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Posted: 2006-07-15 18:23:45

I went to my local record store that day to order the new Yell Fire record but they told me that it will not be out before 21st July but they had already this single. Of course I bought it. "I know I'm not alone (Radio edit & album version)" is on this record and another blow up song "I've been away (Lighthouse Version)" which I already know from the live gigs. Great. Didn't know that there is this single out. Was never be promoted.

Posted: 2006-06-10 01:34:56

Well, I was very excited about this gig. See Doug, Skip and Keith after 1 & 1/2 year again. I was calling at the venue Gruener Salon of Volksbuehne Berlin and they told that the gig will start later because of the beginning of the world championship in football and that Bernard Fowler (singer of Tack>>Head - at the moment on tour with Rolling Stones) would also join the gig. Wow. The whole Tach>>Head crew. I was writing some comments at the myspace sites of Tack>>Head, Little Axe and Doug Wimbish about this wonderful news.

Posted: 2006-05-19 21:56:13

It was really great and it was sold out. But from the first moment when I come into the venue Kalkscheune I knew that there was something strange according for security checks in Germany when a jewish artist performs. First at the entrance they were checkin the people for some weapons or bottles which could be thrown (this is ok). When I was coming inside I took something to drink and went in front of the stage. Around the stage they had build a security fence. So I already knew he will not making audience diving or something like that. There were some people I wouldn't expect in a reggae gig. Somekind of hype because it is an jewish artist but the rest of the audience fit to it. It should start at 9 pm but they let the audience wait more than an hour.

Posted: 2006-03-19 18:05:10

Yeah, on Friday night I saw Damian Marley, it was the same venue where Spearhead played the last time when they visited Berlin (Kulturbrauerei / Kesselhaus). In conclusion to the discussion why black people are missing at Spearhead, Parliament gigs I think there were a lot of black people (maybe more than 10%). I saw Papa Pretty very short at the beginnig of the show no time to talk with him more detailed. The Marley gig was totally sold out. It was ok but I was not really enthustiastic about the gig like I always be after a Spearhead gig.

Posted: 2005-08-16 23:52:04

Well this weekend in Netherlands and Belgium was so amazing - even now two days later I don't know where to begin. For the first time in my exspearience I learned to know wonderful spearits, almost all members of the Spearhead band and the crew and ...

But lets start from the beginning. I arrived Tilburg by train at 6 pm and Juiceman, Anna and Lies took me from there with their car to a parkhouse near the venue 013. Well Juiceman excused himself for that fishy stinkin inside his car. He was transporting fish for barbeque at his cafe - Bacchus Café Geel. We went to a cafe just around the corner of the venue for some drink, only sitting there 5 min and we saw Michael together with a woman walking along the street. They had a little talk with us and the woman was introduced as Carla(?) - Web designer for SpearheadVibrations. Juiceman asked Michael if he could come to the Bacchus Cafe for some songs in between the festival gigs and well Michael found it a good idea but didn't know if the festivals schedule allowed this extra event. Anyway - it was 7:30 pm and we were going to the entrance of 013 expecting a wonderful show of Spearhead at 013.

Posted: 2005-08-16 22:35:16

The festival began with Gabriel Rios - never heard of him before. Lies told me that he is very popular in Belgium. Well - it was nice music too dance and good to getting warmer on this cold day. The band was really making good latin dancing pop music, makes me feel good. Very impressive was also the guitar player, wearing a white suit like a spanish torero. I told Juiceman Rios sounds like the Belgian Latin version of Robin Williams - and this is a big compliment in my opinion. Respect. I didn't see the end of his show because I felt suddenly very bad with my stomach. The only thing I could imagine was - how to get out as fast as I can but there were so many people that first I lost my way. After I was out of the festival area everything was coming out of my mouth and I needed more than half'n hour to get back with the assistance of Tom who showed me the right way back. Thanks.

Posted: 2005-08-16 18:05:01

After coming in we were waiting at the part where you could order shirts and cds. I saw Caroline coming in - remembered her from the Picture postings of the message board. I said hello to her but she seemed to be nervous expecting her first exspearience. Well - Johan already wrote almost all about this gig - so read Johan's review, be sure I feel the same. In contrast to all the other shows I were before, I decided not to take any picture or to write down the setlist. I knew that Johan was taking care for this so I just enjoyed the show :-))). Here is also the link for Johan's pictures. Juiceman, Anna, Lies, Johan, Gert, I and some other friends were standing on the right side near the sound system so we should have the best sound and view to the stage. In addition to Johan I can say that I also liked the music of K-OS. Reminds me of N-Factor (German HipHop from the early 90th). The rap-parts of the singer were sometimes a little bit to monotone but anyway they were good. According to the setlist we saw on the sound amplifiers it should be a short gig but it was one of the best I saw. I think they are becoming more and more professional - could be a reason of playing at all these festivals but I feel not sorry about this. It was getting really silent at the song "Tolerance" when they were also showing pictures of the documentary film I know I'm not alone. Very emotionally. After two hours it ended with Never too late and the Cleanup man, I already know from other Live records just some weeks ago.

