Dec 15, 2009
So my touring adventures for 2009 are done, and I am now at home. The last couple trips I haven’t written much and now is the time for me to make a note about the year for myself, and those who like to read about it. Ha. I usually keep it all in order but this time I will start with the most recent and leave with the most distant.
I just ended a tour with the freak show known as Propagandhi. Ha. Together with another bunch of other goofs- Strike Anywhere/ Protest The Hero we journeyed across the lands of the UK/ Ireland. Fun times were had everywhere but funner times were had in Ireland for sure. The UK needs to tighten up on it’s comedy, food, culture, and loosen up a little at its venues. Barricades, and security guards dressed in black with ear pieces are never any fun.
Like I said…….Ireland….you ruled hard! And always do!!
So in 1999 I moved to Santa Cruz from my fathers house in southern California to begin a life of my own. I had come across music-punk- about 5 years ago while leaving middle school. I had always like music but never really “knew” music until that time.
There were times as a child I would sit in the back of our car with my parents having the stereo on and I would air drum with McDonalds straws to the tunes being heard. Ha.
So when I moved to Santa Cruz I ended up selling my car, which my Dad gave me, to travel Europe for a little bit. My Dad wasn’t pumped but I did what I did and went with it. On my adventures in Europe I stayed with my friends Erol, and Nasrin for a good week in…geez I can’t even remember the name now- its near Hamburg. Erol had this Strike Anywhere LP “Chorus of One” which I recorded on cassette and brought with me for the remainder of the trip.
Once back in Santa Cruz I ended up getting a job at Sessions Records, as their promo fellow and also as someone who booked tours for bands. A bunch of friends of mine from southern California named the Missing 23rd had signed with Sessions records so I started booking them tours. I had since bought and owned the Strike Anywhere LP so when it came time to booking a show for the M23 in Virginia I emailed the address on the Strike Anywhere album. After a week or so a reply was made by Garth and an agreement was made to have both the Strike Anywhere, and M23 play together in Virginia.
Months later I received a call from Thomas- Stike Anywhere- to book them a west coast tour, which I did, and ended up going on about half of. Fun times. After getting to know the SA’s for awhile I ended up moving to Richmond, VA to continue our adventures together, and to begin a new chapter.
After a couple of tours Strike Anywhere ended up doing the “Anchors Aweigh” tour with the Bouncing Souls which began my friendship and future adventures with that incredible family.
Before this tour I do remember many drives in the SA van listening to both the Souls, and Propagandhi just imagining us all touring with both bands.
The anchors aweigh tour happened within due time and was incredible and lead to me later on touring with the Bouncing Souls whom I last toured with in Oct. Rad. Rad. Rad!
I have toured with a handful of bands and the 3 most important bands to me from this little list are bands that I have been able to share part of 2009 with.
So 2009 ended with Strike Anywhere, and Propagandhi again touring together for the 2nd time this year. Totally weird. Who would have thought?
About 8 years ago I get a call from Thomas which lead to a special friendship, then another special friendship with the Bouncing Souls, and now another special friendship with Propagadnhi. Life is super wild, and interesting how it all works out.
10 Years ago never would I have thought that I would be able to travel the world with friends and bands I grew up listening to who these friends also play in. Its been a wild a crazy journey and 2009 has been special. So….right on!!
Saturday, Nov 28, 2009
So I am about 2.5 hours into a 6.5 hour flight from Montreal to Paris, and then onto London where I will meet up with the other animals for our next, and last circus of 2009.
This plane for today’s flight is a very older model 747 with no individual TV’s in which makes for quite a boring trip. Get it together Air France! Good money is spent for these flights and in this day and age of competition your loosing due to other airlines currently having state of the art entertainment systems. Oh well only a couple more hours to go.
On a side note is a little annoying sometimes when the person next to you thinks its okay for them to take more then their space. Here I am passively fighting for some more arm room so I don’t feel so cramped but it’s not working. Haha. Also a couple months ago I went to the Dr. to get some pills for flights to relax me and my forgetful butt forget them in my bag below, and I decided to drink a cup of coffee on this flight which isn’t good due to the adrenaline I get during the bumps.
The food thus far was okay- braised tofu dish over rice with green beans, a baguette, salad, a nice glass of red wine, and some fruit as desert.
I am really excited about this next tour of ours for numerous reasons. Sharing the adventures with us is Strike Anywhere who are some really close friends of mine and old buddies from Richmond. This will be the first time out of all my touring where I have shared adventures with the SA boys in the Eastern hemisphere. Pumped!
Last time Propagandhi/ Strike Anywhere toured together it was a blast but I had to remain pretty alert/ responsible due to driving and the responsibilities of taking care of the soldiers. On this tour we will be in a bus which means I don’t have to worry about any driving at all which is a good good thing. Much hanging will be had.
Also it’s going to be quite interesting for our freak show-Propagandhi- as we are sharing a bus with a band/ people we have never met named Protest the Hero. I am sure it will be fine but it’s going to be interesting non-the less. At first upon hearing that this band-PTH- was our main support it was something I have always kind of thought to myself “huh?” as I really don’t find them that good of a band plus I am so close to SA and think that this tour would have been fine without PTH. What can you do? I am sure once we all get into the same spaceship and spend a couple days together all will be well. As long as these new fellows don’t mind the crazy smells, and chaos that comes with us it will run smoothly.
On this trip we will tour most of the UK, and head over to Ireland for a show in Dublin, and Belfast, which will be a first for me. Can’t wait actually and we have a day off in that city as well. I also heard last night of a professional ice hockey team from Belfast and it turns out that they are playing the night of our day off there so I think there will be a group of us going.
After this tour is done I have no plans in the immediate future and need to think of something to do with my time. Treat myself to a possible vacation. I will use this trip to brain storm my next personal destination which could be places such as India, Coast Rica, Belize, or somewhere in south America. Not too long ago I would treat myself with a solo adventure at least once a year and haven’t had one of these in the last couple of years. I’ll admit that in the past going alone has been not that big of a deal. Sure sometimes you get lonely but I have also met some amazing people who I traveled with and those experiences wouldn’t have been what they were if I was traveling with someone. For some reason these days I can tell that I am a little nervous to get up and leave by myself although I have numerous times. Not sure why? Maybe it has something to do with being gone all the time, away from or who knows what. Oh well.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Where is the Love and Compassion?
Oct 13, 2009
This is truly completely mind blowing.
My friend Ali who I met years ago on the mind numbing Warped Tour is currently going through what I would say is probably the most insane thing she has or ever will go through.
It was 2006 when our paths crossed and still to this day I am thankful for this crossing.
Ali is one of the cutest, sweetest people to walk this planet. Truly. Its why she is my friend and its why all my friends are my friends.
For 2 months straight from 8 in the morning until 10 at night we would seriously be at arms reach watching, and commenting on the circus passing us by. There was 1 particular show when I looked out into the crowd and saw some tool running with a cash box in hand which I recognized as Ali’s. I hopped over my table,, and ran as fast as I could into the huge festival crowd chasing this douche bag down to get Ali’s money back. I did catch the dude, threw him up against a fence, retrieved the loot, and handed him over to the authorities.
Ali didn’t even know the dude had taken her money when I returned but I know she was relieved when it was returned. Poor thing.
Since then Ali has been working for a catering company touring with acts as Nine Inch Nails, Eagles, Blink 182 and many other big time acts who can afford to bring out catering companies. Some health issues un-expectedly overcame Ali on tour a couple months ago and now the poor thing is left with a $43 000 health bill. INSANE!
I can’t believe people have stood for such a crock for so long. Something needs to be done as this is just the most de-humanizing thing imaginable. Your born, you live your life how you choose, you get sick, and you can’t afford to keep yourself healthy so you go in debt or die.
And Obama just won the Nobel Peace Prize. Hahaha.
Anyhoo please check out Ali’s situation and if you can help out with anything please do.
http://thealivattermatter.blogspot.com
This is truly completely mind blowing.
My friend Ali who I met years ago on the mind numbing Warped Tour is currently going through what I would say is probably the most insane thing she has or ever will go through.
It was 2006 when our paths crossed and still to this day I am thankful for this crossing.
Ali is one of the cutest, sweetest people to walk this planet. Truly. Its why she is my friend and its why all my friends are my friends.
For 2 months straight from 8 in the morning until 10 at night we would seriously be at arms reach watching, and commenting on the circus passing us by. There was 1 particular show when I looked out into the crowd and saw some tool running with a cash box in hand which I recognized as Ali’s. I hopped over my table,, and ran as fast as I could into the huge festival crowd chasing this douche bag down to get Ali’s money back. I did catch the dude, threw him up against a fence, retrieved the loot, and handed him over to the authorities.
Ali didn’t even know the dude had taken her money when I returned but I know she was relieved when it was returned. Poor thing.
Since then Ali has been working for a catering company touring with acts as Nine Inch Nails, Eagles, Blink 182 and many other big time acts who can afford to bring out catering companies. Some health issues un-expectedly overcame Ali on tour a couple months ago and now the poor thing is left with a $43 000 health bill. INSANE!
I can’t believe people have stood for such a crock for so long. Something needs to be done as this is just the most de-humanizing thing imaginable. Your born, you live your life how you choose, you get sick, and you can’t afford to keep yourself healthy so you go in debt or die.
And Obama just won the Nobel Peace Prize. Hahaha.
Anyhoo please check out Ali’s situation and if you can help out with anything please do.
http://thealivattermatter.blogspot.com
Sunday, October 11, 2009
End of the Souls
Oct 10, 2009
So I am sitting here at my fathers house sitting in his living room by myself listening to a brand new Bouncing Souls song named “Like The Sun” and have goose bumps.
I just ended a 2 week tour with the Souls family 3 days ago and am already sitting here thinking about the times, and the memories. Ha. There are some tours when I come home and the last thing that I want to do is listen to the music that I just saw night after night, and think about the tour. Some people call this de-compression which is a suitable word.
This past tour we did of Canada was really a lot fun and I am so fortunate to have been apart of it. The feeling that I get every night the Souls take the stage is something that I can’t explain and something that truly takes me into another world. I may be tired, not feeling the evening due to who knows why but as soon as those 4 dudes take the stage something comes over me which leaves me with a monstrous grin while I sing along to every song.
I don’t like going to deep into my touring lifestyle because I don’t want it to come across to cocky, or elitist, or even annoying but getting to be apart of something special as such by a group of friends who make music which I hold to the highest is something that has changed my life.
This month I will have gotten to share the road with 2 groups of friends whose bands have impacted my life to the fullest. I’ve mentioned this before but I’ll do it again, both the Bouncing Souls, and Propagandhi are bands that I have listened to for the last 15-16 years or so and who are also now good friends. Ha. I can’t think of any other group of people who play music which have had this effect.
Seeing these fellows every night do their thing on stage and how this impacts the people viewing these spectacles is something that is untouchable and is the beauty of live music. It’s an experience that will never be able to be described as it is something that is felt so deeply that it truly takes people into another world for that evening. “Music Saves”
So….ha ha…the Souls tour ended the other night in beautiful Vancouver, BC at the Rickshaw Theater. The last show was a good last show for a tour as such. The venue was packed with very sweaty excited people whom were there for their experience. Last shows of tours are always usually pretty special as everyone knows “this is it” and that this chapter is now over so its usually quite the party. Vancouver was this.
The Boucing Souls are celebrating their 20 year anniversary this year and truly they are still on top of their game. I was talking to my friend Devon the other day while walking in Vancouver after tour and I was mentioning how I am not sure if the Bouncing Souls have even peaked yet. 20 years later their shows are still sold out, people are still loosing their minds, and from personally being apart of their last 4 years (or so) I know that their fan base is still growing because I meet these new comers every night.
Okay now for a quick wrap up of where I left off of the Souls across Canada-driving west bound.
In Winnipeg I got to see my good friends whom I have been sharing adventures with this entire year. Well most of them at least. Beaver and Sammy met me for a good vegan dinner at the legendary Royal Albert, Barney came out to the show to hang, and Jord also showed up to hang out which was all super nice. Unfortunately the stay in Winnipeg wasn’t longer as there was definitely and will always be more hanging to be done there.
Once we were above the great lakes and heading west, both of the trucks seemed to start acting up in the cold mornings and were never the same. It sucked as the trucks weren’t working properly but it also became amusing as every time we let the sit for awhile one or the other just wouldn’t start. This last the remainder of the trip and happened every single day. Thankfully one would always start so we would pull it around wherever we were, and jump the other truck then off we would go.
Regina was a good show but was at a University which usually have weird stale vibes but when your in the middle of the Prairies Canada I guess you just take what you can get.
Next on the list was Edmonton in which we drove to over night after the Regina show due to seeing our bud Dr. Bob who is also known as the “punk rock” dentist. Bob has been so touched by music, and the Souls that a couple years ago he offered some bands free dental work when they came through Edmonton. He is one of the most gracious people I have come across and I know others feel this way too. Bob is a perfect example of what music is, what it does to all of us, and why we live our lives the way we do. So we went for a dental visit in the morning to get our teeth cleaned, check out, someone got fangs (no names mentioned), and a couple of fillings were replaced. Bob and his wife just brought into this world a baby girl whom they named Sarah after “Sarah Saturday” by the Souls so while some were getting worked on the others of us were hanging out with mum and daughter. Fun times.
This show was also super special for me personally as my little brother and my sister in law made the trip down south to hang out and take in the festivities. What made things that much better is I know both of them are big Bouncing Souls fans and this would be their first time getting to see them live. As soon as I saw both of them I knew they were pumped and it would be a special night. I was able to quickly grab some food with them before I had to report to duty.
The crowd at this show was really pumped up. The Starlite Ballroom venue was as packed as it could be with kids were loosing their minds, dancing, and singing along to the in-house music louder then the PA before the Souls came on stage. It was as if a band was really playing. Again something that needs to be witnessed as it will leave your heart pumping with excitement. I would say the Edmonton experience was a top one on this tour.
The raddest part was during the Souls set seeing my little brother jump on stage twice, singing as loud as he could into the air, and into the mic eventually stage diving both times. Honestly this was a special experience and brought this show to a whole other level for me. After the show both Travis, and Olena (bro, and sista in law) came up to me completely drenched in sweat and the energy that was radiating from them both I could tell they just had a night they will never forget. This made me happy and the next day both of them were the talk of the tour. “They ruled so much!”
After Edmonton we played Calgary, Banff and then had a day off to drive through the mountains of BC/ Alberta before we caught a ferry to Vancouver Island-Victoria for a show, and then finally our last show in Vancouver.
That tour, the laughs, the memories is something I will have forever and for that I am thankful.
Next up is the same trip across Canada with Propagandhi which is going to be as equaling exciting. I can’t wait.
So I am sitting here at my fathers house sitting in his living room by myself listening to a brand new Bouncing Souls song named “Like The Sun” and have goose bumps.
I just ended a 2 week tour with the Souls family 3 days ago and am already sitting here thinking about the times, and the memories. Ha. There are some tours when I come home and the last thing that I want to do is listen to the music that I just saw night after night, and think about the tour. Some people call this de-compression which is a suitable word.
This past tour we did of Canada was really a lot fun and I am so fortunate to have been apart of it. The feeling that I get every night the Souls take the stage is something that I can’t explain and something that truly takes me into another world. I may be tired, not feeling the evening due to who knows why but as soon as those 4 dudes take the stage something comes over me which leaves me with a monstrous grin while I sing along to every song.
I don’t like going to deep into my touring lifestyle because I don’t want it to come across to cocky, or elitist, or even annoying but getting to be apart of something special as such by a group of friends who make music which I hold to the highest is something that has changed my life.
This month I will have gotten to share the road with 2 groups of friends whose bands have impacted my life to the fullest. I’ve mentioned this before but I’ll do it again, both the Bouncing Souls, and Propagandhi are bands that I have listened to for the last 15-16 years or so and who are also now good friends. Ha. I can’t think of any other group of people who play music which have had this effect.
Seeing these fellows every night do their thing on stage and how this impacts the people viewing these spectacles is something that is untouchable and is the beauty of live music. It’s an experience that will never be able to be described as it is something that is felt so deeply that it truly takes people into another world for that evening. “Music Saves”
So….ha ha…the Souls tour ended the other night in beautiful Vancouver, BC at the Rickshaw Theater. The last show was a good last show for a tour as such. The venue was packed with very sweaty excited people whom were there for their experience. Last shows of tours are always usually pretty special as everyone knows “this is it” and that this chapter is now over so its usually quite the party. Vancouver was this.
The Boucing Souls are celebrating their 20 year anniversary this year and truly they are still on top of their game. I was talking to my friend Devon the other day while walking in Vancouver after tour and I was mentioning how I am not sure if the Bouncing Souls have even peaked yet. 20 years later their shows are still sold out, people are still loosing their minds, and from personally being apart of their last 4 years (or so) I know that their fan base is still growing because I meet these new comers every night.
Okay now for a quick wrap up of where I left off of the Souls across Canada-driving west bound.
In Winnipeg I got to see my good friends whom I have been sharing adventures with this entire year. Well most of them at least. Beaver and Sammy met me for a good vegan dinner at the legendary Royal Albert, Barney came out to the show to hang, and Jord also showed up to hang out which was all super nice. Unfortunately the stay in Winnipeg wasn’t longer as there was definitely and will always be more hanging to be done there.
Once we were above the great lakes and heading west, both of the trucks seemed to start acting up in the cold mornings and were never the same. It sucked as the trucks weren’t working properly but it also became amusing as every time we let the sit for awhile one or the other just wouldn’t start. This last the remainder of the trip and happened every single day. Thankfully one would always start so we would pull it around wherever we were, and jump the other truck then off we would go.
Regina was a good show but was at a University which usually have weird stale vibes but when your in the middle of the Prairies Canada I guess you just take what you can get.
Next on the list was Edmonton in which we drove to over night after the Regina show due to seeing our bud Dr. Bob who is also known as the “punk rock” dentist. Bob has been so touched by music, and the Souls that a couple years ago he offered some bands free dental work when they came through Edmonton. He is one of the most gracious people I have come across and I know others feel this way too. Bob is a perfect example of what music is, what it does to all of us, and why we live our lives the way we do. So we went for a dental visit in the morning to get our teeth cleaned, check out, someone got fangs (no names mentioned), and a couple of fillings were replaced. Bob and his wife just brought into this world a baby girl whom they named Sarah after “Sarah Saturday” by the Souls so while some were getting worked on the others of us were hanging out with mum and daughter. Fun times.
This show was also super special for me personally as my little brother and my sister in law made the trip down south to hang out and take in the festivities. What made things that much better is I know both of them are big Bouncing Souls fans and this would be their first time getting to see them live. As soon as I saw both of them I knew they were pumped and it would be a special night. I was able to quickly grab some food with them before I had to report to duty.
The crowd at this show was really pumped up. The Starlite Ballroom venue was as packed as it could be with kids were loosing their minds, dancing, and singing along to the in-house music louder then the PA before the Souls came on stage. It was as if a band was really playing. Again something that needs to be witnessed as it will leave your heart pumping with excitement. I would say the Edmonton experience was a top one on this tour.
The raddest part was during the Souls set seeing my little brother jump on stage twice, singing as loud as he could into the air, and into the mic eventually stage diving both times. Honestly this was a special experience and brought this show to a whole other level for me. After the show both Travis, and Olena (bro, and sista in law) came up to me completely drenched in sweat and the energy that was radiating from them both I could tell they just had a night they will never forget. This made me happy and the next day both of them were the talk of the tour. “They ruled so much!”
After Edmonton we played Calgary, Banff and then had a day off to drive through the mountains of BC/ Alberta before we caught a ferry to Vancouver Island-Victoria for a show, and then finally our last show in Vancouver.
That tour, the laughs, the memories is something I will have forever and for that I am thankful.
Next up is the same trip across Canada with Propagandhi which is going to be as equaling exciting. I can’t wait.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
souls across canada #1
Sept 29, 2009
McDermott, Dubs and myself are currently driving in #2 following the White Castle heading west from Wawa, Ont towards Winnipeg, MB. We left Toronto yesterday, drove 12 hours-600 miles, and pulled over in Wawa for a quick snooze. Today we will do another 12 hours or so of driving and then do the remainder to Winnipeg tomorrow morning.
I am out here with the Bouncing Souls on their Canadian tour (w/ Youth Brigade, Saint Alvia, Off With Their Heads) which thus far is ruling hard. Its been about year since I last toured with the Souls so its super fun, and nice to be back in the family, driving in #2, and seeing another Souls show every night.
Usually with the Souls I head down to Jersey for a pre-tour adventures of packing, and organizing however due to our first show being in Montreal. With me living in Montreal it worked out logistically to just meet everyone at the hotel the morning of our first show.
I hopped in #2, gave her some love, and drove on over to the venue.
I have always enjoyed the Souls do their thing by having their own trucks, and being pretty self-sustained so it was actually pretty cool opening up the back of #2, and there everything was for the show to happen.
The venue in which the Souls played is a pretty cool punk bar located in downtown Montreal named Foufs Foufs Electriques. Years ago when I first visited Montreal I remember my friends Eric, Garth, and I going to that place thinking it was a pretty rad place. On some days the place actually has a ½ pipe set up on the 2nd floor for people to skateboard on. Crazy.
The Montreal show was something I had been looking forward to for a long time. First show of tour, the Bouncing Souls, Montreal, the venue it was at, and then I had most of my friends coming out to the show. Fun. The entire night was incredible. Kids were loosing their minds so much so that a couple of times Greg actually said “whoa you all are stoked!” I managed to see a good chunk of the set where there was a lot of rocking to be had and there was a lot of people stage diving. For a first show I would say Montreal was pretty incredible and the sentiment is felt by all.
Next we headed to Ottawa where we played the Opera House which the Souls played last time they came across and Propagandhi has just played there a couple months ago. A venue which has a pretty brutal load in (up stairs) and has very sticky floors. There is a neat little organic market next door so I picked up a couple of tour-vitamin- essentials for the travels.
The Ottawa show was definitely quite opposite of the Motnreal show. At first everything seemed okay and having been there before there was a comfortable/ familiar vibe to the place. Wrong. I know Lisi before the show got completely yelled at by the venue owner possibly for looking for the “backstage” room. Ha! Any venue which is not super hospitable at first always needs to be questioned. If someone is cruising around looking for something you either say “no, yes, or over there”. You do not be a prick to them.
Well then doors were opened and all seemed to be going good until Youth Brigade was on stage. I didn’t see what happened but in between songs Shawn had to say something to the security guards in regards to taking it easy, and relaxing. Youth Brigade finished so up came the Souls to do their thing. At first everything seemed okay again until half way through their set when they abrubtly stopped, and starting looking into the crowd yelling “relax, security chill the fuck out!!” This lasted for a couple minutes with Bryan, Pete, and Greg telling the security to chill out and to let the kid they had just kicked out back in. Then I see Bryan, and Pete both put down their instruments, walk off stage and go confront the security guards. I wasn’t their but supposedly the security guards then became that much more aggressive and got into Bryan/ Pete’s face and literally said “I don’t give the fuck who you are so get back on stage”. From what I hear the security guards went completely crazy on kids, and actually beat some of them up.
Okay…this should never ever happen at shows. NEVER! If you are playing, or doing a show at a venue all parties need to be on the same page, and have a relationship as such. The band did what they had to do by confronting security because no one else did but that shouldn’t have been the case. Everyone always need to be on the same page in these situations, this needs to be known, and this needs to happen before the show even begins. It sucked and it ruined the show. I did manage to get some good Indian though before all of the mayhem.
Net on the list was Guelph, ONT in a smaller venue then the first two named Vinyl. We arrived and there was already “sold out” signs posted which always leaves you thinking “cool!” This venue was super tiny with even a tinier stage so from what DJ was saying he had to take some gear cases to extend the stage. Ha. You have to love the good ol small staged punk shows especially with a band as the Souls. Nothing to crazy about that show except that for some reason the show had to be done at 10 pm sharp. I never get that stuff. Venues who have sold out shows but a strict curfew for a club night afterwards which usually leaves everyone rushing to eventually open their doors to ¼ the amount of people who were just in there. Scratch the curfew, and have a late show because you will make that money you would have with the club night in bar sales at the show. Oh well. Guelph was cool.
London, ONT was next on the list at thee ol Call the Office which is always a good time. A small venue with these weird beams throughout it which sometimes obstructs the view. London is always a pretty fun time as people there seem to get a little over the top wild. I have a few friends in Montreal from London who definitely always bring it one step up. Ha!
The drive above the Great Lakes is a long, very scenic drive which finds you driving for hours upon hours in the middle of nowhere not even seeing another car for 5 + mins or so. Its nice to be in an area as such with nothing but untouched nature however our view point is strictly from the highway. We have passed a couple of mines, big dirt roads, and logging trucks so you never know what is beyond what we are looking at. Most likely there are a couple of huge chunks of clear-cuts, and other industrial developments doing their part in destroying what’s left.
Its going to be pretty cool to arrive in Winnipeg tomorrow where I will get to hang out with some pretty good friends who I also share the traveling adventures with. I know non of them have seen the Souls before, so they are going to come to the show and hang.
And…the Royal Albert/ Mondragon Café which is always a nice vegan treats while in Winnipeg.
McDermott, Dubs and myself are currently driving in #2 following the White Castle heading west from Wawa, Ont towards Winnipeg, MB. We left Toronto yesterday, drove 12 hours-600 miles, and pulled over in Wawa for a quick snooze. Today we will do another 12 hours or so of driving and then do the remainder to Winnipeg tomorrow morning.
I am out here with the Bouncing Souls on their Canadian tour (w/ Youth Brigade, Saint Alvia, Off With Their Heads) which thus far is ruling hard. Its been about year since I last toured with the Souls so its super fun, and nice to be back in the family, driving in #2, and seeing another Souls show every night.
Usually with the Souls I head down to Jersey for a pre-tour adventures of packing, and organizing however due to our first show being in Montreal. With me living in Montreal it worked out logistically to just meet everyone at the hotel the morning of our first show.
I hopped in #2, gave her some love, and drove on over to the venue.
I have always enjoyed the Souls do their thing by having their own trucks, and being pretty self-sustained so it was actually pretty cool opening up the back of #2, and there everything was for the show to happen.
The venue in which the Souls played is a pretty cool punk bar located in downtown Montreal named Foufs Foufs Electriques. Years ago when I first visited Montreal I remember my friends Eric, Garth, and I going to that place thinking it was a pretty rad place. On some days the place actually has a ½ pipe set up on the 2nd floor for people to skateboard on. Crazy.
The Montreal show was something I had been looking forward to for a long time. First show of tour, the Bouncing Souls, Montreal, the venue it was at, and then I had most of my friends coming out to the show. Fun. The entire night was incredible. Kids were loosing their minds so much so that a couple of times Greg actually said “whoa you all are stoked!” I managed to see a good chunk of the set where there was a lot of rocking to be had and there was a lot of people stage diving. For a first show I would say Montreal was pretty incredible and the sentiment is felt by all.
Next we headed to Ottawa where we played the Opera House which the Souls played last time they came across and Propagandhi has just played there a couple months ago. A venue which has a pretty brutal load in (up stairs) and has very sticky floors. There is a neat little organic market next door so I picked up a couple of tour-vitamin- essentials for the travels.
The Ottawa show was definitely quite opposite of the Motnreal show. At first everything seemed okay and having been there before there was a comfortable/ familiar vibe to the place. Wrong. I know Lisi before the show got completely yelled at by the venue owner possibly for looking for the “backstage” room. Ha! Any venue which is not super hospitable at first always needs to be questioned. If someone is cruising around looking for something you either say “no, yes, or over there”. You do not be a prick to them.
Well then doors were opened and all seemed to be going good until Youth Brigade was on stage. I didn’t see what happened but in between songs Shawn had to say something to the security guards in regards to taking it easy, and relaxing. Youth Brigade finished so up came the Souls to do their thing. At first everything seemed okay again until half way through their set when they abrubtly stopped, and starting looking into the crowd yelling “relax, security chill the fuck out!!” This lasted for a couple minutes with Bryan, Pete, and Greg telling the security to chill out and to let the kid they had just kicked out back in. Then I see Bryan, and Pete both put down their instruments, walk off stage and go confront the security guards. I wasn’t their but supposedly the security guards then became that much more aggressive and got into Bryan/ Pete’s face and literally said “I don’t give the fuck who you are so get back on stage”. From what I hear the security guards went completely crazy on kids, and actually beat some of them up.
Okay…this should never ever happen at shows. NEVER! If you are playing, or doing a show at a venue all parties need to be on the same page, and have a relationship as such. The band did what they had to do by confronting security because no one else did but that shouldn’t have been the case. Everyone always need to be on the same page in these situations, this needs to be known, and this needs to happen before the show even begins. It sucked and it ruined the show. I did manage to get some good Indian though before all of the mayhem.
Net on the list was Guelph, ONT in a smaller venue then the first two named Vinyl. We arrived and there was already “sold out” signs posted which always leaves you thinking “cool!” This venue was super tiny with even a tinier stage so from what DJ was saying he had to take some gear cases to extend the stage. Ha. You have to love the good ol small staged punk shows especially with a band as the Souls. Nothing to crazy about that show except that for some reason the show had to be done at 10 pm sharp. I never get that stuff. Venues who have sold out shows but a strict curfew for a club night afterwards which usually leaves everyone rushing to eventually open their doors to ¼ the amount of people who were just in there. Scratch the curfew, and have a late show because you will make that money you would have with the club night in bar sales at the show. Oh well. Guelph was cool.
London, ONT was next on the list at thee ol Call the Office which is always a good time. A small venue with these weird beams throughout it which sometimes obstructs the view. London is always a pretty fun time as people there seem to get a little over the top wild. I have a few friends in Montreal from London who definitely always bring it one step up. Ha!
The drive above the Great Lakes is a long, very scenic drive which finds you driving for hours upon hours in the middle of nowhere not even seeing another car for 5 + mins or so. Its nice to be in an area as such with nothing but untouched nature however our view point is strictly from the highway. We have passed a couple of mines, big dirt roads, and logging trucks so you never know what is beyond what we are looking at. Most likely there are a couple of huge chunks of clear-cuts, and other industrial developments doing their part in destroying what’s left.
Its going to be pretty cool to arrive in Winnipeg tomorrow where I will get to hang out with some pretty good friends who I also share the traveling adventures with. I know non of them have seen the Souls before, so they are going to come to the show and hang.
And…the Royal Albert/ Mondragon Café which is always a nice vegan treats while in Winnipeg.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
the killers- bell center
This past weekend i was able to catch the KILLERS at the Bell Center in Montreal. What a great band!
I really enjoyed the show but was seated in the back, up in the bleachers so was missing the "umph" of the sound and getting hit hard by the show.
Non the less it was still good but I must say that using confetti, and not re-using it- if that is the case- is lame!
I really enjoyed the show but was seated in the back, up in the bleachers so was missing the "umph" of the sound and getting hit hard by the show.
Non the less it was still good but I must say that using confetti, and not re-using it- if that is the case- is lame!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
west coast travels
August 24, 2009
Peter Gabriel- a true genious!!!
So its been sometime since I have sat down and written anything. In the past I have usually just written thoughts, and happenings on the adventures that I find myself on.
Usually tour adventures as I haven’t done many personal travels recently.
I have always tried to shy away from the word “blog” as I wouldn’t consider myself anything as such (a blogger- yeah right!). My writing is really a way to keep my friends and family up to date with my where a bouts and happenings and that is really the extent of it.
I am hitching a ride from New York City back up north on the Greyhound bus today which actually has been out-fitted with wireless internet. Us poor folk like to travel in style eh.
It’s been a little over 2 weeks since I left Montreal to head out west with my friend Helene whom was in California doing a drawing class.
California is a pretty special place when it comes to climates, and geography. Its one of the only places in the world where you can be in the snow and then be at the beach in the same day. I was fortunate enough to grow up, and spend a good 10+ years of my life on the coast of California.
The coast of Cali is really like no other. In the Southern part of the state you have the flat, warm, and sandy Hollywood type beaches and then once you get to around Santa Barbara, CA the geography of the coast changes to a more rocky, cliffy type beach which progresses the farther up the coast you go. Once you reach the San Fran area its some of the prettiest scenery that the mind has seen with hills, cliffs, and Redwood forest working its way right to the water.
On this most recent trip Helene and I made our way to the Academy of Sciences in San Fran. It’s a pretty new complex for that area which is done with as many green technologies as possible. The entire roofing system is green with many different plants, and mosses growing on top and then there are these neat looking bubble vents which air condition the entire complex. No energy used for the air flow in this complex.
Inside the Academy there is an entire Rainforest ecosystem replicated with live birds, and butterflies flying around plus frogs, lizards, fauna, and an albino alligator in displays.
Unfortunately when we were there the Planetarium was closed.
I enjoyed the Academy a lot especially the green design of the building however in Montreal there is the Bio-dome which is actually bigger and has 4 different ecosystems. There is a rainforest exhibit with little monkeys running around plus an arctic, prairie, and Alberta boreal forest ecosystem plus right across the street is the insectarium and botanical gardens.
Next stop on the agenda would be Muir Woods located 10 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. A couple of years ago while traveling through this area with the Bouncing Souls Kate took us on a little field trip and it was something I will never forget. Muir Woods is home to some of the biggest, oldest, most prestine redwood tree’s in the area. Some of these tree’s are 1000’s of years old and are still growing strong. When you enter a forest as such your mind, and body can sense the change in the air, the energy, the beauty and a calming sensation automatically takes over you where life seems to cease. Redwoods are such majestic trees, and so huge however when your up next to one and you rub the bark its some of the softest flakiest bark I’ve touched.
While we were in the area there was a huge forest fire in the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Fran. Forests naturally are fire resistant and in most cases fires actually help the forests out. What is not natural though is logging, clear cutting which erode the soil, make open space within the forest which actually invite and help fires progress.
After our time in the “city” we made our way to Santa Cruz, CA which was a home of mine for 3+ years. Santa Cruz is located about 70 miles south of San Fran directly on the coast of the Monterey Bay. SC is a place that I am glad to have lived and glad that it was my first time being on my own after leaving papa bear’s den.
The bay area is a pretty unique area when it comes to it climate. It’s in the middle of California on the coast which makes for some of the brightest blue days however once that temperature lowers and mixes with the temperature of the ocean off the coast a thick fog/ ocean haze takes over the surrounding area. You can leave the house in the mid afternoon time with a temperature of 32 C and once evening comes it can drop down to 15 C. In a matter of only a couple hours this drastic change is what makes the bay area “the bay area”/
Santa Cruz is home to one of the most famous surf spots in the surfing world this place is named Steamers Lane and is known for its “right ride”. It’s a wave that comes in hugging the cliffs of the Santa Cruz coast which means you can only go right to avoid ramming into the cliffs to the left.
Before we headed to Steamers Lane we drove along the coastal rode to a beach named Natural Bridges because of the 2 huge rock formations in the water which have their centers carved out making natural bridges due to years off water/ wave erosion. Just inland from this beach is a monarch butterfly migration stop located in a little ravine away from the Ocean and her salty mist. I remember a certain time period when I would grab my bike, strap on my headphones to Strike Anywhere’s- Change is a Sound, ride down to Natural Bridges to check out the butterflies and watch the sunset.
Unfortunately while Helene and I were in this area it did not coincide with the monarch migration so we did not to get the tree’s and branches covered with what would look like leaves but actually be the monarchs. Oh well
Peter Gabriel- a true genious!!!
So its been sometime since I have sat down and written anything. In the past I have usually just written thoughts, and happenings on the adventures that I find myself on.
Usually tour adventures as I haven’t done many personal travels recently.
I have always tried to shy away from the word “blog” as I wouldn’t consider myself anything as such (a blogger- yeah right!). My writing is really a way to keep my friends and family up to date with my where a bouts and happenings and that is really the extent of it.
I am hitching a ride from New York City back up north on the Greyhound bus today which actually has been out-fitted with wireless internet. Us poor folk like to travel in style eh.
It’s been a little over 2 weeks since I left Montreal to head out west with my friend Helene whom was in California doing a drawing class.
California is a pretty special place when it comes to climates, and geography. Its one of the only places in the world where you can be in the snow and then be at the beach in the same day. I was fortunate enough to grow up, and spend a good 10+ years of my life on the coast of California.
The coast of Cali is really like no other. In the Southern part of the state you have the flat, warm, and sandy Hollywood type beaches and then once you get to around Santa Barbara, CA the geography of the coast changes to a more rocky, cliffy type beach which progresses the farther up the coast you go. Once you reach the San Fran area its some of the prettiest scenery that the mind has seen with hills, cliffs, and Redwood forest working its way right to the water.
On this most recent trip Helene and I made our way to the Academy of Sciences in San Fran. It’s a pretty new complex for that area which is done with as many green technologies as possible. The entire roofing system is green with many different plants, and mosses growing on top and then there are these neat looking bubble vents which air condition the entire complex. No energy used for the air flow in this complex.
Inside the Academy there is an entire Rainforest ecosystem replicated with live birds, and butterflies flying around plus frogs, lizards, fauna, and an albino alligator in displays.
Unfortunately when we were there the Planetarium was closed.
I enjoyed the Academy a lot especially the green design of the building however in Montreal there is the Bio-dome which is actually bigger and has 4 different ecosystems. There is a rainforest exhibit with little monkeys running around plus an arctic, prairie, and Alberta boreal forest ecosystem plus right across the street is the insectarium and botanical gardens.
Next stop on the agenda would be Muir Woods located 10 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. A couple of years ago while traveling through this area with the Bouncing Souls Kate took us on a little field trip and it was something I will never forget. Muir Woods is home to some of the biggest, oldest, most prestine redwood tree’s in the area. Some of these tree’s are 1000’s of years old and are still growing strong. When you enter a forest as such your mind, and body can sense the change in the air, the energy, the beauty and a calming sensation automatically takes over you where life seems to cease. Redwoods are such majestic trees, and so huge however when your up next to one and you rub the bark its some of the softest flakiest bark I’ve touched.
While we were in the area there was a huge forest fire in the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Fran. Forests naturally are fire resistant and in most cases fires actually help the forests out. What is not natural though is logging, clear cutting which erode the soil, make open space within the forest which actually invite and help fires progress.
After our time in the “city” we made our way to Santa Cruz, CA which was a home of mine for 3+ years. Santa Cruz is located about 70 miles south of San Fran directly on the coast of the Monterey Bay. SC is a place that I am glad to have lived and glad that it was my first time being on my own after leaving papa bear’s den.
The bay area is a pretty unique area when it comes to it climate. It’s in the middle of California on the coast which makes for some of the brightest blue days however once that temperature lowers and mixes with the temperature of the ocean off the coast a thick fog/ ocean haze takes over the surrounding area. You can leave the house in the mid afternoon time with a temperature of 32 C and once evening comes it can drop down to 15 C. In a matter of only a couple hours this drastic change is what makes the bay area “the bay area”/
Santa Cruz is home to one of the most famous surf spots in the surfing world this place is named Steamers Lane and is known for its “right ride”. It’s a wave that comes in hugging the cliffs of the Santa Cruz coast which means you can only go right to avoid ramming into the cliffs to the left.
Before we headed to Steamers Lane we drove along the coastal rode to a beach named Natural Bridges because of the 2 huge rock formations in the water which have their centers carved out making natural bridges due to years off water/ wave erosion. Just inland from this beach is a monarch butterfly migration stop located in a little ravine away from the Ocean and her salty mist. I remember a certain time period when I would grab my bike, strap on my headphones to Strike Anywhere’s- Change is a Sound, ride down to Natural Bridges to check out the butterflies and watch the sunset.
Unfortunately while Helene and I were in this area it did not coincide with the monarch migration so we did not to get the tree’s and branches covered with what would look like leaves but actually be the monarchs. Oh well
Thursday, August 6, 2009
and so it goes
July 20, 2009
Sitting here in the upstairs dressing room part of the Sputnikhalle venue in Munster, Germany where we are playing this evening, and where we spent the day off yesterday.
Thus far we have played 4 shows and now have 6 left until the end of this leg of the tour. I must say that I have enjoyed each and every show as I do for most of them. It’s what you call being a fan. However being directly involved in the show and with these dudes as “the band” sometimes there are certain things in which you look at differently. Since we have been here I have had some thoughts about how involved or not involved some of our Europian “behind the scenes” people are.
So last night we all sat in front of the bus for a couple hours while we watched Barney entertain us all with a drinking game he volunteered to play. The name of this game is called Centurion. The mission of the game is to drink 100 shots of beer in 1 hour 40 mins. 1 shot of beer every minute. You have to sit in the same seat, and not pee or you would be disqualified. If Barney was to pull this off there was a $150 in prize money. At 10:00 PM we started the Centurion festivities . I was the “official” poured which meant every minute for 2 hours I had to pour Barney a shot of beer for him to work his way up to being a Centurion. Out of any of us the only person that I know could pull this off would be Barney and it was something he was definitely into due to the prize. Off days of tour can be pretty fun! At about shot 30 we could all notice a change in Barney and from then on it just went downhill, or uphill which ever you may. Chris documented each shot with his camera and looking back at those pictures is quite something. The first picture Barney just looks like himself but as the shots continue his face/ expressions in the pictures definitely start to change/ melt drastically. At around shot 80 Barney was definitely officially hammered and had mentioned the urination feeling a couple of times. The quotes and one liners coming from him during this entire mission were unbelievable and had most of us almost on the ground laughing. Well a couple of hours later Barney had officially become a Centurion and was for sure feeling this alcohol. At shot 100 it was then offered to him for every 10 more shots he would received 20 Euro’s from Jord so Barney who likes to bet/ gamble chose to keep em coming. He made it to 110 in a definite drunken state and kept it going to 122 until he finally called it quits. Amazing!! Truly something to see, witness, and take in. Watching Barney get up with 10 + beers in hs stomach with out peeing and finally walk away to take a pee was something else as well. This was our day off in Munster, Germany. Centurion!!!!
July, 31, 2009
Sitting here at Dulles Airport after spending a week here in DC with Helene on a layover from my Frankfurt to Montreal flight.
Tour ended last week in Stuttgart, Germany and now Propagandhi is taking 2 months off due to a lil Propagandhi entering this world next month. Our adventures will continue in Oct with a tour of Western Canada/ Northwest US.
Last Monday when I landed here in DC I exited the plane, walked thru customs where I was greeted with a “welcome back” and thought to myself “welcome back to where?”. I guess having a US Passport will get you a welcome home greeting. Aahh. Thanks US of A.
One thing I noticed while I was walking up to customs was outside a couple of border/ customs guards with a couple of German Shepard dog next to this flat trailer storage trailer with separate compartments. The only thing I could really think was this was the dogs kennel and is where these American “soldiers against war/ terrorism” sleep every night.
Now I definitely have many issues with mans domination over animals in which I will go into in a bit but I also thought that both officer and dog were to have a certain bond with one another. Meaning these canines would accompany their masters home after a day of protecting the homeland. I guess not? Thanks for the sniffing and keeping the country clean now back to your trailer.
After being “welcomed” back home I then proceeded to the baggage check which was jam-packed with travelers waiting to retrieve their bags before continuing on. Out of nowhere I see 3 custom/ border guards with a dog come zig zagging thru a huge line of travelers very hurriedly with no word of warning. Each person continued just standing where they were waiting for their bags while these border guards and their dog went about their business of sniffing out every single person in the line. No warning. No discussion. No permission. Everyone including myself were to sit their obediently and let this animal and its handlers invade our space searching for what exactly.
My thoughts other then being completely frustrated with this invasive act were this: What if you have just arrived from a completely foreign land, you don’t know any English, and at some point in your life you have had a horrendous traumatic encounter with a dog? This is highly possible! Trauma is a real thing and when the brain has been affected by something deeply it will do whatever it can to protect itself and its human body.
Now a dog coming to close to someone who possibly has had a horrific experience with an animal as such could potentially cause someone to freak out which would not be good for that person or the dog next to them who has been trained to be aggressive in threatening situations.
The US Border Protection system and really honestly its entire system in general one day needs to be really deeply looked at. There is a very high possibility that it does more harm then good to itself.
Sitting here in the upstairs dressing room part of the Sputnikhalle venue in Munster, Germany where we are playing this evening, and where we spent the day off yesterday.
Thus far we have played 4 shows and now have 6 left until the end of this leg of the tour. I must say that I have enjoyed each and every show as I do for most of them. It’s what you call being a fan. However being directly involved in the show and with these dudes as “the band” sometimes there are certain things in which you look at differently. Since we have been here I have had some thoughts about how involved or not involved some of our Europian “behind the scenes” people are.
So last night we all sat in front of the bus for a couple hours while we watched Barney entertain us all with a drinking game he volunteered to play. The name of this game is called Centurion. The mission of the game is to drink 100 shots of beer in 1 hour 40 mins. 1 shot of beer every minute. You have to sit in the same seat, and not pee or you would be disqualified. If Barney was to pull this off there was a $150 in prize money. At 10:00 PM we started the Centurion festivities . I was the “official” poured which meant every minute for 2 hours I had to pour Barney a shot of beer for him to work his way up to being a Centurion. Out of any of us the only person that I know could pull this off would be Barney and it was something he was definitely into due to the prize. Off days of tour can be pretty fun! At about shot 30 we could all notice a change in Barney and from then on it just went downhill, or uphill which ever you may. Chris documented each shot with his camera and looking back at those pictures is quite something. The first picture Barney just looks like himself but as the shots continue his face/ expressions in the pictures definitely start to change/ melt drastically. At around shot 80 Barney was definitely officially hammered and had mentioned the urination feeling a couple of times. The quotes and one liners coming from him during this entire mission were unbelievable and had most of us almost on the ground laughing. Well a couple of hours later Barney had officially become a Centurion and was for sure feeling this alcohol. At shot 100 it was then offered to him for every 10 more shots he would received 20 Euro’s from Jord so Barney who likes to bet/ gamble chose to keep em coming. He made it to 110 in a definite drunken state and kept it going to 122 until he finally called it quits. Amazing!! Truly something to see, witness, and take in. Watching Barney get up with 10 + beers in hs stomach with out peeing and finally walk away to take a pee was something else as well. This was our day off in Munster, Germany. Centurion!!!!
July, 31, 2009
Sitting here at Dulles Airport after spending a week here in DC with Helene on a layover from my Frankfurt to Montreal flight.
Tour ended last week in Stuttgart, Germany and now Propagandhi is taking 2 months off due to a lil Propagandhi entering this world next month. Our adventures will continue in Oct with a tour of Western Canada/ Northwest US.
Last Monday when I landed here in DC I exited the plane, walked thru customs where I was greeted with a “welcome back” and thought to myself “welcome back to where?”. I guess having a US Passport will get you a welcome home greeting. Aahh. Thanks US of A.
One thing I noticed while I was walking up to customs was outside a couple of border/ customs guards with a couple of German Shepard dog next to this flat trailer storage trailer with separate compartments. The only thing I could really think was this was the dogs kennel and is where these American “soldiers against war/ terrorism” sleep every night.
Now I definitely have many issues with mans domination over animals in which I will go into in a bit but I also thought that both officer and dog were to have a certain bond with one another. Meaning these canines would accompany their masters home after a day of protecting the homeland. I guess not? Thanks for the sniffing and keeping the country clean now back to your trailer.
After being “welcomed” back home I then proceeded to the baggage check which was jam-packed with travelers waiting to retrieve their bags before continuing on. Out of nowhere I see 3 custom/ border guards with a dog come zig zagging thru a huge line of travelers very hurriedly with no word of warning. Each person continued just standing where they were waiting for their bags while these border guards and their dog went about their business of sniffing out every single person in the line. No warning. No discussion. No permission. Everyone including myself were to sit their obediently and let this animal and its handlers invade our space searching for what exactly.
My thoughts other then being completely frustrated with this invasive act were this: What if you have just arrived from a completely foreign land, you don’t know any English, and at some point in your life you have had a horrendous traumatic encounter with a dog? This is highly possible! Trauma is a real thing and when the brain has been affected by something deeply it will do whatever it can to protect itself and its human body.
Now a dog coming to close to someone who possibly has had a horrific experience with an animal as such could potentially cause someone to freak out which would not be good for that person or the dog next to them who has been trained to be aggressive in threatening situations.
The US Border Protection system and really honestly its entire system in general one day needs to be really deeply looked at. There is a very high possibility that it does more harm then good to itself.
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