Ever heard the old rule that says you should never meet your hero because they might disappoint you? Well, that rule doesn't apply if your hero happens to be a member of BRMC! Just like the last time the lads played Belfast (in 2004), it was kinda nerve-wracking when I arrived at the Mandela. I was worried in case something went wrong or I wouldn't be allowed into the venue for whatever reason. I got in OK, though, and went to the downstairs bar to get a drink. After that, as I walked into the main hall I looked over to the light/sound booth and - oh my god - Pete was in there! Having missed out on the chance to speak to Rob at the first gig, I decided I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice, especially since it was my biggest hero in that box. I went round to the side and stood there for about a minute with a racing heart, drinking and watching Pete work. Eventually, I leaned in and said 'hi' and we got talking about Belfast, Christmas etc. After a while I said 'I've got my camera in my bag here; you don't mind, do you?' Pete said something like 'No, no problem' and we went round into the booth, where I got one of the sound guys to take our picture. I talked to Pete for about a minute more after that, during which time I told him that he was a hero of mine and that I took up the guitar because of BRMC. Finally, I wished him a merry Christmas and then left him alone. He was just lovely and it was a real honour to meet him. Here's hoping I get to meet Rob and Nick one day!

Birmingham HMV Signing - April 17, 2007

I went to the BRMC signing before they did the Wulfrun gig in the next city up from Birmingham and saw them perform an acoustic set: Devil's Waitin', Mercy, 666 Conducer, Berlin and Weapon of Choice were the songs played, and Robert joined Peter on stage for Mercy and then Nick came on to help with 666 Conducer from then on. After this, they did an autograph signing- I got a handshake from Rob and my CD single sleeve signed. I also asked if I could have a photo with one of the members and Nick said "later afterwards" I waited outside the store and got chatting to Tessa Angus, who was really cool. To cut a long story short, I got a picture with Nick and then I realised the security had moved away from the entrance, so I snook back in, saw Robert in the corner and got a picture of him.

Cologne - June 2002

I had won tickets to see a small radio show - only 150 guests were invited. It was a small venue and I think due to the fact that the show was streamed live on the radio, they had been asked to play only half as loud as they usually do. And man, they can be loud! BRMC's reaction was to invite people to sit down on the ground AND also right between them, on the stage! Of course I didn't let them tell that twice! Very cool to watch a show from this perspective. After the show, we had a small conversation and a few Kölsch at the close brewery. I have very cool memories of such a unique show!

NORWEGIAN WOOD FESTIVAL

I adore brmc.. so when they were playing oslo, my hometown, I had to go (the norwegian wood festival)! so we were there, listening to some pathetic so-called "hopefull" new norwegian band (unsigned), and just looking around. a few yards from us, there was someone familliar, didn't quite understand who it was at first, so I said to my friend "isn't that peter?" and she answered "don't think so!" well, we were wrong, and we discovered that when, suddenly, someone looking suspiciously alike robert came along. we went over and talked to peter (robert was talking to someone else). they were so tired! we felt really sorry for them, because they seemed like they would give ANYTHING for a bed and some quiet! the conversation wasn't very special, more "are you going to be here tomorrow?" "no.. sorry.." it ended up with me scaring him, I think, because I said they were going on after the band playing now and he was like "no! already? I gotta check that..." I have wonderful people-skills.... unfourtunately, nick was in the bus sleeping, but my friend met him later. she told me he was looking very confused and smelling the flowers and stuff..
Ragnhild Helene

A BIG FAN IN DALLAS

I went to Club Clearview (in Deep Elum) in December 2001 to see BRMC and got there super early just as the band was unloading their gear. I was amazed at how they just casually walked around inside the Club. I was like, “Wow, there they are”. I took my cd cover with me with pages of pictures of the guys. When Nick and Robert were at the bar, I just went up to them and asked for their autograph. They were so cool and so nice to see this “older “lady asking for an autograph and then signing. I was so appreciative. I think they are so fantastic and to get their autographs was awesome. I know they were so tired because they had been touring forever. I wish them well and can’t wait to get their new cd whenever it comes out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are so many copy-cat bands now just re-arranging music, but BRMC is fresh, and unique. They have their OWN sound and it’s been a long time since a band has come out with something original.
Thanks for the opportunity to say something about this band.

GLYNIS, NICK, & 3 BANANAS

I was sitting outside the local coffee shop studying. This dude came up and sat at me table. A little weird but he was cute so I wasn't too upset. He sat there and ate his dinner while I studied. I hadn't said anything but "What's going on?" to him when he sat down. He replied with "This looked like a good spot." He left for a long time, but he left his sweater on the chair so I assumed he was coming back. He came back with a pot of tea, three bananas and two cups. He said, "I thought you might like some tea." I've never had a stranger to whom I've said two words buy me tea, so I thought it was the cutest thing ever. The fact that he was British made it even cuter, the sharing of a sacred custom or something. So, we talked for like two hours, until five minutes before he was supposed to play. I've never seen anyone eat three bananas in one sitting. He offered me one, and I didn't want it, so maybe he didn't want to waste them? I told him how nice it was that a stranger bought me tea. He replied with, "You looked sincere." Nice compliment. We had a lot in common. A very cool guy. He went to art school in Winchester. I'm an art student also. Other stuff. So, he got up to go, said, "I'll put you on the list Glynis Selina (my first and middle name). You should come." and he left. Now what's going to kill you: I didn't go. I had never heard of the band. I like indie rock. Somehow they had not come into my radar. Plus I thought I looked too bad to go to a club. I told my friends the next day about the nice drummer boy Nick who bought me tea, and they all had heart attacks when I told them in what band he was. So . . . oh well?

BRMC in NYC: May 2001

Not a terribly exciting story, but my BRMC encounter:
The band played an unbelievable set at Shout @13 in New York City last May. It was a tiny room and forty or so people tore themselves away from the Mod party upstairs to witness the set. Later, I was upstairs at the bar when I found myself shoulder to shoulder with Robert Turner. I was too affected by the band to let the moment pass, so i thanked him and told him how much i love the band and i felt like a total geek doing it, like as if he really wanted some skinny boy with funny hair bothering him. But he was very gracious and appreciative - a very surprising reaction from a member of a band that seems so imposing.

P.S. - A couple of well-dressed boys with great haircuts were mingling with BRMC at the bar that night and acting like drunk rockstars - Julian and Nick from the Strokes.