Hello from the side of the road! Quite a bit has occured. First off I had a tasty taco lunch in Denver and connected with my people. The theater that hosted us in Colorado was the nicest yet. The show went well and I had a lot of fun at the merch booth while kinda drunk. I also traded shirts several times.
First I realized there was only one small grey shirt and I wanted it so I traded, then I remembered my 1987 Denver broncos championship shirt must get play in Denver so I traded out again. Then I rethought about it and decided someone in the band should wear it so I gave it to Ian, apparently he was heavily cheered but also his fanhood was questioned. After giving up my orange and blue I put on an xs pink Alexico shirt to try to sell more of his stuff, and immediately a lady wanted it. But she wanted the one I had on. I told her we could trade so she gave me her black silk blouse which she eventually demanded I return.
Anyway after the show we snacked out at a diner with photos of various broncos who had rolled through including number 7 himself. From there we went to pick up Alex from the house of the girl who traded me for the blouse. It was looking like someone other than Josh was finally going to get some play on tour but she ended up just making him walk to her boyfriends house for 40 minutes but kept saying it was 2 more blocks away.
I was pretty tired but I drove for 4 hours after that across a few states into Kansas. I pulled over an hour after dawn which was amazing to see. I went to bed then and when I woke up we were at our sound guy Mike's house in Kansas city. We all had a shower, played some wii, went grocery shopping, and went for frozen custard which was a big hit amongst the starfucks.
I spent most of the night learning the bass line in a song of alexico's, which I will hopefully play soon. Maybe Atlanta. Definitely other tonight in Nashville. Why you ask? Because we will never make it there in time for alexi o the opening band to play. Why you ask? Because our bus just got in a crazy accident while driving through St Louis.
You see, it was raining pretty hard and it had not rained in 94 days. Some car in front of us slammed on their brakes and when our bus did the same our trailer came around the right side and hit some truck which caused it to do a 360. We slammed around a bit but somehow the damage was minimal to all parties and no one was hurt.
We all feel like it was a warning from God. A message from the big guy about life and death. Taking it slow or just speeding down the highway. I definitely feel like it would be nice to meet some ladies on tour but if i just end up hanging with this crew i will be okay with it. I feel happy to be where I am: in this bunk bed-coffin.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Hello from my homeland, Denver, Colorado.
It has been a taxing last 24 hours. Once again I write from an automotive shop. I have become the bands go to errand boy and now I am getting some tests run and possibly a new starter for the Man Bus.
Last night was the urban lounge in salt lake city which was altogether unremarkable with the exception of the sound being awful and my company being wonderful. Rachel, my friend of nearly a decade helped me man the merchant table and many a record and T shirt.
On the drive hot my homeland I slept a wink or two and woke at dawn to keep Alex, our amazing one man opening band (alexico), company while he drove and then we traded off and I drive before the rest of the crew woke up. We talked about life and death, love and sex, and quite a bit about music. I felt very inspired by our talks and when my driving shift ended I penned some lyrics for a song my roommate wrote for me. I can't wait to play my first show, if I can get back to bluebird theater soon enough I may learn a few of alex's songs and begin my live music career in the state I was born. For now I shall read some Game of Thrones and hope traffic isn't as bad on the way back to the venue.
It has been a taxing last 24 hours. Once again I write from an automotive shop. I have become the bands go to errand boy and now I am getting some tests run and possibly a new starter for the Man Bus.
Last night was the urban lounge in salt lake city which was altogether unremarkable with the exception of the sound being awful and my company being wonderful. Rachel, my friend of nearly a decade helped me man the merchant table and many a record and T shirt.
