So as I lay here in a bed in Santa Cruz, I realize I never wrote an end of tour entry. I suppose every story needs an ending or every thing needs a conclusion. Where do I start?
Seattle:
We got into town and went to Sara's house. Her pit bull, blanche is possibly one of my favorite dogs ever to exist. She's a deaf, 65 pound pitbull who looks like shed kill you but is really one of the nicest dogs I have ever met. So we all rest up hours before the show and then we head to the venue. It's the same place 7 gen played on the first tour I roadied with them on. This time it seemed like no one cared though. I tend to like playing small shows, it weeds out the fakes, people who are just at shows just to go...not because they want something with substance. I'm not saying that we are the be all end all band with substance, but hardcore these days is quite boring.
We played the show, we went to Cyber Dogs I ate entirely too much and then we headed home. Chris came in in the morning and told us that his mom booked him a plane ticket and that he'd be leaving at 5:00 that day. I was upset, the second time he's done this to us and me. I couldn't stop him though. People do what they want to do. And I'll never stop them.
The rest of the day was spent being frustrated/depressed/any emotion but happy. We ate Aryas, we went to mighty - o's. We went to singles going steady which was a let down again, I guess they got new management and the old owner took all the good records with him, it was obvious. We went back to the house where I spent the rest of the night just hanging out. I didn't want to be around anyone, I just wanted to listen to music and that's all.
The next morning we woke up and went to mighty o. I got a dozen donuts to share with someone and I was excited to show them how awesome these donuts taste. After mighty o we decide to go to wayward. Let me just say...I'll never go there again. The quality has decreased so much it wasn't even the same place. Definitely disappointed. After wayward we made the long trek to Redding where wed be greeted with amazing food for the second time around and good friends for the night. The day of driving was exactly that, a day of driving. Nothing more, nothing less.
Friday morning rolled around, the last day of tour and we were without our singer. I couldn't even stand the thought of how terrible this show could be. We made our way to Gilman and we get there 3 hours before everyone so we have time to hang out and sleep or eat. Finally show time rolls around and people start coming. It wasn't a packed show but it wasn't small either. The bands that played were pretty rad. Dukes up!, the separation, abhf were all fun to watch. Finally our set was next and I was nervous. Surprisingly people were having fun and singing along...then we played our new song as an instrumental...we liked it so much that we decided we didn't need words for it. The song was going fine and we were at the very end of it...then kevan smacked his guitar right into his knee and popped it out of place. He was carried into the office and then some very kind souls offered to take him to the hospital. I go with them. We stayed in the E.R. For two hours or so. And then we drive to santa cruz.
I woke up at 12. P.m. The latest I'd ever slept in. We go and eat Dharmas...it was good. After that we walked the down town area, there was nothing there for us. We're two recluses just wanting to lay in bed and watch movies...so that's we did. Literally all we did. It was nice.
Now it's the second day after tour and I'm still in bed, in santa cruz. I love this place. Sometimes I never want to leave.
The good life is out there somewhere,
XadrianX
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Untitled III.
So last night we played Portland. We played at Sweet Pea Vegan Bakery. The show was way funner than I expected. Friendly Dave is an awesome person. He's always treated us nice. The trip here was long and I was in a bad mood about 98% of the time. I didn't talk to anyone at all, the whole 7 hours. After we got here we were going to go to Paradox vegan diner, but we got there and it was packed, so we came to Daves house. Luckily we got here just in time to have our meal being cooked. The food was good. The company was good. The weather was my favorite. The movies were terrible, I couldn't ask for anything better.
I like portland. It's rainy, they have vegan nachos with a nacho cheese pump, vegan mini mall, good bike riding city, it's pretty charming. Although I still like Santa Cruz more. Today we're going to try going to Paradox one more time and then stopping by Sweet Pea because one of the ladies there said she'd give us free baked goods. This tour has been...different, to say the least. Different in a good way though. After Sweet Pea we're going to drive up to Seattle and staying there for 2 days. All you can eat vegan thai food, vegan chili dogs, vegan pizzaria, vegan sandwich shop, vegan donuts, life simply can't get better...yes it can...but it won't.
