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Lush
Encounters and Stories
Accounts written by Lush fans about their first-hand experiences meeting the band members and
going to Lush shows, offering a more authentic perspective than
stories in the press; also some recollections from family members. Some
of these were submitted directly to me, and others I found on the web. Common themes in many of these
accounts: Lush were
extremely cool, genuine, kind, funny, humble people; Chris' tragedy
hit many fans very hard; Lush is fondly remembered and
deeply missed.
| Well, I've actually met Emma three times.
The first was at the Luminaire in Kilburn, the first
Sing-Sing show I went to. I actually just said hello to her.
On that occasion I had a long chat with Lisa. I was quite
nervous about meeting Emma, as I've been a fan for so long.
I think she wasn't feeling well on that day, because we
literally just said hello to each other, and there were
loads of other people around vying for her attention.
The second time I met her was last summer
at that show with Robin Guthrie. I went up to her when she
arrived outside the venue and introduced myself. I thought
she probably wouldn't remember me from the Luminaire, as it
was really dark inside. We actually ended up talking about
the weather, as it was really hot that day!
The third time I met her was at her house.
You know that Lush logo, the pink round thing on the front
of Lovelife? She was selling it on eBay! Except, I didn't
know she was the seller! It was pickup only and the seller
lived in Cricklewood, London, so I did wonder at the time if
she might be the seller, who else would have one! Anyway, no
one else even bid on it, so I got the item! I was really
delighted when I found out she was the seller! I was quite
nervous about meeting her, so I was glad I'd met her a few
weeks earlier at that show because it didn't seem quite so
nerve wracking. Actually, it was really nice to meet her
that way because I was able to have a long conversation with
her....Anyway, she's a really
lovely person. She made me a
cup of tea, how many people can say that a celebrity they
really admire has done that!
- Jen G. of
PVSG |
|
Note for my
cousin Chris, who was my hero and inspired me to get into
the drums (still got his old kit from very early Lush days)
note to all who were at the memorial in Kendal last year and
saw my sketch band play alongside the other much more
credible punk bands (nice lyrics Larger) and prime drumming
Kez. Still think about you often Chris and always
appreciating your magic drumming on De-luxe, miss our
Christmas japes too. Nice to see there are still Lush fans
remembering.
-
Thomas Acland |
| .....I got the [subway poster of the
Split album cover] at their gig at Prince's old Glam Slam club. The
speakers blew out after about the fourth song and
I guess the band and the band's management felt bad so they
started handing out goodies like CDs, promos, posters,
shirts and food and drink from their dressing room to the
people in the pit. When the band found out that the PA
system wasn't going to be able to be fixed that night, they
rescheduled the concert for the following night. I was cool
with that because that meant another night of Lush and I got
the subway poster. Plus, I met Miki the following night and
bought her a beer. She was at the back of the club, I think
with a bodyguard, but the bodyguard wasn't right on top of
her. Anyway, she was checking out the opening band, That Dog
(the night before, Weezer opened) and I just went up to her
and gave her a beer and told her I really love the band and
she and Emma were the reason why I started playing guitar.
She was sweet about it.
Anyway, flash forward a couple years
later. Lush is at the Tower Records on Sunset Blvd in West
Hollywood and they're doing an in-store concert and signing
for Lovelife afterwards--for 100 fans. I get there early in
the morning, get my wristband that ensures me I can get in
later that night and show up around 9pm with the 99 other
fans. The gig is amazing—I was upfront, eye-level and they
did about 5 songs. Afterwards, we all get in a line and make
our way to a long table where all four band members are
signing things the fans bought. That's where I got that
poster signed. Emma and Phil were pretty quiet, smiled and
said hello. Chris and Miki were great though. They joked
around with me and then I said something stupid to Miki
like, "Miki, do you remember me? I was the guy who bought
you a beer at Glam Slam on the second night while you were
checking out the opening act."
Then Chris said, "Yeah, and now he wants
you to pay him back, so pay up you miser." Of course, the
band laughed—it was a great moment for me because I loved
the band so much.
Of course, the sad part was that I heard
over the radio one night that Chris was found dead the day
before. The news hit me like a ton of bricks. So depressing.
- Michael A |
| One of the best moments in my life
(music-related or otherwise! LOL) was when Miki replied to
my
interview questions for my music fanzine Stratosphere
way back in 1994. I had noticed that Lush was going to play
the Trocadero in Philadelphia, and I couldn't go to the
show, so I dashed off a hand-written letter of questions for
the band members, with a cover letter to the club, and sent
it, hoping that somehow it would reach the band.
