Follow The Rex Roman Story Thru August 09

End of Edinburgh Chapter

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:09:39 +0100

The Edinburgh Festival officially ends tomorrow (Mon 31st) but it is already pretty quiet in Edinburgh, not helped by the high winds and fairly chilly temperatures.

So tomorrow the Rex Roman tour bus begins its journey south via Newcastle and ends when the gear heads back into storage. But have no fear for the gear all comes out again for shows in Henley in October.

If any air guitar legends are reading this blog, ones that have either taken to the stage with the Rex Roman band or would like to in the future, then drop us an email via info@rexroman.com and we will send you a link to footage of your performance (pinpoint date & venue for us please) or we can arrange which show you will perform in and unveil your moves to the world.

Generally we film every show and then publish the air guitar heroes footage to You Tube so all those concerned can tell their mates they’ve played in a rock band.

For now it’s time to take a few last shows, say a few farewells and then pack up and leave. We’ve all been on the road for 4 weeks here so it’s time to go home to some creature comforts.

Thank You Edinburgh

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:17:27 +0100

That’s it...finished!

The last show was fantastic. Air Guitar Heroes, great crowd, friends in the audience and a few celebrities who came along to lend their support.

The Rex Roman Show has played to 1000s of people over the last three weeks. An overwhelming majority loved it, some hated it but that’s showbiz and that’s life. If we all liked exactly the same thing the whole world would be bland.

We have all had a great time and the Cowbarn is without doubt one of the best venues in the whole Fringe programme so we were delighted to have been in there and to have played alongside some really fantastic acts. It was an honour for us to even share the same dressing room as these guys.

Today the band have all packed up their stuff and departed back to some home comforts.

Rex Roman rocks again in September but for now it is time for everyone to have a well earned rest.

More photos and videos will follow as they start to come in so keep watching this website. But for now to all those involved in the show and especially to those who paid to come and see the show when there were over 2000 other shows to choose from...

WE THANK YOU.

LAST Show Tonight

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:25:08 +0100

This is it, the final show.

Last night was fabulous with a very full house of noisy people and lots of air guitar heroes and better still it was all captured on 4 video cameras. Will make a great piece of archive footage that’s for sure.

So to the Royal Mile we go ready to offload the final 1000 flyers and perform our final street performance.

One more show:

Cowbarn, Udderbelly’s Pasture TONIGHT (Sun 23rd) at 10.15pm

To all those who is said it couldn’t be done... time to eat humble pie.
We have done it and had 1000s of people come to the shows and have a great time. Pigs have flown!

Two Shows Left

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:15:26 +0100

Saturday and hopefully a big crowd tonight. We have to fill all of those seats in the photo and having been to quite a few shows now it is clear that The Cowbarn is the most comfortable venue to be found at the Fringe.

We have a street performance at 3.50pm on the Lower Stage on the Royal Mile and we will be handing out flyers from noon-4.30pm in a serious effort to sell our allocation of tickets for tonight.

We are going to film tonight on 3 cameras as a record of the show and hopefully get a fair bit of air guitar hero going too.

Fingers crossed and off we all go to start the flyering.

The Mac is Back!

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:52:30 +0100

Graeme Mac, friend, talented DJ, pillar of the BBC community and supporter of Rex Roman leads the Comfortably Numb stage invasion on Thurs 20th Aug 09.

The video proves it and now the link can be emailed around all of Graeme’s work colleagues and friends to prove he is officially an air guitar hero.

Well played that man.

The Final Push

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:42:52 +0100

With just three shows left, the cast will be appearing on the Lower Fringe stage today, Saturday and Sunday in the Royal Mile at 3.50pm.

To meet our ticket expectations we need 320 bums on seats over the next 3 nights. As we had about 180-190 people in last Saturday we are hopeful we will actually exceed our original target.

Last night our friend and supporter Graeme Mac of the esteemed BBC came along to the show and started a stampede for the Les Brush guitars. It was absolute pandemonium and the video will be posted within 24 hours.

In fact, we will post video to You Tube of all air guitar heroes that join us on stage just so they can tell their mates they’ve played Lead Brush in front of a throbbing mass of people.

Video Evidence

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:10:34 +0100

So here it is, a link to You Tube video footage of the mass stage invasion that takes place at most Rex Roman gigs at the Edinburgh Festival.

These are NOT plants or people connected with the show but genuine air guitar heroes from the audience who are so overcome by Comfortably Numb that they simply have to take part.

