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We’re back and needless to say the Tiger Army shows were incredible. Thanks to all who treated us so well and all the new friends we made!
Show Journal 2005-07-13
Day two in LA was much easier. After 10 solid hours of sleep I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed. We headed over to Wacky Waffles and enjoyed their wacky breakfast offerings. After that we walked back to the hotel and hit up the swimming pool. It was about 92 degrees out so that felt pretty damn good. About 4:00 we headed over to the club and sat around for about 2 hours waiting for Tiger Army to sound check. We got another buffet and another restock of our dressing room’s fridge. After eating we headed back down stairs for a rushed sound check. After much discussion we opted to play in normal clothes. We had entertained the idea of doing the zombie/skeleton look but after the lackluster response the night before we opted out of it. The set tonight was a million times better. When they cut the lights and opened the curtain people were already cheering. Thank freaking god. Right off the bat we had a pit going that lasted almost the whole set. This was the crowd response I had been imagining in my head all month long. This might sound corny but it was probably one of the most satisfying sets I’ve ever played. The setting, the crowd, the show, the driving … it all just came together for us. We walked off stage with big smiles and were all stoked on the whole thing. A lot more people seemed interested in meeting us afterwards which was a good sign. Day Of Contempt was up second and I thought they ruled. I was so impressed with them live. One cool side note is that they didn’t have a pit for any of their set. We all took subtle pride in that fact. They did kick ass and it sounds as if they will be big soon. A release on Epitaph and a tour with Good Charlotte, unless they implode I think they are set. Definitely one of the most down to earth bands we’ve run across yet. Tiger Army was again the main reason for the evening. When they opened up the curtain and I saw that 50 foot Tiger Army banner I almost got chills. The crowd was 100% more into than the last night which was amazing to see, plus they played a different set which was very nice. For the last part of their set I just wandered up and watched from the balcony thinking about it all. It really was just a great night all around. A lot of bands never get to play the House Of Blues or with bigger bands so we were all appreciative of that fact and realize how lucky we are. Ok – thank you’s for the weekend … Nick and Tiger Army, Day Of Contempt, Stormy, Manbat, Thirty3 for the trailer, Staci, Elizabeth from ghosttigers.com, Joe and Brent for single handedly starting a pit, everyone at the House Of Blues and everyone who was receptive to our music.
Show Journal 2005-07-12
Finally, sweet redemption. After our very disappointing, very expensive and very exhausting trip to play with Tiger Army last month we were rewarded with the chance to play two sold out shows back to back at the House Of Blues. Seemed like a fair trade to us. Our van was actually in the shop so we had to borrow a trailer from Thirty3 and ended up taking Dave’s G-ride. Compared to our nasty ass van, a 2004 Suburban withleather seats and a DVD player is not a bad way to travel. Just like last time we left right after work and drove 1000 miles straight through the night. As luck would have it the Red Bull van spotted us before we left and we all got hooked up with some free Red Bull. Pretty uneventful drive after that. We were all pretty stoked on just getting there so time flew. We eventually figured out how to get room to sleep two which was nice because the captain’s chairs really suck to sleep in. We nearly ran out of gas at some point near the border which added a little excitement. The only real bad news is that in California the speed limit is 55 if you have a trailer. Boo. That was kind of a nuisance because we had to drive 15 MPH slower than all the other cars. Strangely enough we still got there about a haf hour quicker than last time. We got to LA about 2 PM and checked into our hotel down the street. We unloaded and sat around waiting for Tiger Army to show up. They showed up, sound checked, we set up, sound checked and headed up for the buffet in our private dressing room. Yep, the HOB treats you very, very well. Did I mention they have an elevator? We were all pretty nervous so the time just flew right by. The doors opened at 7 and we played at 8. I think the room was about 80% full when we went on which is a whole lot of people. I don’t think anyone knew what to make of us. We weren’t playing rockabilly, psychobilly or any ‘billy’ derivative. To top it off we went for our black shirts, red tie look which we used on our last “special occasion show”. Lots and lots of blank stares. There were a few fists in the air but at the same time there were a few people with their head in their hands seemingly bored to tears. I definitely can’t say we played at 100%. After being up for 2 days I felt like I had concrete in my shoes and my hands just couldn’t move as fast as they needed to. At one point I just totally blanked out and had a “where am I?” moment. It was definitely a tough set. No one booed, spit or complained but then again no one looked overly impressed either. After the set we realized we did pretty well as lots of people came up to meet us. That was cool. The second band, Take The Crown, had a pretty lackluster response too so I felt a little validated by seeing that. Tiger Army was last and the place went berserk. They’ve changed a lot since we played with them back on their first tour but they still never seem to disappoint. Very cool. After the show we headed back to the hotel. Since I had to drive the sunrise shift I went straight to bed. With Staci in tow everyone else went on a quest for food. I barely even remember lying down.