On the drive hot my homeland I slept a wink or two and woke at dawn to keep Alex, our amazing one man opening band (alexico), company while he drove and then we traded off and I drive before the rest of the crew woke up. We talked about life and death, love and sex, and quite a bit about music. I felt very inspired by our talks and when my driving shift ended I penned some lyrics for a song my roommate wrote for me. I can't wait to play my first show, if I can get back to bluebird theater soon enough I may learn a few of alex's songs and begin my live music career in the state I was born. For now I shall read some Game of Thrones and hope traffic isn't as bad on the way back to the venue.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Greetings from off the road my friends. Off the road because I am sitting in a tire shop while the bus gets some new tires. Very exciting stuff.
So here we are in Salt Lake. We rolled into town late as usual but not too bad this time. Kilby court was our venue and it was a strange place. Beside a skate alley and a bunch of dirt this backyard tin shack themed venue is the place for young Utah kids to come get "rowdy".
It was labor day and the town was as sober and dry as salt lake city on labor day can be expected. The guy ran to get us beer but in Utah they water the beer down to make it extra less like whiskey.
I began to work the merch booth and asked all the kids to steal booze from their parents and they could trade it for free shirts. Eventually an adult appeared and he ended up getting us a variety of alcohols. It was a celebratory time for the starfucks and I. We also got some pizza.
After the show one of the starfucks, Patrick, who is a really nice and chill dude, was invited to the University of Utah dormitory by a college girl. This seemed an excellent opportunity for him, and I tagged along as his wingman with the option to go fighter pilot myself. Things started off ominously when my phone directed us to a graveyard instead of the dorms. We probably should have just stayed there and hung with the ghouls, it would have been a better time.
First off the college girl wanted to give us a tour of the campus, at 3am. Blah blah blah, heres this library, heres a tree, etc. This made me worry and after a bit of pressing I discovered that we were not invited to her dorm at all! She pawned us off on this guy who would not shut the fuck up. We ended up sleeping on his floor and couch after some dull conversation, mostly jabber jaw flapping his gums. There were no blankets or pillows to speak of besides a bath towel which I used as a pillow. Oh yeah our host was boiling water but forgot about it and ruined his roommates nice pot and then picked it up from the stove but set it on the counter burning a nice ring on there too. In the morning the roommate came into the kitchen to Patrick brushing his teeth and unable to speak in the kitchen next to a messed up pot and burnt counter. This image seems funny to me because Patrick is such a nice guy and not guilty of the crimes but im sure the roommate was just like wtf who are you?
After a few hours of sleep, literally like 3 or maybe 4 tops, we were invited by our kind hosts to the college cafeteria. This almost made it worthwhile. I had some tasty yogurt with strawberry granola raisins and blackberries! After that I just wanted to get a shower ad get the f out. I met this girl in the cafeteria who seemed nice and gave me her number without me asking or anything and so I asked her if I could use her shower. I don't know what I was thinking but she said yes and it ended up real awkward with me pretty much leaving the second I left the bathroom. That's cool though because it gave me time to escape from our hosts and meet up with the other starfucks for the next event:
Free shoes! We went to Zurik a shoe place that gives shoes to strfkr whenever they roll through town. I got a nice pair which my feet are happy to have! After that we went to the club we play tonight and I grabbed the bus to get new tires and soon I shall head back to see what next foolishness will be experienced on this grand adventure!
So here we are in Salt Lake. We rolled into town late as usual but not too bad this time. Kilby court was our venue and it was a strange place. Beside a skate alley and a bunch of dirt this backyard tin shack themed venue is the place for young Utah kids to come get "rowdy".
It was labor day and the town was as sober and dry as salt lake city on labor day can be expected. The guy ran to get us beer but in Utah they water the beer down to make it extra less like whiskey.
I began to work the merch booth and asked all the kids to steal booze from their parents and they could trade it for free shirts. Eventually an adult appeared and he ended up getting us a variety of alcohols. It was a celebratory time for the starfucks and I. We also got some pizza.
