My (M) friend Ann and I saw Remy Zero when they supported Travis touring the UK back in 1999. We'd seen them first in Scotland at a festival that summer, and decided to see them again if they toured.
Then they announced them as support to Travis (Travis were just hitting it big).
We booked the whole tour, 27-odd gigs around the UK and Scotland. Plus a London Remy Zero-only gig.
On the third gig of the tour, we're talking to the t-shirt seller and he asks if we want to go backstage. Said 'yes.' Went and met the 'Zero and told them we were doing the whole tour because of them. They were knocked out and put us on the guest list for the rest of the tour. We said 'but we've already got all the tickets!'
Fortunately, going to so many gigs, we'd got to know one of the touts. Saw him at another gig, and he said he was 'doing' the whole tour. So...each evening we confirmed we were getting in on the guest list, and then gave him our tickets to sell. We only asked for face-value.
We got on really well with them and Travis and often hung about backstage, or back at their hotel(s).
Gutted when it became clear, after a period of silence, that they'd gone their own ways. Though I remember downloading (after some discussion with one of their sisters or girlfriends (an't remember which) who was running the fan club at the time) some of the other 'project' a couple of them were involved in.
Wow this is incredible. I spent a lot of time researching Remy Zero just in my own free time, but I hardly ever hear anecdotes/real-life encounters with the band. That's amazing that you get to spend so much time with them and see them so many times. I was lucky enough to catch them just once when they did the brief reunion in 2010 to honor Gregory (had to borrow someone's ID to get in lol). Bittersweet, but really special. I've talked and interviewed a few of the members over the years, and they've all been lovely. The dream is to one day really "tell their story." So jealous and happy for you that you got that experience! What are your favorite songs/deep cuts? I hardly ever get to talk about RZ with others so this is very exciting! And of course, thanks for reading!
Well… the other determining factor in me liking Remy Zero is the fact they apparently come from Birmingham, Alabama. I’m from Birmingham, the original one, in England.
We (Ann and I) lived in Leeds at the time of seeing them so many times. Leeds is, we found, ideally placed for reaching most parts of the UK. And, of course, it helps when you’ve got a company car and get petrol paid. And the book-keeper can be fobbed off. I’m now living in Denmark (since 2004).
So living in the UK means it’s much easier, if you put your mind to it, to see a band many time. I’ve seen the Manic Street Preachers 92 times, for instance. Though only twice since moving here. They’re the reason I’m here in Denmark now actually. I met my future wife on their website ‘forum,’ and decided to move over to be with her.
I couldn’t say if these would be considered ‘deep cuts,’ but I remember our particular favourites - probably mostly because they came over well live - as being:
‘Temenos,’ ‘Gold Star Speaker.’
Then, ‘Life In Rain,’ ‘Problem’ - Cinjun always did a little double finger-flick on ‘knocked’ and ‘back,’ at the end of the first verse (‘until you’re knocked back on the ground’). I do it even now istening to that one. However, it was no doubt extremely irritating to have us stood at the front mimicking him at that point every night. ‘Wither Vulcan.’ ‘Motorcycle’ my favourite, thought I always referred to it for some reason, as ‘Motorbike,’ as you do. Cedric (the bass player?), more often than not, wore a woollen hat at least to start out with, and it was mostly here, that there were cries of “release the afro!”
‘Fair’ (Ann’s favourite) ‘Belong’ and ‘I’m Not Afraid.’
I'm doubting there will be nostalgia for music discovery through streaming, precisely because streaming wants to take it out of your hands. I forget which streaming honcho first admitted that his theoretical ideal UI had exactly one button: Play. The algorithm would take it from there.
I can imagine maybe nostalgia for certain playlists or sharing music via streaming maybe, but largely I agree. It feels like the point is largely to dehumanize the process of discovery, which is a total shame.
I like stories about how people discovered their favourite music.
Here's mine!
I was really taken with the music Channel 4 used on an advert for one of their upcoming shows. I cannot remember the show, but the music was so striking that I actually emailed Channel 4, asking what it was. They were good enough to get back to me - it was Dawn Chorus by Boards of Canada, who are now my favourite band.
That’s amazing, I love that you actually reached out, totally something I would do too. When the music calls you, you have to follow it haha. Also, pretty rad they were using a Boards of Canada song! They’re incredible. Thanks for reading!
I feel compelled to add here that I've since purchased every bit of Remy Zero media that I can find (and always searching for me). Always very happy to give them my money, not just snagging their stuff for free ;)
My (M) friend Ann and I saw Remy Zero when they supported Travis touring the UK back in 1999. We'd seen them first in Scotland at a festival that summer, and decided to see them again if they toured.