That's it, I'm the only one who would wake up at 6 in the morning, on tour, when I don't have to. Everyone else is sleeping around me while I type this. Oh well.
2 more shows left, 3 more days.
I like portland. It's rainy, they have vegan nachos with a nacho cheese pump, vegan mini mall, good bike riding city, it's pretty charming. Although I still like Santa Cruz more. Today we're going to try going to Paradox one more time and then stopping by Sweet Pea because one of the ladies there said she'd give us free baked goods. This tour has been...different, to say the least. Different in a good way though. After Sweet Pea we're going to drive up to Seattle and staying there for 2 days. All you can eat vegan thai food, vegan chili dogs, vegan pizzaria, vegan sandwich shop, vegan donuts, life simply can't get better...yes it can...but it won't.
That's it, I'm the only one who would wake up at 6 in the morning, on tour, when I don't have to. Everyone else is sleeping around me while I type this. Oh well.
2 more shows left, 3 more days.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Untitled II.
No update yesterday. Quick recap on the weekend.
On our way to Santa Cruz our alternater broke and we had to get a new one. That was a total of 100 or something dollars. We hung out infront of the auto parts store while Matt from ABHF installed it for us. Thank god for car savvy gentlemen. Anyway, we got there just in time to catch touche amore's last 2 songs. That band is awesome. After them that band Maladie from Tijuana played. They were pretty good. After that Dukes up! Played and I always enjoy heckling them. I'm stoked they didn't open the show cause they always open shows. After that ABHF played. And as I expected, people stood around, granted they are a first time band on tour and it was their first show in Santa Cruz, I didn't expect the most enthusiastic crowd response. After them Baader brains played, I enjoy bands with gimicks but I think they definitely took away from the momentum of the show. Either way, it was rad seeing the drummer of struggle still doing D.I.Y. Punk/postpunk whatever stuff.
After that we played. The set was fun. I got pictures taken a million times. I'm a closet narcissist, sue me.
After the show we packed up, I offended a raw girl cause I was mocking typical idiots who make fun of raw/vegans. Some people have no sense of humor, it truly annoys me.
We met at Saturn with a bunch of people, saw a bunch of old faces, met a bunch of new ones whom I'll forget, as I'm sure they'll forget mine. I put morrissey on the juke box, it was enjoyable. I drove in a car with someone I just met to their house, cause we were staying there. I'm not much of a talker, it's sad sometimes. We get to their house and meet their cats. I was very stoked that the house we stayed in was clean/er than most. Everyone came, everyone talked, everyone left or went to sleep. I stayed in the house instead of the van. My throat was hurting me.
I went to sleep at 7 in the morning and woke up at 8. I was groggy and my throat still hurt.
I wrote a thank you note and we left. We picked up Chris then went down town to the record store and American Apperal. I got an ink & dagger 7 inch, fugazi 7 inch, smiths - panic single 12inch, and I know there's another 7inch somewhere in there. After the record store I decided I wanted to go to American Apperal and get a new shirt for friday nights show at Gilman.
We left town around noon and were off to Redding. Eventually Redding was gotten to. It's a small town. I needed a beanie, so I picked up a Nascar beanie. We got to the Rec. Center and we saw Ben. I enjoy that fine young man so much, he's always treated me so well and has never given me a reason to think he'd do otherwise. The show started and the turn out was better than we all expect. ABHF's set was the most well received. They definitely won some people over in Redding and I'm happy for them. After that, the Separation played. They get better every time I see them and I enjoy seeing them every time. They've got a good sound and a good message.
We played after them. The set was o.k. It was a chance to play and I always enjoy playing, some more than others, but it was ok. After our set I went out for a walk. I came back and we were off to "thunderdome", where Ben lives. The Redding kids cooked us food. Their hospitality makes me have a little more faith in the world. Everyone went to sleep. I woke up at 6, showered, did my hair and now we're on our way to Portland.
This post is boring, there's a thousand other things going through my mind at the moment and writing in this thing is the only thing that's keeping me somewhat sane.
