NYE

Quasi (as The Who), Shaky Hands, and Inside Voices at Doug Fir New Years Eve. Pre sales are sold out but they are releasing 50 tix tomorrow at 6 at the box office I think. I've got a cold, hoping to be in playing shape by then, taking it easy. It was an eventful year fo' sho. Here's to a perfect 10!

On the Blazers.

Being gone for 10 weeks was not easy. The hardest part was being away from the first quarter or so of this Blazers, my Blazers season. A season of much hope, hype and speculation. Of course before I am even able to watch a full game in the comfort of my own home, there is barely a team left. Outlaw, Batum. Then Rudy, and...Oden. Then Nate, and, you've got to be kidding, Pryzbilla?!!! ( not to mention owner Paul Allen, and Patty Mills) all out for the count.
Then, tonight, Brandon Roy, is out with a (hopefully temporary) shoulder injury. And we have to finish a brutal road trip (I can relate) in San Antonio?!! Can this last? How can it? But this squad tonight,and only in slightly lesser extent last night as well, played with more heart than any Blazer team that has taken the floor this season. The boys came together to win each quarter, each rebound, each possession and finish off an amazin 3-1 road trip and going 4-1 in the last 5 games. Just so happens to be the 5 games AFTER I got back. Coincidence? Nah. Daddy's home.

We're Baaaaaaack

More to come...............

Did It

Bottom of the Hill was kinda crazy. Sold out, which was a nice way to go out. My goal was to get wasted, and it was an unbridled success. Nick stayed w/his fam and the three of us trucked it after the show, and now, home, let the decompress begin. Otis has his winter fur. My room is in a shambles and my plants are dead. Great to be back though. Goodnight.

LA. On the way

Up and about to head to Intelligencia to get fueled up for the drive to SF and then home. Great show last night at the Bootleg Theater. New fave place to play in LA great sound and people. Angus, always the man, hookin us up with the best taco trucks and the sweetest killer accomodations for I don't know how many years running but the guy is a saint. These last few days have been a lot of fun and a great way to wrap up this long road. Tonight at Bottom of the Hill should be fun, then we gonna load right out and try to be in Portland by noon. Lets do this dang thing.

Phoenix, not the band. Are they a dance band?

Rhythm Room. We kinda always kill it here. Tonights greatness, was very much due to the graciousness of new mom to be Aubrey Salter. Long overdue free massage, and damn if I don't feel like a chill ass champ. Big ups to Chris Kirkwood for hangin and makin us laugh our asses off again.Big ups to the return of the 'JOGGERS' liscence plate. Ummmm yea same old story, comin home. Man what a great day off yesterday. It's umm nice in the SW, sun, desert, cactus, y'know that stuff. Hot tubs pools. Massages. I mean sorry gotta go get back on the bus.........and I woke up. So...
It's end of the year list time, and I gotta say it was damn hard to come up w/ a top 10 records of this year.Actually I can't even do 10. 5 tops. New music suucks. This thing that grandmoms and 11 year olds call Indie is OVER it's bloated and bullshit and today's hairmetal (which ruled) wait what?. Then u got you're Jay Reo-tard. Oh genius. I'm a 1/4 of Nirvana but I give u the finger more and piss on stage. Ooooooh! Skuzzzzzzzz punk. whooopidy dooo. Don't get me started. Sports and Steely Dan forever! Grow a pair Grizzly Bear!

Peace

68...

...down. 3.6 to go....................................

Ok City

Had a decent show. Probably the best one at that venue. This tour I've been really noticing the numbers of appearances at certain venues. This was numero 4 for the Conservatory in OkC. The place is slightly improving, structurally, each time, and I guess show wise too. Hard as we tried, no adequate accomodations so, yep all night drive to Austin. Arrived at our friend Laura's at 8am. Yea. feel weird. And of course we play LATE 12:45. Counting the shows in Austin would be impossible with 4 SXSW's w/ 3 bands, and just touring thru here regularly. Dallas tomorrow ALSO w/ an all night drive to follow. Relax day in Las Cruces (thanks dad) then Phoenix, LA, SF all night drive, HOME. Lots o' good friends here. Gonna do my best to have some fun, if it's ok with you.

Tie Rods

Been up since 7am. Killing time, didn't get out of Cinci. Slept in the Firestone parking lot, waiting for them to open. Now killing time in a bookstore until we can pay $450 to get the van back in road shape and head to St. Louis. Oh the joy of it!