After the show one of the starfucks, Patrick, who is a really nice and chill dude, was invited to the University of Utah dormitory by a college girl. This seemed an excellent opportunity for him, and I tagged along as his wingman with the option to go fighter pilot myself. Things started off ominously when my phone directed us to a graveyard instead of the dorms. We probably should have just stayed there and hung with the ghouls, it would have been a better time.
First off the college girl wanted to give us a tour of the campus, at 3am. Blah blah blah, heres this library, heres a tree, etc. This made me worry and after a bit of pressing I discovered that we were not invited to her dorm at all! She pawned us off on this guy who would not shut the fuck up. We ended up sleeping on his floor and couch after some dull conversation, mostly jabber jaw flapping his gums. There were no blankets or pillows to speak of besides a bath towel which I used as a pillow. Oh yeah our host was boiling water but forgot about it and ruined his roommates nice pot and then picked it up from the stove but set it on the counter burning a nice ring on there too. In the morning the roommate came into the kitchen to Patrick brushing his teeth and unable to speak in the kitchen next to a messed up pot and burnt counter. This image seems funny to me because Patrick is such a nice guy and not guilty of the crimes but im sure the roommate was just like wtf who are you?
After a few hours of sleep, literally like 3 or maybe 4 tops, we were invited by our kind hosts to the college cafeteria. This almost made it worthwhile. I had some tasty yogurt with strawberry granola raisins and blackberries! After that I just wanted to get a shower ad get the f out. I met this girl in the cafeteria who seemed nice and gave me her number without me asking or anything and so I asked her if I could use her shower. I don't know what I was thinking but she said yes and it ended up real awkward with me pretty much leaving the second I left the bathroom. That's cool though because it gave me time to escape from our hosts and meet up with the other starfucks for the next event:
Free shoes! We went to Zurik a shoe place that gives shoes to strfkr whenever they roll through town. I got a nice pair which my feet are happy to have! After that we went to the club we play tonight and I grabbed the bus to get new tires and soon I shall head back to see what next foolishness will be experienced on this grand adventure!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Keil gets hurt and chance acts a creep
Greetings from the road, I am fresh off driving duty and resting snugly in my top bunk-coffin as we finish up the last bit of Boise to Salt Lake city! But let us begin where last I left you: in the Seattle radio station. The band finished and I hopped on stage to begin "breaking down" when a person came and told me we had 25 minutes to load into some truck to get our stuff to the festival stage! We made it eventually but not quite that fast.
The bumbershoot festival was alright, not too much in the way of free beer but I was able to see some friends, which was super nice! After the show we all went to a bar, which I constantly insisted be a karaoke bar and despite several attempts to make it not a karaoke bar, it eventually became one. I did family affair and a duet with Cristina of 2 become 1. Keil, the starfuck drummer and my best homie did suffragette city while apologizing profusely. And Ian the 6 foot 3 blond guitarist starfuck did an amazing rendition of that song Crying. The dude can break it down.
Anyways I ended up going home with Cristina and Phillipe and was able to shower which was real nice. They also packed me up with some Oreos, peanuts, chocolate, and an orange. Good road snacks.
Next up we hit Boise, Idaho. We were extremely late and had to bust it to get all the gear inside, it was kinda fun though to be doing it with all the audience already there, instead of doing it while it's empty. At least for me anyway.
The venue is called the reef and it is a tiki bar. It was full of mostly dorks and a few cute babes. I sold a bit of merchandise and was chastised by some guy for us being late! Ha! I had sone whiskey and beer and was ready for a fine night of partying but as the show ended Keil rushed off and we learned that he went to the hosital because his cracked ribs were becoming too painful from his killing of the drums.
Don't worry folks, Keil will be okay. He got some drugs and we are going to have him take it a bit easier on those drums. Those of us left behind after the hospital trip and not sharing a private hotel room (Shawn the bassist starfuck and his lady Laura) all went to pita pit for some late night grub. We discussed the fact that our attempt (mostly mine) at having a big afterparty had failed, and then things got a little weird.
