Saturday, August 22, 2009
Day 6
Six days in and we’ve got the drums finished for six songs. We’re not recording tomorrow, I plan on taking it way easy, might try and go see a movie but nothing more physically taxing than that. I Haven’t been feeling too well the past couple days, I’m worried I’m getting sick. I kind of have the dull full body ache happening that usually precedes the flu. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends since I left Florida and it’s starting to catch up with me. The constant roller coaster ride I’ve been on of caffeine fueled days and wine soaked nights probably isn’t helping. What is a man without his vices?
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Day 3
I don’t think most fans of music realize how much of being in a band is about sitting around waiting for something to happen, it’s called “Hurry up and wait”. You rush to the airport to then sit around waiting to board the plane. You drive through the night to get to the venue for load in/ soundcheck, to then sit around for hours backstage, waiting for the show to start. Making a record is no different. The ratio of time spent actually playing to the time spent setting up, getting the right tones, etc, is heavily weighted towards the latter. It’s a constant stop and go routine. Some times it’s enough to drive you insane. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. All work and no play make Tom…
Monday, August 17, 2009
Day 1
First day in the studio. Nothing actually recorded yet; 9:20PM and we're still setting up, getting tones.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Tucumcari, NM
She asks if I am ready to order. At first, I mistake the partial paralysis of her mouth as annoyance or disdain. I have no explanation why, but I assume it was a stroke that paralyzed the right side of her face.
As the thunderstorm outside grows in its fierceness, the shelter seaking motorists seated around me grow equally impatient for their food. The young waitress apologizes profusely, rushing about refilling their beverages, promising that it won’t be much longer. I can see a steady stream of people lining up at the front desk to check into the hotel, and I can see a steady stream of people lining up to be seated for dining. Caffeine is making my legs shake uncontrollably, I order a glass of the house red hoping it will help calm me down. I make short talk with the busboy as he hurridley clears and set places at the surrounding tables. I want to disassociate myself from the rest of the clientele, as I am in no hurry and do not want spit in my food.
Once served I eat my meal while listening to other people’s table conversations. My wine glass stained with lipstick that isn’t my color. The penmanship on the check I am eventually handed is impeccable. I don’t remember when but I have been to this hotel before.
As the thunderstorm outside grows in its fierceness, the shelter seaking motorists seated around me grow equally impatient for their food. The young waitress apologizes profusely, rushing about refilling their beverages, promising that it won’t be much longer. I can see a steady stream of people lining up at the front desk to check into the hotel, and I can see a steady stream of people lining up to be seated for dining. Caffeine is making my legs shake uncontrollably, I order a glass of the house red hoping it will help calm me down. I make short talk with the busboy as he hurridley clears and set places at the surrounding tables. I want to disassociate myself from the rest of the clientele, as I am in no hurry and do not want spit in my food.
Once served I eat my meal while listening to other people’s table conversations. My wine glass stained with lipstick that isn’t my color. The penmanship on the check I am eventually handed is impeccable. I don’t remember when but I have been to this hotel before.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
A Short Review Of The Movie "Bottle Shock" -
Duffy, “Queen Of Rockferry” and the King Of Leon are trying to race back to the vineyard to let Bill Pullman know that the white wine he has spent his entire life perfecting will only be brown for a couple of days, don’t throw it all away. Their sex is on fire sitting in the bar as Duffy tells the King that her chest was ripped open when she was a child, she has the scar to prove it.
Monday, June 8, 2009
April 23rd – 2:50PM. Driving to Little Rock, AR
Someone hammered a screw driver into the drivers side door lock and broke into the van last night. Suprisingly all they stole was an I-Pod transmitter and our receipt pouch. We found the receipt pouch, still full of receipts laying on the ground across the parking lot as we were driving away.
April 25th – 4:31AM. Huntsville, AL. @Andrew’s partents house.
Tonights show was the biggest of the tour; it was an energetic crowd. We’re staying at Andrew’s parents house. Andrew’s dad got us all loaded on Schnapps. I’ll be lucky if I don’t vomit.
