The River Rat Pack Tour

River Rat Pack Tour Montage

2008-06-09T11:48:38Z

Sponsored by Seatwave.com and rawrip.com

Jay Jay Pistolet Live

2008-06-06T18:24:31Z

INTERVIEW: Mumford and Sons

2008-06-06T15:54:37Z

According to the Mumford and Sons MySpace page, Marcus Mumford "Is desperate, anyone will do". Unfortunately, the girl to guy ratio on the River Rat Pack Tour barges is a poor one. As far as we know, the mystery gypsy water woman hasn't shown up yet either.. let's hope Gerry from SixNationState doesn't have a crack at him! We caught up with Marcus for a chat about the tour so far. After a blistering gig at reading, they have everything to be excited (albeit hungover) for. First of all, I want to know about how you are enjoying the River Rat experience so far? It�s pretty mental. It�s crazy. It�s not a bad job to be having. I love driving this thing. It is so fun to drive. We crashed it really hard on the second day. ]]> Which barge are you on? The posh one? I�d call it the posh barge. Does it have a Jacuzzi? No, it doesn�t have a Jacuzzi. You could call that one the posh barge because they have a Jacuzzi and a TV but we have linen beds and a living room. It is all furnished. Theirs is more of a squat and ours is a hotel. It depends how you define luxury I guess. I expect the Jacuzzi isn�t as clean as it was on day one. Yeah, they are some sweaty boys. How was last night? I heard it was one in one out? It was really, really busy but it was chilled out. There were so many bands that it turned into quite an epic evening. We had a really good gig actually. It was nice. Did you mix the set up a bit? Yeah, that is the kind of vibe; we all play different instruments so we can all play with each other. We just prepare something very shambolic for later. When it comes to the gig, we all just fit in. What is the plan for tonight then? A big old curry. We haven�t got a gig tonight. With that many men on a boat, a big curry and one toilet; you need to be careful. Yeah, and one toilet doesn�t actually work. We have run out of running water so� We have been sitting in the office all day feeling jealous about what you guys are doing? What�s it really like? It�s so fun. It is natural hanging out by the river. We are right by the fields so there is so much open space. What has been your best moment so far? Best moment so far� probably when Jack from Naked and the Boys was like, oh yeah, I will have a go at driving the boat, and he nearly crashed into a bank. That was really cool. The poor guy was the first one of us to try and drive the boat. That was really funny. Finding our piano playing Ben asleep in a field this morning was pretty funny. He looked like a homeless guy. Do you think that being out of the city and in the open air has made you all quite contemplative� It�s amazing when your only worry is if you have tied up the boat or whether there will be running water today. It�s completely different to worrying about paying rent. Do you think that perhaps you could be a boat man in the future? I definitely could. Who has been the biggest party person? Some of the SixNationState lads know how to party. They haven�t slept at all. I think Derek Meins has been partying hard too. Although, he left for a day and we didn�t know where he was. He got back to London and then came back via Oxford. A true party boy; always finds his way back.

Day Five

2008-06-06T14:46:23Z

After a really successful show in Reading last night we are now making our way to Abingdon for our 2 shows tomorrow, please come and join us: Abingdon Afternoon Gig - 7th June 2pm - 5pm The Unicorn Theatre Old Abbey Grounds Abingdon Abingdon 7th June 7pm � 12am The Stocks Bridge Street Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 3HR - The River Rats

VIDEO: Nat Jenkins perfor,s at the launch

2008-06-05T14:23:26Z

Tonight's Gig: Reading

2008-06-05T11:59:49Z

Be there: it's as simple as that really. Reading � 5th June 7pm � 12am The Oakford 53 Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1PZ FREE ENTRY Line Up SixNationState Mumford & Sons (Marcus & Ben & Ted Playing) Jay Jay Pistolet Nat Jenkins Beans On Toast Derek Meins Josh Weller Gwilym Gold from Golden Silvers Naked and The Boys

