"The AA got our tour on the road again"

When I was in a band called Last Man Down, we did our first UK tour in 2004 to promote our recently released single "Killing Time".

Late one night after a gig in Epping, Essex we decided to stop in this rather posh looking road and get some sleep in the car. (We weren't up there with The Rolling Stones, so we couldn't even afford a B&B let alone a 5-star hotel suite each.)

We got out to stretch our legs a bit before settling down for the night. Unfortunately, when we got back to the car we discovered that the drummer - who had been driving - had left the keys in the ignition and we were locked out. As I was with the AA I called them up and we set about waiting for them to arrive.

Luckily the boot was open, so I grabbed the one and only sleeping bag, put it on the pavement and got into it. I was so exhausted that I didn't even moan when the guitarist climbed in with me!

Anyway, the next thing I knew it was light and a smartly dressed businessman with an expensive looking briefcase was stepping over us. What he must have thought when he saw two young guys cuddled up together in a sleeping bag I've know idea! We got up and found the drummer and bassist asleep in the back of the car. The AA had come while we were asleep and opened it. The other two thought it would be funny just to leave the guitarist and me out on the road while they got the comfort of the back seat.

Sadly the band split up in 2010, but I've formed a production team called The Treatment so I'm still in the business. Although I don't miss touring!

Mike Richardson, AA Member