Gibson Les Brush guitars are provided at the show.

Start Them Young

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:22:55 +0100

All over Edinburgh the craze for the Gibson Les Brush is taking off. Even the youngsters are getting involved in this ridiculous pastime but the benefit is simple. Anyone can do it!

This young legend joined some members of the cast (Ken, Phil & John) for an impromptu jam much to the delight of the passing crowd.

Today (Weds) is a day off but time has been well spent so far because now we have the right cable to let us post some video footage to You Tube and then put the links on this site.

We’ll try and do that tomorrow before we head off to the Royal Mile for some flyering duties. Only 4 more shows to go, sadly, so we want to make sure they are truly memorable.

Two Shows Today

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:51:51 +0100

Two shows today and the first matinee was both well-attended and an excellent crowd.

Now out flyering on the mile, then a band Chinese buffet for tea and then back for another storming performance tonight.

Last night there were so many air guitar heroes joining us on stage that the band extended the Comfortably Numb solo so that these trainee legends could live the dream and play the greatest guitar solo ever written.

Anyone reading this that wants to join us simply has to come down to a show. Gibson Les Brush guitars will be provided.

Ticking Away...

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:46:48 +0100

Time is flying by and tonight is show 11 of 17 so we are over half way thru.

There are 2 shows tomorrow (Tues 18th) with a matinee at 12.45pm.

Some friends of the band are in tonight and these are guaranteed air guitar players so a good time tonight shall be had by all. The pace here is fairly brutal but the whole cast are coping remarkably well.

The Craze Spreads

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:42:09 +0100

The crazy world of air guitar with the Gibson Les Brush is spreading like wildfire around Edinburgh. Normally sensible adults are now finding themselves transformed into Air Guitar Heroes as they rock out in the high street.

The next step is to come to the show and join the band for Comfortably Numb. It simply has to be done as part of the Fringe experience.

EVERY night at the Cowbarn, Reid Concert Hall, Udderbelly’s Pasture.

More Guitar Heroes

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:44:31 +0100

What a night! Sat 15th saw the most air guitar heroes we have ever seen at a Rex Roman concert. At least 5 giants of rock grabbed a Gibson Les Brush and joined the band for Comfortably Numb. The cult of the Gibson Les Brush is growing and that is exactly what we want.

CALLING ALL AIR GUITAR HEROES. Come and join us on stage tonight and for any show while we are here at the Cowbarn.

The band are usually found outside Cowbarn from 9pm-9.40pm. Come see us if you want to learn the moves. It’s easy and it’s fun.
You can also purchase your very own Gibson Les Brush for the princely sum of £5. Bargain!

The band will also be performing on the lower fringe stage at 3.50pm today singing some acoustic songs.

Air Guitar Hero

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:13:46 +0100

Last night (Fri 14th) we had a genuine air guitar hero join us on stage for Comfortably Numb. For all future shows we are going to have a rack full of Gibson Les Brush guitars at the front of the stage and if anyone wants to join us on stage for Comfortably Numb then they are welcome.

Come on, live the dream!

If the air guitar hero who lived the dream is reading this then come meet us at the Cowbarn between 9pm - 9.40pm for a photo. We were so stunned by your performance that someone forgot to get your photo but you were a legend and deserve to be on the Rex Roman Hall of Fame.

We’ll try and post video evidence of this great piece of live entertainment tomorrow

Rainy Day

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:07:05 +0100

What a miserable rainy day in Edinburgh it is today. We had a street performance at 3.50pm and for a laugh, to lift everyone’s spirits, we had 10 people with brooms all performing the air guitar dance from the show.

If it wasn’t so wet we would have videoed the performance and posted it here but alas we didn’t. It was very funny though.

Friday night show and we can’t wait to get into the venue to play the show.

Footnote: We are also saddened to hear the news of the passing of Les Paul. Guitar guru and father to the electric guitar.

Radio Interview

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:14:07 +0100

Hear Simon Ash, Stephen Yeo, Kate Millest & Alexis Demetriou
talk to David Schiavone on Fresh Air at the Festival

HEAR THE INTERVIEW - Here’s the link

Back To The Mile

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:21:24 +0100

After a great day off we are back to it with another show tonight in the Cowbarn.

At least the weather is good and so it’s always much nicer being out in the street when the sun is shining.

More updates later...