INTERVIEW: Naked and the Boys

2008-06-04T16:10:25Z

We've just made contact with the River Rat Pack Tour and according to the captain and his crew, all is going well. Both boats have survived the elements and moored up together ahead of tonight's gig at the Bull in Henley. What a tough life hey? It's always a pleasure to chat to Naked and the Boys (okay, we've done it twice but each time they've been lovely). Today was no exception; here's what .... had to say about day three on the not-so-posh barge. How are you enjoying the river experience? Yeah, it is all going swimmingly. What a pun that was. Has anyone fallen overboard yet? No, not yet. We went to through some treacherous waters though; it had been raining a lot. I love how you guys have all used very dramatic descriptions. Beans on Toast said you had some �Torrential rain.� Yeah, that�s right! But now the sun is shining and we are looking forward to the gig tonight. ]]> Have there been many sing-along�s along the way? Yeah, lots actually. There have been guitars going around and we have all been joining together. You sound like a little happy family. We are all coming down on Sunday. You guys are either going to be really up for it or stired. I reckon we will be OK! Are you on the barge with the Jacuzzi or are in the crap one? I�m on the not quite so posh one. There is a hot tub on the other one but we just have the bare essentials. That separates the men from the boys. Who is the messiest one on the barge? It�s probably Nat Jenkins. We are actually all pretty clean though, it�s quite surprising. Not a lot of mess, not a lot of smells� I think you need a woman to decide that. Yeah, true, true. Are you going to sticking to the same set tonight? I think we are going to shake it up a bit. Josh Weller is getting down here later on. I reckon we are all going to muck in and play in whatever order it happens. I think it is just going to happen. It�s going to be really good though. A lot of people are quite excited. There will be quite a few people coming down tonight. It is going to be good fun. It�s a weird beautiful day as well� peaceful. When I spoke to Gerry from SixNationState, it seemed that the country air was having quite a good effect on him. How are you finding it in the great outdoors? It�s gorgeous to be honest. Where I am stood right now is near to a big, big, open park. It�s very well maintained. The boats are rigged up, and we are all lying in the sunshine. You're not going to want to go home. No, not at all. Have you spotted the gypsy water women? I hear that no-one else has yet. The gypsy water woman! Ha. The gypsy water woman was out last night actually. I�m sure of it.

Launch Pictures

2008-06-03T13:20:29Z

For all the images (so close you can see them sweat), head to the River Rat Pack tour Flickr gallery.

