There are times when playing in a band when things click. You're not doing anything different. You're not playing any different. and for a moment you feel like a band playing as one, playing the song, feeling the song. We had a little bit of that last night with a reprise of 'Black Holes don't Eat Everything'. We toughened up the chorus and took the song into arena territory. It really sounded and felt like a Magic Ship anthem. 3+ minutes of lighter waving energy. Excellent. The PA in the rehearsal room is dying. We have been using it for 18 months or so. We're pretty good at getting a sound out of it. Last night it sounded very bad. Let's hope that is fixed up pretty soon. Ad's amp is going home, crackling and buzzing, it's not well. It means a) he gets to get a new amp...woohoo! b) he has to buy a new amp...boooo!.

We actually had a break for tea last night. Shared out the recently printed flyers so we can all get to passing them round and putting them in the right places. Also filled out the agreement for the 6th September Brentford Festival.

Magic Ship have been chosen to perform at this year's Brentford Festival in front of an estimated 10,000 festival goers.

Keep 6th September free and get yourself over to West London to see Magic Ship in the open air.

More details to follow.

Received delivery today of the latest batch of Magic Ship flyers and posters for the shows this Summer. Clubhouse Twickenham. Half Moon Putney. Brentford Festival. We're in rehearsal putting together a brand new set featuring the new songs and Magic Ship classics.

We all know by now that Monday night is rehearsal night. I switched back to the Alden Les Paul. The Squier now doesn't quite cut it. The Alden has real girth to the sound and delivers more crunch than distortion. It continues to be an excellent guitar. Dave trialled hi new Hi Hats - I think they were Paiste 2002 Sound Edge. He was enjoying playing them and they sounded good.

Next week is down to real business as we hone the set for the upcoming Summer tour. You know we haven't had a tea break for two weeks! That's how hard Magic Ship rock for you. Yes, you.

An evening at Airplay Studios cleared out the cobwebs, after all it's been about six weeks since we played together. After time off and the Mark Baker photo shoot it was time to do the thing we do third best - write some new material. We tidied up 'Two in the Coals and One in the Flames' which is now very good. It has shape and dynamics and a singable bass hook which we love. We are also coming close to finishing 'Three Chords and The Truth', with some tidying up this will be a solid song. Brand new last night were 'Life on the Road Needs a Steady Hand', a song based on the writings of Poker Legend Johnny Hughes. A proper Shipper of a song. We are also getting our fingers around one from Ad called 'Staggering Home'. It's a dirty rock and roll number, you'll like it. We'll be playing most if not all of these new songs in our upcoming summer shows.

11th July, Clubhouse, Twickenham
22nd August, Halfmoon, Putney
6th September, Brentford Festival (TBC)
25th September, Clubhouse, Twickenham

More details to follow.

Tickets for Magic Ship at the Half Moon, Putney are now available. Support will be from the excellent Trick Noise Makers. Get tickets online while there are still some left. http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=329268&interface=halfmoon

Magic Ship are featured on the podcast this week over at http://rock-til-you-drop.blogspot.com/2009/05/rock-til-you-drop-rock-til-you-drop.html

Toby of Rock-til-You-Drop fame picks an often overlooked track from our LoveTel Motel album 'Black Holes Don't Eat Everything'. Nice to hear it with some fresh ears. Get yourself over there.