CinciTucky

I guess we're in a Cinci suburb that's in Kentucky. I DON'T care. I drove almost 8 hrs in a downpour and could give 2 s-hits about any of these shenanigans. It's still raining and reigning. Our tourmates for the next week are doing their thing.......We did ours and I shouldn't have had that Lee's Fried Chicken. Man alive this biz. Just heard Rudy's down for 4-6 weeks. How am I s'posed to get thru this? I kid, it aint all that bad, but man if u knew the kind of crap you have to sit thru/ put up with, many of you know. I dunno maybe it's the midwest, or bands 18-22 or something but my lord, I just think about my grandfather, the only one that I knew, and what he went through in his life, and where he ended up. It helps because he had a crazy life. I don't know the half of it, but in brief, he was shot down in the Korean War, and stranded on an island. Never talked about it, was gruff but also a lot of fun. This is nothing, but I feel like him sometimes w/the agitation I feel from time to time, and this trip has made me a man. Thinking about you Bob here in whateversville, Whatever. I love you, and I'm havin' a scotch on the rocks for ya.

DAY 61, Memphis

Night off last night, Jessica Jones rules, put us up in her new house, and escorted us to see Bill Callahan last night. He played at the Hi Tone, where we will be playing tonight. It was a nice mellow evening and an interesting all around show. The opener, as well as BC's drummer, was Neal Morgan. Just drums and voice. Something close to my heart, and something I've only attempted maybe twice. Was cool, and surprise, lives in Portland, in my neighborhood, and works at the drum shop next door to TIGA. I tell ya this small world of ours. Was nice to meet and talk drums for a bit. I was way too tired to be any more social than I was, which was barely breathin'. The middle band, Lights, was interesting in that throughout the set I would observe: Oh cool, then ooh k maybe not, then alright, oh wait, nope they can't play, oh, they CAN play, hmm. Again, wish I had just a tad more energy to have talked to them as well, I mean they are an all girl band. Callahan was great, nice dance moves, looking fit, and sounded great. I also have to admit that I was comforted by the size of the crowd. There were as many (or I should say as little) folks in attendance as when we were last here with the Thermals, and I think less people than when I was there with Grails. Tonight, big Monday, might not fare so well, but at least we'll be in good company. However, our show is FREE and w/ 2 locals including Jessica. Should be fun. Just straight killing time today. Because it's monday, everything cool is closed. No Stax museum. No best BBQ joint in Memphis up the street. Time is not on my side as far as trying NOT to think about just wanting to get home. One positive factor is after yesterday, only ONE more day off this tour. And after tonight we join the Rural Alberta Advantage. A band I know little about, but they're Canadian (usually meaning nice, though Wayne Coyne might object) and our mates for the next 8 or 9 days. It definitely helps to have familiar faces each day, and folks to help shoulder the brunt of a grinding December tour. So, yea, umm how are things with you? Oh yea? Huh cool, well hope to see you soon then. Ok. yup. uh huh. Bye bye.

Keepin On

So, we're in Atlanta right now. We all slept in the van last night at a rest stop. We haven't done that in so long it was almost fun. Played Charlotte to a capacity crowd of not many. Place was a dump but the staff was nice and played big screen Wii. Played just 8 songs but killed it and played Harry Nillsson's "Jump Into The Fire" for the first time, and it went off pretty well. Baltimore fell into a similar category as far as stage intensity. Played in a restaurant, was ok but we got outta there as quickly as we could. Really we are just trying to take it as easy as we can just trying to stay healthy and sane to get home by the 17th. Tonight is our last night playing w/ DC band US Royalty. I have no idea what to expect. It is a saturday, but shows haven't been particularly well attended since we've been back in the states. People must be saving their Xmas money. I don't really care too much. Of course I'd love a great show or 10, but I just want to get home. We have a day off to get to Memphis tomorrow. definately hitting the Stax museum on Monday, if it's open (please). We missed it last time w/ The Thermals and they rubbed in our faces how great it is.

Don't know exactly what to expect upon return home except, max chilling, cat petting, buddy catching up-ing and putting together a new plan of attack for the new year. And I'm in the market for a guitar. AAAaaaaaaalright...exhale.

Brooklyn

Well, back at it US style. Pretty fun night at the newish Knitting Factory Bklyn. Quite the improvement on our last time there at CMJ where we played for single digits. Earlier in the day had a random Barnhill encounter, lunch in Little Italy, then of course some shoppin'. Bro'd down w/the Tim P and talked Joggers, and of course got nowhere but frustrated. Was nice to play on my own gear again, even though it needs some serious repairing. Another night at Josh's, who opened the show last night splendidly. I love his jams. We're off to Baltimore tonight. Should be interesting, to say the least. At this point, each mile just gets us closer to home. Looks like a nice day here and we don't have to be in Baltimore til 9:30 so I better get after it........

Back to the U.S./ More Euro Evidence:

Final Load out, Last night Haarlem Netherlands

The most tired I've ever been:
Hamburg fun times
Paris:

Paris, Night One

DJ and Nick


Lubjiana Slovenia

Last night dinner in Paris:
Stockholm: I lost my voice. NSFW.