INTERVIEW: SixNationState

2008-06-03T10:58:14Z

SixNationState Interivew By Katie Spain There's something about Gerry. You could forgive the SixNationState frontman for a short interview the morning after his explosive perfromance at the River Rat Pack Tour launch. When we left the guys, they were well oiled and heading forth into a night of barge celebations that'd take them through to the next day. But, in true Gerry form, he was up for a chat when we called him the morning after... and to be honest, we couldn't shut the talkative sod up! In between narrating the view around him, Gerry enlightened us on the barge experience, the joys of toast, the magnitude of his hangover and foilage covered 'genitals'. Intrigued? To get the full extent of his verbal barrage, read it out loud at a 'quick as lightning' pace. How do you think that last night went? It was phenomenal. It was a bit of a manic day because I was left on my own by my horrible band. I had to do everything because they had all gone to weddings and whatever the night before. I woke up, and Ally our manager was like "You have got to do this and you have got to do that". I just wanted to lie in. I had to get up and do the food shopping for the day. It was a bit of a nightmare." The gig was amazing because I knew so many people, but I had to spend lots of short bursts with lots of people. It was manic. I didn�t stop sweating. Yeah, it was amazing. Derek Meins was amazing. Everyone was. I went to see all of the bands. It was a really nice day. It was wicked to see that so many people turned up. I don�t think that they were casual punters either; it looked like everyone was there for the event which is phenomenal because it shows that it is working. Everyone was just feeling elated last night. Everyone was nervous about how it was going to go but it couldn�t have gone better. It was legendary man. It was nice to see so many people having it on a Sunday. It just couldn�t have gone better. We left at 11.30 and sailed through the night. We haven�t stopped yet. It was weird; I just basically got steadily more hammered. It was the most surreal experience being on a barge�seeing the sun get brighter�it�s so peaceful. There are no houses. You want to go to the right a little bit... I am standing at the front of the barge. At some points, you have to do like nine locks in a row. Anyway, I got into the hot tub for a few hours. ]]> I was going to ask you if you have given the hot tub a go. I know that one of the guys was saying that there are two boats and one of the boats is definitely the best by far. Yeah, ours is a luxury barge; we have a massive widescreen and digital TV and big sofas. Actually, it hasn�t got sofas � that's a total lie. It just looks very spacious. I haven�t really been inside. I have just been standing on the roof, waving. It compels me to wave at people all the time. Are they waving back? Yeah, that�s the thing. Everyone seems so friendly by the barge. Between eight and nine o clock, everyone was going to work, and there were joggers � who, by the way, move faster that us. I was like, �Hi, good morning, where do you work?� They all seemed so happy. People aren�t normally happy on a Monday morning but it didn�t even come into play because I am on a barge having the time of my life. At the moment we are verging totally on the left hand side. It�s wicked man, it is a very lethargic. It�s a magical experience. Are you standing up on the deck? I am at the front of the boat on the roof. There is an athletic guy, a couple of geese. All of last night, we spent debating killing a swan. I know that is treason and that I can get hanged for that. I think that it is worth the risk of doing it. That is pretty Rock star behaviour. It would be beating Ozzy Osbourne. The thing is, apparently, they fight back. I think they go for your arms. I wouldn�t know what to do. I might go for a duck, they look more defenceless. Build your way up I reckon� duck, swan, ostrich� Yeah, then we can kill a rhino. Who else is on your boat? We have all of my band and the crew on the barge. My best mate - we lived together for years - was the extra person that lived with us who was kind if in the band, but not in the band, if you know what I mean. He built this barge from scratch. We have a team of our friends just being the crew for us. It�s wicked. We have Beans On Toast too. Today is a bit of a travelling day to be honest with you. Once we arrive in Henley, everything is quite close. As it stands, London to Henley is quite a distance. It�s nice, it�s really peaceful. Yesterday, we could have solved the world�s problems. We kept talking about how this is a totally different world. It is totally detached from the normal world and life. Your time doesn�t really matter. You can go for a couple of hours sleep if you want and it doesn�t matter. It�s so tranquil. It�s brilliant. This is my home for the next week, to be honest with you; it is probably my home for the summer because we are allowed to sleep here whenever. Has there been a sighting of the mystery gypsy water woman yet? No, none so far; we are thoroughly disappointed. We reckon that the London gypsy water woman doesn�t live in London. We think she is just outside London. Do you think that we will find her? I am sure you are going to find her. You are going to come back a changed man after a week on a barge. You are going to want to get back to nature. Yeah, I am going to walk around with a leaf over my penis. What type of leaf are you going to need? � **Luckily, Gerry�s attention turns to the river.** Oh, we have just come into a lock now. One of many locks, I did so many last night that I am just going to watch everyone else do them. Who is doing all the cooking on the barge? Well, basically, Alexi, our drummer, is a brilliant chef. We all are but I have eaten a lot of toast. We have this brilliant bread. The toaster cooks it perfectly. Even toast tastes better on a barge. You should try a spot of fishing. No, I wouldn�t eat anything from these rivers. Not quite yet. The further we get out, the cleaner the water. I have just taken a walk off of the barge. I am standing on the verge. I think you were on the verge last night too. I think I was there when I saw you. We weren�t on till 10.30. I got quoted on NME too. I have never been quoted before. It was a double quote as well. I have never been quoted by them, I feel like I have made it now. Lucky they didn�t use your drugs quote. Your mum wouldn�t approve. Yeah, she goes looking on the sites. You have to be careful of what you say. Some of the lyrics, you are bearing your soul for people to see, especially your parents. It is a very weird thing, especially with things that you are not comfortable talking about to your parents. When they say, what�s that song about then? I�m like, hmm�I have to think of something on the spot to say to change its meaning. I go a bit shy. Oh no, they�re leaving without me. I have got to get back on the barge�.WAIT FOR ME. WAIT FOR ME. Keep your eye on the blog - we'll chat to a different artist every day.

