Being Black Tie Revue's resident statistician and archivist, I set out to compile a ridiculously comprehensive tour diary. Though I admit I failed in a few aspects (particularly the lack of entries during SXSW), I feel I did a pretty thorough job. Here are the highlights:

March 9 – 1:17 p.m. the Undertones - "Jimmy, Jimmy"
We finally leave Pittsburgh for our SXSW tour --- a mere two and a half hours after our scheduled leaving time. First stop is New York City.

Seating chart:
John-Paul and Anthony - front
Matthew and Cary – middle
Paul and Jesse – back

March 9 – 2:35 p.m. 86.1 miles. Of Montreal - "Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?"
When I'm governor, the signs before tunnels that say, "Remove sunglasses" will be replaced with a picture of a sun (with a happy face) removing his sunglasses.

March 9 – 4:10 p.m. 187.1 miles. Zombies - "Odyssey and Oracle"
First stop of the trip. In Carlisle at the Pilot near the scene of the Great BTR Fire of '03.

March 9 – 8:36 p.m. 374.4 miles Of Montreal - "Sunlandic Twins"
Finally in the heart of New York City and on our way to Fontana's. BTR's real late, dudes.

March 10 – 12:11 p.m.
Leaving NYC --- drank until 7:00 a.m. Feel surprisingly well. It should be noted that Anthony drove the van back to the place we crashed at last night, the first --- and probably only --- time John-Paul will cease control of the driver's seat during this tour.

March 10 – 2:10 p.m. 441.8 miles. Penguins v. Rangers
We just made it to Asbury Park! We're going to to stop at Applebee's to watch the game. The Rangers are up 2-0 in the second period. Thankfully we won't be forced to listen to the Rangers' lackluster commenting team anymore.

March 11 – 11:50 a.m. 450.6 miles.
Leaving the hotel in Asbury Park. We stayed at the Crystal Inn, a seedy --- yet charming --- dive located next to a strip club. They were nice enough to send us a Christmas card last year. When we checked in, Anthony thanked them for the kind gesture and the gentleman behind the counter said that they wanted to find a way to thank their loyal clientèle. Unfortunately, they had to stop sending out the cards because too many disgruntled wives wanted the Crystal Inn to pay for their respective divorces.

March 11 – 2:37 p.m. 556.2 miles. Scott Walker - "Scott 2"
Everyone else is asleep, so I'm sneaking in a little Scott. We're playing in Austin at the same time and date the new Scott documentary, "30 Century Man," is being shown, which is a total bummer. Just made it to Delaware.

March 11 – 3:01 p.m. 571.6 miles. Guided By Voices - "Isolation Drills"
Maryland --- state five on our trip.

March 11 – 5:14 p.m. 679.5 miles. The Fever - "Red Bedroom"
Virginia --- state six!

March 12 – 12:37 a.m. 783.7 miles.
Arrived in Richmond around 8:30 p.m. and played a great show. Lindsay and Captain Neal made the trip down from D.C. for the show. It's always good to see pretty and familiar faces while on tour.

March 12 – 10:31 a.m. 789 miles.
About to leave Richmond for Dallas. We hope to get about 12 hours of drive-time in today. Paul forgot his cymbal bag at the party we played at, so we're here now picking it up. Also, I think my tuner is on the fritz.

March 12 – 5:44 p.m. 1,115.3 miles. Blondie – mix tape
Finally in Tennessee! Places we stopped: Bob Evans, an Exxon next to a Monster Museum and a huge rest stop with a Burger King. I made my first purchase on a whim this trip, something that I'm trying to avoid, and it was Rodney Dangerfield's "I Don't Get No Respect." It was definitely worth the $7.99.

March 12 – 7:42 p.m.
We stopped at the self-proclaimed world's largest fireworks store and Anthony stocked-up on supplies, getting the homeboy discount from the clerk. Unfortunately, the self-proclaimed world's largest beef jerky store was closed.

March 13 – 2:58 a.m. 1,607.2 miles.
We accomplished our goal and made it to Memphis. John-Paul ruled the road today. We're at this place called the Memphis Inn. Today's highlight --– watching "Anchorman" in the van.

March 13 – 12:12 p.m. 1,626.7 miles.
We're on the road and in Arkansas! Suey! State number 8 for us on this tour. I'm wearing a pair of cut-off shorts --- this could be a big mistake.

March 13 – 4:31 p.m. 1,901.1 miles. Michael Jackson - "Thriller."
We made it to Texas!

March 13 – 7:50 p.m. 2,071.7 miles. Of Montreal - "The Sunlandic Twins."
Dallas! The show tonight is at a place called the Lakewood Bar and Grille. It took us a while to find it.

March 14 – 11:29 a.m. 2,099.5 miles.
Leaving Dallas for Austin. The show last night went surprisingly well. We sold a lot of merch for a change --- let's hope this is the beginning of a new trend.

March 14 – 4:44 p.m. 2,275.7 miles. the Roots - "Seed 2.0"
We made it to Austin! We're really excited for this week. Going to get a cheap room and then head into town for the festivities.

March 18 – 11:12 a.m.
Sorry I've been so neglectful --- South By Southwest was a blast. I'll tell you more about it later. As for now, it's time to head back to Pittsburgh for a few days before leaving for the second leg of this tour.

March 18 – 6:37 p.m. 2,710.7 miles.
Arkansas. Again. It seems like we're going backwards.

March 18 – 11:04 p.m. 2,985.2 miles. Marked Men - "Fix My Brain."
Memphis.

March 19 – 12:16 a.m.
At a Pilot somewhere in Tennessee. John-Paul got two chili-cheese dogs with mustard and onions. This could spell out bad news for the other passengers in the van.

March 19 – 4:14 a.m. 3,235.8 miles. The Midgetmen.
Kentucky. New state. Tired. John-Paul's a warrior.

March 19 – 7:11 a.m. 3,340.3 miles – the Undertones - "the Undertones."
STILL driving. Holy shit.

March 19 – 1:03 p.m. the Undertones - "the Undertones."
We fell asleep at a rest stop in Kentucky. Pilots are certainly our favorite rest stops. Now back to Pittsburgh.

March 19 – 3:33 p.m. 3,469.6 miles.
We're in Cincinnati, Ohio. I'm sure no one else wants to make the Greg Dulli/Scott Walker pilgrimige to Hamilton. In fact, fuck it, I don't either.

March 19 – 8;10 p.m. 3,702.4 miles. Penguins v. Rangers.
In Wild, Wonderful for a moment.

March 19 – 8:33 p.m. 3,717.8 miles. Penguins v. Rangers.
Pennsylvania!

March 19 – 9:26 p.m. 3,763.4 miles. Penguins v. Rangers.
Back in the City of Champions. We're probably going to miss the fucking game.

xoxo,
Matthew / BTR