The Adventure Continues

I haven't been avoiding writing. Lately my schedule has been quite exhausting and the few moments of tranquility that were available were in places where Internet access won't be available until long after the city embraces electricity and indoor plumbing.

My latest adventure is coming to a close and I've gained a new respect for the theater. Not a love, just respect. My performing friends have my love and admiration but I find the audience to be more than a little pretentious and rude. I'm happy to be heading home in a few days and I look forward to next month when I get back to proper touring with rock bands and crazed fans.

Home first.

In the last three days I have passed within 40 miles of home twice and our schedule didn't afford me an opportunity to stop and see my little one or my Missus. I don't normally get homesick, but this week I'm feeling it. In three days everything will right itself. I'll be home wrapping presents for my family to open shortly thereafter, sleeping in my own bed, and using my own toilet for a change. There will be copious amounts of daddy spoiling with Helen and hopefully some private naughty time with Mary Ann.

I was going to segue into a politics but thought better of it. I'm going to think of my wife and daughter instead of the inevitable implosion of our society at the hands of the lazy, uninformed, and unmotivated majority. Christmas is coming and I don't want to piss off Santa.

Random Stuff

1.) I've been waiting since 1994 and it's finally here! Guns n Roses is releasing their first studio album in 14 years Sunday: Chinese Democracy. I know that Axl is the only original left, but I don't care. I get geeky of so very few things I'm allowed a free pass to bring out the G n' R fan that was me in my formative years.

2.) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here? The Administration of Change is being filled with veterans of the Clinton Administration, a Clinton and a current Bush Administration Secretary. This is not "change". This is "revert" or at best this is "status quo". Of course there are plenty of new faces coming to Washington, but none in the crucial cabinet positions. Here are the top dogs.

John Podesta - Former Clinton Chief of Staff - Leader of the Obama Transition Team.

Rahm Emanuel - Former top aide to President Clinton - Obama Chief of Staff.

Eric Holder - Attorney General. Deputy Attorney General under Janet Reno during the Clinton Administration

Gregory Craig - White House Council - Clinton impeachment lawyer.

Lawrence Summers - Treasury Secretary. A former Clinton Treasury secretary

Robert Gates - Secretary of Defense. Current Defense Secretary.

Hillary Clinton - Secretary of State. Clinton Administration Wife and a Clinton.

Remember Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention? "Change doesn't come from Washington, it comes to Washington" Hmmmm...

3.) I wrote a letter to Ms. Claus the other day.

Ms. Claus,

I hope this letter finds you well and prepared for the holidays. Included in this email is my list of Christmas wishes for Santa. As you have a direct connection to Santa, I'll leave the passing of the list to him in your capable hands.

I don't believe that "good" or "bad" is a definite distinction, rather a sliding scale in relative terms and in relative terms I've been quite good this year. If the NFL will let Pacman Jones come back, yet again, I'm sure you can make sure my name finds its way onto the "nice" list. I can give you some samples of good things I have done for you to reference.

1. I have raised a very intelligent, beautiful, vibrant daughter
2. I built a fence that my wife has been asking for.
3. I replaced the roof on my house that my wife has been asking for.
4. I regrew my back yard from a dead patch of dirt to a luscious green yard.
5. I have made new friends in several countries across the world.
6. I didn't vote for Obama.

I am counting on your affirmation of my good behavior if anything should come into question.

With Kindest Regards,

E-Rock

4.) Speaking of Christmas, I leave for a Christmas theater tour next Friday. The show is a Rockettes Style show featuring a troupe of dancers, singers, elves, etc... with modern and classic Christmas music. This is another first for me, but I'm sure it will be a good tour. Here are the dates and cities.

11/29 - Travel to Gettysburg
11/30 - Gettysburg, PA
12/01 - Gettysburg, PA
12/02 - Warren, OH
12/03 - Williamsport, PA
12/04 - Bradford, PA
12/05 - Muncie, IN
12/06 - Naperville, IL
12/07 - TRAVEL DAY
12/08 - Shreveport, LA
12/09 - Cedartown, GA
12/10 - Morganton, NC
12/11 - Yanceyville, NC
12/12 - Newport News, VA
12/13 - Newport News, VA
12/14 - Shippensburg, PA
12/15 - Culver, IN
12/16 - Greenville, TN
12/17 - New Wilmington, PA
12/18 - TRAVEL DAY
12/19 - TRAVEL DAY
12/20 - Mason City, IA
12/21 - Mason City, IA
12/22 - Travel Home

That's enough for today. For those of you lucky enough to have some, go outside and play in the snow.

Election Thoughts

I haven't commented on the recent election of Barrack Obama yet. I think I'm still reeling in the shock of the utter gullibility of the American electorate. Hook, line, and sinker the majority of Americans fell for the rock star aura of Barrack Obama and bought into his promises of a better future through the hard work of others. They saw that all of their problems are being caused by the evil rich people in this country. Any sense of what it meant to be an American is long dead.

