So, let's see if I can cover all the fine details of our long long long journey across the desert.. Here we go..
Sept. 13 / Little Rock, AR - So, we are off on our longest journey in a long time. 3 weeks with a band called RED. They are heavy, we are not, they are a nice, we are too. They rock, we rock. So, sounds like it's gonna be a good tour. First night is always interesting, especially since we just got all of our gear a few days before and haven't really played it live. My guitar fell off mid-set, Adam had bass problems, Steve rocked balls as usual. To start the night, we got to eat in the restaurant for free. So, being the nice guys we are, we racked up an $80 tab, and got it free :) The show went off really well, we rocked, got a GREAT response, and the RED guy oficially dug JUNIOR after they saw what all the madness was like in person. They were oficially glad to be stuck with us for a week or so. So, the show rocked, we left on the longest drive of the tour, and only made it bout 2 hours, slept for 5 hours, and drove a lot more. That was prety much the theme of the whoe tour. Rock, drive, sleep a copuple of hours, eat, and rock some more.
Sept. 14 / Abilene, TX - Got to Abilene, set up, and rocked. There were 3 bands, and we went on first. It was a cool show from what I remember, becaue I was tired, and it was several weeks ago. Must have been good though, because Frank Pain at Rock 108 put our song in rotation, and when we came back 2 1/2 weeks later the place was slammed.. Good times.
Sept. 15 / San Angelo, TX Been a long time since we played here. Played the Steel Penny Pub. Great crowd, great sound, and had a good show, just like the old days. Got a free room this night, and a decent paycheck, which is always good. Anyhoo, good times, and saw a lot of those windmill things that look like spaceships and generate electricity. It wa wild. We're off the next day. WOO HOO..
Sept. 16 (no show) & 17 / Lubbock, TX - Not a lot happened. Drove about 3 hours to Lubbock, got a room, watched TV, went to Wal Mart, and I went running around the lovely city of Lubbock. Later than night, Steve fell asleep and Adam heard some lour Latino jamz in the distance. So, we followed the sound and found some huge festival complete with mariachi music and lot's of good eats. Sadly, it cost to get in, so we listened from the gate. Later that night, I get a call saying RED had to cancel. So, we waled around the next day lookng for a gig since we were there. Luckily the venue let us play the rado station pumped the show, and we played. Good times, bad sound, sold some merch, goodnight..
Sept. 18 / Midland, TX - We're off today and staying at our managers house with RED in Midland, TX. A house full of dudes, 2 dogs, and Jason's (our manager) wife. I felt sorry for her being trapped with all guys in 1 house. Anyhoo, Jason cooked steak, ribs, chicken, beans, and potato salad. Man, it was good. Not much happened but sitting around chilling. The show on the 19 was cancelled as well, so we chilled even more. Got to go to our managers ofice and see all the Niickelback platinum records on the wall. I want one..
Sept. 19 & 20 / Tombstone & Phoenix, AZ - So, we drove to Tombstone, AZ. Home of the OK Coral, where Wyatt Earp and his boys kicked ass in the old West. Saw a lot of cool stuff, took pictures, and had a grand ol' time. We were up early so we could see everything, then drive to Phoenix. Went in a bar and they made us dress up like girl because we all had on shorts. Then, they let us dress up in western gear like the old cowboys. It was awesome. We headed to Phoenix shortly after that, and set-up, and rocked. Show was cool, but not the best. Good times regardless. This was the last night with RED. It was sad, and Hayden jumped on our windshield butt naked. The rest of the guys headed back to Nashville, and Mike (singer) stayed with us so we could take him to the airport at 5:30 am..... We got up 3 hours later, took him to the airport, and went back to bed..
Sept. 21 / Phoenix, AZ - Still in Phoenix. We have to shows here. Well, technically in Mesa tonight and Tempe last night. It's all Phoenix to me. Today I got up and ran. It was hotter than hell today. But at leats they don't have the Texas humidity. We also did laundry today. We're so fresh and so clean clean.. Anyhoo, got to the club, set up, and played. Not the greatest show ever, but whatever. No one was there, but we somehow managed to sell 2 cd's.. Goodnight.
Sept. 22 / Anaheim, CA - long drive across the desert to Anaheim today. Anaheim was cool.. Got there late, checked in, and went to the venue. Probably the smalles venue I have ever played in my life. The maximum capacity was 49. Also, the coolest show on the tour. This place was cool. Everyone from No Doubt, The Offspring, Blink 182, and a lot more got their start in Anaheim here. Great bands, the people were awesome, and the sold Pabst Blue Ribbon beer here. We didn't drink it, but it was still funny. Great show, ate some Carl's Jr. Burger, and off to bed, and it was FREEZING in Anaheim. Goodnight.
