Spent the day in DC with Jack and Miss 'Stang, which was very nice. We did a house concert that was with a very warm group of listeners, and hung out at Jessica's and ate key lime pie after we got back. She makes a mean MFing key lime, I tell you what.
I've got to wake up in the morning and head for Delaware, also I've got trains and planes to book. Ciao for now.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 13
Happy Birthday to me!!
I had a special birthday tribute from the band tonight, and my family and friends were in attendance, which also helped make the night special. I was very happy to see all the familiar faces in the crowd.
The show was at State Theater in Falls Church, VA outside of DC. We would have had an empty house if Sunny and Jess hadn't brought a crew. Not sure what went wrong, but it was easy to forget about anything negative because of all the kindness coming from every direction.
Honestly, I think I'm going to have to summon again the spirit of birthday partying upon my return home, because I want a chance to hang out with my friends in Austin and celebrate too.
Thanks everybody for making it a happy birthday. My dad's card was HILARIOUS.
(picture of Bush & Cheney)
"Mr. President, we have good news! There are 100 Brazilian troops on their way to assist our forces in Iraq."
"Well, heck, that's great news! How many is in a brazillion?"
I had a special birthday tribute from the band tonight, and my family and friends were in attendance, which also helped make the night special. I was very happy to see all the familiar faces in the crowd.
The show was at State Theater in Falls Church, VA outside of DC. We would have had an empty house if Sunny and Jess hadn't brought a crew. Not sure what went wrong, but it was easy to forget about anything negative because of all the kindness coming from every direction.
Honestly, I think I'm going to have to summon again the spirit of birthday partying upon my return home, because I want a chance to hang out with my friends in Austin and celebrate too.
Thanks everybody for making it a happy birthday. My dad's card was HILARIOUS.
(picture of Bush & Cheney)
"Mr. President, we have good news! There are 100 Brazilian troops on their way to assist our forces in Iraq."
"Well, heck, that's great news! How many is in a brazillion?"
On the Road Again--Day 12
Memorial Hall in Harrisburg VA was the most hospitable stop we have had so far. We were playing in a school, so the part of our rider (required stuff like food, beverages, equipment, hotels, etc. in the contract) with alcohol could not be given to us there--they brought the beer to our hotel and it was cold and waiting for us when we checked in. Not bad, eh?
The show had a lot of youngins, and they were really in to the show, which was nice--it means they'll spread the word and we can expect to hit more college crowds in the future.
The show had a lot of youngins, and they were really in to the show, which was nice--it means they'll spread the word and we can expect to hit more college crowds in the future.
Monday, April 20, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 11
Baltimore, MD
We rolled in at 8x10 almost an hour late for soundcheck. Ooops! They were one of the only venues with the soundman on hand and ready when we got there. Instead of going back to the hotel, we stayed there until we played.
Brian J, the producer of the record who also played most of the instruments on it, was sitting in on guitar, and it was a welcome addition. I ate at a restaraunt called Mother's around the corner, and had a couple beers with a young republican who thought we had freed Iraq and made it a better place. I played nice. It was a good show.
We rolled in at 8x10 almost an hour late for soundcheck. Ooops! They were one of the only venues with the soundman on hand and ready when we got there. Instead of going back to the hotel, we stayed there until we played.
Brian J, the producer of the record who also played most of the instruments on it, was sitting in on guitar, and it was a welcome addition. I ate at a restaraunt called Mother's around the corner, and had a couple beers with a young republican who thought we had freed Iraq and made it a better place. I played nice. It was a good show.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 10
Last night was my first night in New York City. What a madhouse!!!!
The gig was at Sullivan Hall, on Sullivan St. in Greenwich Village. Cyril, Omari, Norman, and I rode in early (which took 1.5 hours) from Jersey, where our hotel was. We were supposed to be doing an in-store at 2pm, but we didn't get there until damn near 4. We still did the in-store though, it was at J&R Music on park row, very close to Broadway.
