logo
Rock star offers support to Scots brothers rowing across Pacific

Rock star offers support to Scots brothers rowing across Pacific

Rhyl Journal4 days ago
Michael Balzary – better known by his stage name, Flea – is the bassist for Red Hot Chili Peppers, and is the latest celebrity to back Scottish brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean.
On Sunday, the brothers marked 100 days of their non-stop, unsupported row from Peru to Australia in a bid to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar.
The entire trip will be around 9,000 miles, and the Macleans are expected to complete their challenge within the next 20-30 days.
Celebrities including actor Mark Wahlberg, rugby star Blair Kinghorn, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and actor and comedian Greg Hemphill have also backed the brothers.
Ahead of the 100-day mark, Flea spoke with the brothers via a podcast, where they bonded over the challenge and revealed how living with your brothers or bandmates can lead to difficulties.
Flea, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, said: 'For us … (the Chili Peppers) we were together and touring for 10 years before we started becoming a really popular band and really making money.
'Without those 10 years, if that would have happened in the beginning, we would have fallen apart right away.
'I think it's really rare … Like, if you hear about a young artist that puts out their first record and they're a big success — very, very rarely do they continue on having a career that works. Something about just paying your dues.
'Like you already rode across the Atlantic (the brothers completed this voyage in 2019). But I'm sure before you did that, you did a million little trips where you learned how to do it. Learned what it is to be stuck on a boat with each other for months.
'There's days when we f***ing hate each other. And that's when it's really hard. When you can live together and everyone's getting along, it's this magical thing — you're this travelling entity and it's all love.'
The brothers' 28ft (8.5m) carbon fibre boat, Rose Emily, is named in memory of their late sister.
It has no engine and no sail and the brothers are powering their way across the ocean in two-hour shifts.
They left Peru in March on a mission to reach Australia and raise £1 million for clean water projects.
While speaking with Flea, Lachlan spoke of how he was washed overboard during a violent storm. Lachlan, who turned 27 while rowing the Pacific, said he was 'lucky' to be attached to his boat by a safety line during 40mph (64kmh) winds and 6m (20ft) waves last week.
He was dragged along behind the craft before his brother Ewan, 33, was able to help him to scramble back on board.
Flea also spoke about what drives him to keep performing after more than four decades with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
He said: 'There's definitely times when I'm running on fumes and I've got nothing. We've been doing this for 43 years or something. And you know, our performance is really physical. I try to stay in the best shape I can. But for me, emotionally, the whole thing is, I'm doing this to be of service.
'I like money as much as the next person, but like a long time ago, I could have retired. I could be eating papayas, taking bong hits on the beach somewhere, you know?
'It's a job to bring joy to people through music. And when I stay in that mindset … because there are so many nights where I'm sitting in a hotel room and it's like, 'I don't wanna get up'.
'I don't wanna go face 50,000 people in the stadium and play a concert. But it's time to go. And it's like, OK, it's not about me. I feel like shit, I'm tired, I got the flu, whatever's going on with me — I'm heartbroken, my wife left me, whatever's going on — but it's like, I have to let go of my life completely and do it.
'Be there for the people. Be there for my bandmates. And be there to honour the tradition of music.'
Jamie commented: 'We've got a beautiful sunrise, we're sipping coffees out of baby beakers, and we're chatting to Flea. Doesn't get much better.'
They also swapped food stories, as the Macleans shared tales of freeze-dried meals prepped in Jamie's old school kitchen, while Flea reflected on years of bad roadside burgers.
'For years and years, we toured in a van, sitting up all through the night, driving through the night for like six months on end,' he said.
'You kind of start feeling like a caged animal, just eating shitty food … roadside truck stop food, whatever you can get.
'You always pull into town after a show, you're starving and there's just nothing to eat … but now we have it good. We eat like kings.'
The podcast, Dinner with the Macleans, is available on Spotify, and YouTube.
The brothers have raised around £218,000 so far. To donate, click here.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Get your act together on immigration, Trump tells Europe as he lands in Scotland
Get your act together on immigration, Trump tells Europe as he lands in Scotland