Viva Hate,
XadrianX
On our way to Santa Cruz our alternater broke and we had to get a new one. That was a total of 100 or something dollars. We hung out infront of the auto parts store while Matt from ABHF installed it for us. Thank god for car savvy gentlemen. Anyway, we got there just in time to catch touche amore's last 2 songs. That band is awesome. After them that band Maladie from Tijuana played. They were pretty good. After that Dukes up! Played and I always enjoy heckling them. I'm stoked they didn't open the show cause they always open shows. After that ABHF played. And as I expected, people stood around, granted they are a first time band on tour and it was their first show in Santa Cruz, I didn't expect the most enthusiastic crowd response. After them Baader brains played, I enjoy bands with gimicks but I think they definitely took away from the momentum of the show. Either way, it was rad seeing the drummer of struggle still doing D.I.Y. Punk/postpunk whatever stuff.
After that we played. The set was fun. I got pictures taken a million times. I'm a closet narcissist, sue me.
After the show we packed up, I offended a raw girl cause I was mocking typical idiots who make fun of raw/vegans. Some people have no sense of humor, it truly annoys me.
We met at Saturn with a bunch of people, saw a bunch of old faces, met a bunch of new ones whom I'll forget, as I'm sure they'll forget mine. I put morrissey on the juke box, it was enjoyable. I drove in a car with someone I just met to their house, cause we were staying there. I'm not much of a talker, it's sad sometimes. We get to their house and meet their cats. I was very stoked that the house we stayed in was clean/er than most. Everyone came, everyone talked, everyone left or went to sleep. I stayed in the house instead of the van. My throat was hurting me.
I went to sleep at 7 in the morning and woke up at 8. I was groggy and my throat still hurt.
I wrote a thank you note and we left. We picked up Chris then went down town to the record store and American Apperal. I got an ink & dagger 7 inch, fugazi 7 inch, smiths - panic single 12inch, and I know there's another 7inch somewhere in there. After the record store I decided I wanted to go to American Apperal and get a new shirt for friday nights show at Gilman.
We left town around noon and were off to Redding. Eventually Redding was gotten to. It's a small town. I needed a beanie, so I picked up a Nascar beanie. We got to the Rec. Center and we saw Ben. I enjoy that fine young man so much, he's always treated me so well and has never given me a reason to think he'd do otherwise. The show started and the turn out was better than we all expect. ABHF's set was the most well received. They definitely won some people over in Redding and I'm happy for them. After that, the Separation played. They get better every time I see them and I enjoy seeing them every time. They've got a good sound and a good message.
We played after them. The set was o.k. It was a chance to play and I always enjoy playing, some more than others, but it was ok. After our set I went out for a walk. I came back and we were off to "thunderdome", where Ben lives. The Redding kids cooked us food. Their hospitality makes me have a little more faith in the world. Everyone went to sleep. I woke up at 6, showered, did my hair and now we're on our way to Portland.
This post is boring, there's a thousand other things going through my mind at the moment and writing in this thing is the only thing that's keeping me somewhat sane.
Viva Hate,
XadrianX
Saturday, March 15, 2008
I woke up at 6:45 in a some what excited mood. Like when I was a little kid the morning of going to disney land. I took a shower and started packing my things up. I woke up a.j. Cause he spent the night. It's kind of strange cause I haven't had someone spend the night in years, Literally since I was about 6. I prepped, did my thing and went skating to my truck. I love skating, I really need to get into it again. Anyway, we then went to Farm to Market and picked up trail mix and kombucha...see this always happens, I decide I want to be healthy on tour...but I never eat healthy. We got to chris's house at 9. An hour earlier than we were supposed to. We then got a call saying that Kevan showed up an hour later then he was supposed to. I was pretty irritated, but really what could I have done.
The men finally show up and then it's load in time. We start loading up and everything starts building up and I start hating everything even more. And I tell myself that this is tour and I better get used to it.
Eventually we're on the road, on our way to santa barbara. The van set up is pretty nice. I'm sitting in a chair. I can't sit on the floor cause I'd get car sick and I can't sit facing back wards cause I'd get sick. So I'm kind of the dude who needs to be sitting down. Anyway the drive wasn't that bad. I think our van might break down, but it wouldn't be tour without a break down.