Perfect synopsis of the entire tour in 3 minutes:

Making the HYPOTHETICAL case for the red light district, Utrecht, NL

Just two french guys out on the town:

Utrecht, Haarlem Euro Finale

Man oh man Holland is saweeeeeeeet. Last night we had some serious fun ramblin around town after the show with dudes from Deertick and Dead Confederate. Met some cool Dutch folks and got all into it over cultural norms and differences and whatnots. Bar hoppin. Deertick call everyone and each other Mark. Dead Confederates Norwegian driver is a hoot. I cannot imagine how we would have fared here had he been our driver. A completely different experience for sure, we followed him for quite some time to find a particular bar, then he just gave up. With a little help we found it. Today Mayhaw, Johannes and I hit Utrecht hard. I actually spent money on things that weren't food, bills or gear related for the first time this whole trip. It was worth it and no, it wasn't red light district, or "coffee shop" related. So now, we wait, wait for one last free dinner, one last go at the Premier's and the Vox amps. One last shower and free breakfast at the free accomodation and off to Paris. Then, well then it's still not over of course. But at least i'll know what everyone is saying, until Alabama.

Road to Recovery

Ok Poznan,Poland, Prague, and Koln all in the books. Good shows. I felt halfway decent for exactly one of them. In Utrecht NL. early should be fun w/ Cave Singers and Deertick. Thanks to some good road remedy advice I'm on the mend and almost back to party mode to enjoy our last 2 shows here. Alright more later, Happy Thanksgiving, honestly most of the day we forgot about it, and coincidentally, we didn't even have a proper dinner last night, just Ginger lemon tea, and a deli platter. Photos and tales to follow...........

Copenhagen

This city seems pretty great, we got here last night. Unfortunately though I am sick. It's been building off and on for about a week, and last night the Dam broke. Coincidentally, last year at this exact time, I was also sick, though on the last day of tour. Hmm. We open for Damien Jurado tonight. We are staying at a Hostel for 2 nights, then head to Poland tomorrow. I hate being sick, but hate it more on tour. This blows.

Oh and this photo I saw on New York Times online today:

More Evidence

stockholm

Johannes and his busted window/ new Anarchy flag design

My new house/workshop

The Burgers were better

Bergen, Norway

Norway, Jose!

Bergen was a blast zone. Fun. Played to a good crowd, a girl came up in the middle of the set and kissed Nick fraunch style (kristie was upstairs). Partied w/some new pals, and Jeff (surrounded by ladies) and I went to a cool kids bar after called Vamoose, and then while we were crushing the scene "Whales Sing" started blasting from the bar's speakers. Long drive today in rough conditions. Done playing in Oslo. Was ok, but had to make way for the big friday night dance party. Loadin out, gotta go. Stockholm Sweetnin' tomorrow. Much needed shower and R&R in 15 min.

Later Days

Rewind, Berlin, Hamburg, Aalborg

Berlin was funny. The soundguy got WASTED and was hilarious, grabbing bottles of booze from behind the bar and trying to get people to do shots with him, then busting into a loud cackle. The crowd was very subdued, but appreciative. They respectfully objected our requests to get closer to the stage. We got to bro-down with Nikita, our Euro booker, had a delicious vegan supper (yea I know) and got to see A LITTLE bit of the city the next day.

Hamburg: Thought I was going to hang out with Wilson, but he fled back to the States, and honestly I can't blame him. Kind of a hectic load in, low ceilings in the parking garage. Across the street was a slew of carnival rides. I met a girl named Hannah, and after we went and rode the Ice Bahn right before they closed the carny down. The woman running the ride was determined to make one of us vomit, or at least for me to lose my hat. Neither happened. Johannes had the great task of getting our rear window replaced the next morning at 8am. I, ... slept in.

Aalborg, was nice but honestly I laid low and after the show was shivering w/ a fever. On the road to recovery after a day off yesterday. By day off I mean leaving at 10 am driving ALL DAY, which included 3 ferries, then trying to find a hotel or hostel in a town 3hrs from Bergen, where we are now. Failing miserably, then ending up just driving to Bergen, arriving at 3:20 am, and luckily the venue we are playing tonight was still inhabited by some staff who graciously allowed us to spend the night in the upstairs band apartment we were to stay in TONIGHT.

I slept all day, the sun goes down here at like 3. Soundchecked at 5, did an interview at the college station, just had a great Tai supper, and now we wait. I'm determined to have as much fun as possible the rest of the trip, while getting healthy again as well. But there are moments when all I want to do is get home. There is still such a long way to go. And then...the U.S. as well. Oslo tomorrow then Stockholm. Then another expensive day off, then............................