You see, across the street was a couple clearly in the middle of a fight. The man, a real bro-ham type, was starting to walk away from his bro-lady and so I yelled a thing or two about how she should come hang with us on our side of the street. Pretty soon what do you know but Mr. Ham and Hamette come walking over real quick yelling about minding our own business. It was a real agro situation.
Of course all five of us big strong men begin apologizing like crazy, just a cacophony of high pitch apologies. Real quick and fluidly Ian and I begin to act like boyfriends and soon enough all of us are playing the gay card. Instantly the husband doesn't know what to do and just kinda freezes up and let's his wife do the talking. She keeps repeating over and over that she has nothing against our kind and we all became sorta friends. I even kissed her on the lips. Twice. And grabbed her butt a little.
Next up is the SLC! What is the next exciting adventures for me and the starfucks?
The bumbershoot festival was alright, not too much in the way of free beer but I was able to see some friends, which was super nice! After the show we all went to a bar, which I constantly insisted be a karaoke bar and despite several attempts to make it not a karaoke bar, it eventually became one. I did family affair and a duet with Cristina of 2 become 1. Keil, the starfuck drummer and my best homie did suffragette city while apologizing profusely. And Ian the 6 foot 3 blond guitarist starfuck did an amazing rendition of that song Crying. The dude can break it down.
Anyways I ended up going home with Cristina and Phillipe and was able to shower which was real nice. They also packed me up with some Oreos, peanuts, chocolate, and an orange. Good road snacks.
Next up we hit Boise, Idaho. We were extremely late and had to bust it to get all the gear inside, it was kinda fun though to be doing it with all the audience already there, instead of doing it while it's empty. At least for me anyway.
The venue is called the reef and it is a tiki bar. It was full of mostly dorks and a few cute babes. I sold a bit of merchandise and was chastised by some guy for us being late! Ha! I had sone whiskey and beer and was ready for a fine night of partying but as the show ended Keil rushed off and we learned that he went to the hosital because his cracked ribs were becoming too painful from his killing of the drums.
Don't worry folks, Keil will be okay. He got some drugs and we are going to have him take it a bit easier on those drums. Those of us left behind after the hospital trip and not sharing a private hotel room (Shawn the bassist starfuck and his lady Laura) all went to pita pit for some late night grub. We discussed the fact that our attempt (mostly mine) at having a big afterparty had failed, and then things got a little weird.
You see, across the street was a couple clearly in the middle of a fight. The man, a real bro-ham type, was starting to walk away from his bro-lady and so I yelled a thing or two about how she should come hang with us on our side of the street. Pretty soon what do you know but Mr. Ham and Hamette come walking over real quick yelling about minding our own business. It was a real agro situation.
Of course all five of us big strong men begin apologizing like crazy, just a cacophony of high pitch apologies. Real quick and fluidly Ian and I begin to act like boyfriends and soon enough all of us are playing the gay card. Instantly the husband doesn't know what to do and just kinda freezes up and let's his wife do the talking. She keeps repeating over and over that she has nothing against our kind and we all became sorta friends. I even kissed her on the lips. Twice. And grabbed her butt a little.
Next up is the SLC! What is the next exciting adventures for me and the starfucks?
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Canadia and Seattle
Here I sit, in a Seattle radio station recording studio. The starfucks are setting up their equipment with a tight deadline before the drove of teeny boppers roll in and fill the empty benches around me.
I am feeling pretty good. Finally was able to get to my oral hygiene routine: brush scrape floss. I also changed socks and undies but the rest of my clothes shall have to last another day if my program of only doing laundry once all tour is to be.
I plan to meet a fine lady some evening at a show and ask her in my sultriest voice if she has a washer and dryer. I will keep you all updates on my progress in that endeavor.
So yesterday was the start of this tour, I didn't sleep at all before hand so I actually ended up sleeping 6 and a half of the 7 hour drive to Canada. Our tour bus is a converted airport shuttle bus, and I sleep in one of the nine bunk beds. Mine is the top level and it's a bit like a coffin. I enjoy it.
