Punk Rock Fitness

So Guy, Matt, and I (Ryan) almost got arrested in Milwaukee. We were crossing the street without a walk signal on the way to get the van and a cop parked in his squad car down the road got out and yelled at us. He treated us like drug dealers. Took our licenses and told us he should arrest us since we're from out of state. I've never been so belittled and talked-down-to in my entire life. Meanwhile, every other cop in Milwaukee is actually outside their car helping with all the foot traffic downtown. We think it's quite possible he was drunk.

So long Milwaukee, hello Detroit. We played at The Magic Stick, which is above America's oldest active bowling center, Garden Bowl. As we loaded in, they were finishing a shoot for some kind of punk rock workout video. "We're gonna get rid of that bra bulge!" "Punk rock fitness is about doing it YOUR way!" They shared their food with us. Said we could have whatever we anted because we were touring musicians. It's really funny to see people who just filmed an exercise video sitting at the bar having a beer and cigarette with their plate of pizza.

The show was really good and once again, we mooched way too much beer from Limbeck and John Ralston. Afterwards we got in a quick, free bowling game. Rob from Limbeck has a killer sidearm. Also turns out Jon Cheese is nearly a professional. Three days in Ohio and then we bid these gentlemen farewell. Sad.

Ice Cold Daytrotter

Getting back on track with Limbeck and hopefully John Ralston tonight in Minneapolis. Ralston's van broke down yesterday on the way to Madison so the show got cancelled. I was bummed because I've been to the Majestic Theater before with Over the Rhine. It's a great venue and they said they wanted to make it a point to have us back as soon as possible.

So we drove to State Street and hunted down a Buffalo Wild Wings. Sure, we could've found a cool local spot, but we were looking for a little bit of home. This is alien land to us Texas boys. There is snow and ice everywhere and it is deceptively beautiful. We warmed up with a trip to the liquor store and a night in the hotel jacuzzi.

Monday we drove to ice-encrusted roads to Rock Island, IL to record a session for Daytrotter. The experience was priceless. The studio is in an old office building above a pizza place. The way it works is you come in, get some coffee, meet the wonderful people that make it all happen, pick out which bad ass vintage gear you want to use, and record a few songs live to tape. If you're not happy with the take, they rewind it and you just do it again. There was something very liberating and healthy about the whole experience of recording with everyone together in one room on one take. Like a taped, live show in someone's musty old den. Living with the little imperfections. Letting the song speak for itself. This is something we want to do something more of.

Daytrotter

Do yourself a favor and go to Daytrotter.com. For one, we'll be featured tomorrow, Monday February 18th, on the site. Playing a few songs and doing a live Q & A session at 1:30 PM CST. Secondly, well, it's just an all around bad-ass website. You can listen to everyone from our friends Kevin Devine and Andy Hull (Manchester Orchestra) to Menomena or The National. So basically, check it out! Thanks for listening.

Blizzard In Salt Lake / iTunes Is Finally Up!

Yesterday we left California at 4 AM to make it on time to the show in Salt Lake City, UT and spent about 18 hours in the van, 3 of those all within a 2 mile radius. Why? About 25 miles out of Salt Lake it started dumping snow. White-out conditions, high wind speeds, all around dangerous roads.

Just so happens that the exit we decide to use in order to switch drivers is the one that gets closed off due to some jack-knifed 18 wheelers on I-15. At one point, both sides of the interstate were completely shut down, so we spent the majority of our time hanging out at the Maverick gas station along with other stranded travellers.

After pushing the van and trailer through the snow several times, we decided there was no way we would make it to the show on time so we headed south on I-15, the opposite direction we needed to, hoping we could get turned around and headed the right way at some other exit down the road. Finally, going north toward SLC it took us another hour or two to make the 15-mile drive in; topping off our absurd night by giving away copies of the new CD in the middle of the highway as traffic lurched along.

Made it to Sandy for pancakes and bacon thanks to Chad and Sarah. We'll be playing their venue, Solid Ground Cafe, tonight at 7 PM. Also, thanks to KRCL 90.9 for having us in this morning and letting us play a few songs.

If you didn't get a CD from us last night on I-15 or catch us on the radio, you should head to iTunes and download our new album, "Mending" for $7.99! More info to come soon about the physical release date. Thanks for your patience. And thanks for listening.

The Ones You Keep

Nathan wrote this song several weeks ago. We recorded it on Rory's rooftop in Long Beach.

Tour 2/5-2/9

2/5/08

It's 7:21 in the morning and we've been driving since 1:00 PM yesterday. I woke to the cactus covered pre-dawn landscape of Arizona. It's comforting to see these vast expanses of America where no one lives. Her harsher, unforgiving side.

We decided to make the grueling 24 hour drive without stopping for a motel, and our van, Ray Ray is getting tired. An old problem has returned which makes driving a sort of precarious, lurching journey. On top of that our speedometer has not been working since we left home.

I'm not too worried about it. I think he just needs a rest. And so do we. Fortunately, California is only a few feet ahead. (Note to the reader: We got the van fixed. Some guy named Hatch told us, "One hundred percent! I guarantee this will fix it. It is beautiful day. Go! Enjoy your day!" So we did.)

2/9/08
Driving again. In the morning. Only this time it's after a night of heavy drinking, and we're leaving California. Snow dusted mountains to the west. Vegas in our sights.

We played our first two shows with Limbeck and John Ralston at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. Good shows, good guys. The venue itself is situated in the corner of a sort-of strip mall. L.A. Fitness looming above it on the second level, beckoning sweatpants-clad exercise junkies, and the Chinese Theater down the street summoning tourists and second-rate Jack Sparrows and Marilyn Monroes.

My old pal Derik , who I've known since the third grade, offered his tattoo skills to us again and Jacob played both shows with a fresh chest piece which took six hours to complete.

Yesterday, our day off, involved sitting around Tim's (our friend from Louisiana) unkempt, swamp-like pool passing the guitar around, playing songs for each other and drinking. Which eventually led us to The Prospector in Long Beach for yes, more singing and drinking. Karaoke. From Texas to California with love, a raucous rendition of "Friends In Low Places" had everyone singing along and swaying back and forth, arm in arm. "Hey Jude" was nothing short of a rapturous gospel revival song and left us all testifying, "Na na na na-na na-na!" long after the music stopped.

Tonight we play a live webcast, and as beat to hell as we all are, there's no way it will compare to last night.