Freiburg, Berlin

Holy Crap. So we sold out a show, it was only a hundred people at the Swamp in Freibug but, still.....Crazy! TANNING opened the show too but I barely remember it ,and it wasn't really necessary. In Berlin now. Had a subdued (by comparison) show here last night. In our booker Nikita's office about to head for Hamburg. We had our rear window smashed last night in the Garage where we parked. They didn't take anything though luckily. Will give details soon.

Al V. Dersayne.

Swiss Style

In Luzerne, sweet club with the accomodations upstairs from the venue, attatched with an espresso machine, fridge, washer/ dryer full bath etc. Earlier today we drove all around Basel trying to find a place to do laundry (they don't exist here). Well, Jackpot! Shows have all been great. This is the most headlining I've ever done, ie: Long sets, and encores. Weird to think that is such a rarity for as long as I been doin this dang thing. It's also a little weird to be THAT BAND that is having the kinda long soundcheck while the staff is kinda lookin at u and the openers are probably thinking "Geez, prima donnas, sounds fine." But I'll take it. We reach the halfway point of this Euro leg in a couple of days. In that time I'll get to hang out with Wilson(!) and meet Nikita, our booker, for the first time. There have been some rough patches, and they'll be more I'm sure. But for this moment it's nice.

Last night in Munchenstein, near Basel, the place was cool. a semi collective of 4 guys who built the bar/club themselves. They all do construction stuff during the day, and then do the bar for fun at night. Later after we played and some loosening, I met these two folks, one of which worked across the alley in this huge Art studio that focuses on making large Art for artists, in all metals, glass you name it.They took me over. This place was huge. Serious equipment and kilns. Was cool to see and made me think, for a minute anyway about if I had stayed on the art path. But it was frustrating too. These 'artists' just come up with an idea and then this team of guys and gals ACTUALLY make it and really don't get any credit. I know thats the name of the game, but I also know that a certain percentage of these artists are self absorbed douches that probably, when pressed couldn't make a damn thing on their own. Anyway, some of the things they had just finished will be showing in NY when we get back there on Dec 2nd. it would be cool to take it full circle and check it out. A rare opportunity, though I'm guessing I'll be severely jet lagged.

Off to a fine cooked meal. Ciao!

Slovenia, Innsbruck, and Basel

Halo from Switzerland. I explained the venue in Slovenia in the last post. the show was great. Played long, and they demanded an encore. Was great met some great folks and learned as much as I could about their relatively new country.

Last night we stopped at Johannes cousins stately country home in Germany near both Italy and Austria's borders. He just so happened to be Princes engineer through the mid to late 90's and 00's. Or as most call them, the glyph years. Asked as many questions as I could without embarrassing myself. He also assisted that hit LIVE (the band) album, big surprise, they're pricks! The greatest part was he gave us maybe 50 or more episodes of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour. Amazing. haven't stopped listening to them yet. If you haven't checked it yourself it's a must especially if you AREN'T a Dylan fan. None of his music, but amazing forgotten or thru the cracks artist and history lessons and plenty of humor.

The Alps are devastatingly amazing and we've been literally through and around them for the last coupla days. Had fun after the show last night. we signed the door of the place we stayed last night where tons of other bands have been put up. I signed right under 31 Knots from 2006! I slept where JAY WINEBRENNER probably wet the bed!

Basel Switzerland tonight. Cool place, things are well. We'll keep that up. Not quite to the halfway point but we're getting there. As great as it is I can't wait to get home and do nothing for as long as I possibly can............................................................fun fact: this is only the 22nd post of JUST THIS TOUR. heh heh hahahahahahahaha heh heh heh ugh

Munich, Vienna

Cooooool club in Munich. We had fun and played a great show though the turnout was affected by an apparent suicide on the rail system that shut down the trains for the night. Was still good, some Portland student transplants and some others made it fun. Vienna was by far the highlight for me. A Monday, a crazy packed awesome club under the rail line. And a great night talking (while looking up) to a striking blonde Norwegian architecture student. Big fan of the European goodbye now. Learned some staggering history about Jewish history in Vienna, what everyone knows about what really happened but haven't owned up to publicly. Their 9/11, which was on Nov 9th.

On the way passed an Oskar Kokoschka exhibition, perhaps in his home town. But it was 2hrs away. Bummed, though even if it was in Vienna I wouldn't have been able to catch it as we don't have too much time for those types of thing. There was a Munch exhibition in Vienna that I couldn't get to as well. I wish we could've spent more time there.

We are in Slovenia playing a wild place, formerly an Army barracks in Yugoslavian days, then taken over as an underground/progressive/arts squat. They've kept it going over the years, in the beginning had to steal power from across the street and/or car batteries. Now fully functioning as a compound with multiple clubs, covered in graffiti and odd murals. The vibe dial was set to 'party' long before we arrived. Curious about the turnout, just like every night I guess. But tonight is another test of the lengthy, sweet soundcheck syndrome. In our experience that usually results in a poorly attended show. But what do I know?