Sept. 23 / San Diego, CA - Off to San Diego. Saw the beach on the way, and that was as close as we got. Gotta keep running.. Got to the club, and was greeted by some good news. "THE SHOW IS CANCELLED GUYS".. Seems the first 2 bands cancelled because the drummer broke his arm. WHAT? Ye, they both have the same drummer. So being the bvand we are, we said "NOPE, we're here, and we're playing, so get the hell out of the way.." So, we set up, were ready o ock, and the sound guy decides he's not coming to work. Oh well, we'll run it ourself. Tried it, but seems a DJ came in and hooked the PA up all crazy the night before. Whatever. So, we did what any tourist would do, and crossed the border into Tijuana Mexico for the day. It was cool. Adfam was nervous, but Steve and I dug it. Got some sweet deals from some vendors, ate an official Mexican hand rolled taco, and even ddrank the water (it was bottled). Had to wait in a long line to get back in the US. It was cool. Anyhoo, back to the show. It never happened, and the club payed us anyways and gave us free cokes and redbull. I drove for Los Angeles, and we got they about 3 am, and went to bed.
Sept. 24 / HOLLYWOOD, CA - So, we woke up, took showers, and headed to Santa Monica to the Fox studios lot. On or way we took a detour down trendy Robertson Blvd. in Beverly Hills. We saw Amy Smart walking out of The Ivy, and our trailer was on tmz.com because she walked past it. As she did I screamed out "TMZ" and the camera guys laughed. I then screamed out "BRITNEY SPEARS" and they laughed again. I'm a funny guy. Anyhoo, went to FOX, met Rob (Toucan Cove Records), Pat (sports music guy) and went to meet the Fox people in a fancy office. It was cool, they dug us, dug the songs, and are going to use some for Nascar next year. We also saw The Simpsons soundstage and a lot more. Got to go where they film the NFL Sunday, and sit in the chairs at the Best Damn Sports Show. It was cool. Picture are in the pictures section of our myspace. Good times.. Ok, later that night we headed to the show at The Gig on Melrose. Good times again, and Rob took us out to eat, and he payed. WHOOPASS!! 8:30 rolled around, we rocked, and sold over $100 in merch in L.A. on a Monday night The people at the venue even bought shirts. We rule.. Said goodbye to the label guys, drove down Sunset, saw Dave Navarro, he waved, we waved, and we went to bed..
Sept. 25 / Off - I got up at 7:30 am to do an interview with Rock 10 in Abilene, TX to chronicle our travels. It was early.. Anyhoo, we woke up, and drove all day and night.. The drive from Californie to Texas really really really sucks. It's nice and neat to see all the mountains in the desert, but after a while it gets old.. Anyhoo, nothing interesting but cacti. We get to Tucson and all the damn exits to the whole city are blocked off for construction. So, we have to go south of Tucson, exit, and come back. It sucked. We stayed in a getto ass hotel, and luckily we didn't get robbed. I'm sure Tucson is nice, but where we were sucked..
Sept. 26 / Tucson, AZ - Woke up at 7:30 am again for another interview. It was funny. Problem was, had trouble going back to sleep. Woke up later, went to eat at Weinertschzel. It was awesome, and gave us gas.. Went to the rock show, it was PACKED with a lot of young people ready to rock. There were 6 bands on the bill, problem was, we were 5th, and no one knows who we are., So, all the local bands, with the exception of a couple, left, and took their fans. Good times though, and we sold a good anount of merch considering there weren't many people there, which leads me to beleive that we would have sold a lot more if we would have played 3rd.. Anyhoo, just another day.. Goodnight.
Sept. 27 / Las Cruces, NM - Woke up again at 7:30, interviewed, went to bed. Woke up again, and headed to Las Cruces, NM.. Another long desert drive. Got there, loaded in, got a free meal, and had a nice room finally. Sound was pretty bad because they had just installed the PA. No biggie though, we rocked, people dug it, and we still sold a lot of merch. Go figure. Maybe people feel sorry for us.. Goodnight..
Sept. 28 / Driving to Midland, TX - woke up at 8:30 am today for the interview because we were in Mountain Time. I ate a donut, went back to bed, and then we were off to Midland, TX for another day off.. Got there late, took our manager and his wife to Cheddars for some good grub, and went to bed. Actually, we stayed up late and watched RV. Good movie. I slept on the floor.
Sept. 29 / Abilene, TX - Woke up in Midland, and Steve mowed Jason's yard. He must have been bored.. He left little stripes in the grass though, like he gave the yard a mohawk. It was funny. Drove to Abilene for the last show. Got there, there ws a good buzz about the show because were were on the radio. I actually went to eat by myself at a sweet Japanese restaurant next door. I spent a lot on a meal. I figured I haven't had a good meal, or spent much money, so I did. And it was good. Had leftovers and ate them after the show. Anyhoo, the show rocked, sold a LOT of merch, the crowd dug it. We have a lot of new fans there. We will be back soon. Goodnight..
Sept. 30 / HOME - So, that's it. About 4 thousand miles, a lot of bad food, lot's of farting, sand, cactus, loud music, and a few celebs, but now we are on our way home. It was fun. See y'all on the road.