Friday, August 22, 2008
Last Call
Performances are over. Last call. House lights on, stage lights off. The PA is packed and waiting for the 27 hour drive home just like the rest of us. Somehow I am in the woods with no running water, a make-shift shitter, and I still have internet. Technology is amazing.
Sorry for the delay in posts to those paying close attention. We were down in the hills of Petrolia, CA with no wireless connections.
Is this the grand finale putting the last couple of weeks into perspective for a band of brothers and musicians? Any big discoveries? I don't know. It was only a few weeks.
I don't know that we have all experienced big life changes, again it was only a couple of weeks. However, I can't lead you to believe that in this short time we haven't changed a little... a new appreciation for nature, the value of a dollar when you only have three, or maybe the realization that our art makes it very easy to meet new people and see the best in them...to name a few.
This has been a journey however long or short. I'm sure "a couple of weeks" has felt very long at times to the band and to our loved ones at home. You made this tour happen along with us. Thank you for your support.
Our music is tighter, our bonds are tighter, and we now share the same experiences of Snakebeard's first tour to talk about when we're too old for hauling speakers.
We can all agree this has been a learning experience. Not just in tour costs, booking, lodging, food and supplies. Despite a couple minor setbacks, we have managed to have a great time. I heard a few times before leaving that we will come back loving or hating each other. We will be back with as much love and respect for one another since day one. I hope to do this again.
The shows have also taught us something. We have a dedicated group of listeners at home. A fan base if you will allow. Here we had nothing, and every show came with attendance concerns that usually started around 8 o'clock and lasted until about 9:30. But each night we saw a similar pattern of little dancing and attention for about 4 or 5 songs. Then we would see a change. More dancing, more applause and more interest in the band. I have learned that our music touches more than our hometown crowd. I am grateful.
I am grateful for the people who have helped along the way. Many of them friends of band members and even one couple who took us in with no idea who we are. All they knew is we rocked their socks off. Thank you Shiz and Erin. Good luck with your new family. Thanks to the promoter in Bozeman for the place to crash. Maybe we can come back and play for a croud larger than staff and the one guy Marshall. It was fun either way. Thank you Ian and Evelyn, Molly and Ben, Broch, Brett and Shea, Jaymar, and the Petrolia Community Center...some of us slept there. Thanks to John at The Summit for giving us the show we never had.
We will have stories to tell when we come home that I can't seem to convey in type so I will save them. We have hundreds of photos and hours of video.
We have a long drive ahead and we have work to do when we get home. We need to put up the PA and get those stage lights on and house lights off...Oh and I'm gonna want a beer. We have a homecoming show for you all.
SBJ/Joey
Sorry for the delay in posts to those paying close attention. We were down in the hills of Petrolia, CA with no wireless connections.
Is this the grand finale putting the last couple of weeks into perspective for a band of brothers and musicians? Any big discoveries? I don't know. It was only a few weeks.
I don't know that we have all experienced big life changes, again it was only a couple of weeks. However, I can't lead you to believe that in this short time we haven't changed a little... a new appreciation for nature, the value of a dollar when you only have three, or maybe the realization that our art makes it very easy to meet new people and see the best in them...to name a few.
This has been a journey however long or short. I'm sure "a couple of weeks" has felt very long at times to the band and to our loved ones at home. You made this tour happen along with us. Thank you for your support.
Our music is tighter, our bonds are tighter, and we now share the same experiences of Snakebeard's first tour to talk about when we're too old for hauling speakers.
We can all agree this has been a learning experience. Not just in tour costs, booking, lodging, food and supplies. Despite a couple minor setbacks, we have managed to have a great time. I heard a few times before leaving that we will come back loving or hating each other. We will be back with as much love and respect for one another since day one. I hope to do this again.
The shows have also taught us something. We have a dedicated group of listeners at home. A fan base if you will allow. Here we had nothing, and every show came with attendance concerns that usually started around 8 o'clock and lasted until about 9:30. But each night we saw a similar pattern of little dancing and attention for about 4 or 5 songs. Then we would see a change. More dancing, more applause and more interest in the band. I have learned that our music touches more than our hometown crowd. I am grateful.
