New Video - It Multiples

Well, here it is. We spent a freezing night in Palmdale, CA in one of the best locations ever making this. Video team Lior Molcho/Danit Sigler brought this to life. The makeup/visual concept was created by photographer Tami Bahat, referencing a photo shoot I did with her called "After Hours". This extended into different looks for each band member, and along with the 'rotted' locale creates a fantastic dark world, a fitting match to this song of infidelity.

#63 The Down and Out on 6-15-11

When we got back from tour we started to book a bunch of shows to keep the momentum going. We quickly withdrew from this plan, looking at the fact we still have an album to finish, the biggest priority. However we had one show booked with the Hangout Group, who had booked our Mezz show.

The Down and Out apparently used to be called Charlie O's, and is on the bottom floor of the Alexandria Hotel. It is very spacious and has pool tables in the middle and booths all along the side. There was a nice amount of people who seemed to just be there for the bar, a 'built-in crowd' if you will.

Bell Ringer opened the show, but it took us forever to get there, so we missed them. We walked in while Backdrifter played. They were an alternative rock trio. Cruz and Wright followed, who were dressed half glitz/half street. playing dirty rock and roll. I met the singer, who was Cruz. He informed me that Wright was no longer with the band, so they would probably be changing their name soon.

Our set was enjoyable, with extra song requests and even some dancing audience members. It felt like a good performance, and for having been a little uncertain about playing again right away, it was worth it and then some. Everyone was on their game.

Now we break for a bit, to finish the record and write some new stuff. And get ready for a video release...

#62 Tokyo Garden on 5-29-11

Andrew Bunnell of The Sunburns, the one picture we got of the show.

This was the last show of the tour, and it was a perfect end. Tokyo Garden is a Japanese Restaurant/music venue in downtown Fresno. 

We had postered a week prior on our way up, and had set the show up with some good local bands, so this show was nicely well attended, and the bands seemed to work well together musically. Brother Luke and the Comrades opened, and were a pleasant surprise. The singer reminded me a bit of David Bazan. 

Our set was better that the SF show, and I put a sock on the mic to keep from being electrocuted. The audience seemed very open and friendly, and I felt that we were well received. 

Next up were the Sunburns, fronted by Andrew Bunnell who I had coincidentally met on the set of a game show about 4 years ago! This was a bit of an 'idea realized' since when we met and became chummy I had always intended to play a show with him. They had it together, and played loud songs with just enough catchiness. 

Closing the show was I Do Not Exist, who are a newer band. The singer/guitarist has a 'what the Hell?' bluesy groan, poised oddly in a low-fi indie band complete with MicroKorg and percussionists. This was their 3rd show, but they delivered.

So good. Great end to this run. Quite pleased.

#61 Brainwash on 5-28-11

photo by Christina Ramsden

Back to the Bay! We had swung through Oakland and SF on our way up and done some promoting the week prior to this show, and even handed out fliers hours before, till the heavy rain stopped us.

Wayne and Francis were back by this point, so I was looking forward to a full band experience. Opening the show were two bands. Prize was the musical project of a scantily clad wig-wearing woman with an operatic voice who had drums, guitar and even strings in her band. She was very theatrical, and I was pleased at the eclecticism. The Second band was The Echo District, but the singer/guitarist's band mates had completely flaked on him, so he was pacing up and down the alley screaming on the phone. He let us set up some of our gear first, and then he went up and did his whole set solo. It was so admirable.

Brainwash, a 'music venue'/laundromat had only two mic plugins, one of which was broken, which meant that I got to set up the PA and do our own sound AGAIN. I'm getting really good as a sound guy. The show was very well attended, and we played a fine set. It was nice to have the boys back, and we got to spend the evening with some very nice friends and family at Grubstake, before separating and heading to our different sleeping locations.