Innsbruck tomorrow, back to Austria.

Euro Tour Evidence Vol.1

From Johannes Apt window in Paris
Me and the Cloondog in Munich
My Euro mistress, and she is gooooood to me
Breakfast at Shaun's our host in Brighton UK

Munich

We were supremely late to Offenbach last night but had a fun night. Played with Baltimore band Thank You. They were great, could totally tour w/The Planet The as a sick one two punch. Had an adventure trying to find the hostel we were all staying at together. Oh and the German techno dance party, how could I forget?! Thank You's driver/lights man also dj's 80's jams at low speeds so Madonna sounds like Rick Astley, and George Michael like Sade.

Now in Munich. Got here with enough time to walk around and luckily we are playing a really cool club and it's right in the middle of everything. Even though it's Sunday a bunch of people were out and about window shopping at all the closed stores and boutiques. Time to kill now. I doubt anyone will come, it's Sunday, no other bands are playing, the club is really cool and they fed us awesomely. Sure sign it's gonna be empty but spirits have improved since the UK.

My post was going to be something else entirely, luckily things have turned up a bit. One of these days though it's gonna get ugly on here. I'm doing everything in my power to stay positive. I've wanted to be here for so long, and all I want to do is have a good time and take in as much as I can. Unfortunately there have been some set backs that I just can't ignore. I absolutely went OFF in my journal in the van after reading about TEAMWORK in the Bill Simmons Basketball book that my dad gave me before this leg. Thanks again dad. They have been saving me. There really is a close connection to being in a band and a member of a team, especially teams at the highest level. I'll save it for later. If things don't change by the time we get through this brutal tour I'll be on to better things. I'm being taken advantage of and it's being waved in my face daily. The beauty of it is there is no room for any negotiation or discussion for risk of appearing confrontational. Today it became clear that my current situation mirrors my moving westward 10/11 years ago. The question is how will it be remedied this time around?

London

hello from London soundcheck.I really like the UK but the shows aint been that great. Think that'll change once we get outta here tomorrow. Maybe we'll leave w/ a bang tonight. Let's hope so. At least I've got all day today to check out the city and hopefully buy some shoes. Mine have holes in them, need some for real, not just for my fetish I swear. More in a bot. Cheer i- o

Manchesterrrrrr, Glasgow

Manchester was hectic. Had a great time playing on Mark Rileys show for BBC 6 and got to see Daniel Johnston play a couple as well. Then we were off to our proper show at the Ruby Lounge. Looked great at first, but by the time we played the place was deserted. tried to tough it out, we played ok, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't bum me out a bunch. After such an exhausting day of double load ins and triple soundchecks, a fun show would have topped it off nicely. No such luck. Rainy drive to Glasgow, but I think we saw SIX rainbows. I swear I will post some photos soon. I swear. Great tunes being played here, hope that translates to a fun show later. After 2 nite 2 more UK's then back to Europe thanks gawd. I really like it here but it's a tough go for first timers.

Cardiff,Wales

Beautiful start to the day in Brighton. Sun drenched hills of English countryside and great ocean view. Great breakfast and hangout with Shaun the promoter. Many mutual friends and acquaintances and taste in music. I forgot to mention that last night someone complimented my sweater by saying "great jumper mate!" Anyway.....

Drove thru Slough home of the Original "The Office". Didn't have time for Stonehenge.

Cardiff is cool, huge old castle in the middle of the city, right across from where we played.

Show was meh on all counts. Venue was great and the promoters were great and are putting us up. But the turnout was just ok (still really good for us) and our vibe/energy was sub-monday at best.

But I'll take that in a place like this anytime. Tomorrow is going to be nuts so I'll lay it out now as there will be little time then. Load in to the club, then immediately load in to BBC studio to do a soundcheck for our performance for Marc Riley from the Fall for his show on BBC 6. THEN back to the club 4 soundcheck, then back to BBC to PLAY the radio show then BACK to the club for the actual show. Wont be doing any shopping in Manchester!

Night night.

Brighton

My Lord,

So rad, so awesome. Little pub place in such a quaint city that we'll hopefully explore more tomorrow. Shaun an amazing dude whom we are staying with right now is on the scene and the best. The crowd ruled and apologized for the turnout...???What>>???? Was great we've never been here what are u talking about? It was pretty full and encored again. Played "Summers Life" which I don't know but we did it any way.

Came in on the ferry into Dover. I kept humming a combination of "Cliffs of Dover" by Eric Johnson, and Blur's "Clover Over Dover". Great time. Still having it, more later. Wales tomorrow, I love the UK. Seriously, ladies come on out, let's meet. Make me your green card hubby and let's get a flat and live the royal dream...........