April 27th – 5:30AM. Somewhere.
Is today my brothers birthday or is it tomorrow?
April 28th – 4:06AM. Hyatt Hotel outside of Atlanta, GA.
I ate dinner alone, the same chain restaurant, the same meal I had last Monday; washed down by a margarita. I popped a vicodin (for the toothache) on the walk back.
April 29th – 3:00AM. Charlotte, SC.
Three more shows, Athens, Wilmington, Columbia, and then I go to Australia.
May 1st – 4:13AM. Wilmington, NC.
An hour into my turn behind the wheel I remember pissing in the stairwell of the hotel last night. John and I had been drunkenly arguing in the hallway, I don’t remember what about specifically, and then the next thing I knew I was all alone. I had lost my room key, not that I could remember what room I was in, I couldn’t remember what room anyone else was in either. The indoor stairwell seemed like a better urinal than the hallway carpet. In my drunken state of mind I thought for some reason that pissing on the handrail would be more discrete, more courteous than pissing directly onto the actual stairs. I don’t know how I got back into my room. I woke up half an hour after van call. Once in the van I immediately passed out on the back bench seat.
We told Warren this afternoon that we are going to look for a new drummer. Andrew, James and I made the decision a couple days ago over lunch. I told them that I didn’t want to play music with Warren anymore. They both agreed that this was a necessary step, it’s been a long time coming. Warren’s heart hasn’t been in this for a while now.
May 1st - 2:42PM. Driving to Columbia, SC
If I hadn’t turned around and come back in through the door that night in Providence, November, 2007, then the band would have ended right then and there, nothing that’s happened since would have transpired. Andrew quit, Warren readily agreed with him that it was time to end. I admit I was being an asshole, I provoked Andrew. At the same time I didn’t know about what all was happening in Andrew’s personal life. I was heading for the bus, I was going to grab my bags, find a cab to take me to a hotel, figure out how I was going to get back to Florida in the morning. But, a couple feet outside the rear exit of the club I stopped, turned around, walked back inside, tail between legs, and begged Andrew not to quit. Minutes later we went back onstage for an encore. I’m still hoping that it wasn’t a mistake to not let things end then and there.
After load in today Warren asked if he could talk with us all again. He said that after thinking about it over night he completely agreed that this was the best decision to make, that he realized his actions as of late have been, if not subconcious, indicitive of him not being fully invested. With his Mexican Restaurant opening soon, he seems ready to start a new chapter in his life. I wish him luck.
Tonight’s show at the New Brooklyn Tavern will be our last with Warren.
Someone hammered a screw driver into the drivers side door lock and broke into the van last night. Suprisingly all they stole was an I-Pod transmitter and our receipt pouch. We found the receipt pouch, still full of receipts laying on the ground across the parking lot as we were driving away.
April 25th – 4:31AM. Huntsville, AL. @Andrew’s partents house.
Tonights show was the biggest of the tour; it was an energetic crowd. We’re staying at Andrew’s parents house. Andrew’s dad got us all loaded on Schnapps. I’ll be lucky if I don’t vomit.
April 27th – 5:30AM. Somewhere.
Is today my brothers birthday or is it tomorrow?
April 28th – 4:06AM. Hyatt Hotel outside of Atlanta, GA.
I ate dinner alone, the same chain restaurant, the same meal I had last Monday; washed down by a margarita. I popped a vicodin (for the toothache) on the walk back.
April 29th – 3:00AM. Charlotte, SC.
Three more shows, Athens, Wilmington, Columbia, and then I go to Australia.
May 1st – 4:13AM. Wilmington, NC.
An hour into my turn behind the wheel I remember pissing in the stairwell of the hotel last night. John and I had been drunkenly arguing in the hallway, I don’t remember what about specifically, and then the next thing I knew I was all alone. I had lost my room key, not that I could remember what room I was in, I couldn’t remember what room anyone else was in either. The indoor stairwell seemed like a better urinal than the hallway carpet. In my drunken state of mind I thought for some reason that pissing on the handrail would be more discrete, more courteous than pissing directly onto the actual stairs. I don’t know how I got back into my room. I woke up half an hour after van call. Once in the van I immediately passed out on the back bench seat.
We told Warren this afternoon that we are going to look for a new drummer. Andrew, James and I made the decision a couple days ago over lunch. I told them that I didn’t want to play music with Warren anymore. They both agreed that this was a necessary step, it’s been a long time coming. Warren’s heart hasn’t been in this for a while now.
May 1st - 2:42PM. Driving to Columbia, SC
If I hadn’t turned around and come back in through the door that night in Providence, November, 2007, then the band would have ended right then and there, nothing that’s happened since would have transpired. Andrew quit, Warren readily agreed with him that it was time to end. I admit I was being an asshole, I provoked Andrew. At the same time I didn’t know about what all was happening in Andrew’s personal life. I was heading for the bus, I was going to grab my bags, find a cab to take me to a hotel, figure out how I was going to get back to Florida in the morning. But, a couple feet outside the rear exit of the club I stopped, turned around, walked back inside, tail between legs, and begged Andrew not to quit. Minutes later we went back onstage for an encore. I’m still hoping that it wasn’t a mistake to not let things end then and there.
After load in today Warren asked if he could talk with us all again. He said that after thinking about it over night he completely agreed that this was the best decision to make, that he realized his actions as of late have been, if not subconcious, indicitive of him not being fully invested. With his Mexican Restaurant opening soon, he seems ready to start a new chapter in his life. I wish him luck.
Tonight’s show at the New Brooklyn Tavern will be our last with Warren.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
"This paper is your skin,
this ink is my blood,
I'm pressing on my pen."
-Jules Et Jim
April 13th - 2:50AM. Saint Augustine, FL.
Started the day off with a big breakfast. Tofu scramble with fresh cut kale from our garden, soy sausage, toast, coffee. We ate while watching a collection of Danzig music videos. "She Rides" has to be one of the greatest music videos ever made. And then there's all the behind the scenes footage in between the videos. Glenn Danzig slamming a box of milk duds before going back out onstage for an encore, amazing. He tries so hard to look tough and evil, but it's just so obvious that he's just a big comic book collecting nerd from Jersey.
Later we washed the car, inside and out, worked on the garden, cleaned up around the house. Then we went to the beach, sat in the sand, split a tomato sandwich, stared up and down the coast. I have a couple of days at home between the tour I leave on tomorrow and the Australia tour; it should be hot enough then to really appreciate a swim in the ocean, I'm looking forward to it.
We had talked about going out for dinner but ended up eating at home. WHile Heather made pasta I packed. We ate dinner while watching the recent remake of "The Day The Earth Stood Still", followed by the original "Amityville Horror". We have another doctors appointment tomorrow, we should be able to hear our babies heartbeat.
April 13th - 7:00PM. Driving To Savannah, GA.
One hundred and twenty three miles to Savannah. Sitting on the front bench seat behind Warren riding shotgun, Andrew driving. I'm looking forward to the 24 hour gym at the hotel tonight.
April 14th - 1:14AM. Savannah, GA.
I left my journal open on the table in the hotel room when I went down to Jordan's room to get my forgotten van keys; did Andrew read it? I hate feeling like I have to censor myself in my journal out of fear that someone might read it. If Andrew didn't read my journal it's a testament to his character, it's a credit to his parents.
April 14th - 3:11AM. Savannah, GA.
Bedtime. Worry about everything tomorrow.
April 15th - 2:58AM. Greenville, SC.
I've become repulsed by the idea of my own body hair.
I'm not sure what to make of tonights show, it started off strong but then it fizzled. I'm not sure why.
April 15th - 12:52PM. Driving.
Andrew and Jordan are singing made up songs about the stimulation of their anus', in the front of the van.
April 16th - 2:37AM. Raleigh, NC.
Tripped up on a couple of lyrics tonight. I don't remember what I was thinking about but it wasn't the song. I have deep wrinkles developing under my eyes.
April 17th - 1:28AM. Driving.
That's what Anarchy means to the Anarchists, that's the extent of their revolution, a shit filled diaper left on the windshield of our van. Something about being a "sellout" written on it.
April 17th - 9:55AM. Driving.
I feel nauseous from drinks last night. Every bump in the road makes it worse. I got tattoo'd by Jay Chastain yesterday in Asheville, the word "HOWL" across the knuckles on my right hand. I'm hoping there's no problem with it healing up, being on the road and all.
Ian, our manager came to the show last night. I don't like the way any of us act when he's around, myself included. It seems so forced, so fake.
April 18th - 11:54AM. Driving to Virginia Beach, VA.
Ian gave me a copy of the new Dylan record, I'm listening now as I write; it's good. I love how weathered his voice has grown.
April 19th - 12:30AM. Driving To Hotel.
The show had already started, I had been hanging out in the van by myself writing, playing guitar. I decided to go in and check out the scene, watch some of the local opener. Standing just past the two people taking tickets at the door was a group of security guards. I walked up to them, being that they were unavoidable to walk into if going into the show, and met face to face for a moment with a young female security guard. As I started to look down at my ringing cell phone the girl fell over backwards. With a slap her head slammed into the ground, she began convulsing. She was having a seizure. It took me a second to realize what was happening, I thought it was a joke at first. Not knowing what to do I stood there watching as the other security guards scrambled. It was yelled out for someone to call 911, and phones were picked up as if the number was called, although no ambulance ever came. With a short haired, stout, female security guard kneeling down beside her the girl came to. The slowly moved her into a chair, gave her a coca-cola. I asked her if she was okay. She seemed dazed. That was the first time I've ever seen someone have a seizure. I felt helpless.
April 20th - 5:31PM. Nashville, TN. Day off.
Applebee's was my best option for food, so here I sit, waiting for a waitress to place my order with. I have time to kill. My laundry spinning away in the washing machine of the neighboring hotel to ours. We are staying at a Hyatt Place hotel, despite not having guest laundry it is my favourite type of chain hotel to stay in. I spent the morning wandering around the outlet mall right next door to the Grand Old Opry, down the street from our hotel. I did some shopping, clothes, a new suitcase. I prefer to be by myself most of the time, unless with Heather.
April 21st - 5:07AM. Nashville, TN.
If no one ever came to get me, would I ever leave this hotel room?
"She wore a black dress with a transparent lace yoke - the crescent of her chemise could be seen through it - from the lower edge of which the silk hung down in a finely cut frill."
-Pg. 3-
"The Complete Stories"
"Description Of A Struggle"
Franz Kafka
April 22nd - 2:38AM. Nashville, TN.
Our child can make a fist, it can suck it's thumb. His or her skull and bones are solidifying, soon it will have ribs. Intestines are in the right place, vocal chords ready to wail. 13 weeks old.
this ink is my blood,
I'm pressing on my pen."
-Jules Et Jim
April 13th - 2:50AM. Saint Augustine, FL.
Started the day off with a big breakfast. Tofu scramble with fresh cut kale from our garden, soy sausage, toast, coffee. We ate while watching a collection of Danzig music videos. "She Rides" has to be one of the greatest music videos ever made. And then there's all the behind the scenes footage in between the videos. Glenn Danzig slamming a box of milk duds before going back out onstage for an encore, amazing. He tries so hard to look tough and evil, but it's just so obvious that he's just a big comic book collecting nerd from Jersey.
Later we washed the car, inside and out, worked on the garden, cleaned up around the house. Then we went to the beach, sat in the sand, split a tomato sandwich, stared up and down the coast. I have a couple of days at home between the tour I leave on tomorrow and the Australia tour; it should be hot enough then to really appreciate a swim in the ocean, I'm looking forward to it.
We had talked about going out for dinner but ended up eating at home. WHile Heather made pasta I packed. We ate dinner while watching the recent remake of "The Day The Earth Stood Still", followed by the original "Amityville Horror". We have another doctors appointment tomorrow, we should be able to hear our babies heartbeat.
April 13th - 7:00PM. Driving To Savannah, GA.
One hundred and twenty three miles to Savannah. Sitting on the front bench seat behind Warren riding shotgun, Andrew driving. I'm looking forward to the 24 hour gym at the hotel tonight.
April 14th - 1:14AM. Savannah, GA.
I left my journal open on the table in the hotel room when I went down to Jordan's room to get my forgotten van keys; did Andrew read it? I hate feeling like I have to censor myself in my journal out of fear that someone might read it. If Andrew didn't read my journal it's a testament to his character, it's a credit to his parents.
April 14th - 3:11AM. Savannah, GA.
Bedtime. Worry about everything tomorrow.
April 15th - 2:58AM. Greenville, SC.
I've become repulsed by the idea of my own body hair.
I'm not sure what to make of tonights show, it started off strong but then it fizzled. I'm not sure why.
April 15th - 12:52PM. Driving.
Andrew and Jordan are singing made up songs about the stimulation of their anus', in the front of the van.
April 16th - 2:37AM. Raleigh, NC.
Tripped up on a couple of lyrics tonight. I don't remember what I was thinking about but it wasn't the song. I have deep wrinkles developing under my eyes.
April 17th - 1:28AM. Driving.
That's what Anarchy means to the Anarchists, that's the extent of their revolution, a shit filled diaper left on the windshield of our van. Something about being a "sellout" written on it.
April 17th - 9:55AM. Driving.
I feel nauseous from drinks last night. Every bump in the road makes it worse. I got tattoo'd by Jay Chastain yesterday in Asheville, the word "HOWL" across the knuckles on my right hand. I'm hoping there's no problem with it healing up, being on the road and all.
Ian, our manager came to the show last night. I don't like the way any of us act when he's around, myself included. It seems so forced, so fake.
April 18th - 11:54AM. Driving to Virginia Beach, VA.
Ian gave me a copy of the new Dylan record, I'm listening now as I write; it's good. I love how weathered his voice has grown.
April 19th - 12:30AM. Driving To Hotel.
The show had already started, I had been hanging out in the van by myself writing, playing guitar. I decided to go in and check out the scene, watch some of the local opener. Standing just past the two people taking tickets at the door was a group of security guards. I walked up to them, being that they were unavoidable to walk into if going into the show, and met face to face for a moment with a young female security guard. As I started to look down at my ringing cell phone the girl fell over backwards. With a slap her head slammed into the ground, she began convulsing. She was having a seizure. It took me a second to realize what was happening, I thought it was a joke at first. Not knowing what to do I stood there watching as the other security guards scrambled. It was yelled out for someone to call 911, and phones were picked up as if the number was called, although no ambulance ever came. With a short haired, stout, female security guard kneeling down beside her the girl came to. The slowly moved her into a chair, gave her a coca-cola. I asked her if she was okay. She seemed dazed. That was the first time I've ever seen someone have a seizure. I felt helpless.
April 20th - 5:31PM. Nashville, TN. Day off.
Applebee's was my best option for food, so here I sit, waiting for a waitress to place my order with. I have time to kill. My laundry spinning away in the washing machine of the neighboring hotel to ours. We are staying at a Hyatt Place hotel, despite not having guest laundry it is my favourite type of chain hotel to stay in. I spent the morning wandering around the outlet mall right next door to the Grand Old Opry, down the street from our hotel. I did some shopping, clothes, a new suitcase. I prefer to be by myself most of the time, unless with Heather.
April 21st - 5:07AM. Nashville, TN.
If no one ever came to get me, would I ever leave this hotel room?
"She wore a black dress with a transparent lace yoke - the crescent of her chemise could be seen through it - from the lower edge of which the silk hung down in a finely cut frill."
-Pg. 3-
"The Complete Stories"
"Description Of A Struggle"
Franz Kafka
April 22nd - 2:38AM. Nashville, TN.
Our child can make a fist, it can suck it's thumb. His or her skull and bones are solidifying, soon it will have ribs. Intestines are in the right place, vocal chords ready to wail. 13 weeks old.