The Launch: Jay Jay Pistolet

2008-06-02T17:26:58Z

The Launch: Beans On Toast

2008-06-02T16:25:48Z

The Launch: Lock 17

2008-06-02T16:12:44Z

No one really knew what to expect from the River Rat Pack Tour launch at Lock 17 last night. When I dragged my bruised body back from Wychwood festival and approached the Camden venue, there were so many people there, I couldn't get in the door. Mumford and Sons sure can pull a decent crowd. In fact, every single talented sod involved in the tour put on a performance of a lifetime. Sweat flowed free, lyrics flowed along with it and the punters rode wave after wave of sparkling sets. The Golden Silvers, Naked and The Boys, Derek Meins, Mumford and Sons, Beans On Toast, Josh Weller, Jay Jay Pistolet, Nat Jenkins and SixNationState knocked us for six. Beans On Toast and Mr Weller even risked injury to stand on a chair. All the better to see us with my dears. Tour Manager Ally Wolf (clad in a suitably nautical shirt) watched on from the sidelines, cheering the lads on, whilst pints were sunk and praise passed on by the bustling crowd. All on a Sunday night hey. If this little editor's stonking headache was anything to go by, the lads will be dealing with more than a dose of Barocca can handle. Make sure you're there when the bands hit dry land for their upcoming gigs. After last night's showcase, you're in for a bloody ripper mate. Stay tuned for our interview with Gerry from SixNationState. When he wakes up that is...

The bands get bloggy

2008-05-30T09:33:08Z

You know what they say... "What happens on tour stays on tour". We think that's a load of absolute b****cks. What happens on tour should be out there for all the world to see. After all, The River Rat Pack Tour is no normal shindig. You can't throw together a pair of barges, a group of sweaty musical men and a gypsy water woman without some form of debauchery. SixNationState, Mumford and Sons, Nat Jenkins and Derek Meins have bravely agreed to report back from the riverside so that fans can see what goes on before, during and after the gigs. There's already a few interviews for the picking. You can post your questions, comments and declarations of love on their individual blogs: The River Rat Pack Tour Uncut: SixNationState The River Rat Pack Tour Uncut: Mumford and Sons The River Rat Pack Tour Uncut: Nat Jenkins The River Rat Pack Tour Uncut: Derek Meins

INTERVIEW: Naked and the Boys

2008-05-30T09:29:08Z

River Rat Pack Tour Launch Party When the Naked and the Boys lads made their way through Gibson Guitar headquarters, it was difficult to pry them away from the instruments on show. The band had a gig to rush off to, but managed to sit still long enough to chat with us about their river legs. Don't miss Naked and the Boys when they hit the water as part of The River Rat Pack Tour. The River Rat Pack Tour. 01 Jun 2008, 16:00 Lock 17, 11 Eastyard, Camden, London, NW1 8AB, London, Cost : FREE Barge Tour Launch Gig - SixNationState, Mumford & Sons ((Marcus & Ted Playing) Nat Jenkins, Jay Jay Pistolet, Beans On Toast, Gwilym Gold from Golden Silvers, Naked and the Boys, Josh Weller and Derek Meins + More TBC!!!

INTERVIEW: Jay Jay Pistolet

2008-05-30T09:24:34Z

After a gob-smacking performance that knocked the canapes from the crowd's open mouths, Jay Jay Pistolet chatted to Seatwave's Katie Spain about the oncoming tour and the ever elusive Gypsy Water Woman. Don't miss the River Rat Pack Tour when it kicks off on Sunday 1st June! The River Rat Pack Tour. 01 Jun 2008, 16:00 Lock 17, 11 Eastyard, Camden, London, NW1 8AB, London, Cost : FREE Barge Tour Launch Gig - SixNationState, Mumford & Sons ((Marcus & Ted Playing) Nat Jenkins, Jay Jay Pistolet, Beans On Toast, Gwilym Gold from Golden Silvers, Naked and the Boys, Josh Weller and Derek Meins + More TBC!!!