Then we caught a ride with a 92 year old WWII vet, whose name escapes me but was very amicable, and he took us to Sullivan Hall. We didn't even have to soundcheck because the opener was letting us use their equipment, so I got to wander around a little bit, which was pretty cool. I saw some kids playing gypsy jazz in a park near Bleecker and 6th ave, they let me jam a little bit. Had some New York pizza, which really wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
Our show had a decent crowd, good response, although they didn't stay late--actually, once the set slowed down, the crowd petered out. I will never ride through Lincoln tunnel 3 times in a day again as long as I live.
I'll catch up with y'all later.
The gig was at Sullivan Hall, on Sullivan St. in Greenwich Village. Cyril, Omari, Norman, and I rode in early (which took 1.5 hours) from Jersey, where our hotel was. We were supposed to be doing an in-store at 2pm, but we didn't get there until damn near 4. We still did the in-store though, it was at J&R Music on park row, very close to Broadway.
Then we caught a ride with a 92 year old WWII vet, whose name escapes me but was very amicable, and he took us to Sullivan Hall. We didn't even have to soundcheck because the opener was letting us use their equipment, so I got to wander around a little bit, which was pretty cool. I saw some kids playing gypsy jazz in a park near Bleecker and 6th ave, they let me jam a little bit. Had some New York pizza, which really wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
Our show had a decent crowd, good response, although they didn't stay late--actually, once the set slowed down, the crowd petered out. I will never ride through Lincoln tunnel 3 times in a day again as long as I live.
I'll catch up with y'all later.
Friday, April 17, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 9
Tonights show was the best of the tour for sure.
Tempos were slow and the grooves were fat, we also had a serious dancing crowd. Lots of fun.
I am freaking exhausted, time for bed.
Tempos were slow and the grooves were fat, we also had a serious dancing crowd. Lots of fun.
I am freaking exhausted, time for bed.
On the Road Again--Day 8
We had a great gig at Chan's. James Woods, the actor was there, as well as prominent musicians and critics. Not exactly a packed house (though the place can't hold too many people), but there were definitely some movers and shakers. Woods told me that I made Robbie Robertson look like a stiff, which was pretty cool.
I hung out with some guys from the show last night, which was also kinda fun. We played some music and drank some beer, it was nice to get out of the hotel for a while.
The next show is going to be at The Field in Bridgeport, CT. I'll keep this up to date....
I hung out with some guys from the show last night, which was also kinda fun. We played some music and drank some beer, it was nice to get out of the hotel for a while.
The next show is going to be at The Field in Bridgeport, CT. I'll keep this up to date....
Thursday, April 16, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 7
Drove up from Annapolis to Newark today. Cyril did a radio appearance on 88.3, the jazz station. The interview was long, and seemed to go pretty well. Then we drove up to Woonsocket, RI, where we are playing at Chans tomorrow.
A couple of my friends that are studying music in Boston said they are coming down tomorrow night.
It's cold, rainy, and crappy up here. I could never live up north.
A couple of my friends that are studying music in Boston said they are coming down tomorrow night.
It's cold, rainy, and crappy up here. I could never live up north.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 6
Tonight was a success at Ramshead in Annapolis. We had a decent crowd, did a great performance, and were finished and headed back to the hotel by 11 o'clock.
Jessica (my sister, Miss 'Stang) came out to the show and brought a friend. They were a lot of fun to hang out with, and a welcome change from the boredom of sitting in a Super 8 all day between soundcheck and the show.
She also brought me a new Schecter guitar, which is BADASS and I'm lovin' it.
I'm a little tired, I'll update this more tomorrow
Jessica (my sister, Miss 'Stang) came out to the show and brought a friend. They were a lot of fun to hang out with, and a welcome change from the boredom of sitting in a Super 8 all day between soundcheck and the show.
She also brought me a new Schecter guitar, which is BADASS and I'm lovin' it.