Paris!

We made it! No one slept on the plane. I tried but ended up watching Whatever Works, The Hangover, and I Love You Man. Johannes, our driver and sound guy absolutely rules, and we've only known each other a day and a 1/2. He has started to hijack the Shakyblog too. Walked around Paris yesterday, and stayed w/Mayhaws cousin who lives in a studio the size of a shoebox. The seven of us, Nick's wife Kristie is with us, and a friend of his that was visiting, somehow all slept there. I wish we got a photo, it was kinda like a clown car scenario. That night Jeff and I got lost trying to get back to said apartment from Johannes place. It was fun though and we kept laughing because none of us has a working phone, and we kept back tracking but ending up not where we intended.

We loaded in and just sound checked. My drums kinda rule. Old Premiers, Keith Moon's drum of choice. They look and sound amazing. We get our own beds tonight, the thought of that got us through last night, and the fact that we were exhausted. I think I slept 13 hours, though not soundly. I have only a few photos so far. I'll try and get them up soon. It's Halloween, but you wouldn't know it. Maybe people will be in costume tonight? We'll be dressed as clueless Americans of course.

Yesterday we all sat at a cafe next to Johannes' awesome apartment and I ordered an Americano. What they gave me looked like Iced Tea, but instead was a very strong drink made with Compari. I drank it anyway of course, and it was hilarious. The first of many snafu's coming in the next month.

Another stupid thing we find ourselves doing is speaking English with a Horrible french accent when we don't know how to say something, which IS ALL THE TIME. Other than merci, and bon jour I'm clueless. And ,when pressed, I forget those too. Funny stuff.

Here We Go

31.10.2009 Paris (FR), Mains d’Œuvres w/ Part Chimp, Get Back Guinozzi!
01.11.2009 Brighton (UK), Prince Albert
02.11.2009 Cardiff (UK), Clwb Ifor Bach
03.11.2009 Manchester (UK), The Ruby Lounge
04.11.2009 Glasgow (UK), Captain’s Rest
05.11.2009 London (UK), Fortuna Pop @ The Lexington
06.11.2009 London (UK), last.fm presents @ Cargo
07.11.2009 Offenbach (DE), Hafen 2 w/ Thank You, Matteah Baim
08.11.2009 Muenchen (DE), Atomic Cafe
09.11.2009 Vienna (AT), Rhiz
10.11.2009 Ljubljana (SI), Channel Zero
12.11.2009 Basel (CH), 1. Stock
13.11.2009 Luzern (CH), Treibhaus
14.11.2009 Freiburg (DE), Swamp
15.11.2009 Berlin (DE), NBI
16.11.2009 Hamburg (DE), Molotow
17.11.2009 Aalborg (DK), 1000Fryd
19.11.2009 Bergen (NO), Garage
20.11.2009 Oslo (NO), Blå
21.11.2009 Stockholm (SE), Fritz’s Corner @ Debaser
23.11.2009 Copenhagen (DK), Loppen w/ Damien Jurado
24.11.2009 Poznan (PL), Klub Pod Minoga (NEW!)
25.11.2009 Prague (CZ), Klub 007
26.11.2009 Koeln (DE), Tsunami
27.11.2009 Utrecht (NL), Le Guess Who Festival
28.11.2009 Haarlem (NL), Patronaat

Hazy Daze

(Wilsons new slide technique, somewhere in Europe, see u soon buddy!)

In Charlottesville VA at the venue, which is basically a middle eastern themed coffee shop, but only serves tea. Apparently they only have Beirut albums as well. Oh well. Took a Vicodin 2day cuz i tweaked my back/neck during the first song last night. And I was hungover from the old last night of tour ritual w/Pomegranetes and Headlights. Needless to say I feel WEIRD. And the tinge in my back is not really any better, oh and I put way too much Tiger Balm on it and I smell like a post game press conference. So don't expect much UVA. A coupla days of R&R are just what I need before Plane'n it to Paris.

P.S. Have you driven a Ford lately?

Wrap up/Catch up

Hello from Chapel Hill NC and the last of our nights with the Pomegranates,and Headlights. Philly was a blast despite the monsoon like downpours which kept many of the bike riding Phillyites at home. But we were able to discover the amazingness that is Sand. And after listening to the whole album twice and researching them, we thought they were from Germany at first. Then we find out they are from PORTLAND! Two members later went on to be in Quarterflash, but I'm putting them at #1 with a bullet on the list of best Portland bands past or present. There I said it. Thanks Nate! He bought the record in Portland, maybe at Crossroads, and I am eternally grateful for it. We will now begin further archiving for our Soft Nuggets Series, look for it from Rhino soon.