I am grateful for the people who have helped along the way. Many of them friends of band members and even one couple who took us in with no idea who we are. All they knew is we rocked their socks off. Thank you Shiz and Erin. Good luck with your new family. Thanks to the promoter in Bozeman for the place to crash. Maybe we can come back and play for a croud larger than staff and the one guy Marshall. It was fun either way. Thank you Ian and Evelyn, Molly and Ben, Broch, Brett and Shea, Jaymar, and the Petrolia Community Center...some of us slept there. Thanks to John at The Summit for giving us the show we never had.
We will have stories to tell when we come home that I can't seem to convey in type so I will save them. We have hundreds of photos and hours of video.
We have a long drive ahead and we have work to do when we get home. We need to put up the PA and get those stage lights on and house lights off...Oh and I'm gonna want a beer. We have a homecoming show for you all.
SBJ/Joey
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Oregon, Mountains, Kush
Ahhhhh, day 9. After over a week on tour I'm finally washing cloths! There is kind of a smell that accrues over the course of a week of playing music in the same couple shirts. Especially when you wear both in one night.......... I'm just glad my friends were not here to catch a whiff, or it might have shattered illusions of the ever wonderfull smelling mcfee.
So how about shows. We played in Portland on monday night, and dispite my nearly non existant voice(I've been on the verge of losing it all tour now) we got a great response from the Orgonians. What has often worked to bring a couple new audience members around is the misfits covers that 138 has been pulling out on occasion. The highlight was comming back to Ians and Evelyns pad and taking pictures in Eves photo booth....we got some good ones. I have been dubed the tour party animal, but had to call it early that night and catch up on some sleep. Jr. took my place and stayed up till 6. Needless to say he got some really good pictures in the booth.
Reick, Jewell, and myself, drove to Bend the following day for a radio station interview/performance. I was a little nervous, but we did well. The phones rang afterwords so I have high hopes for our show this evening at a venue called the Summit. Hope the floor in Portland was nice guys, cause my freind Moll has given us her whole pad to ourselves and is staying with her dude. Man the queen size bed was comfey. I dont know... mabey I slept a little too well. Tough being on the road man. But seriously, thanks too all the folks that have put us up along the way. We had planned on camping, but weather hasn't allowed much of the trip, and we are great full to all, especially those with the Kush.
Peace to our homies, Sean/SBJ
So how about shows. We played in Portland on monday night, and dispite my nearly non existant voice(I've been on the verge of losing it all tour now) we got a great response from the Orgonians. What has often worked to bring a couple new audience members around is the misfits covers that 138 has been pulling out on occasion. The highlight was comming back to Ians and Evelyns pad and taking pictures in Eves photo booth....we got some good ones. I have been dubed the tour party animal, but had to call it early that night and catch up on some sleep. Jr. took my place and stayed up till 6. Needless to say he got some really good pictures in the booth.
Reick, Jewell, and myself, drove to Bend the following day for a radio station interview/performance. I was a little nervous, but we did well. The phones rang afterwords so I have high hopes for our show this evening at a venue called the Summit. Hope the floor in Portland was nice guys, cause my freind Moll has given us her whole pad to ourselves and is staying with her dude. Man the queen size bed was comfey. I dont know... mabey I slept a little too well. Tough being on the road man. But seriously, thanks too all the folks that have put us up along the way. We had planned on camping, but weather hasn't allowed much of the trip, and we are great full to all, especially those with the Kush.
Peace to our homies, Sean/SBJ
Monday, August 11, 2008
Camping on the Columbia
In comparison to Jesse's poetic entries, I have little to report, and not nearly in his sense of prose. The bulk of our Sunday consisted of driving. Nine hours, give or take. The conversations of the road hold little amusement to any but those involved. If you haven't experienced it, ask one of us, or someone who has been in a similar situation, and you will soon see my meaning (i.e. fart jokes seem A LOT funnier after six hours in a car).
I digress.
We, as you, the Constant Reader, knows, have lost Jesse. His absence has made everyone stop at one point, sure that we have forgotten someone. We wish him safe travels and reluctantly let him return to work. The culmination of his tour experience is left behind.
So, down a percussionist, Sunday night we pulled into a combination rest stop and campground. A friendly and helpful staff set us up next to the Columbia River on the Oregon/Washington border. We quickly set up camp as the sun went down and barely beat the darkness. The timing was great, a little nerve-racking, but we survived. A camp fire, some pasta, and a couple beers saw Snakebeard through the evening.