South Wales Argus

time19 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

Get your act together on immigration, Trump tells Europe as he lands in Scotland

Mr Trump is in the country for a four-day visit to both of his golf clubs in Aberdeen and Ayrshire. Donald Trump speaks to the media after arriving in Scotland (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Landing at around 8.30pm on Friday, the president was greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray before speaking to reporters. Asked about illegal immigration – which successive UK governments have sought to curb – Mr Trump said: 'On immigration, you better get your act together. 'You're not going to have Europe anymore, you've got to get your act together. 'As you know, last month we had nobody entering our country – nobody, (we) shut it down.' The president spoke to journalists as he disembarked the plane (Jane Barlow/PA) He added: 'You've got to stop this horrible invasion that's happening to Europe.' Immigration, Mr Trump said, was 'killing Europe'. Some European leaders, he continued, 'have not let it happen' and are 'not getting the proper credit they should', though the president did not say who he was talking about. Mr Trump said: 'Many countries in Europe, some people, some leaders, have not let it happen, and they're not getting the proper credit they should.' Trump supporters gather at Prestwick Airport ahead of US President Donald Trump's arrival (Jane Barlow/PA) The president also praised Sir Keir Starmer ahead of a meeting between the two at one of his courses in the coming days, describing him as a 'good man'. 'I like your Prime Minister, he's slightly more liberal than I am – as you probably heard – but he's a good man. He got a trade deal done,' he said. 'You know, they've been working on this deal for 12 years, he got it done – that's a good deal, it's a good deal for the UK.' The president's motorcade – which contained more than two dozen vehicles – passed a small group of protesters as he entered his Turnberry golf club. The Trump motorcade on the A77 in Maybole, South Ayrshire, as it arrives at his Turnberry golf resort (Robert Perry/PA) Mr Trump also suggested he would be meeting Sir Keir 'tomorrow evening', although it is understood the pair will not meet until Monday. As well as the Prime Minister, Scottish First Minister John Swinney will meet with the president, as will European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who confirmed on X she will come to Scotland on Sunday in a bid to hash out a trade deal between the US and Europe. Mr Trump told journalists there was a 'good 50/50 chance' of a deal being struck, adding that it would be the 'biggest deal of them all'. The president and Sir Keir are expected to discuss potential changes to the UK-US trade deal which came into force last month. Donald Trump waves as he disembarks from Air Force One (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Mr Swinney has pledged to 'essentially speak out for Scotland'. Speaking as he boarded Air Force One in the US, Mr Trump said he would be having dinner with the Prime Minister at Turnberry, before 'going to the oil capital of Europe, which is Aberdeen'. He said: 'We're going to have a good time. I think the Prime Minister and I get along very well.' Police on horseback outside the perimeter of Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire (Robert Parry/PA) Mr Trump added: 'We're going to be talking about the trade deal that we made and maybe even approve it.' He also told journalists he was 'looking forward' to meeting with the 'Scottish leader' Mr Swinney, describing him as a 'good man'. During his time in Scotland, the president is also likely to spark a number of protests, with concerns being raised about how such demonstrations are policed. Police Scotland has called in support from other forces in the UK to help bolster officer numbers, though senior officers and the organisation which represents the rank-and-file have accepted Mr Trump's visit will have an impact.

Donald Trump 'loves standing on the soil of Scotland', Ian Murray reveals
Donald Trump 'loves standing on the soil of Scotland', Ian Murray reveals

Daily Record

time19 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Donald Trump 'loves standing on the soil of Scotland', Ian Murray reveals

