Matthews beat the jet lag to record the first day's events for NME.COM.

Friday, April 5th, 2002

"We've been in the country a couple of days and are still trying to adjust to the time difference. The last time we came over I only slept a couple of hours each night. The Astoria is a much bigger venue than we're used to. We did play large venues in Australia supporting You Am I, but no one turned up because we were bottom of the bill and all the punters were probably in the pub having cheap beer.

We always get really nervous before a gig. We did the usual smoking of cigarettes and applying of hairspray, and then we were pleased to see a lot of people in the audience. I think we went down well, but it's hard to tell in a big venue because you can't feel people get into you and feel the vibe when you shift gear. The Music were great, really exciting. I have their single 'Take The Long Road and Walk It', but they're even better live. Doves were good, too. I've got their new album and I like the production and sound thing they've got going on there."

The Vines diary part 2: 'Back to the hotel for bloody marys and tequila shots'

Bassist Patrick Matthews reports...

Saturday, April 6th, 2002 

"After the gig last night we went to the after-party and then back to the hotel for bloody marys and tequila shots. We didn't do too much as we had to be up early for CD:UK this morning. It was mental, with these kids of about 12 pogo-ing and screaming. I don't even know if kids of that age like rock. I didn't get into it until I was 14. I don't think we'll ever have a big hit back home, but over here it's different. I don't think I'll ever be famous – I'm the bassist! You have to be a band like U2 for the bassist to be famous. Still, if it does happen, I'll be expecting a call from Naomi Campbell.

We'd heard a lot about the presenter of CD:UK, Cat Deeley, from a guy at our record label. We were hoping to meet her, but we didn't get interviewed in the end. When we left, all these kids were screaming and rushing up to our limo with tinted windows. When they peered in and discovered we weren't the Sugababes, I think they were disappointed.

Tonight we're not playing a gig, so we're going to rest up a while and then go out and explore the nightlife London has to offer."

The Vines diary part 3: 'Drugs are much more available and cheaper in Britain'

Bassist, Patrick Matthews, has more...

Sunday, April 7th, 2002 

"Last night we went out with Rob from our record label Heavenly. He DJs at the Heavenly Social in London, so we went there to listen to him play loads of gay disco shit. He played Kylie, which isn’t so great, but he also played Mary J Blige, which was a good thing. We were still drinking at 7am. There’s no point in fighting jetlag.

We got up at 5pm today and watched ‘AI’, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘The Others’ – all those enduring classics that were just too good to be shown on the flight over here. After that I watched that Factory Records documentary. It reminded me to go and buy ‘Bummed’ this week. Happy Mondays are a warning about what’s going to happen to us! Drugs are much more available and cheaper in Britain than Australia. Er, did I say there’s no point in fighting jetlag?"

The Vines diary part 4: 'Sharing a room with a snoring drummer isn’t the glamorous lifestyle I’d imagined'

And then bassist, Patrick Matthews said...

Monday, April 8th, 2002 

"We’ve been talking to Japanese press today. The translator was good, he had all his ‘r’s and everything. The questions were surprisingly good. We were expecting something like ‘your music is like happy sunshine – please explain’, but the Japanese are more interested in things like ‘the release of melody’. They were also fixated on the idea of us being a cross between American alternative and British alternative, which is true.

This afternoon we’re going to record four songs for radio that will also be broadcast on NME.COM. This whole tour is about getting new fans and selling the record. Maybe next time we’re in Britain there will be Vines mania!

We’ve got the night off tonight, but I don’t know what we’ll do. We’re not big explorers, apart from Hamish, our drummer. He gets up early, goes to bed late, then snores. Which would be okay, but I’m sharing a room with him. Sharing a room with a snoring drummer isn’t the glamorous lifestyle I’d imagined. I’m going to get Hamish a mouth mould. I understand they hurt for the first three months, but he’ll get used to it."

The Vines diary part 5: 'The music we play is so powerful mentally it takes over everything'

Singer, Craig Nicholls has a word...