Day Of Rest

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:56:49 +0100

The whole cast are resting today with the exception of a short acoustic performance at the George Free bar in George Square tonight at 10pm. It’s all free and the whole cast will be there so come and join us for a drink if you wish.

Reviews Are In

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:31:25 +0100

The show has been receiving lots of 5 star reviews and this is keeping the spirits of the cast high.

Click on the link below to see the review page on the official Edinburgh Festival website. These are genuine reviews from people who have seen the show and then taken the time to post a positive review.

CLICK HERE FOR REX ROMAN REVIEWS

We are performing on the Lower Fringe Stage today at 3.50pm with an acoustic performance for 20mins.

More Flyers

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:17:25 +0100

The cast were out on the Royal Mile today performing and handing out flyers for the shows.

It’s party time in Edinburgh and the atmosphere is amazing.

Festival Cavalcade

Sun, 9 Aug 2009 10:27:57 +0100

Ever heard 150 motorbikes roar down the road all together? We all have now and it was excellent.

The whole cast went to the Festival Cavalcade today, busked a few songs on the grass and then went to the Cowbarn and played a great show. The audience were the best so far and it was a terrific show.

Pre-sales have gone up 300% since we started our run and word is spreading about how good the show is.

The whole cast genuinely can’t wait to perform every day.

Fantastic Night

Sat, 8 Aug 2009 09:11:31 +0100

That’s it...we’ve started.

The first night tension has gone and everyone in the cast is relieved to have completed the opening preview show.

Considering the technical nature of the show with 7 musicians, 5 actors and a video screen you would not believe it’s possible to get that lot set and running in 12 minutes. But we did.

Now we know it’s possible we have a positive base to build on from and we expect the show to change over the next 3 weeks as we get to know the audiences and feel how to work the crowd.

Another gig tonight. We can’t wait.

We Open TONIGHT!

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 09:01:49 +0100

A sense of panic has been lifted after our last tech rehearsal last night from 10pm until 1am.

The projector is up, lights have been plotted and the live band are rocking with much more bottom end than I thought we were going to get.

We still haven’t run a full show because we didn’t have time but that will make for a bit of magical mayhem on stage tonight.

Apparently ticket sales are really good and the best advert for the show is for us to play it. Then people understand just how different this show is from anything they have seen before.

We are ready. Bring it on!

Rex Roman Rocks Again

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 08:58:39 +0100

The cast of the Rex Roman Pink Floyd Show were seen flaunting their stuff at The List party at Underbelly’s Hullaballoo on Thurs 6th.

Some bemused looks greeted us all but once the assembled guests heard the cast sing and play they were taken aback at just how good it all sounds. Voices plus and acoustic guitar with Rex Roman leading the way on his Gibson Les Brush guitar.

We’re Here!

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 01:45:29 +0100

Arrived in Edinburgh today and everyone has checked into the house. Beds were allocated in a very civilised manner and good spirits run thru the cast.

Now down to business...

Technical rehearsal in the Cowbarn from 6pm - 11pm convinced me that with a little tweaking it is going to sound amazing. There is plenty of bottom end and the bass drum is thumping thru the stage giving the backing singers quite a thrill when they sit on their chairs.

Flyering starts in earnest tomorrow and one final tech session from 10pm - 1am and then Friday we open.

More tomorrow...

Final Rehearsal

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 00:42:14 +0100

Today is the last rehearsal. The last opportunity to change the script and add even more gags and bonkers scenarios to entertain the masses in Edinburgh.

Never having been to the Fringe before we don’t know the dos or don’ts but a good show is a good show and we all believe in it. So let’s hope people turn up and join in the fun and everyone will have a great time.

We begin the journey to Scotland tonight. A 4hour drive up the M6 means we’ll stop-over in Garstang near Chorley with a shorter drive up to Edinburgh first thing on Weds morning.

Crikey... it’s all nearly here. 8 months of planning is about to kick-off.

Genuine Panic

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 17:42:44 +0100

Today there has been a wave of fear and panic spreading thru the Rex Roman camp.

Everyone is busily packing and getting ready for the trip to Edinburgh Festival. One final rehearsal with the cast tomorrow and then the long journey up to bonny Scotland begins.

The show opens in just 4 days and although it’s ready to go it is still a daunting prospect. The technical aspect of getting the show prepped in 20mins is giving the whole cast pre-show nerves.

On the good side though is the new podcast with a tune from the show is being posted today. Hooray!