I'm a little tired, I'll update this more tomorrow
On the Road Again--Day 5
Rather than get a hotel in Annapolis, which is apparently more expensive, we stopped at Super 8 in Richmond, near the airport. Brother Tim (our driver/road manager) and I had a good couple of conversations and we walked to TGIFriday's and had a couple drinks too.
Today was not exactly eventful, but tomorrow will be. We are playing in Annapolis, and we are going to wreck shop. I'm going to throw down the gauntlet. I'm hell-bent on giving a performance that would impress the most discriminating of ears. Hopefully we can get it recorded.
Did I mention that we recorded the show in Charleston? I've tried to get software to divide the 1 1/2+ hour recording into individual tracks to no avail, but hopefully I'll get that done soon and post it online somewheres. May be a day, may be a month, but you'll hear it one way or another.
Last night in Black Mountain, I met some locals at the bar, one named Hippie, the other Sam. Both work as booking agents/promoters/musicians, are well connected in the area and they gave me a ride back to the hotel, where we chatted for a while before exchanging info and going our separate ways. My hope is that I can continue to make friendly connections like this and be able to use them to my own ends.
It's been a good night, so good I damn near forgot that I hadn't blogged for today. Let's hope there's better nights in store, but I won't forget to keep y'all posted.
Today was not exactly eventful, but tomorrow will be. We are playing in Annapolis, and we are going to wreck shop. I'm going to throw down the gauntlet. I'm hell-bent on giving a performance that would impress the most discriminating of ears. Hopefully we can get it recorded.
Did I mention that we recorded the show in Charleston? I've tried to get software to divide the 1 1/2+ hour recording into individual tracks to no avail, but hopefully I'll get that done soon and post it online somewheres. May be a day, may be a month, but you'll hear it one way or another.
Last night in Black Mountain, I met some locals at the bar, one named Hippie, the other Sam. Both work as booking agents/promoters/musicians, are well connected in the area and they gave me a ride back to the hotel, where we chatted for a while before exchanging info and going our separate ways. My hope is that I can continue to make friendly connections like this and be able to use them to my own ends.
It's been a good night, so good I damn near forgot that I hadn't blogged for today. Let's hope there's better nights in store, but I won't forget to keep y'all posted.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 4
Day 4
We started on our way to Annapolis, and about 30 miles outside of Black MT, we realized that it was going to be way too damn expensive to go there, so we turned around and went back to Super 8. It's been a day of napping and watching cartoons on my laptop. Adult Swim is on, I might stay in and watch it, and I may walk up to the bar down the street for some brews first, after all, they play the whole thing over again at midnight when the bar closes.
Ron Paul was on Alex Jones today, so was Chuck Norris, who called for the arrest of all the banksters (and has previously expressed his doubts on the official story of 9/11). It was a very interesting.
Cyril said tomorrow we'd head up near Annapolis but stop short of getting there in order to find a cheap hotel. We play Tuesday.
We started on our way to Annapolis, and about 30 miles outside of Black MT, we realized that it was going to be way too damn expensive to go there, so we turned around and went back to Super 8. It's been a day of napping and watching cartoons on my laptop. Adult Swim is on, I might stay in and watch it, and I may walk up to the bar down the street for some brews first, after all, they play the whole thing over again at midnight when the bar closes.
Ron Paul was on Alex Jones today, so was Chuck Norris, who called for the arrest of all the banksters (and has previously expressed his doubts on the official story of 9/11). It was a very interesting.
Cyril said tomorrow we'd head up near Annapolis but stop short of getting there in order to find a cheap hotel. We play Tuesday.
On the Road Again--Day 3 part 2
Damn it's late. I don't know what keeps me up at night, boredom is the easiest excuse but since when does that not put you to sleep? We got dank Thai food for dinner tonight, and we had a good gig... I don't think I played as well as last night, and I'm not sure why. Could be something personal, could be something to do with the crowd, could be totally in my head. There's no recording, so I guess I'll never know. The audience really dug it, Cyril has been featuring me a lot and it's nice to get recognition.
