Alternative punks Columbus are currently on the road with ROAM, having arrived from down under in support of their latest album Spring Forever. We caught up with guitarist/vocalist Alex Moses to hear his stories from the road, including why he had to play a show in his underwear…
Favourite thing about touring:
One of the best things about touring is waking up in a different city every day. It’s always an amazing experience being somewhere new every day, in new cities and meeting new people.
Least favourite thing about touring:
My least favourite thing about touring is probably coming home. Touring is a pretty immersive time, where each day you have a schedule and purpose. It’s an addictive lifestyle which sometimes home can’t really compare to.
Five essentials for the road:
Toothpaste, water bottle, good music, a sleeping bag and a bottle of whiskey.
Your favourite way to pass the time:
In the van we usually will take turns playing albums, listening to some different music. I also get a lot of study done in the van, smashing out a bit of uni work on the laptop always passes the time!
The Most…
Memorable moment:
Playing Soundwave in 2015 will always be a huge memory for me. It was such an overwhelming experience playing a stage so big and being able to open up such a huge national festival for alternative music.
Hilarious moment:
Just on this current UK tour, Dan (drums) lost a game called “odds” and had to clap and applaud the pilot of the plane on his landing. He started clapping and everyone else on the plane joined in!
Embarrassing moment:
Once I called in sick to work, back when I worked at McDonalds, because I had a gig that night. I mistakenly also invited my manager to McDonalds to the gig event on facebook. It was a pretty embarrassing next shift.
Outrageous moment:
On our 2015 tour with Real Friends and With Confidence, we had a bet over a game of pool, where the loser of the game had to play the set in their underwear. I was on a team with Josh from With Confidence, against Dan (Columbus) and Brian (Real Friends). Josh sunk the white ball, and I had to play the Canberra set of tour in my underwear.
Drunken moment:
I was out seeing some bands one night in Brisbane. I brought a flask of whiskey and also got a bunch of free beers from the bands. I got smashed watching bands and ended up leaving the venue, getting put in a cab by a police officer. I don’t remember any of this, but I woke up in a taxi suburbs away from my house, and ended up having a $181 taxi bill. Went to work the next day as well.
Rewarding moment:
Every night that someone comes up to us and says their songs have helped them out, or helped them get through a difficulty in their lives, is always so rewarding.
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Columbus are currently on tour with ROAM, catch them at one of their remaining dates:
November
Tue 22nd – NORWICH – Epic Studios
Wed 23rd – BRISTOL – Exchange
Thu 24th – LONDON – Underworld
Fri 25th – BRIGHTON – Patterns
Sat 26th – SOUTHAMPTON – Joiners
Sun 27th – DUBLIN – Fibber Magees
Mon 28th – GALWAY – Rosin Dubh (18+)
Tue 29th – BELFAST – Voodoo (18+)
The band’s latest album Spring Forever is out now on UNFD – check out their latest single Say What You Want below:
