So we just did the first half of a "mini tour" with our boys from NC, Eight Foot Stride. The shows were in Wilmington and Sneads Ferry, NC. I've never done one of these before so bare with me.
We started the trip Friday afternoon in the pouring rain which under normal circumstances wouldn't have been too bad but our vans heater core is bad which caused an entirely new set of issues. Our defrost sprays a little bit of antifreeze when it is on now and it decided to cover the window and make it next to impossible to see. We stopped at an advanced auto parts and bot a squiggie (sp?) and some anti-fog wipes. After about an hour and a half of driving and squiggiing (i have no idea how to spell that) the windows we finally figured out how to get the anti-fog wipes to work and it was clear sailing from there. About 3 hours later we pulled into Lucky's Pub and sat in the parking lot for about an hour before anybody else showed up. That was the first time in our bands history we have been early to something haha.
Lucky's is one helluva club for those who haven't been there. They took great care of us and have a great sound system. Ironclad from Jville NC opened the show and got the crowd ready to roll. We were up second and it was great to look out into the crowd and see a few familiar faces, especially since we hadn't been to Wilmington in over a year. The set went on and we made it through without too many problems which makes it a good night. Eight Foot Stride took the stage right after us and I think I am still slightly blind in my right eye from their stage lights. They put on a good show and got the home crowd worked into a frenzy. Clone Cycle finished off the night with a tight set and if you haven't seen them before their drummer is amazing!
After the show Jason from EFS was nice enough to let us head back to his house and crash for the night. I'm not sure if he knew what he was getting into or not lol.
Saturday since we were already within 15 minutes of the venue and some of us were a little on the hungover side (damn that jagermeister), we spent the entire day being "tourists". We made it down to the beach but it was a little too cold to really take advantage of it so we hit up a surf shop which turned out to be the wrong decision. Erik and Jason got the bright idea of wanting to purchase some Heelies (those stupid shoes with wheels). Nowhere in the area had them so we drove out to Jacksonville, NC and store after store they were nowhere to be found. Next thing we knew it was 7:30 and we had killed about 4 hours looking for those damn shoes and it was time to go to the venue.
Once again Eight Foot Stride pulled through for us and hooked up a show at Cocktails and Diamonds after our original show was cancelled the day before. Before the show even got started the crazyness of the night was in full effect. I was kidnapped by a 60 year old drunk woman, and I mean drunk. She made me walk her up the street to the quik e mart to get money. Somehow halfway back from the store I had to make a daring escape and run around to the back of the venue.
The show went off to a small crowd but it was way better than not playing at all. Once again it was good to see a few familiar faces, including our boy Drew. There were a few hitches in the show, the usual string breakings, plugs coming unplugged, band members throwing up (ok maybe that isn't the usualy, damn that jager again) but all and all it was a pretty good set. Eight Foot Stride played right after us once again and Erik got to get on stage with them during their cover of Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell". Those guys put on one helluva show both nights and we can't wait to get them up here for the 2 shows at Zakk's and Rocks next weekend.
Once again after the shows we went back to Jason from EFS's house. This time his entire band was there and we drank and ate an assload of pasta that Gary from EFS's mom had cooked for everyone. We can't thank those guys enough for all the hospitality. Please check them out. You won't be disappointed.
Round 2 starts next Friday in Murfreesboro at Zakks and Saturday in Richmond at Rocks. If you are in either area check out the shows. You won't be disappoitned at all. This got really long really quickly so I think that is enough for now.
Peyton