Morning broke earlier than some would like, but home-cooked breakfast and a little outdoor jam works wonders. Perchance there is new music involved.
Again, I digress.
At present, we are standing in Portland with some folks from back home. It is always good to see those you haven't in many years. If it weren't for a lack of family and pets, it feels a lot like home.
Again with the digression.
Tonight we will roll over to the Famous Kenton Club and see what Oregon thinks. To drop a cliche: Only time will tell.
One of us will surely let you know.
Yours truly,
SBJ/Trav
Missoula
Missoula is a great town. A beautiful river, incredible mountains, great restaurants, and good people. Matt, Josh, and I were the first ones to get there, the rest of the guys stayed up north at the wedding party for a few more hours. The three of us made a classy lunch on the downtown sidewalk after checking out the venue, then walked down to the river. Its called the Clark Fork, and it eventually dumps into the Columbia River. Crystal clear water, giant crayfish, and an assortment of colorful rocks gave us several hours of enjoyment. Trout took over my brain and I ventured downtown in search of a fishing pole, later giving up and rejoining Matt and Josh at the river. When I got back they were both swimming in the cold mountain water, rinsing off some of the tour grunge. None of us had showered for several days, so it was critical that we remove some of the stink. Matt looked like a little kid digging around in the rocks, finding ones that he thought were interesting. He amassed quite a collection and had several pocket fulls when we finally left the water to meet up with the rest of the band. I can't remember how many times he said, "Hey you guys, check out this one!" It was a good day at the river.
Once everyone showed up and we packed all our gear in, we decided to go out for sushi. I'll be honest with you, I had never had sushi before, but by the time we reached the restaurant, Sean had me convinced it would be an epic, life-changing experience. To quote him, "I would give up all my vices before giving up sushi." After eating a bunch of salmon and yellow tail, I wouldn't go quite as far as him, but it was excellent. We met a nice guy that was eating with his family at the sushi bar. He bought me some sake and we challenged him to a game of "Pick the Roadie," where we asked him which of the seven of us he thought was the roadie. His first choice was Josh, which we thought was pretty funny, but then he quickly changed his mind and picked Jewell, noting that the tatoos were a dead giveaway. He said he'd come to the show later and we bid him farewell, heading back to the bar to soundcheck.
We had a lot more people at this show than in Bozeman, and it was a good, fun, dancing crowd. I think we played a pretty good show, throwing some 138 misfits covers into the mix, and bringing back Dark Hollow with a dedication to Jerry Garcia. We hadn't played that song in quite awhile, and it was pleasant to see it go over well.
As the show was drawing to a close, we still didn't have a place in Missoula to stay. Its an interesting life to be going from town to town with no idea where you will sleep or what you will do when the show is over. It can be a little intimidating, but once you accept the reality that it doesn't matter where you sleep, its exciting. I guess its a matter of how you approach the unknown. Sean got on the mic and politely enquired whether anyone in attendance would be willing to put up a band for the night. Two nice ladies and a very nice guy offered to let us crash at their place, and we all went there after the show. Many thanks to these helpful and kind folks. Some of us caught up on showers and some of us caught up on beer, but eventually everyone went to sleep.
In the morning, we wiped the sleep from our eyes and collected all our stuff. This was the end of the road for me, my last day with the tour. Reality and work called me back to the Dakotas, and I'm more than sad to have left. Those guys are probably somewhere in Oregon right now, and I'm in North Dakota. I wish I could have kept going. Perhaps next time. This has been an incredible experience, and I know the rest of the crew is still living it. Keep rockin, guys. The unknown is standing right in front of you and I'm jealous. I miss it already.
SBJ/Jesse
Once everyone showed up and we packed all our gear in, we decided to go out for sushi. I'll be honest with you, I had never had sushi before, but by the time we reached the restaurant, Sean had me convinced it would be an epic, life-changing experience. To quote him, "I would give up all my vices before giving up sushi." After eating a bunch of salmon and yellow tail, I wouldn't go quite as far as him, but it was excellent. We met a nice guy that was eating with his family at the sushi bar. He bought me some sake and we challenged him to a game of "Pick the Roadie," where we asked him which of the seven of us he thought was the roadie. His first choice was Josh, which we thought was pretty funny, but then he quickly changed his mind and picked Jewell, noting that the tatoos were a dead giveaway. He said he'd come to the show later and we bid him farewell, heading back to the bar to soundcheck.
