Why Nick Mason’s “cottage industry” band plays just early Pink Floyd

Missing being on tour and exasperated by internal disputes, Nick Mason set out to tour small-scale venues with his band Saucerful Of Secrets in 2018. They’re mid-way through another world tour (Gary Kemp’s the main singer and one of the guitarists). He doesn’t miss the stadium circuit where “you need a golf cart to get from one side of the stage to the other” and they play only the early psychedelic Floyd material, from their first singles up to (but not including) the Dark Side of the Moon, which audiences are less inclined to want to be note-perfect versions of the records. And he talks mid-set about the origins of the songs and his memories of Syd Barrett and life at the time. This podcast looks back at the first live shows he saw and played himself and how Saucerful of Secrets came about. Which includes …
… Tommy Steele at the Hackney Empire - “I came straight from school in short trousers with my satchel”.
… seeing the Rolling Stones on a ‘63 package tour.
… performing Beatles songs at parties in Cuban heels and Oliver Goldsmith shades.
… playing the International Times launch party at the Roundhouse in ‘66 on the back of a cart.
…. early gigs at the Countdown Club, Regent Street Poly and the Albert Hall (with Alan Price and Peter & Gordon).
… the difference between Saucerful of Secrets and the stadium circuit - and the time Roger Waters played with them in New York.
… and the ‘60s demos of unreleased Floyd songs they’re hoping to add to the set.
Saucerful of Secrets tour dates here …
drive.google.com/file/d/1kjkh...
Buy tickets here …
myticket.co.uk/artists/nick-m...
Nick’s re-released solo albums here …
drive.google.com/file/d/1uwB_...
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[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I last saw Nick Mason play live (with Pink Floyd) in 1987 when I was sixteen and he was already a bit of an 'elder statesman of rock'. I'm now nearly 53 and am about to see him again. Extraordinary.

[@JJONNYREPP]

Why Nick Mason’s “cottage industry” band plays just early Pink Floyd 2344pm 14.5.24 the eternal Paul Carrick reference..... that guy is either a multi faceted genius re: bands he has pepped up during his multi faceted career - from the smiths to squeeze to mike and the mechanics.................................... or he was just knocking about the right studio at the right time... there is only one Paul Carrick, isn't there....?

[@kyanithuringen]

Mr Mason mit seinem wunderbar britischen Humor. Wir alle können froh sein, dass die Herren, welche alle fast bzw 80 Jahre sind, mental wie physisch noch so gut im Spiel sind, um uns allen den Genuss ihrer Musik zu bieten. Thank you Nik Mason, im Juli 2024 in Leipzig, Haus Auensee. Sea you Ladys and Gentleman!😘

[@Fog99horn]

"Clatter of zimmer frames in the mosh pit" - love it! Great interview.

[@andrewnagle4011]

Saw this fantastic band in Sheffield last year. Far, far better than Pink Floyd ever were.

[@growlerthe2nd712]

I’ve got tickets for the Albert Hall gig, I can’t wait 😃👍

[@SamCosentino]

Thank you, Nick, for playing the early PF stuff, which contains so many great pieces but had been grievously neglected.

[@BarleyC]

Great interview, and I love how KZbin's closed captioning refers to the band as "Nick Mason's sort of full of secrets" 🤣🛸 I was lucky enough to see the band play in Phoenix.

[@grahamcole1539]

Wonderful! Thank you guys.

[@JJONNYREPP]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/goHcep6oZaqYgJofeature=shared

[@_Ben4810]

I've always thought two guests who'd be so interesting on Word In Your Ear would be Tommy Steele & Marty Wilde. Those guys were there at the very beginning of the British pop music scene, & they're great & very talkative people.

[@alanwilliams1223]

I reckon Marty would be up for it, not sure about Tommy, he seems to want to put his 'rocking' years behind him and refuses to talk about them. Not surprising since he reckoned he gave Elvis a guided tour of London!.

[@sianwarwick633]

I would actually consider going to see this show. Guy Pratt and Gary Kemp and Nick Mason too

[@Oakenshield69]

Hurray Nick! Thanks guys!

[@alanwilliams1223]

Would be good to do an episode with Twink about his time with Stars and Syd.

[@stephenisip5008]

Wymans Rythum Kings were in the same early format. Have they not thort about exploring Syds solo albums?

[@GutsGrizzle]

Great interview. Please do something, anything on NICK DRAKE.. Cheers

[@WordInYourEar]

Your wish is our command!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqKQpZSVg6iImaM - Alex

[@GutsGrizzle]

@@WordInYourEar cheers.. You're a diamond

[@IThinkYouLookLarvely]

I've set the controls for the heart of York next month (sorry, that's a bit corny).

[@peterdixon7734]

Pink Floyd was The Nick Mason Band - Nick was the only person to be constantly in the band, whereas Gilmour was out briefly around 1981, Wright was out at other times and Waters left after The Final Cut.

[@Smudgie]

Gilmour only joined after Sid started going AWOL in mind and body.

[@mikec32001]

Gilmour was not out, however briefly, in 1981.

[@peterdixon7734]

@@mikec32001 I distinctly recall that he did The Final Cut as a non-member. I will try to look it up somewhere.

[@mikec32001]

@@peterdixon7734No need Peter, honestly. It’s not true.

[@peterdixon7734]

@@mikec32001 Either way, the original proposition that Pink Floyd is the Nick Mason Band stands, as Gilmour was a latecomer and did not join until Syd started to have difficulties. Masonites advance and attack!

[@muffinman9462]

PLAY DUBLIN PLEASE !!!!!