Articles : The Ocean Tour Diaries – Part 3

It’s early in the morning. We have a sizeable trailer attached to our touring van. Inside it is lighting equipment, instruments and boxes full of merchandise. Robin is standing on top of the luggage, which is stacked from back to front. He is searching for something right at the back and grumbling about how they are always at the very back. Part of the crew are watching. “What are you looking for?” we yell.

Navigating an early morning. (Photo by Mark Hoffmann)

“My glasses,” says Robin finally hopping out of the trailer. For a conceptual mastermind he has his moments. Everyone is in good spirits after having a refreshing night’s sleep. The simple rejuvenation does wonders. The weather is warm and the sun is shining. We’re on the way to Byron Bay. Robin tells a story from the previous night. A friendly run in with the Brisbane Police Department. Robin, Martin (a local friends of Robin’s) and Paul went out to explore the streets of Brisbane, which to Robin were quite astounding. “I’ve never seen so many people who looked escort hookers and drunk in the street. It was great” The trio wanted to drink their whiskey outside, which local Martin had told them was completely okay to do.

People gather from far and wide to witness Pelagial (Photo by Mark Hoffman)

Within minutes Martin and Paul have been apprehended by policemen who Robin described as “frustrated old cops.” Robin broke ahead to seek sanctity in a nearby 711. Alas he too was sprung. The trio were taken to the station and placed in a rubber cell. They were disappointed that the policemen would not even let them take a selfie. They received a fine of $113 each and were forced to sneak back into The Brightside to drink the remaining bottle of liquor on their rider.

Seriously epic. Robin looks as if he has become one with his own creation. (Photo by Mark Hoffmann)

The production at The Brightside was the best of the tour so far with the multimedia presentation working synonymously with the music. The imagery of an angelic woman being pulled down into the depth of the ocean progresses with great impact. The sinister riffs expel a grim incantation throughout the air. Brisbane received a complete theatre style production with the comfy booths and ornate railing of The Brightside working in favour for the band. It was night of great times. The performance was filmed from two interesting point of views. We have an image that came from a lens fixed to Robin’s guitar neck. Totally cool.

Photo by Mark Hoffmann

Watching The Ocean sound check is always interesting. They are almost militant in their execution of it. Pauls practice regime sees some eclectic expression. Percussive grooves fly from the PA for periods of twenty minutes. He even eats his dinner while on the kit, maintaining a beat with his feet. On the topic of dinner we ate quite grandly. Trays of beef stroganoff and pasta bakes are laid out and the vigour is high. There’s some great photos of people enjoying themselves shot by Mark.

Phwaor! (Photo by Mark Hoffmann)

Chris will spend a while strumming out powerful chords to test the durability of the speakers. It was sounding absolutely monstrous in Brisbane, but alas! Due to sound restrictions we were forced to turn down. The Ocean’s sound technician Jay was the one to break it to Chris. Who was perplexed.

“What do you mean we have to turn it down?”

There is a moment that has been recurring across each date of the tour. It’s absolutely powerful. I feel it is quintessential, perhaps even the greatest revelation into the vastness of The Ocean when the room falls silent and Loic’s screams reverberate through its walls. The weight is powerfully and accentuated. An un-tamed Lion’s roar. The sound envelops everything.

Photo by Mark Hoffmann

Tonight’s show is a free show in Byron Bay. Riding on the waves of the current success of the tour we will see you at The Great Northern tonight. If you have a friend who lives there send them a message and let them now. Right now.

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