Then they announced them as support to Travis (Travis were just hitting it big).
We booked the whole tour, 27-odd gigs around the UK and Scotland. Plus a London Remy Zero-only gig.
On the third gig of the tour, we're talking to the t-shirt seller and he asks if we want to go backstage. Said 'yes.' Went and met the 'Zero and told them we were doing the whole tour because of them. They were knocked out and put us on the guest list for the rest of the tour. We said 'but we've already got all the tickets!'
Fortunately, going to so many gigs, we'd got to know one of the touts. Saw him at another gig, and he said he was 'doing' the whole tour. So...each evening we confirmed we were getting in on the guest list, and then gave him our tickets to sell. We only asked for face-value.
We got on really well with them and Travis and often hung about backstage, or back at their hotel(s).
Gutted when it became clear, after a period of silence, that they'd gone their own ways. Though I remember downloading (after some discussion with one of their sisters or girlfriends (an't remember which) who was running the fan club at the time) some of the other 'project' a couple of them were involved in.
Thought you might be interested.
Great story!
Wow this is incredible. I spent a lot of time researching Remy Zero just in my own free time, but I hardly ever hear anecdotes/real-life encounters with the band. That's amazing that you get to spend so much time with them and see them so many times. I was lucky enough to catch them just once when they did the brief reunion in 2010 to honor Gregory (had to borrow someone's ID to get in lol). Bittersweet, but really special. I've talked and interviewed a few of the members over the years, and they've all been lovely. The dream is to one day really "tell their story." So jealous and happy for you that you got that experience! What are your favorite songs/deep cuts? I hardly ever get to talk about RZ with others so this is very exciting! And of course, thanks for reading!
Well… the other determining factor in me liking Remy Zero is the fact they apparently come from Birmingham, Alabama. I’m from Birmingham, the original one, in England.
We (Ann and I) lived in Leeds at the time of seeing them so many times. Leeds is, we found, ideally placed for reaching most parts of the UK. And, of course, it helps when you’ve got a company car and get petrol paid. And the book-keeper can be fobbed off. I’m now living in Denmark (since 2004).
So living in the UK means it’s much easier, if you put your mind to it, to see a band many time. I’ve seen the Manic Street Preachers 92 times, for instance. Though only twice since moving here. They’re the reason I’m here in Denmark now actually. I met my future wife on their website ‘forum,’ and decided to move over to be with her.
I couldn’t say if these would be considered ‘deep cuts,’ but I remember our particular favourites - probably mostly because they came over well live - as being:
‘Temenos,’ ‘Gold Star Speaker.’
Then, ‘Life In Rain,’ ‘Problem’ - Cinjun always did a little double finger-flick on ‘knocked’ and ‘back,’ at the end of the first verse (‘until you’re knocked back on the ground’). I do it even now istening to that one. However, it was no doubt extremely irritating to have us stood at the front mimicking him at that point every night. ‘Wither Vulcan.’ ‘Motorcycle’ my favourite, thought I always referred to it for some reason, as ‘Motorbike,’ as you do. Cedric (the bass player?), more often than not, wore a woollen hat at least to start out with, and it was mostly here, that there were cries of “release the afro!”
‘Fair’ (Ann’s favourite) ‘Belong’ and ‘I’m Not Afraid.’
Hope that helps.
I'm doubting there will be nostalgia for music discovery through streaming, precisely because streaming wants to take it out of your hands. I forget which streaming honcho first admitted that his theoretical ideal UI had exactly one button: Play. The algorithm would take it from there.
I can imagine maybe nostalgia for certain playlists or sharing music via streaming maybe, but largely I agree. It feels like the point is largely to dehumanize the process of discovery, which is a total shame.
I like stories about how people discovered their favourite music.
Here's mine!
I was really taken with the music Channel 4 used on an advert for one of their upcoming shows. I cannot remember the show, but the music was so striking that I actually emailed Channel 4, asking what it was. They were good enough to get back to me - it was Dawn Chorus by Boards of Canada, who are now my favourite band.
That’s amazing, I love that you actually reached out, totally something I would do too. When the music calls you, you have to follow it haha. Also, pretty rad they were using a Boards of Canada song! They’re incredible. Thanks for reading!
I feel compelled to add here that I've since purchased every bit of Remy Zero media that I can find (and always searching for me). Always very happy to give them my money, not just snagging their stuff for free ;)