Over three months went by without a reply,
and to be honest, I was hoping for a reply, but not
expecting one. Then one day I opened my mailbox and found a
mysterious envelope with stamps from Finland, and my heart
skipped a beat - and then, upon opening said envelope, I
actually screamed out loud in amazement (and I am not a
demonstrative person, under normal circumstances), because
lo and behold, it was my question list for Lush, and it was
filled out all over with Miki's hand-writing! If that wasn't
enough of a thrill, Miki had also enclosed a few photos from
their tour! Ah, I remember it all like it was yesterday..."
- Jen of
Stratosphere Fanzine Yahoo Group |
|
I started dating a
girl in June, 1996. She knew I was a HUGE Lush fan,
and she surprised me with tickets to the [Asylum in
Toledo, Ohio] show on August 24th. My birthday is August
25th, and this was my 25th birthday present! I'd been to
the Asylum (a theatre converted to a large dance club)
several times, so I was very excited to see them for the
third time, in a local setting. The Eels opened for them
(they were great, BTW), and when Lush came on, there
simply was only 100 or so people there (maybe 150.) I
was able to stand about 15 feet away from center stage,
with everyone clear as day, right in front of me. The
best part for me was how they sounded exactly like they
did on their albums - they really played well. The
girlfriend is now my wife (of almost 10 years) and to
this day, she said that of all of the many concerts
she'd seen, that the Lush show was definitely one of the
best. It will always be very special to me, and knowing
that they only played a few shows after that intimate
experience, makes it all the more incredible to me. I'm
certain that my first birthday present from my wife will
always be the best.
- Steve Molloy (Orri~) |
| I caught Lush live twice, met Miki at
the bar and said "would you like a drink" she said
"yeah..” then "no, f**k it , I’ll buy you one." I said
"No!" Anyway I got her and Emma a pint of cider, Chris
came over and said Hello and they said thanks for your
support, hugged me, and went off to finalize the gig.
And they were ACE!!!! Saw Miki after the gig and she
shouted, "Enjoy?" and I shouted "Amazing" and it was
thumbs up and waves! Just nice people with a talent, I
always remembered what a down to earth normal bunch they
seemed... I don’t think they realized how good they
actually were. |
|
....I was fortunate enough to interview her
for a magazine I used to write for, and I got to spend the
afternoon with Phil and Emma. (I didn't get pictures with
them) She was extremely nice and really cool to the fans
after the show. (I got my stuff signed then.).....I don'
have the interview anymore--Orbit Magazine was a monthly
free magazine on newsprint. We went out of business in 2000.
I wish I'd saved the tape.....
I don't remember a lot of the questions,
but I do remember asking them about touring with the Goo
Goo Dolls--specifically, why were they doing it--it
seemed like the wrong mix of bands. Miki responded that
they were talked into it by the record company and would
have rather toured with Elvis Costello, because the
crowds would have been more receptive. That's why she
signed the set list for me "We've come on tour by
mistake"
|
|
I
met them all at a concert back in 1993 in support of Spooky.
Miki was nice, as was Phil - he's sexy if I may say so
myself. LOL
- Raz |
| I saw Lush 8/31/96 at the Trocadero
in Philadelphia. It was only my third concert ever I
think. I didn't know much about Lush, someone said they
were good and I was aching to see any concert I could at
the time. I had only heard a few songs from Lovelife and
thought they were good so I figured what the heck.
Being only 16 years old I had to beg
my parents to drive me there. They didn't want to
because it was a school night I think. But I made up a
story and said I won tickets on the radio and couldn't
turn down an offer like this and they finally caved in.
If they hadn't I don't think I would have ever forgave
them!
The opening band was the Eels and they
were really cool, I always thought so. We waited for
Lush to take the stage for over an hour and everyone
thought something was wrong. Seems Miki had a case of
diarrhea. Before the last song before the encore (Ladykillers)
she said would again rush again to the toilet.
I remember the show like it was
yesterday. The atmosphere, the lighting, the music was
ethereal. It was what Lush did best. It was the only
show I've ever been to where I felt intoxicated in the
music and not on a chemical substance.
I craved more Lush in the months after
the show and was hoping they'd tour again. Then you know
what happened. Kinda forget about them for a year or two
after that and focused on other bands, but eventually I
returned to Lush's music more than ever. Especially when
music in general went downhill in '98 or so.
But when I look back at all the
concerts I ever saw, and there were MANY, this was
probably the best with a few close seconds. It is
something I will never forget. |
|
I saw them thrice in
94 at Manchester Uni (I think) and 96 at Liverpool
Lomax and Manchester again and I spoke to Miki, I
was a bit drunk and I think I bought her a pint of
cider, she was very gracious, I think Chris was
around too at Manchester but a mixture of cider and
the years have made it all a bit muggy. Three of my fave gigs ever though! Great Memories.