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Here we are only four days away from the two big Tiger Army shows in LA. Hopefully they will actually happen this time because 2000 miles is a bit far to drive for a free sympathy lunch from the House Of Blues. On a somewhat bittersweet note after three and a half years we have decided to close up shop on our street team. There is a full explanation on the Local 800 page but it’s definitely not a bad thing and we definitely consider our street team experiment a success. In fact it actually became too active for us to manage and still keep cool at the same time! It goes without saying but thanks to everyone who participated over the years!
Show Journal 2005-07-02
It’s always great to play with and hang out with the Muddy River Nightmare Band. We’ve known those guys about as long as we’ve been in Portland. Lyle (their drummer) even played guitar in our band before Justin so it was definitely good to see them. We played second and did ok. Not great, not horrible, just ok. The Punk Group was up third and they were spectacular. ‘Fat Girls On Bicycles’ is probably my new favorite song. (“They’re huffing and puffing and riding real slow”) The Pink Swords were last and as good as they were I just could not stay awake enough to properly enjoy their set. They sounded good, I just wish it was about two hours earlier so I could fully appreciate the rock and roll they were offering. Thanks to Sabala’s and the MRNB.
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Seems our failed trip to LA last month was not in vain as we have been asked play both Tiger Army make up dates in LA and the House Of Blues!!! Can I get an amen?
Show Journal 2005-07-01
Pretty fun evening tonight. Not too much of a turnout, a fact further exaggerated by a room as big as the Loveland. Seems like each band had their own crowd tonight which was a little odd. American Barricade was pretty good and had amusing stickers. Verona was great. They might hate this comparison but they seemed to have a noisy british indie edge to them but way heavier at times. Pretty cool stuff. Leaving The Scene was third and were also pretty entertaining to watch. This was their kickoff show for a month long tour so we wish them luck. Our set had several highlights … the appearance of a tambourine, a flying gnome, Dave being called out on his socks, Justin breaking his wireless (again), getting to play ‘On My Side’ for the first time in many years, and a cameo on Day Of The Dead by what has to be our youngest fan ever. Quaker Gun closed the night and although they didn’t sound anything like the other bands they had some pretty catchy tunes. Thanks to LTS for asking us to play and to the Loveland for having us.
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Thanks to all who voted to get us on the front page of Interpunk.com!
Show Journal 2005-06-11
Tonight’s show rocked. River City Rebels rocked. Jackmove rocked. I think our set rocked. Getting to play Go For Broke definitely rocked. Playing the other new song for the first time sort of rocked. The second band definitely did not rock. We missed Morning Kill in our quest for Arby’s, but as most people already know market fresh sandwiches always rock. Getting a change of scenery by playing at a different venue rocked. Seeing Brady’s 800 tattoo rocked a little more than everything else this evening. All in all I think this show rocked.
Show Journal 2005-06-02
I’m stoked to say we got to play with Guttermouth again. They are always fun to watch and never seem to have a bad show. I remember the first time I saw them was back in 1995 with Face To Face. I recall them grabbing the hat off a straight edge kid and pouring a beer into it much to the delight of the crowd. After all these years the energy is still there and the verbal abuse towards the crowd has probably been brought up a notch. Fun show. Low Tolerance was first and did a good job as always. A.D.D. was next and surprised the hell out of me. Super fast early 90’s Epitaph style punk rock. I felt old and slow having to follow them. We were up third and I feel like we did ok. We started out strong but seemed to fizzle during the last few songs. The ending was anti-climactic to say the least and we have now agreed that the absence of Dave’s vocals for an entire song will not be happening again. Justin’s mic? Well that’s still negotiable since he just shouts at it anyway. It was nice to play to people in Portland again after our disappointing Tonic set last week. Guttermouth of course was last and what else can you say? I guess I could say that they played a few songs I hadn’t heard in a while and they played them well. Thanks to Thrasher Presents, Guttermouth and all y’all players and pimps right now in the place to be.
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