The Corona Diaries

By now you probably know that when we played Pompeii earlier in the year, we were joined onstage by an astonishing choir called Flowing Chords.They helped the band work on new arrangements for a number of songs, and were a big part of creating something really magical on the night(s).You may also know that they are making a return appearance for the last couple of UK dates at the Hammersmith Apollo.But what you might not know is the backstory to the collaboration, or indeed how they went about creating something truly sublime. So it’s a good job that Musical Director Margherita Flore agreed to join us for a special episode of TCD (…sorry Lucy).What that does mean is that we will be talking songs and setlists, so be WARNED if you find this kind of spoiler talk triggering.Love’n’latinh

Ant wanted me to mention three things pivotal to this week's chapter of TCD.SET-LIST SPOILERS about half way through the pod we have a discussion about the set-list for the UK tour, we did include a warning in the recording, but for the purpose of prepping you here it is a second (or first) time!The hotel chain that we mentioned used to be branded as the Jurys InnApparently you need between 30-40,000 purchases in a single week to take a single to the top of the charts in the UK.In other news I sprinkled my usual positive footballing vibes on Old Trafford on Wednesday Night, but then again they never win when I am there.Love'n'lashings-of-custardhTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

’ve played a great many gigs since joining the band in ‘89 and quite a few new ones have been added to our “circuit” along the way.Something we haven’t really reflected on much, is how the tour venue choices have evolved. So today we fell into a conversation about the venues on the upcoming UK tour, and how they compare to days gone by.Where do I miss playing, where do I like going back to, and what is my second favourite gig in London.Not forgetting Richie Benaud, (who was a very famous cricket commentator, back in the day) and a chat about the current membership of Showaddywaddy (which will be a mystery for non-Brits) particularly as it looks like the incredibly named Romeo Challenger is a mainstay on drums after all. Who knew?!All perfectly straightforwardhTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Lord, it seems like an age since we recorded this and tbh I am not quite sure what we talked about.I can tell you it was the balance of the post-Pompeii chat (and that it happened on #plumday) but life has moved on since then, and recall is rarely linear for me these days. It tends to wash over me in waves.In other news the ICG reissues have finally arrived, and they look bloody lovely. Today, can certainly be classed as one of my 3650 good days.Love’n’first-time-on-vinylhTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite

Plum Day comes but once a year, and as it turned out this year it was on Tuesday 4th."But what is Plum Day" I hear you cry, well that is the day that Ant and I settle ourselves in the garden at Hogarth Towers, pick the ripened plums off the tree, and generally talk bollocks.It started a couple of years ago, post a Cropredy performance with Trevor, and has now become a bit of a thing. And this year's crop are juicy, and sweet, but we had to get in quick because they have also peaked a little early. Premature you might say.Anyway it gave us a chance to pick over the bones of Pompeii (assuming that isn't too inappropriate as a phrase) and record a couple of episodes of TCD in person.First up is Soundcheck, the Choir and Andy G...h xTCD Merch StoreBecome Purple and support the showThe Invisible Man Volume 1: 1991-1997The Invisible Man Volume2: 1998-2014FacebookInstagramWebsite