Tuesday, April 9th, 2002

"We recorded two songs for the radio yesterday, ‘Highly Evolved’ and ‘1969’. They’re totally different. ‘1969’ is the last track on the album, it’s about seven minutes long and it’s got loads of different levels. Just in case you’re confused, it’s not a cover of The Stooges song!.

I went to bed really early last night. I’m taking it as easy as possible because we’ve got so much to do on this tour. The other guys went to the Heavenly Social bar for its jazz night with NME deputy editor James ‘Jimmy Baby Hop Scop Shag’ Oldham on the wheels of steel. I don’t like jazz – there are no vocals.

I went to the back doctor today. I’ve had a problem for years. It gives me grief and tension, but it doesn’t effect me on stage. The music we play is so powerful mentally it takes over everything. I’m looking forward to the gig tonight (at London Dingwalls) because we get to play a full set. We only had half an hour supporting Doves and we’ve got a lot of songs we want to play."

The Vines diary part 6: 'Actually, I can’t remember too much'

Singer, Craig Nicholls

Thursday, April 11th, 2002 

"We played a lot of songs last night. It [Dingwalls] is a good venue and there was a good vibe coming from the crowd. I didn’t know until afterwards that Arthur Lee [maverick frontman of 60s psych-pop legends Love] was there. I don’t have all of his records, but what I’ve got I like. James Dean Bradfield was there as well, but neither he nor Arthur came backstage after the show, but that’s cool. Actually, I can’t remember too much…

Today I didn’t do much. It was cold out, so I didn’t feel up to much. I did buy some albums, ‘Isn’t Anything’ and ‘Loveless’ by My Bloody Valentine. I’ve got ‘Loveless’ at home, but I bought it again because I wanted to hear it now. It’s not a favourite record, but I was in the mood for it. My favourite album at the moment is the Pete Yorn one. I’ve been playing it every day. At the gig last night I wrote his name on my arm in tribute.

I’m really looking forward to the gig tonight. We’re going to be playing songs we haven’t played live before. We’ve hardly rehearsed them, so it’s going to be fun on stage. It’s kind of weird that this is the third time we’ve played in London in six days, but everything seems weird when we’re playing. It’s good for us to keep playing; we’ve just finished the album and we like getting the chance to play it."

The Vines diary part 7: 'We almost got hurled out of the hotel'

Bassist, Patrick Matthews is back with a few more words...

Wednesday, April 10th, 2002 

"People said our show last night was louder than usual, but it’s difficult to tell when you’re on stage. The first song we played, ‘Ride’, we haven’t played live before. That is loud, it’s just a stupid 60s rock song. After the gig we got very pissed at the hotel bar. We almost got hurled out of the hotel. The support band Tetra Splendour was staying at the same hotel and we enjoyed the drinks. I don’t think I should say too much about it, but I can tell you people were being very loud and crawling around the toilet floor.

I haven’t seen our bar bill yet and I’m not sure I want to. Bloody Marys are £7…but after you’ve been drinking a while it’s hard to stop. We’ve sobered up and we’ve just soundchecked for Top Of The Pops. We’re playing live tonight. It’s a good bill, because Oasis are playing seven songs which I’m going to watch. I like Oasis, but the last time we were in NME there was a caption saying I preferred Blur. They got me on the wrong day there.

Stereophonics are playing as well. Kelly Jones was at the gig last night. Maybe we’ll all go out for a drink later. I’d love to steal Oasis’ rider. It’s massive and would stop our bar bill going through the roof…"

The Vines diary part 8: 'we never did steal Oasis' rider!'

Singer, Craig Nicholls, manages to stay awake long enough to write...

Thursday, April 10th, 2002 

"We played Top Of The Pops tonight. It’s a good show, I’ve watched it before so it was exciting to be on it. We played ‘Highly Evolved’ and ‘Get Free’, which will be our next single in Britain and our first in America. I wanted to watch Oasis play their seven songs, but I was just too tired. Some of the guys watched them and enjoyed their thing.

I did speak to Kelly Jones, who’s really cool. I don’t have any Stereophonics CDs, but they make some great singles. I watched them play and they were really good. After the recording, we did a photo shoot, an interview and then went back to the hotel. We just watched a movie and went to bed. It’s getting to the stage of the tour where we’re ready to crash out after we’re done playing. Besides, we never did steal Oasis' rider!"