The UK Government minister was the first person to greet the president in Scotland as he begins his visit to the country. Donald Trump has said he 'loves standing on the soil of Scotland' after landing in the country on Friday evening, according to the Scottish Secretary. ‌ Ian Murray told the PA news agency what the US President's first words were after disembarking from Air Force One in Prestwick. ‌ The UK Government minister was the first person to greet the president in Scotland as he begins his visit to the country. ‌ Speaking after meeting the American leader, Mr Murray told PA: 'The president came off the flight, and I said, 'Mr president, welcome to Scotland – the home country of your dear mother', and he said, 'It's great to be here, I always love standing on the soil of Scotland'. 'I said, 'I hope you're looking forward to a bit of downtime with some golf this weekend', and he said, 'Yes'. And I said, 'Well, we've whipped up a bit of a wind for you to make it a bit more competitive', and he went, 'I'm looking forward to it'.' Mr Murray said Mr Trump was given a warm reception as he got off his presidential plane. ‌ Hundreds gathered on the Mound overlooking Prestwick Airport for the president's arrival. A Trump flag was flown while a few spectators wore 'Make America Great Again' hats, although many of those attending were locals and aviation enthusiasts, including some who had travelled from England. Mr Murray said: 'Spotters hills, as it's called, where all the plane spotters come to Prestwick, was absolutely full. ‌ 'You could see that from the tarmac and as Air Force One came in, people were snapping away on their photographs. 'To see all that happening is quite a spectacle in itself. 'It's really good to have that kind of focus on Scotland.' ‌ Mr Trump will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his trip to discuss the UK-US trade deal as Britain hopes to be spared from the president's tariff regime. The Scottish Secretary said: 'Really, the purpose of this weekend, the purpose of greeting the president off the plane, the purpose of the Prime Minister's relationship with the president is to build that close relationship, to make sure that that old alliance is nurtured, and to do that for the benefit of the national interest, which is about jobs and growth here in the UK, and particularly Scotland.' Mr Trump will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney during his trip as he opens a new golf course in Aberdeenshire. ‌ Before flying to Prestwick, Mr Trump said in Washington that he was 'looking forward' to meeting Mr Swinney, describing him as a 'good man' – the same phrase he used for the Prime Minister after landing in Scotland. Asked about the president's relationship with the UK, Mr Murray said: 'The Prime Minister has taken a very pragmatic approach to the relationship with the president of the United States, because it's in our national interest to do so, whether it be on defence, security, trade, cultural, historic ties. 'It's a historic alliance, and that alliance has to be nurtured and continue through to the future, because it's quite clear that our relationship with United States is good for jobs and growth here in Scotland and across the UK. 'The Prime Minister knows that, and knows that working very closely with the US is in our national interest.' Asked about protests, which are expected across the country, Mr Murray said people had a right to demonstrate, adding: 'Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to protest is a key cornerstone of both countries, America and the UK, and the right to be able to protest if they so wish to so.'

First look at Donald Trump's armoured car ‘The Beast' as President whisked off to Turnberry
First look at Donald Trump's armoured car ‘The Beast' as President whisked off to Turnberry

Scottish Sun

time19 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

First look at Donald Trump's armoured car ‘The Beast' as President whisked off to Turnberry

DONALD Trump has been escorted to Turnberry in his armoured car dubbed 'The Beast' - with Scottish and USA flags on the front. The President touched down at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire tonight on his five day golfing holiday to Scotland. 4 The Beast makes its way through the Ayrshire countryside 4 The 28-strong motorcade snakes its way along the A77 4 Three ambulances were also part of the motorcade 4 Trump speaking to the media moments after he arrived Mr Trump descended the steps of Air Force One in his signature sharp navy suit and red tie and flashing a confident wave to the crowd before speaking to the media. Supporters gathered at Prestwick Airport cheered as his motorcade - including two identical 'Beasts' - stood ready to whisk him away to his luxury Turnberry golf resort on the Ayrshire coast. In all, 28 vehicles were in the motorcade and the whole entourage was also led by several police outriders. The Beast is loaded with Bond-style gadgets believed to include smoke screens and door handles rigged to send a 120-volt electric shock to ward off attackers. It can also reportedly lay down an oil slick to send enemy vehicles spinning out of control. Pump-action shotguns, rocket-powered grenades, night vision equipment, and tear gas grenades are all said to be on board. Despite concerns about protests on the route, it was mainly supportive fans and intrigued locals who lined the route as the huge motorcade drove into Turnberry village. The President is expected to enjoy a mix of business and leisure during his four-day trip, with plans to meet key political figures and officially open his new golf course at Menie in Aberdeenshire. The President will also meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney during his Scots trip. He was greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he stepped off Air Force One, with the minister earlier pledging to give the American leader a "warm welcome". Donald Trump's family plane lands in Scotland ahead of Turnberry visit Mr Trump's presence has resulted in a significant security operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers who are braced for mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. High security measures have been cranked up at his golf resorts at Turnberry and Menie, Aberdeenshire, ahead of his arrival. The ring of steel includes a strict no-fly zone at both locations. Earlier today it is believed Mr Trump's family landed at Prestwick Airport in a Trump branded jet. Donald Trump touches down in Scotland Upon touching down in Scotland, Mr Trump told the world's media: "It's wonderful to be here in Scotland. "We are going to be meeting with the Prime Minister tomorrow or the next day and we are going to do some great things. "We have numerous executives that we are going to be meeting with. "We are going to be meeting with a lot of people. We will be staying in Turnberry and then going to Aberdeen, which is the oil capital of Europe actually."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store