As 2010 draws to a close I just thought I’d have a reflect back and thank a few people for making this year as good as any I can remember for us FM boys.
Our year started with a sold-out album launch party at The Roadhouse in London. More hugely successful headline live shows in Sheffield, Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Newcastle, Manchester, Buckley and London followed in the spring, summer and winter. It was an absolute honour to be asked to play the main stage at Download alongside Aerosmith and other rock music legends. It was a fantastic feeling playing on that huge stage, and seeing the appreciative crowd swell with each song was a real buzz I can tell you. Our resurrected Christmas Party in December nearly fell foul of the weather but most people managed to get there somehow. Respect! We finished off our live assault with a trek into the wilds of North Wales and Hard Rock Hell - it turned out to be a fantastic night. Over the previous months I’d heard nothing but great stuff about the weekend and let me tell you everything I heard was true.
Metropolis came out in March and was very warmly received by fans and critics alike. We are very proud of the album and are so pleased you, our fans, think the same. We’re already hard at work on the follow-up.
Another amazing first for us was getting two songs playlisted on national radio after all these years of trying. We’d also like to thank all the regional and internet stations for their support during the year.
So what about 2011? Well hopefully more of the same really. We’d like to get out playing live in Europe and beyond, and there are schemes being hatched and plans afoot on that front as I write.
Winding up I just have to thank a bunch of people for working their butts off for “Team FM”:
Adrian Bell, Lidia Samson, Steve Strange, Julian Turner, John Spear, Richard Lloyd, Steve, Jo, Ali, Phil, Warren, Charles, Smudge - our crew, Dave Ling, Chris D’Adda, Jeff Knowler, John Oz, Ant Critchley, Dawn Foley, Craig Lawton, Dave and Tiff Thomas, Steve Price, Paul Anthony, Andy Fox. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some very important people but please forgive me… it's Christmas… you know who you are. Once again a special shout goes out to Firefest organisers Kieran and Bruce for pestering and cajoling us into getting back together... It really is all your fault fellas. :-)
And finally, the biggest shout of all goes out to you, our loyal, patient fans. The love we’ve felt from you all since 1984 right up to now is the reason we do this. We’re loving every single minute of our reunion and with every twist and turn we’re grateful you’re along for the ride because without you it would be a bit pointless. Thanks for spending your hard-earned cash on coming to shows, buying CDs, T-shirts etc. We really do appreciate it.
It just leaves me to wish you all the most fantastic Christmas and a happy, prosperous, but above all healthy and peaceful New Year! Thanks once again, God bless each and every one of you.
Love, light and peace,
Pete Jupp xxx
21st December 2010