DC was a pretty great show, well attended and we played great. DC never fails for interesting conversations with very educated and quirky strangers. You'll have to wait til my memoir "ROAD DOG" Confessions of a Beat Snake comes out next year for more.

Tomorrow, our last US gig before Europe in Charlottesville VA then off to Paris. To say I can't wait would be an understatement. Look for me during Blazers games in the "Where In The World" segment. I'll be the dude in the Blazers satin Starter Jacket and Sabonis jersey standing by the Eiffel Tower.

Stay tuned it's gonna get Kway-Zay!!

NY>Philly

Leave for Philly in a minute. Played an acoustic apartment thing yesterday morning for Baeble music was cool despite the early rise. Filmed and should be up in December. Then played for single digits at the Knitting Factory and played on terrible sounding backline drums. But, had a great night with good buddies Josh Nick Matt and Alexis. Mexican, beers and some ill advised Texas Hold Em. The Introspection Tour rolls on. Change is a comin on my eventual return home to Portland, still seemingly forever from now. Off to see more good friends, Sue and Nate, and then more fam in the DC area. Europe is coming, so close now.

New York

It's beautiful today. Trying to rest up for a busy coupla days here. Cakeshop tonight @ midnight. Then a video/acoustic thingy at 11am! 2 moro, and play again @ 5. Hope to see some friends and try not to antagonize TOO MANY Yankees fans, but no promises. Just got our European Tourbook, very exciting. Crazy to think in a week we'll be in Paris. Nutty.

It's Official b/w The Truth about Do What You Love

It's Official: Go Phillies. Unless The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim get their collective shit together in a major way and the Umps do likewise we're lookin at a Phillies Yanks Series. We will probably miss a great deal of it in Europe. That is sad.

Now on to the notion of doing what you love, and how pure and amazing and awesome that is. B.S. Plain and simple. Yea I do what I love, or more simply what I do best, for a "living" (hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah) yea right. But, there is as much stress, drama, whatever you want to categorize it as as any profession, if not more. You've got ego's, fragile psyche's, self doubt, loneliness, exhaustion, oh and dare I mention financial implications or lackthereof. I know I'm not saying anything new, but it's day to day like everything else. having a child or 2 or 3. Managing a company or crew, or marriage, or team,or students in your classroom. Yea there's more booze, but not always. Everyone has Mondays and Saturdays. And everyone has to look in the mirror and question their happiness, and if what they are doing is what's in their heart as true and pure. And when you get to a certain point it's hard to know what that even means to yourself and the universe. And if it means anything, or if it's just a way to get from day to day. Or if purity exists in a way that is realistically attainable. Things are fine, things are good and we have a long way to go. let's just be honest about ourselves and our place in this world.

Swingers, Flop Houses, and Half-Pipes

Setting up the merch in Chicago and I notice a couple making out, but I'm not offended by it. I remember thinking to myself," That's sweet". I head in to the main room and when I get back I notice the same girl now kissing another girl, and a little longer than just a friends kiss. Next thing you know the three of them are involved in a full on 3 way make out sesh. The group of onlookers in growing as it's hard to ignore. This continues for a while.

I go about my daily tour business and notice this is continuing. Only now, a husky built guy in tight indie pants and sweater has approached the girl girl guy triad. He begins nudging one of the girls, but remaining at arms length. I think he may have come to the show with this girl, and feel bad for him as it looks like they won't be leaving together now. He doesn't gain or attempt eye contact though and the threesome continue going for it, vigorously. He remains at his awkward arms length post.

It is at this time that I notice the group gathered on the couch next to all of this. It is then that I realize we got ourselves a group of swingers. They are all cuddling on the couch, in no way putting on a show as the others but observing in a way that they are the elders and seeing their new recruit handle this public display. This goes on throughout the night. I don't know what the cover was, at least 10 bucks, and the whole lot of them never left the couch pool table area, or set foot in the main room where the bands played. I still feel bad for the awkward guy, even if he knew what he was in for, he did not look comfortable.

Pontiac MI was the next stop. We were late, but arrived to a very nice club. Great sound and facilities and very hospitable folks. Played fine despite leaving my cowbell behind in Chicago. An employee of the club, off on this night offers us a place to stay blocks from the club. A younger sweet couple offer us a place as well but it's a half hour away in Detroit. We go with the closer option, and pay the price. We arrive at a big house and all seems fine. We walk in to what looks like a squat. Nothing anywhere except 2 loveseats and a couch in a little corner room. The place is littered w/ cigarette butts, beer caps and broken glass, and an odor to match. We sit on the couches, the only place to sit, and are then ambushed by a screaming horde of inebriated bros. As we sit there draped in our sleeping bags, road weary and obviously looking to just crash out, we are offered a sip from a half full plastic vodka bottle, cigarettes are lit up and we all look at each other wide eyed, silenty saying..."let's get out of here". Half of us stay in the van. Nick and I stick it out and by 9:30am we are on the road outta there......