We had a lot more people at this show than in Bozeman, and it was a good, fun, dancing crowd. I think we played a pretty good show, throwing some 138 misfits covers into the mix, and bringing back Dark Hollow with a dedication to Jerry Garcia. We hadn't played that song in quite awhile, and it was pleasant to see it go over well.
As the show was drawing to a close, we still didn't have a place in Missoula to stay. Its an interesting life to be going from town to town with no idea where you will sleep or what you will do when the show is over. It can be a little intimidating, but once you accept the reality that it doesn't matter where you sleep, its exciting. I guess its a matter of how you approach the unknown. Sean got on the mic and politely enquired whether anyone in attendance would be willing to put up a band for the night. Two nice ladies and a very nice guy offered to let us crash at their place, and we all went there after the show. Many thanks to these helpful and kind folks. Some of us caught up on showers and some of us caught up on beer, but eventually everyone went to sleep.
In the morning, we wiped the sleep from our eyes and collected all our stuff. This was the end of the road for me, my last day with the tour. Reality and work called me back to the Dakotas, and I'm more than sad to have left. Those guys are probably somewhere in Oregon right now, and I'm in North Dakota. I wish I could have kept going. Perhaps next time. This has been an incredible experience, and I know the rest of the crew is still living it. Keep rockin, guys. The unknown is standing right in front of you and I'm jealous. I miss it already.
SBJ/Jesse
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Bozeman to Missoula
We left Spearfish with weary heads and wagon trained across the arid sagebrush country of Wyoming, entering Montana from the south. An ominous storm loomed over the city of Bozeman as we approached. Foreshadowing, perhaps? We found our way through town to the Fillin Station where we were billed to play. The stage was cool, covered in license plates and band stickers. It was more of a roadhouse than a bar. The bartender and Grant, the guy who booked us, were friendly. No one else was in the bar. We hung out in the back and told stories while Jewell played us a few songs on guitar. I told a story over some of Tim's blues licks and we jokingly decided to debut it later.
Show time neared and still no one entered the bar. An outdoor music event was scheduled to take place downtown, but was cancelled because of the storm. We were supposed to be the afterparty. Things were not looking good for us. The weather struck again.
We took the stage and still no one was there. We started playing and the band that scheduled to play after us showed up and watched us, along with the bartender and the dude eating peanuts. We played for awhile for the other band and then they played some songs for us. They were very impressive and extremely tight. They're called the Chris Koza band, great guys. We hung out with them for awhile and since no one came to the show, we called it a night and headed downtown for a few beers.
As we were walking down main street, bad vibes descended. A fight broke out in front of us and a few guys went down hard. It was one of those spectacles that you don't want to see, but can't ignore. We all felt pretty sick after witnessing that and decided to get a beer and some pizza. I've never seen such drunkenness in one place. I thought people got wasted in Vermillion, but nothing like this has ever befallen my not so innocent eyes. This town is rough and tough. We're definitely in the West.
Seemingly everyone we talked to in Bozeman was hilarious in some way. Some were belligerent, some were just cool and funny. It will be fun to play here sometime when the weather agrees and we can get a crowd.
We headed out and drove west to Missoula, then north into some wild country. We came to a ranch near a lake in the mountains. Matt and Emily (not Matt and Natalie, though every time someone congratulated the couple, we couldn't help thinking they said that) were getting married, friends of Sean's, and we were playing their wedding. It was more of a festival than a wedding, which made for a pretty incredible time considering the scenery. Everyone was friendly and the wedding was beautiful. We took the stage underneath a moon and stars that looked so close they could have been painted there. We played and the whole crowd danced in the moonlight, it was beautiful. After our show we hung out and watched/participated in the drum circle, with Josh making his percussion debut and drawing rave reviews.
The next day we woke up, ate some breakfast and took down our tents before yet another thunderstorm struck. All in all, it was a great experience out in the woods, wading through streams looking for trout with Jewell, and getting to see Sean walk around in nothing but a way too small towel after bathing in the creek, striking a mountain man pose.
We're all excited for tonight in Missoula. I'm at the Top Hat right now and this place rules. This town rules. This is going to be a fun night.