Posted: 2005-05-12 19:29:52

Due to the fact that this record is only an Australian release I ordered it Wed Apr 20, 2005. I got my Love Kamikaze package 3 weeks later and I love it from the first moment. The first sequences of the song Love Kamikaze sounds like a mixture of Matt Bianco (Half a minute) and Phil Carmen (On my way to LA). Love me unique sounds like one song of CSH (Keep me lifted/Food for the masses). What happens next is my favorite. I know this song for some years but I can't remember where I heard it first. There is a live video with that song (Spearhead 2-16-2003, Miner's Foundry, Nevada City, CA). There are some Stay Human remixes (Stay Human, Every single soul) - well, the original relaeses I like more and one outtake (I wish that I could be you) - also one of my favorites. Keepin' it natural and Come and mess with me might be good lyrics but too much violines in my opinion. From the new songs Spearhead was playing live the last months I only know One Minute's All I Need (Big Bass Mix). Conclusion: Most of the songs I like. So my motto is: "It's worth not only to get it in Perth. Don't understand why it is only accessable in AUS. Love Kamikaze should be for the whole world."

Posted: 2005-05-11 01:55:43

Maceo Parker @Traenenpalast/Berlin - 2004-10-16
Jungle Funk @Traenenpalast/Berlin - 2005-03-29
Little Axe @Postbahnhof/Berlin - 2005-05-10

Posted: 2004-12-14 21:13:12

This was my first Spearhead-gig this year and I was very excited to go there. I left Berlin early in the mornig and travelled relaxed by train to Amsterdam/Haarlem be escorted by big showers of rain the whole day. At 8 pm Bauke and I were leaving Haarlem and we arrived Den Haag 1/2 hour later. So we had enough time to drink something at the many street cafe's around the Plein listening to Jaco Pastorious Big Band and hoping that the rain would stop until the Spearhead gig started. In the meantime more and more people were coming so we didn't see that the place before the stage was already full and we could not go there. So we had a place on the right side maybe 15 m from the stage. From the first moment Michael asked us people "How do you feeliiiin" until the last song it was a jumping, waving and singing mass of people with so much love to give. At the end of the show Michael was taking the bath with the masses, hugging all the people who wanted and it became more and more people. Thank you again Netherlands. For Bauke it was his first exSpearience and he liked it very much. So he will never miss a Spearhead-gig in and around Amsterdam the next time.

I took some pictures (was not the best camera) and was writing down the setlist (Read more in the reviews). Check it out.

Reviews of the Northseajazz HEATSTHEHAGUE - Show

Taken from SpearheadVibrations - Reviews

North Sea heats The Hague The Hague, Netherlands
Posted by - shanti 07/08/2004

Dear Mr. Franti and band Spearhead, I would like to thank you all for bringing such beautiful and inspiring music and lyrics. Today I feel refreshed, as if the complete public has received a shower of love. Thank you, Namaste, shanti


Northsea Jazz Festival Den Haag
Posted by - Jane 07/08/2004

What can I say? Absolutely, utterly brilliant. I have been told beforehand that Spearheads would be very much worth my while to see so I took the advice and do not regret it one bit. It made me go and buy some CDs immediately. Thanks for a fantastic show! It definitely made me move. Jane

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Taken from SpearheadVibrations - MsgBoard - Music

north sea jazz heats the hague
Posted by - jsmn 07:11:10 07/08/2004

it was so nice to see michael and spearhead again, even in the rain. michael and dave were a bit under the weather, so they said. but i didn't see it in the performance, it was wonderful. take care, my friends.


RE: north sea jazz heats the hague
Posted by - Joerg 12:47:08 07/09/2004

Yeah jsmn, it was great. I also was there and even the rain could not harm the good vibrations there. Where have you been? I didn't see your msg at the pttp.tk early. Anyway, it was awesome.
See yo all next time in NED.
Peace Joerg
I took some pictures, don't know if they are ok. They will be at my site within the next days.