Chicago:Preview

Last night w/Blitzen Trapper was a hoot. Nice to play for a bunch o' people again, and met some nice folks. The BT put on a great show, and were quite hospitable chaps. Special thanks to Moses for fixing my kick pedal. Short drive to Chicago today. Hangin at friends nice place and awaitin load in at the Bottle. Get well soon Jesse, gonna miss hangin out.

College Tour Continues

Last night Columbia Mizzu. "Daddy,the Tiger Store!" Nice folks there, and our last headlining slot for a while and honestly, that's a relief. Tonight we play w/ fellow Portlanders (although in a higher tax bracket) Blitzen Trapper on the campus here in Urbana IL, or Champagne Champagne as I keep saying, I'll stop...maybe. Then we start our leg of the tour as the meat of Headlights, Pomegranates sandwich kicking off at the lovely Empty Bottle. The BTrappers are on like week 7 of their tour, which is nice to see they are in one piece as we just completed week one of a tour that will last until Dec 16th. Almost finished Gene Wilder's autobiography, and it is keeping me sane, not just for tour but in life. Recommended, Viva Skip Donahue! Okey doke, last night of the Travis Lehman Hotel Hookup Fun Run. Soaking it up best we can catching some baseball and having the cleaning staff shuffling us out as late as possible. Look out ladies of Illin' Oy!

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAt?!!!!

So, nice nice nice. Umm did u hear that Starf***** is now Pyramid Scheme, IRONIC? No.

Uh actually good times. St. louis was pretty cool. Thankssss. The Midwest. The Heartbeat of America. Poooooool party! Niceness. Lawrence was fun, Iowa City.....well.....And here we are, Columbia Mo tomorrow, then our KILLER HEADLINING section comes to a close w/ a Blitzen Trapper jam zone then go on tour w/Headlights and Pomegranates til Euro explosion 1999!!

So COLLEGE!!!!!!!! Thanxx y'all We good we happy , healthy. Smooches

SLC/Denver/ Lawrence

Cool day/night off in Denver. Watched the Broncos (not a fan) beat the Pats( Really not a fan) in OT in a bar w/ everyone goin nuts. Then that night we all laid in the dark and listened to the amazing Rockies Phillies game...on the radio! My fave. Was nice, especially when the fans were chanting Rocktober!

In Lawrence, you know, I mean, bought great shoes and masks here, but how many actually good shows? Remains to be seen tonight. Dr. Dog is again in town and AGAIN grabbing any and all Monday night music lovers in the process I assume but, you know, stick to the motto: Assume the worst, hope for the best. Off to somewhere new tomorrow, thats somethin......

Boise

Ugh, ok alrighty, here we go. Thanks for bearing with us Boise. Do better next time.

Gooooood night. Try again tomorrow.

AUTUMN SWEATER

Playoff Baseball, since 2002, is synonymous with touring. Right now, as Cliff Lee finishes his game one complete game victory, I am packing, and normally would be finishing Tshirts last minute. Everyday for the next few weeks we'll be racing to get to the venue or a nearby sportsbar to catch as much of the games as we can. The Joggers 03 tour highlights revolve around the MLB playoffs. we raced through our set opening for Neil Hamburger in Moorehead MN so we could get back to catch the RedSox/Yankees game 7, now in extra innings. And as soon as we got our gear off stage, and the two pitchers of beer...Aaron F'n Boone.

Then later in NY for the Yankees losing to the Marlins, and me heckling Yankees fans, and cowardly hiding behind a doorman. Later of course we were chased in to a cab by a mob of dejected Yankee fans. In 2004 when the Red Sox finally reversed the curse, we were on a day off in Denver. We witnessed an historical event only to be overshadowed by Bronson Arroyo's hideous blonde cornrows:

In 2002, Anaheim over the Giants, we were OPENING for open mic in Cortland NY. The last day of this past Shaky Hands tour we caught a sweet Giants Cards game in SF,whetting our appetite for the fall season. There is a small chance of getting to hit game 3 of the Rockies Phillies series in Denver. At the very least we'll feel the energy of watching it on TV blocks from Coors Field.

As we depart on a nearly three month jaunt, I wouldn't want it any other way. this year I'm still waiting to see who I am gonna get behind this fall. Jeff bleeds Phillies Red. I have to admit, now that the Red Sox have "gotten theirs" it's hard to root for them with that same intensity as you do for the underdog. I definitely have a tinge of Twin's Fever, and am rooting as hard for the Metrodome. But mostly I'm just going to enjoy the moments. Adios!