We get to santa barbara and we go to a place called pizza guru, pretty good pizza. I ate 12 slices. Fuck.
Anyway, we get to the show and it's the same venue I played with Restrained, the same owner and all. Except this time he said he's going vegan, and he's going to try and get his whole family to go vegan after seeing the meet your meat and "earthlings" videos we were playing at the last Restrained show there. I was pretty flattered and stoked to hear him say that.
The show started with a band called White god, they were really nice guys and I was excited to see a 2 piece band. After white god a local band from south orange county who has now moved to Santa Barbara played. They were kind enough to flatter us during their set.
Then our tour mates A Better Hope Foundation played. They get better everytime I see them. I'm excited we get to share the van with them and shows with them. This is definitely a cool experience, for both of us. I enjoy watching bands we tour with because it's funny to see how two different personalities (or so it seems like) can come from individuals. I'd like to think I'm the same person on stage as I am hanging around. But no one really knows that, cause I don't hang out.
Our set was fun. Their were kids singing along and it sounded pretty good, it's all I can ask for.
After we loaded up and went to our friend Tosh's house. Him, his sister sarah, and little brother taylor live there with their mom who happens to be a vegan baker. They are the nicest family ever. I stayed in the van with Justin, sina and kevan. We have a mattress on the floor so it was comfortable enough for me to not be grumpy.
I woke up at 7 and went into the house and showered and did my hair. Everyone woke up and we just hung out. Allan, our good friend in who used to be in Gather asked us if wed like to do an interview between each member of the band and we all agreed. He took us into a room and we all talked about the new album and the song writng, politics, etc. I tend to have a hard time speaking, but I like interviews.
After the interview we packed up and we're now on our way to Santa Cruz, my favorite town other then San Juan. Tonights show should be fun, but I won't promise my self anything.
Sincerely mine,
XadrianX
The men finally show up and then it's load in time. We start loading up and everything starts building up and I start hating everything even more. And I tell myself that this is tour and I better get used to it.
Eventually we're on the road, on our way to santa barbara. The van set up is pretty nice. I'm sitting in a chair. I can't sit on the floor cause I'd get car sick and I can't sit facing back wards cause I'd get sick. So I'm kind of the dude who needs to be sitting down. Anyway the drive wasn't that bad. I think our van might break down, but it wouldn't be tour without a break down.
We get to santa barbara and we go to a place called pizza guru, pretty good pizza. I ate 12 slices. Fuck.
Anyway, we get to the show and it's the same venue I played with Restrained, the same owner and all. Except this time he said he's going vegan, and he's going to try and get his whole family to go vegan after seeing the meet your meat and "earthlings" videos we were playing at the last Restrained show there. I was pretty flattered and stoked to hear him say that.
The show started with a band called White god, they were really nice guys and I was excited to see a 2 piece band. After white god a local band from south orange county who has now moved to Santa Barbara played. They were kind enough to flatter us during their set.
Then our tour mates A Better Hope Foundation played. They get better everytime I see them. I'm excited we get to share the van with them and shows with them. This is definitely a cool experience, for both of us. I enjoy watching bands we tour with because it's funny to see how two different personalities (or so it seems like) can come from individuals. I'd like to think I'm the same person on stage as I am hanging around. But no one really knows that, cause I don't hang out.
Our set was fun. Their were kids singing along and it sounded pretty good, it's all I can ask for.
After we loaded up and went to our friend Tosh's house. Him, his sister sarah, and little brother taylor live there with their mom who happens to be a vegan baker. They are the nicest family ever. I stayed in the van with Justin, sina and kevan. We have a mattress on the floor so it was comfortable enough for me to not be grumpy.
I woke up at 7 and went into the house and showered and did my hair. Everyone woke up and we just hung out. Allan, our good friend in who used to be in Gather asked us if wed like to do an interview between each member of the band and we all agreed. He took us into a room and we all talked about the new album and the song writng, politics, etc. I tend to have a hard time speaking, but I like interviews.
After the interview we packed up and we're now on our way to Santa Cruz, my favorite town other then San Juan. Tonights show should be fun, but I won't promise my self anything.
Sincerely mine,
XadrianX
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