RE: RE: north sea jazz heats the hague - setlist
Posted by - Joerg 12:53:08 07/09/2004

I forgot to mention.
They also were playing the new song "Revolution". It rocks.

Here is the setlist as I can remember:
Yes I will
What I be
Pray for Grace
Sometimes
Stay Human
Family affair
EDM
Time to come home (and I know) (???)
Bomb the world
Revolution
We don't stop
Never too late



North Sea Jazz 2004
Posted by - 05:33:40 07/10/2004

You guys are the best! I saw you on your free gig on the plein here in The Hague and again the next day on the North Sea Jazz Festival. I already loved your music, but now that I've met Michael Franti in person (only two minutes ;) ) I appreciate you even more. It was great to realise that the message in your music is actually just the way you are in real life. Keep making a difference in this crazy world and come back soon to Holland!


RE: North Sea Jazz!!!
Posted by - Isabella 07:47:55 07/12/2004

Dear Michael,
What a brave thing to do! To speak your heart out about your trip to Iraq without knowing whether it'll be appreciated or not... (like you care ;-) ) For the spearits who were there, they including me weren't expecting anything else... And than that terrific song! I'm sure you have got a lot of new spearits since that night...
xxx Isabella

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Taken from SpearheadVibrations - MsgBoard - World

The Hague "Heavenly Rain"
Posted by - Darpan 05:10:19 07/08/2004

I like to thanks Spearhead and Michael for the special "rain and dance experience" last nigh here in my hometown The Hague. Wow what a swinging and peacefull concert my friends.... Thanks for sharing your Iraq experience with us Michael and the wonderfull song you wrote there. In some moments when I listen to the music and lyrics when you are singing, I have to laugh and cry sometimes in the same moment!! A great feeling and experience. Thanks for being Michael, keep on spreading rebelious love and peace around this globe. Keep the fire burning..... The rain didn't matter last night. It felt like a warm shower on and in front of the stage..... Thanks to Michael, thanks to the band and to the fantastic crowd in front of the stage that was jumping up and down and singing.... And Michael thanks for your warm hug. Keep on "enlightning" the globe.... Thanks for being.......

Love and Compassion, Darpan (a.k.a. Green Ambassador).


RE: The Hague "Heavenly Rain"
Posted by - Em 12:41:12 07/09/2004

I was so sad I wouldn't be able to join you at the North Sea Jazz Festival, i've been there before, it's a great musical experience! So great you played in the open air the night before!! It was wonderful! I hate rain but now it didn't matter that much... You showed that everyone truly does deserve music! Thanks for the music and the sunshine in rainy The Hague!


International Justice in The Hague
Posted by - an international civil servant 02:34:56 07/09/2004

Dear Michael, Thank you very much for a fantastic concert! Looking forward to the one tonight as well. The Hague is wonderful this time of year when it comes to music, but there are other things going on in this town ... (if you like to read the whole posting - check out the whole message at spearheadvibrations.com).


You guys rocked!! the place
Posted by - Johanna 03:41:02 07/10/2004

Spearhead!! Thanx again for a concert to remember for months. Within minutes the whole place ignited and blew up in sparkles and joy, everybody dancing and enjoying. We all had the best time. And were impressed and fell silent after Mr. Franti shared a small particle of his experiences in Iraq and Palestine.... You guys are truly the greatest. Don't change!! and please keep coming back. Truly hope all of you enjoyed it as much as we did. Keep going strong. Power to the peaceful!


2 Years Ago Today - We Cancelled On Belgrade
Posted by - Erin 07:48:09 07/10/2004

From Serbia I met you all in the Hague, to tell you face to face what happened in Belgrade - how fucking horrifying it was and also how hopeful and beautiful. Mike you've never even come through on an interview for them. You know I love you, but I am also very regretful we have not followed through in Eastern Europe. If it really means something to you to reach out in that part of the world, tell your folks to get in touch, return phone calls, make time for it. Serbia is a country without windows, smothered in crime, with a million or so children hoping desperately for a better life. Please come through!

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Taken from Powertothepeaceful.tk - Forum

north sea jazz heats the hague
Posted by - jsmn Fri Jul 09, 2004 2:20 am

it was really nice to see michael and spearhead again. our first time this year. as we were walking on the street, we saw michael arrive at the plein. he told us he was a bit under the weather and had a sour throat. dave was a bit under the weather too, so he said as we saw him on stage. well, the gig was as ever: really good. we've made some pictures. get 'm on line real soon.

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