IN THIS MOMENT guitarist Chris Howorth has issued the following update from Japan:

"Hello Believers!

I am writing from my hotel room in Osaka, Japan. This is our third day here and its been an exciting trip so far, we flew in two days ago and it was a hellish flight, after 10+ hours in a tiny seat with no air vents and some really nasty smelling food we arrived in Tokyo only to be stuck on the plane for an additional 45 minutes due to swine flu quarantine procedures. It was so bizzare; we likened it to the scene in E.T. when the govenment tents off the house and storm in with all the hazmat gear on, or the scene in Alien 3 when they show up to take Ripley off the planet, we are talking hazmat suits, face masks, goggles, gloves taped on, the works. They filmed us with an infra-red camera and questioned everyone (God help the poor bastard who flies to Japan with a stuffy nose or something).

Anyway, once we finally got to the hotel we ate and crashed hard. The next morning to our surprise we were greeted by a handful of fans at the hotel who had presents and stuff for us to sign, it was a great way to start the day. The first show in Tokyo was amazing it was packed out and the kids were so enthusiastic and made it a great first show. Afterwards we all went out to a traditional Japanese dinner that was terrific. The next day (today) we boarded the bullet train to Osaka, and after a two hour ride at over 100 mph we arrived at the Osaka train station and were met by more fans with presents and stuff for us to sign again. We never get used to this stuff, even in the States its wierd that fans show up for us and want pictures and autographs, but in Japan it's even more crazy (we are just normal every day nerds who happen to be in a band, why does anyone want our autographs? especially all the way over here). Once we arrive at the venue and sound check we head over to the hotel and are again met by half dozen fans with more presents and stuff.

Japan is so rad, the people are so kind and polite, and the music fans are die hard to say the least, it's an absolute pleasure and honor to be here. We are heading back to the venue in an hour for the show so I need to start getting ready to rock. I will write again and a couple of days and let you know how the rest of the shows go, I am pretty confident that Osaka will be awesome! Thanks for reading this rambling blog!"

Chris

The band's Japanese tour schedule is now as follows:

May

17 - Soma - Osaka, Japan
18 - Club Quattro - Nagoya, Japan
19 - Club Quattro - Tokyo, Japan