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Touring with S4B

AFGHANISTAN

‘Smiling for a Warlord'

Kabul Weekly

With suitcases full of special effects, pyrotechnics and with gigantic root vegetables in tow, Smiling For Beginners hit Kabul for a full tour of the country to launch their debut CD – Naked Pumpkins . On the 17 th of this month Smilers will play in Kabul's exclusive Chicken Street – with the venue advertised through this website (two hours before start time) and through the ANSO - an Afghan security advisory service - security briefing email update list. With a contingent of ISAF – the local international security force in Afghanistan - soldiers reciting and harmonising traditional Pashtu poetry barber shop style, as a part of the act, this promises to be a big one. Other gigs include: the Dostum (ex-warlord's) 100 bed hospital in Sherbrakhan city, Jawzjan; the Bamyan Buddah Guest house, Bamyan and the bomb shelters of a number of UN compounds (flack jackets available at the door).

US of A

'S4B Stranded: by George'

The Washington post

With the patriot act in full effect there have been many people stranded in Airports all across America. This has mainly occurred to potential terrorist elements – Afghans, Pakistanis, Iranians, Palestinians, West Papuans, Cambodians, Colombians, Cubans – and basically anyone who would be unlikely to vote for the Bush administration. However, The President – George Bush's ex-class mate G Dubya Clothes Painter and the effervescent Roderic Fester have been left high and dry at the airport – unable to enter the country for their 25 date tour of the West and East Coasts. The duo – known as Smiling for Beginners , fell out with the current administration after Time Magazine published an article with G Dubya Clothes Painter two weeks ago. Subsequently, one source close to the President told the White House have told the Washington Post “ we'll never let them on American soil. They have soiled the good name of our president and no longer will we stand for this type of blasphemy”.

As for their side in this controversy S4B have declined to (or have been unable to, due to being still stuck in the airport – 10 days after being knocked back from entry) talk to US media, instead posting this message on their website:

“Help! Alexander – please save us. Sure we have mocked you in the past, but surely you can forgive and forget. Please save us from these crazy Americans! There is nothing to eat in this airport except for bucket sized coke and Wendy's, McDonalds or Burger King cholesterol Burgers. The honourable Mr Downer, I know we didn't go to the same school as you or even wear the same brand stockings, but you are our only hope.”

All tickets to S4B US gigs are fully refundable. Please see your local promoter for further details.

AUSTRALIA

‘Smilers Play Croydon RSL'

The Croydon Leader: 1 February 2005

Smiling for Beginners will do a cabaret version of their latest album – Naked Pumpkins – at Croydon RSL this Tuesday night. This exciting gig in the middle of Croydon was the brainchild of local RSL manager Jack ‘Bluey' Thompson. Bluey described his club's passion for the band: “Well you know SFB have a very special place in our heart. Roderic went to school here for a few years and I guess we like to think of him as our favourite son.”

Cabaret is a new format for the dynamic duo, but they look forward to the challenge: “We're excited about this gig. We've been inspired by our recent P&O Funstar pleasure cruise – quality cabaret all round. We've taken the cruise ship cabaret formula and applied it to the RSL setting – this is really revolutionary stuff. If it goes well we'd like to tour this version of the show throughout rural Victoria. That's the dream anyway” G Dubya enthused.