SBJ/Jesse
Show time neared and still no one entered the bar. An outdoor music event was scheduled to take place downtown, but was cancelled because of the storm. We were supposed to be the afterparty. Things were not looking good for us. The weather struck again.
We took the stage and still no one was there. We started playing and the band that scheduled to play after us showed up and watched us, along with the bartender and the dude eating peanuts. We played for awhile for the other band and then they played some songs for us. They were very impressive and extremely tight. They're called the Chris Koza band, great guys. We hung out with them for awhile and since no one came to the show, we called it a night and headed downtown for a few beers.
As we were walking down main street, bad vibes descended. A fight broke out in front of us and a few guys went down hard. It was one of those spectacles that you don't want to see, but can't ignore. We all felt pretty sick after witnessing that and decided to get a beer and some pizza. I've never seen such drunkenness in one place. I thought people got wasted in Vermillion, but nothing like this has ever befallen my not so innocent eyes. This town is rough and tough. We're definitely in the West.
Seemingly everyone we talked to in Bozeman was hilarious in some way. Some were belligerent, some were just cool and funny. It will be fun to play here sometime when the weather agrees and we can get a crowd.
We headed out and drove west to Missoula, then north into some wild country. We came to a ranch near a lake in the mountains. Matt and Emily (not Matt and Natalie, though every time someone congratulated the couple, we couldn't help thinking they said that) were getting married, friends of Sean's, and we were playing their wedding. It was more of a festival than a wedding, which made for a pretty incredible time considering the scenery. Everyone was friendly and the wedding was beautiful. We took the stage underneath a moon and stars that looked so close they could have been painted there. We played and the whole crowd danced in the moonlight, it was beautiful. After our show we hung out and watched/participated in the drum circle, with Josh making his percussion debut and drawing rave reviews.
The next day we woke up, ate some breakfast and took down our tents before yet another thunderstorm struck. All in all, it was a great experience out in the woods, wading through streams looking for trout with Jewell, and getting to see Sean walk around in nothing but a way too small towel after bathing in the creek, striking a mountain man pose.
We're all excited for tonight in Missoula. I'm at the Top Hat right now and this place rules. This town rules. This is going to be a fun night.
SBJ/Jesse
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
And we're off!
Tour has officially began. After the wonderfully exciting drive across the great plains of SD we arrived in Spearfish with plenty of time to chill. Joey's good friend, Shizzle, welcomed us into his house where we got the shake off the drive and enjoy a few of those fine cold beverages we enjoy so much on his sweet patio downtown in Spearfish. As the evening progressed we had the pleasure of watching a killer thunderstorm roll in over the Black Hills. It was really beautiful, the squall line was perfectly defined and multi layered, backlit by constant lightning and the evening sun which lit the front edge of the storm. It progressed into a full on hail storm. fortunately there was no damage to vehicles but I'm sure more than one biker took a wicked shot to the face while going 75 down the interstate, my condolences.
The storm mostly passed before we played at the B&B. I had never been out here with the band (this is Josh by the way) but I see why the guys come back, cool venue and a great crowd. We blew a fuse during Dead Flowers but we played on finishing the song in an acoustic sing-along with everyone in the bar, it was beautiful really. After the power came back we finished the show and kept the people dancing til the wee hours.
Jami played with us last night for the last time for a few months. She is now heading to Nashville for four months. Good luck Jami! For anyone who needs a Jami fix we will have the cd's with us at all the Snakebeard shows.
Thats all for now, we have another night at the B&B and then we head to MT. I'm going to do my best to keep everyone posted on how our tour is progressing.
The storm mostly passed before we played at the B&B. I had never been out here with the band (this is Josh by the way) but I see why the guys come back, cool venue and a great crowd. We blew a fuse during Dead Flowers but we played on finishing the song in an acoustic sing-along with everyone in the bar, it was beautiful really. After the power came back we finished the show and kept the people dancing til the wee hours.
Jami played with us last night for the last time for a few months. She is now heading to Nashville for four months. Good luck Jami! For anyone who needs a Jami fix we will have the cd's with us at all the Snakebeard shows.
Thats all for now, we have another night at the B&B and then we head to MT. I'm going to do my best to keep everyone posted on how our tour is progressing.