#60 Little Red Lion on 5-26-11

Before leaving Redding, Michael and I went walking around and we happened upon a train bridge. We went up the hill and Michael went walking on it and made jokes about Stand By Me. I was a bit nervous, but he said, "They wouldn't make the bridge just wide enough for the train!" I took his word for it. We went  far out to the middle of the tracks to take pictures of the amazing river below. We were out there for 10 minutes or so when Michael said, "Oh fuck, train!" Sure enough here came the train. I began running immediately at top speed, but quickly realized that Michael was shorter and wouldn't be able to run as far. I looked back and the train was almost to him, and he had crouched down and clutched the side rails of the bridge. I saw him not get crushed, so I too braced myself against the side. The train blew its horn a couple times, and came by with a huge gust of wind. I held on tight, and managed to keep my composure enough to snap some self portraits. Afterwards I felt SO alive and happy. 

We then took one of the more beautiful drives I've ever done in my life, through amazing mountains, next to rivers, etc. The air was incredible, and the weather was overcast and perfect.

We hit Eureka, and went to a pub where there were lots and lots of college kids, and hoped that it would also be the case at the venue. Ummm, no. Little Red Lion was a decent bar with a couple pool tables, and a stage, but the sign outside was dark and it seemed to be a bit isolated, though it was surrounded by other businesses. We had no other bands playing, but we did have a sweet guy named Jason who had a keyboard and did a unique DJ/keyboard/storytelling/beat poetry kind of act. It was strangely fitting as an opening act. No sound guy, so I did the sound AGAIN. Michael and I by this time had the duo set locked in, and the performance was almost too easy. There were not a lot of people at the show, but the bartender was kind to us and kicked us some travel money, drinks, etc.

We drove for a bit and opted for another van sleep night.

#59 Maxwell's on 5-25-11

We lingered in Sacramento for most of the day, as we stayed with incredible friends. The drive to Redding was full of a lot of open plains, but beautiful. A freak rainstorm and fiery sky hit us a the end.

The show was set up by a Redding band called Avenue Of Escape, who were going to play after us. The bands were supposed to play after an open mic night event, but I got a call saying that was cancelled and that AVEofESC would probably play first since the owner wanted the music to start. We were in full agreement with that so it came as a surprise to arrive at the club and find the sound equipment not set up and the band playing pool. They said we could go ahead and play first, so we started setting up. The 2-piece Active Set takes much longer to set up than the full band for some reason. I overheard some of AVEofESC's posse complaining about us taking too long and it saddened me. The bartender was nice enough and helped out when asked, but I pretty much had to set up and soundcheck myself.

We started playing and the singer from the other band watched half a song with his girlfriend, but then everyone walked out, except for one lone person at the back of the room. We didn't see the other band for the remainder of the evening, or hear from them. By the end of our set there were a few others, all who said, "Oh man, I could hook you up with a better show!" We discussed the politics of touring and such.

We found people to stay with, who turned out to be irresponsible, so much that at 3am, having invited us to stay at a house asked, "So, where are you guys gonna stay?" Michael and I left and argued for a bit before settling on sleeping in the van.

#58 Naked Lounge on 5-24-11

photo by Jill Carmel

We left the Bay Area later than we should have, but fortunately it was a quick drive to Sacramento. We lost Wayne and Francis the day prior, so this was the first show that Michael and I would have to do on our own.

We pulled in town at dusk and were surprised to discover how beautiful parts of the city were. The venue, Naked Lounge, was a coffee shop with a side room for music. We were playing with Campfire Crooners and MRQ, a blues/Americana band and another bluesy/jazzy band which I thought would not blend well with us, but I was assured by the booker that it would be a good night.

Having been off coffee for some time, I drank really strong stuff in SF. Combined with the anticipation of a 2-person Active Set trial I was jumping off the walls. We relaxed in the van for a bit. When it was time to set up, it all took so much longer than expected, so much that the sound chick kept asking if we were ready.

We butchered the first song and had to stop several times (why am I telling you this?) but then got our groove going. It was a lot more of an intimate performance between Michael and I, and I felt exhilarated and very free and unrestrained. Something about the unpredictability of the night was very freeing. 

We had a decent sized audience made up of some friends, family, fans and strangers. It was a well-rounded evening.