The Vines diary part 9: 'we’re in it for the money!'

Singer, Craig Nicholls, keeps on trucking...

Friday, April 11th, 2002 

"We recorded a TV show today. I have no idea which one it was… We played ‘Get Free’ and a cover of OutKast’s ‘Miss Jackson’. We’ve just recorded that in the studio for a future b-side. It wasn’t our intention when we started the band to play covers because we’ve got so many of our own songs. When we were in the studio, though, I had ‘Miss Jackson’ going round in my head all the time, so I worked out the chords and we did a version.

‘Miss Jackson’ was such a big hit that we didn’t record it before. We want to make it with our own songs. Besides, we’d get no money from it and we’re in it for the money! Doves played on the TV programme with us, and they did a really cool version of The Smiths' ‘Please Let Me Get What I Want’. The only other band I remember being on was LibertyX. I didn’t see them, but a few people told me they were shit. I’m very happy to believe that."

The Vines diary part 10: 'We get free coke, which is a bonus, but we do need some money'

Singer, Craig Nicholls, has more...

Saturday, April 12th, 2002

"We’re playing with The Libertines in Oxford tonight. They’re really cool guys, so I’m looking forward to it. I understand that Radiohead own part of the Zodiac venue we’re playing at, so I hope some of them come down. We’re all totally big fans of them.

I haven’t worked out a set list yet. I want to play for a long time, play as many of our songs as we can. Actually, there’s another cover version we do that I might throw in, The Verve’s ‘On Your Own’. We’ve no plans to record that. Like I said, we need all the money we can get. We’re still in debt. We get free coke, which is a bonus, but we do need some money. Oh, that’s Coca-Cola, just in case you were getting any ideas! Tomorrow we are doing absolutely nothing. No interviews, no recordings, nothing. I’m looking forward to my day off."

The Vines diary part 11: 'maybe we'll tour with Supergrass in the future'

Bassist, Patrick Matthews spins another wee tale...

Sunday, April 14th, 2002

"Last night’s gig in Oxford was the best of the four we’ve done on this tour. We were up for it, really geared up. The Libertines were really good in support. I learned one of their songs. While they were playing, I worked out the chords to a song, then got the guys to teach me the words afterwards. I’ve since forgotten what song it was, what the chords are and how the lyrics go…

You can probably guess we had a good time afterwards. I met Mickey Quinn of Supergrass. He’s my bass idol. We got talking and there’s a chance that maybe we’ll tour with Supergrass in the future. I would love that. Today we wound down after last night and what I believe is called ‘rock’n’roll relaxation’. I watched ten minutes of the Fulham v Chelsea football match. Ten minutes was quite enough. I’m more of a cricket fan, although you can’t watch that here. Well, not good cricket anyway!"

The Vines diary final: 'If I lived here permanently I’d be dead within two years'

Bassist, Patrick Matthews has the last word...

Monday, April 15th, 2002 

"We’re rehearsing for ‘Later with Jools Holland’ today. We’ve got three songs to play. I don’t know which ones, but we might throw in a big, slow one so Jools can play piano. I watched it last week and he played with the guy out of So Solid Crew, so it’s not just boogie woogie stuff he plays like I’d thought before.

We’re recording ‘Later’ tomorrow, and then it’s the end of our British tour. We’re going to LA, the rehab capital of the world. I’ll cut down on the fags, exercise daily and go vegetarian. Maybe. We’ve going to record a video straight after we get there and then we’re doing a show in the desert with The Strokes, Oasis and Bjork. We won’t be on stage until 9pm, so hopefully it’ll be cooler at that time of the night. Anyhow, we’ll be protected by LA’s smog layer that is so thick it covers the desert’s atmosphere. London is clean by comparison.

We’ll be back in the UK in June, after we finish playing in America. It’s exciting now that ‘Highly Evolved’ went into the charts at 32 yesterday. London could be my new home, I really like it here. Actually, if I lived here permanently I’d be dead within two years. I need to go to LA to do a bit of rehab every so often. See you in June!