June 22, 2010 - submitted by Laurie, Canada

 

Q. Hey Oracle am completely hammered ... so what is your best hangover cure??? May need it... L

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Well of course Laurie I am going to say a few wise things first like... underage drinking is not a good idea. When you're of age it's not always a great idea either but hey, at the time we tell ourselves it is.

So, drinking alcohol responsibly and in moderation certainly reduces the chance of a bad hangover.

Other than that: don't mix your drinks, drink plenty of water in between and before you go to bed.

Assuming - as I am - that you've failed on all the above points my best hangover cure is a banana milkshake, 2 ibuprofen, a milk thistle tablet and a hair wash.

If that fails me I add a packet of salt & vinegar crisps to the mix and a can of cola.

But remember, prevention is the best cure...

June 22, 2010 - submitted by Natalie, United Kingdom

 

Q. Hi Oracle!

I was going through some old issues of the Coldplay e-zine and came across an article where "the riddle of 1560" was mentioned. Please enlighten me, what is it?

 

Thanks!

 

The Oracle replies:

 

In 2003 there was a Coldplay competition based on the opening lyric from Politik followed by the number 1560 on the back page of the AROBTTH tour programme.

Giles Greenwood (who also designed the programme as well as other merch items) came up with the idea that drove thousands of fans crazy. Very few people worked out the answer to the riddle which was asking what the significance of that number 1560 was.

 

It was all connected to how many days it had been from the first tour date to the end.

The Oracle replies:[/color]

.

my best hangover cure is a banana milkshake, 2 ibuprofen, a milk thistle tablet and a hair wash.

WHAT?!? Banana milkshake? Well, I suppose that could be a cure... if you're definition of "cure" is to simply vomit the remaining alcohol. :dozey:

Banana milkshake does help!I do that too.Bananas in general really.No idea why...energy food

June 21, 2010 - submitted by James, United States of America[/color][/b]

 

Q. Is the fifth member Phil really a dog?

If so, what kind?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Blimey where on earth did you hear that?? Phil is most certainly NOT a dog!

 

OMG!!! *ROFL* :laugh3::laugh3: Can't stop!

June 23, 2010 - submitted by Anna, United States of America

 

Q. Hello!

Before I tell you what's up, if you don't answer this, I'm going to assume that the answer is something I don't want to hear, and you don't want to announce to the world that the person in question did this....

There are very few things that will make me stop liking a band that I've loved for a long time, and lip-synching is one of them. On YouTube there is a video of the band Mew performing at some awards ceremony and it seems that Jonas is lip-synching. I don't know why he would do this because he is actually one of the best singers I've ever heard. Please tell me that someone dubbed the video and put the album version over the footage! I really hope this isn't real.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

You have to remember Anna that sometimes TV shows insist on miming to backing tracks so it's not always the artist's decision and some do refuse to appear if they can't play live.

 

The reasons for lip synching can be sometimes technical. It can be time consuming to mix the sound of many performers appearing on different stages for example; it's also easier.

 

Situations where the artist may prefer to mime are if they're also performing an energetic dance routine or they be feeling under the weather. I can't see Jonas from Mew needed breathing space from dancing so maybe in this case it was a decision forced upon them by the show.

June 23, 2010 - submitted by Agi, Hungary

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

 

Roadie 42 wrote on 3 June "greetings from Budapest". Does this mean he spent his 2 weeks break here in Hungary or the band worked/will work here, too by any chance? Secretly, of course:)

 

Thanks and greetings from Budapest,

Agi

 

 

The Oracle replies:

Roadie #42 was on vacation in Hungary; most of the band were also on holiday in various locations during that same time period.

June 23, 2010 - submitted by Rouz, France

 

Q. Hello dear Oracle, what do you think about this?

Have a nice day.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Awww that's very sweet of fans to care so much about a DVD but there are no plans to release one and in this case a petition can't change that decision... whether 714 signatures on it or 71400!

That's very touching to see though and I'm sure it's not the only one in existence.

June 23, 2010 - submitted by Rouz, France[/color]

 

Q. Hello dear Oracle, what do you think about this?

Have a nice day.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Awww that's very sweet of fans to care so much about a DVD but there are no plans to release one and in this case a petition can't change that decision... whether 714 signatures on it or 71400!

That's very touching to see though and I'm sure it's not the only one in existence.

:bigcry: Why the hell not?

I don't get it.

It would have been awesome to be able to relive the gigs with a proper DVD with good sound (and some extras maybe)...

:bigcry: Just like Anna said.. WHY?!!! :bomb:

 

They even engage a crew to film some shows so why spend money on this if this is not released?!!!

and what about Miller filming all kind of stuff backstage for a 'untitled project' and Matt WHitecross footage too??

 

The Twisted logic tour DVD nightmare all over again... :dozey:

Ahhh .... don't fret :D

 

Just remember what Miller said in the blog about songs ...

Sometimes 'proper' songs will be neglected over new ideas aso., so plans do change within very short time.

Even if they SAY there are no plans (YET?!?), that could be all different tomorrow ... :)

 

What about if they decide to make stuff downloadable for free again?! :confused:

Just a thought and even possible ...

 

Anyway, I'm with Anna, I would sooo love to relive all of it again :)

When I'm in a Viva concert mood I just watch their World Stage performance :tongue:

When I'm in a Viva concert mood I just watch their World Stage performance :tongue:

 

 

 

Me too, the "ooolalala's at the ending of The Scientist" always get me.:D

Even if I would absolutely love a dvd (with tour diary, please and thank you :P) I never actually got my hopes high.

I hope someday some of all the footage they recorded finds a way to us (as a dvd or something else).

