So, we had a string of three shows a week ago (7/3 - 7/6) and we wanted to report on some of the lessons that we learned along the way.  We hope to make this a (semi?)-regular feature here on MySpace.

These are in no way chronilogical order or in order of importance.

1. Boss stompbox tuners, while serving a wonderful purpose in dark smelly rock clubs or bars, offer no real redeeming value in the blazing hot July Michigan sun.  They pretty much turn into a small white box with a couple of randomly moving LED lights.

2. The DRL van, purchased from our brothers in Whitey Morgan, is now confirmed to be good for a 300 mile trip (knock on wood... we're heading to Cincy in about a month)

3. Playing last at the Elbow Room in Ypsilanti can actually mean "headlining the show" and does not automatically mean that you will be playing to 4 drunk dudes, the soundguy, and a pissed off bartender.

4. Drink tokens can, in fact, be redeemed for red bull and not just beer.  However, it's not a great idea to drink two of them right before a show.

5. Time warps exist in Grayling, MI.  Well, it's either that or every single clock in the city is set to a different time.

6. The jukebox at Smalls Bar in Detroit (in the 'bar room') is so loud that there is no chance to hear the bands performing (in the 'band room') under any circumstances.

7. The best band ideas are had in the van on way to shows and the worst band ideas are had in the van on the way to shows.

8. It's great to have 4 guitars for 2 guitar players... until the lead guitar player breaks a string on 2 of those guitars and the rhythm guitar player breaks a string on 1 of them.  At that point, 1 guitar and 2 guitar players doesn't sound like too good of an idea.

9. If you ever hear a song lyric about Paul getting to see boobs because Eric wouldn't sing along to a Prince song playing at the bar... it's a completely made up story and there's no factual evidence to prove that it did or did not happen.

10. A DRL cd can be traded straight-up for a ride in a simulated sky-dive machine.

11. If you have ever seen Trainspotting... remember the part where he finds the worst bathroom in Scotland?  We think the Elbow Room men's room stall can compete.

12. Holiday Inns can hide.  Especially if you happen to have a face full of tacos after a long day in the sun.  They're sneaky and you might just end up driving around for an extra 30 minutes after you passed right by the hidden one.

13. If you're extremely hammered and at Burger King at 3am... do not say you want a 1 combo with a 'Blue Cheesy' to drink if you really wanted 3 Whopper Juniors and an orange soda.  You will end up with a 1 combo, a Coke, and a lot of jokes made on your account.

14. One member of our band dreams of siring enough children to form a family band that will tour around the country.  The rest of DRL are obviously not invited.

15. Dancing whilst not performing live music, is pretty much forbidden if you are in our band and not named Lucas.

16. Hanging out with Miss Michigan and Miss Teen Michigan is fun.  Throwing the shocker when you get photographed with them is 'not' recommended because Miss MI knows what it is and will call you out for it.  Eric says miss Michigan looks different from what he remembers.

17. Other bands take special note on this one: Autographing cds after a show (even with Sharpies with shiny silver ink) does not mean that you've "made it".  The major record labels are not calling the next day... or even the day after that.

18. A music festival without beer has a very high chance of equaling a music festival without many people there.

Yep.  That was our week.
xo, -DRL