It's time to finish packing my bags and get the minimal amount of rest in order to sleep through the van ride tomorrow morning. I call it teleportation--when I deprive myself of sleep before travel, I end up magically (groggily) appearing in a new location with no time passing whatsoever. It's kind of a pain in the neck, no pun intended, to teleport in the van for long periods of time, but it's better than watching the interstate go by. It didn't work (for obvious reasons) on the 24 hour ride from Austin to Charleston, but if at first you don't succeed, teleport teleport again.
Gotta run & pack....
It's time to finish packing my bags and get the minimal amount of rest in order to sleep through the van ride tomorrow morning. I call it teleportation--when I deprive myself of sleep before travel, I end up magically (groggily) appearing in a new location with no time passing whatsoever. It's kind of a pain in the neck, no pun intended, to teleport in the van for long periods of time, but it's better than watching the interstate go by. It didn't work (for obvious reasons) on the 24 hour ride from Austin to Charleston, but if at first you don't succeed, teleport teleport again.
Gotta run & pack....
Saturday, April 11, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 3
Just got in to the Super 8 motel Black Mountain, NC. The weather is a lot chillier here, and there's a nice mist hanging over the mountains around the hotel. There's a creek of crystal clear water flowing by the parking lot.
Last night was a serious confidence boost. We really killed it, especially this being our first night on the road. I felt like everybody in the band had a great performance. Kensuke did a Hell of a job, especially for his first show with the band... The turnout was decent, the dance floor was full, but I want to see the club more packed and the crowd full of more young faces.
We've got to go load-in at the White Horse in Black Mountain, NC here in a few, then probably get some dinner. I hope it's as good as last night.
Last night was a serious confidence boost. We really killed it, especially this being our first night on the road. I felt like everybody in the band had a great performance. Kensuke did a Hell of a job, especially for his first show with the band... The turnout was decent, the dance floor was full, but I want to see the club more packed and the crowd full of more young faces.
We've got to go load-in at the White Horse in Black Mountain, NC here in a few, then probably get some dinner. I hope it's as good as last night.
Friday, April 10, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 2
Day 2
9:46 pm
We play the Pour House tonight. It was jam-packed earlier, I hope the crowd is still strong when we get there. This is our first show of the tour, and our first show with Kensuke, our new bassist. I’m suited up, the PA is checked, belly’s full of delicious Cuban food, and we’re headed back to the club to get funkafied.
It’s been nice and calm the last 24 hours, and we’re headed up near Asheville, NC tomorrow. Looking forward to jamming, it’s going to be a nice release…I’ll just let my hands do the talking.
9:46 pm
We play the Pour House tonight. It was jam-packed earlier, I hope the crowd is still strong when we get there. This is our first show of the tour, and our first show with Kensuke, our new bassist. I’m suited up, the PA is checked, belly’s full of delicious Cuban food, and we’re headed back to the club to get funkafied.
It’s been nice and calm the last 24 hours, and we’re headed up near Asheville, NC tomorrow. Looking forward to jamming, it’s going to be a nice release…I’ll just let my hands do the talking.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
On the Road Again--Day 1
Just got into the hotel in Mt. Pleasant, across the bridge from Charleston. We'll be playing at Pour House tomorrow night, and I'm hoping to make our way down there tonight to see Dubconscious.
24 hours in a van is not just a pain in the neck, but truckstop food for a whole day is beginning to take its' toll. I've got the rest of the day to relax, find some good food, and get settled....
My roommate Kensuke is our new bass player, he's cool, I think I lucked out having him as a roomie because I bet he's tidiest and I already know he's the most polite of the group ;-)
to be continued...
24 hours in a van is not just a pain in the neck, but truckstop food for a whole day is beginning to take its' toll. I've got the rest of the day to relax, find some good food, and get settled....
My roommate Kensuke is our new bass player, he's cool, I think I lucked out having him as a roomie because I bet he's tidiest and I already know he's the most polite of the group ;-)
to be continued...
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