We got held over by border patrol because one of the starfucks has an unconvicted DUI. Don't worry, he isn't driving. Actually because I slept all day I was given post show driving duties, which meant no drinking for me! I still had fun though.
Carrying gear and setting up the merch booth was a bit of hard work, but all in all I am having fun. When we crossed the border back into America I was at the helm of our bus while the rest of the band was high or drunk or sleeping. Everyone was thankful for my sweet talking of the lady border guard who let us through without having to get out of the vehicle, which is the normal procedure.
So far in Seattle all we have done is roll in and grab some snacks, I dined on my favorite sandwich this side of capriottis: the ragin Cajun at other coast. I got to see Cristina and Phillipe but only for a brief second. I shall report on tonight's misadventures tomorrow!
I am feeling pretty good. Finally was able to get to my oral hygiene routine: brush scrape floss. I also changed socks and undies but the rest of my clothes shall have to last another day if my program of only doing laundry once all tour is to be.
I plan to meet a fine lady some evening at a show and ask her in my sultriest voice if she has a washer and dryer. I will keep you all updates on my progress in that endeavor.
So yesterday was the start of this tour, I didn't sleep at all before hand so I actually ended up sleeping 6 and a half of the 7 hour drive to Canada. Our tour bus is a converted airport shuttle bus, and I sleep in one of the nine bunk beds. Mine is the top level and it's a bit like a coffin. I enjoy it.
We got held over by border patrol because one of the starfucks has an unconvicted DUI. Don't worry, he isn't driving. Actually because I slept all day I was given post show driving duties, which meant no drinking for me! I still had fun though.
Carrying gear and setting up the merch booth was a bit of hard work, but all in all I am having fun. When we crossed the border back into America I was at the helm of our bus while the rest of the band was high or drunk or sleeping. Everyone was thankful for my sweet talking of the lady border guard who let us through without having to get out of the vehicle, which is the normal procedure.
So far in Seattle all we have done is roll in and grab some snacks, I dined on my favorite sandwich this side of capriottis: the ragin Cajun at other coast. I got to see Cristina and Phillipe but only for a brief second. I shall report on tonight's misadventures tomorrow!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Prologue
Here I sit at my computer at 4:34 am. I have slept about 3 hours in the last 36 and it is beginning to make me a little wild, yes just a little bit wild. I shaved my beard a few hours ago in preparation of the grand expedition I am to set out upon.
The expedition will be a cross-the-country tour by a travelling band called simply STRFKR. They are 5 young men who have many many instruments and doo-dads which they use to create a vibration that makes many people feel a need to shake their booties.
What is my role in this undertaking you ask? Which part does Chance Jackson have to play in this fellowship? Only time will tell but as the fortune cookie which I shall soon post upon my bunk bed ceiling reads: "Happiness is a direction, not a destination."
We shall be setting out for Vancouver, Canada in 3 hours time. Our caravan is a magnificent fire engine red beast of a converted airport shuttle bus, with 9 bunk beds and carpet. But alas my love, there is no air conditioning.
I will write as I can and tell you of the Adventures.
The expedition will be a cross-the-country tour by a travelling band called simply STRFKR. They are 5 young men who have many many instruments and doo-dads which they use to create a vibration that makes many people feel a need to shake their booties.
What is my role in this undertaking you ask? Which part does Chance Jackson have to play in this fellowship? Only time will tell but as the fortune cookie which I shall soon post upon my bunk bed ceiling reads: "Happiness is a direction, not a destination."
We shall be setting out for Vancouver, Canada in 3 hours time. Our caravan is a magnificent fire engine red beast of a converted airport shuttle bus, with 9 bunk beds and carpet. But alas my love, there is no air conditioning.
I will write as I can and tell you of the Adventures.
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