June 24, 2010 - submitted by Als, United Kingdom

 

Q. Dear Oracle, I've got a stinking cold and I'm using a well-known cold remedy (I'm assuming I can't say the name of it?). You put a sachet in a cup, fill it with water and then drink. The instructions say use "hot, but not boiling water". Do you know why you can't use boiling water? Does it affect the ingredients in the sachet? And if that doesn't work, have you got any tips for what will make me feel better?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I'm gonna throw caution to the wind and say it's the same reason as not making coffee with boiling water; it burns!

It's actually a health & safety issue; they don't want any accidents occurring. The powder is slightly effervescent too and so boiling water could make its volume increase pretty quickly.

June 24, 2010 - submitted by Timo, Germany

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

World cup! Germany vs. England! Penalty? If you know everything, do you even know the winner of this "fight"?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I've said before I won't predict sporting events etc. as the bookies wouldn't be impressed with me... But once gain we meet our adversaries and it's sure to prove tense viewing.

The mood in the studio will be very interesting come Monday morning as Markus Dravs, who has been working with the band, is German. They all took a break to cheer on Germany, defeated by Serbia, last Friday but this time the loyalties are definitely split!

June 25, 2010 - submitted by Evey, United States of America

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

I know that in England you call cookies/crackers biscuits. What do you call biscuits that you eat for breakfast with butter or jam spread on?

Sincerely,

Evey!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It's just like your fries are our chips and your chips are our crisps... baffling!

What you call cookies we call biscuits but we have some biscuits that are cookies. Our crackers are generally used for cheese. We don't have a traditional breakfast biscuit that we spread butter or jam on? Unless you mean toast of course, because that's a very popular breakfast here.

June 25, 2010 - submitted by Reem, United Kingdom

 

Q. Are you happy about England's performance in the world cup?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Well I had been very vocal about my disappointment until Wednesday's game against Slovenia when they finally showed some skill, nerve and of course, a winning result. Let's hope they keep that up in the next round(s).

June 25, 2010 - submitted by Jeroen, Belgium

 

Q. In the live 2003 version of Yellow, who is playing the acoustic guitar? Because Jonny's playing the lead and Chris doesn't have a guitar.. Is it a recorded track maybe?

 

Jeroen

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It's not a pre-recorded backing track; it was Matt McGinn, Jonny's guitar tech and now author of Roadie . Chris asked him to play the guitar part from off stage which Matt writes about in his book from page 49.

June 25, 2010 - submitted by Jeroen, Belgium

 

Q. In the live 2003 version of Yellow, who is playing the acoustic guitar? Because Jonny's playing the lead and Chris doesn't have a guitar.. Is it a recorded track maybe?

 

Jeroen

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It's not a pre-recorded backing track; it was Matt McGinn, Jonny's guitar tech and now author of Roadie . Chris asked him to play the guitar part from off stage which Matt writes about in his book from page 49.

I can't wait to receive my copy of the book I ordered. Hopefully there are a lot more of those facts to read :)

June 25, 2010 - submitted by Jeroen, Belgium

 

Q. In the live 2003 version of Yellow, who is playing the acoustic guitar? Because Jonny's playing the lead and Chris doesn't have a guitar.. Is it a recorded track maybe?

 

Jeroen

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It's not a pre-recorded backing track; it was Matt McGinn, Jonny's guitar tech and now author of Roadie . Chris asked him to play the guitar part from off stage which Matt writes about in his book from page 49.

 

I've always wondered this! I assumed Johnny was playing through an Acoustic Pedal, then switching back to Electric.

 

Very cool!

June 28, 2010 - submitted by Esther, Netherlands

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

How do the guys and you feel after the game against Germany and did Markus Dravs survive watching it with all these English people around him?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

It turns out that Markus is quite torn between his homeland of Germany and the home he has made here in England but I guess that result couldn't be too bad either way for him. He didn't end up watching with the band by the way who were obviously disappointed with the final score but I have to say even though David James let 4 goals in, he had a a pretty hard job and the best team on the day won. Kudos to Germany!

June 28, 2010 - submitted by Siobhain, Australia

 

Q. I'm not sure if anyone else has told you this but the 'biscuit' referred to previously is what we'd be more likely to call a scone.

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ah, again a scone is totally different. We see that as an afternoon tea speciality here not a breakfast item...

This also answers someone's question of what to do in London. There are cheaper versions; this place is famous for it though.

June 28, 2010 - submitted by Jonathan, United States of America

 

Q. While Yellow was played during the Viva La Vida tour, giant yellow balls were released into the crowd. When the song was over, the yellow balls seemed to disappear. I would have thought that the crowd would have kept the balls bouncing. How is it that the yellow balls disappeared almost on cue?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

For those who didn't know, the yellow balls were actually balloons. They were initially bounced around the arenas/stadiums during the song. Although some were saved (or bravely attempted to be by some) most were popped to release their confetti. A couple made it back to the stage where Chris would pop them with his guitar on the final note.

June 28, 2010 - submitted by Jonathan, United States of America[/color]

 

Q. While Yellow was played during the Viva La Vida tour, giant yellow balls were released into the crowd. When the song was over, the yellow balls seemed to disappear. I would have thought that the crowd would have kept the balls bouncing. How is it that the yellow balls disappeared almost on cue?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

For those who didn't know, the yellow balls were actually balloons. They were initially bounced around the arenas/stadiums during the song. Although some were saved (or bravely attempted to be by some) most were popped to release their confetti. A couple made it back to the stage where Chris would pop them with his guitar on the final note.

 

 

 

And Here I sit on a daily basis wondering why my important question about "what kind of toothpaste they use" never gets answered.:P