- Andy Von Pip of the
VPME blog
and
We Miss Miki website |
| I'm old enough to have seen Lush live twice. The first time was (if I remember well) at the Pavillon de la
Danse
(Paris: I'm French) circa 990. Miki didn't have red hair at that time but was prettiest
than
ever... I was standing at first row, I know what I'm telling you about! Steve Rippon was
playing bass that year, a few weeks after "Gala" release. I was dazzled by this show, it helps
me
to recall how good their music was (that's why we were there, after all). The second Lush gig I went to
occurred at the New Morning club in
1994 I think. I can remember Miki Berenyi coming through the audience straight from
the
bar (did anyone notice her there?) to the stage, walking quietly with a thoughtful
expression on her face (AND red hair), she looked the more concentrated. They played their last
album plus older Guthrie-produced material. No one jumped at her neck when she was coming
amongst us (we were no more than 50 or 100), this was no time anymore for any kind of
phoney Beatlemania. Nice. it was a stab on my heart when I've heard the unexpected
and
tragical end of Chris Acland two years or so later. |
|
At the Lush show
at Maxwell's I got the set list signed. I was standing in
front of Emma, and it was real easy to get the list. After
their set, they just hung around the club, talking to fans,
signing things, having pictures taken - it was great! Miki
is definitely the most outgoing. I don't think that there
was one person there that she didn't say something to! Miki
does have a cool attitude... Miki and Emma are both
incredible song writers.
-
Aaron |
The remaining accounts come from
Starlust's Lush Page. Although I can't vouch for their
authenticity, but
there are some great stories here, especially the one from Chris'
sister-in-law. I left the
names since they were already published.
A couple years ago, on the Spooky tour, I followed
Lush around Italy and Germany (as best I could, mind you!) At one
show in Germany, the opening band were complete crap. They were
using an accordion to complement their guitars! While I was remarking
to myself about the nauseating qualities of this band, I looked over
and Miki was standing right next to me, looking as confused as I
was. I said to her, "Whatever you guys do, don't use an accordion."
she replied, "It's fucking dreadful, isn't it?!" Then we smoked a
cigarette and she thanked me for coming all the way from Italy to
see them.
During the show, one of my t-shirts got ripped off, so after the
show, I caught Miki just as she was going to the back and asked her
since I came all this way and my shirt got nicked, could she give me
a rebate? She came back out with TWO shirts, and Emma's guitar
picks! I'll never forget that Lush rule.
|
|
Did you know that Miki is the
computer type but she only plays game I know this
because I saw an interview with her in Amiga power! She
also wears black knickers I know this because when I
last went to see them she got the guitar caught on her
skirt and it came right up. That's all I got to say.
-Stuart Dawson.
|
| I'm Ruth Acland, Chris' sister-in-law. I'm married
to his older brother Francis.
I don't know what to say, except that I decided to see if Lush was
still around, or if they had anything to say about Chris that I
somehow haven't already heard about.
I last saw my dear brother-in-law May of '96, when we were visiting
England after my father's death. Chris seems alright to me; I hadn't
an inkling there were any problems. He was always such a sweet
brother-in-law to me, and he paid me the single biggest compliment
when he said he wanted to marry someone like his 'sister-in-law'.
For once I had done something right in my life, and I totally
approved of Grace. She was a sweet girl and I thought 'this might be
the one'.
We used to receive postcards from Chris from all over the United
States and the world. Of course, I still have those postcards. They
were always cheerful and upbeat, but he did speak a lot about being
tired and always seeming to be in a hurry.
Anyway, I decided to check up on Lush or Chris on the internet, to
see if there are any clues as to why he did what he did, or what the
source of his unhappiness was. Francis and I invited him to stay
here with us in Iowa if he needed to get away for a while. He was
always welcome to stay with us; Chris had his special 'open door'
policy here at our old Iowa farmhouse. However, he did stay with us
for about a week in the autumn of '92. I first met him at our old
place, another old farm house, and we were immediately bonded as
family.
I will always miss Chris. He was a sweet friend and fun uncle. I
wish I knew what more I could have done for him, or if there were
any signs that things were wrong. I wish desperately that he was
still around. He is sorely missed by his sister-in-law.
-Love, Ruth Acland
|
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The reason I'm writing this however, is that your
page reminded me of when I saw them at the 9:30 club (here in
Washington D.C.). In between songs Miki changed guitars and asked
the crowd, "Do any of you use the Internet?" A bunch of ppl boo'ed
and then she said, "Neither do we, it's a bloody joke, it's a waste
of time."
You might not believe me, but she really did say it... It freaked me
out when I heard it, being a net-citizen, myself... But the show was
still great :)
- Unknown.
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I was at an amusement park and I met Miki. She signed my jeans and I
asked her to marry me. That's it. My life's really pathetic?
-Mike Bowers |
If you have any Lush stories you would like to
share, please contact me and I will be
happy to include them on this page!
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