Today, Edinburgh based keyboard player Venom "Fingers" Carter, talks about home rehearsals, Inkysmudge commuting and the new band line-up...

It's been 3 months since the last date of the European Tour, and as the backing tracks and samples were created by Inky and myself, it was easier to attempt cross border rehearsals, as everything was always going to be in time/sync, and it was just a matter of a few face to face rehearsals to blend it all together with the majesty of Inky's voice.

When Inky asked me to once again embellish the new line-up with my keys, I thought long and hard about the logistics of rehearsing to play with a band who's human inconsistencies (compared to that of a metronome!) really place the emphasis on being in the same room at the same time and creating that musical bond, understanding their idiosyncrasies to ensure that the overall sound is punchy, epic and not cluttered, but then, all things considered, how could I pass up the chance to work with Inky again?!?!

I've been playing music with Inky in various bands/styles since moving to London in late 2005, and developed a strong rapport and friendship, both on and off the stage, we share a musical vision and a sense of humour, so when he decided to go solo, I was keen to be involved, despite the distance of my new home town of Edinburgh.

So....the rehearsal mp3's arrive and I slowly familiarise myself with the music, the songs I know already, having played them endlessly as part of Inky's quality control "brain trust", but with new musicians comes new stylings, so it was important for me to hear how they played as a four piece, in order for me to find my space...3 weeks after doing this, the time was right to begin my commute...

Edinburgh lies 408 miles north of London, so driving and train weren't really viable options for a short weekend journey, having procured a solid flight case for my Keyboard whilst in Aachen on the European tour, I placed it in the good hands of BA on a Friday night, and was in London, and the welcoming accomodation of Inky, by 10pm Friday night.

What followed (apart from the obligatory dvd watching (The Rutles and Springsteen!), and chatting 'til some godforsaken hour was a 2 day long rehearsal (or so it felt).

A new drummer and second guitarist had been brought on board (Plamen and Nasko respectively), this Bulgarian power duo, have given Inky's music a further lease of life, Plamen, tall and laid back, with a drumming style similar to that of Mick Fleetwood, laying strong foundations for Inky's intimately widescreen musical approach, Nasko providing intricate, soulful and sometimes mind blowing guitar parts, allowing the songs to soar higher then before.

Helping to build the foundations along with Plamen, was a familiar face in the form of Antonis Mikelis, this Greek, Jesus lookalike, played with both Inky and myself in our previous band, and brings technical excellence along with musical eccentricity (and newly added backing vocals) to complete and compliment the writing and musical vision of Inky.

I'm not going to be so bold and do a John Landau and say "I've seen the future of rock 'n' roll and his name is INKYSMUDGE", but what I will say is this, you will be hard pushed to find a harder working, more entertaining, well crafted and enthusiastic band playing live this year, the songs are strong, the music engaging, and the performance and camaraderie entertaining, it would be a tragedy if you failed to catch their live show when they come to a venue near you...

Due to the distance involved I may not be at every live show, but I consider myself lucky to be invited along for the ride.....

Venom.