Unique Feat

And, after documenting, filming and photographing everything which took place during the unique feat, everyone involved is keeping their fingers crossed they have done enough to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.

The full line-up included Steven Evansson and Joseph Short plus Andrew ‘Mushroom’ Vowles on decks, Clive Deamer who plays drums with Portishead and Robert Plant, and Jon Head on stand-up double base.

They took off from Virgin Balloon Flights’ launch site at Royal Victoria Park in Bath, North East Somerset, at around 8pm after causing a major spectacle by cramping all manner of instruments, wires and recording equipment into the basket.

Cruising quickly up to several thousand feet in the 16-man balloon, the musicians jammed and tested their equipment before getting down to business. They recorded the catchy track in icy conditions at 6,000ft and played other songs as the balloon descended.

The balloon finally landed gently in a friendly farmer’s field near Westbury, Wiltshire, at around 9.10pm.

Complete Success

Future Music editor, Oz Owen, who first came up with the idea as part of a feature on extreme recording, to coincide with a re-launch of the magazine, said the attempt couldn’t have gone better.

“I thought it was awesome. It was a complete success and everything went according to plan,” he said

“The track they recorded was fantastic. I can’t believe The Girls are not superstars already, but who knows what the future holds for them now.

“Mushroom did some sterling work on the decks as usual – the man’s a natural.”

Oz thanked everyone who helped to make the attempt such a success.

About VBF pilot Nobby, he said: “I think he was exceptional. He was clearly in complete control. He was very professional and understood that we had a job to do, no matter how ridiculous it was.”

Performed Brilliantly

Steve of The Girls said: “The weather was perfect and the band of our esteemed guests performed brilliantly even without any altitude training.

“Nobby the pilot and the Virgin Balloon Flights crew worked like a well oiled machine and did everything they could to help us record our track and break the record. They were very much a part of the team, as were our friends at Future who made it all possible.

“We all had one of the best days we’ve ever had and we’ve got a really good song out of it as well.”

Nobby, who has 16 years of experience as a commercial hot air balloon pilot and flies from VBF’s launch sites across the South West of England and South Wales, said the record attempt was an unbelievable experience.

“I was delighted that everything came together,” he said. “The sound of the great music breaking the silence and reverberating off the balloon envelope was amazing.

“It was fantastic being involved and meeting some of my music heroes in the process.”

Beautiful and Unbelievable

Mushroom, who has played huge stadium concerts and world tours but never scratched records in a balloon before, said it was a “beautiful and unbelievable experience” which he’d love to repeat.

“The balloon was ‘rocking’ with the music. It was the perfect little gig. That’s what you get with accomplished musicians, they are going to make it work,” he said.

“It’s got me ready for the project I’m working on at the moment. It has taken all the stress away. I can go back into the studio with a clear mind again.”

The Girls’ track ‘What I Did Today’ can be downloaded free from their website at www.thegirls.tv

For press enquires please call Virgin Balloon Flights PR & Marketing Account Manager Alex Ferguson on 01952 212760
or email alexf@virginballoonflights.co.uk

'To experience a breathtaking Virgin Balloon Flight yourself click here.'

All pictures by Joby Sessions - Future Music