Tuesday, November 10, 2009

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.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

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?


Friday, November 6, 2009

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

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

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.

Monday, November 2, 2009

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.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

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...........