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.