Our founders did not believe that the haves owed anything to the have-nots and they would not approve of the direction our country has taken. (In fact, we left England for less.) Somehow that genuinely American gung-ho attitude filled with the spirit of hard work, self-reliance, and innovation has fallen into a herd like mentality that would rather depend on the government to provide for their every need than lift a finger or fail a few times before succeeding. Millions of Americans have cast their ballot saying "What's in it for me?" They would rather use the police power of government as an instrument of plunder than take responsibility for their own lives.

What is the scariest part of the Obama election? It isn't the economic policy; it isn't the leftist swing in both houses. It is quite simply the terrifying rallying behind a human. Barrack Obama isn't the messiah. He isn't even a rock star (although American's certainly seem to think so). Barrack Obama is just a politician who was so much smarter than the electorate that he ro-sham-boed his way into office amid the whirlwind of discontent with the current administration.

Maybe we'll all be as lucky as this lady.

Death by Decibels Tour Recap

I'm home and my body clock has almost returned to daddy time from west coast roadie time.  My 15 hour airport ordeal to get home didn't help much but I'm no worse for wear.  As far as tours go, Death By Decibels was brief.  Three weeks is barely enough time to get into the rhythm of the show get comfortable with all of the new friends that are traveling together.  Right about that point, it was over.  However I have no complaints about anyone or anything on the tour.  Everyone was great to live, work and play with and I'd be happy to go out with any and all of them again.  I'm happy that I got to visit with so many of my friends across the country.  I hope to be able to repay their hospitality someday and take advantage of theirs again soon.

What is my next adventure?  I don't know yet.  I'm definitely in the market, but for now I'm content to spend as much time as possible with my little one.  Check out the bands I was out with.

Keep of Kalessin

Eluveitie

Kataklysm

Dying Fetus

Death by Decibels Tour Blog: West Coast

San Diego fucking rocks. "Nuff said. Every time I have done a gig in San Diego, it has been a sell out show where everything went well, we were treated wonderfully and I look forward to returning. Regardless of genre of music, venue and tour companions, San Diego is awesome. This tour was no different. To all of the crew at Soma, THANKS!

On to Los Angeles. Most midwesterners a glamorized notion of Sunset Blvd. that was conceived in Poison and Motley Crue videos and couldn't be farther from the truth. Sure there is a lot of rock history in this little section where the Key Club, Rainbow Room, Roxy, Whiskey and Viper Room are but it's actually a boring neighborhood where the residents make noise complaints and washed up rock stars that still think it's 1989 still drink like they did in 1989. This morning I explored a few miles up the street to wash laundry, this afternoon I'll venture in the other direction to see what kind of trouble i can get into.

The metal scene is alive and well in L.A. ...another sold out show has us dangerously low on merch with 3 shows left. There are worse problems to have than selling out of merchandise and having a line down the street to buy tickets. The best part of last night's show for me was a visit from my friend Nate from a few tours ago. Another friendly face...

Off day today, then 3 shows before coming home to see my Mrs. and my little one who is now walking. That trumps any other news, my little girl is walking!

Death by Decibels Tour Blog: Ari-muthafuckin-zona

With the exception of Las Vegas, I generally dislike the desert. Bright sun, hot air, nothing to look at... I can understand why people take peyote out here. At least there's something to look at.

So after the Ft. Worth gig, which was slightly insane with the fans and groupie types crowding around the bus long after the show, we began the 18 hr trek to Tucson, AZ with the promise of another of day to do laundry and rest before the trip up the west coast. About 8am EST (which my body is still accustomed to) I wake in a pool of my own sweat. The light in my bunk does not work and the AC is off. I search the bus to discover that ALL power is off. The thermostats were reading 85 degrees in the bus and with no circulation in the bunk area of 12 guys who haven't showered in a few days, I'll leave the description of smell to your imagination.

Long story short, I get the driver to throw the switch that he had inadvertently bumped several hours earlier in the night to get the electricity flowing to all of the electronics AND air conditioners and began the process of cooling down and airing out the bus. A stop at Wendy's for breakfast and a nice BM and we were back on our way.

Fast forward another 8 hours and we finally arrive in Tucson. Where in Tucson? Who fucking knows?!?!?! There are no laundry facilities available, only one restaurant which is the shitty hotel restaurant and a 12 hour wait until our 6 am bus call to drive to San Diego. Life on the road is so fucking glamorous, no?

There are only five days left in this tour and then it's off to the homestead to get reacquainted with my Mrs. and little one before taking off on my next adventure which has yet to reveal itself.

Death by Decibels Tour Blog: Texas Land of Metal

Packed shows, huge circle pits, bodies flying, heads banging; Texas gigs are insane. Today is the last Texas stop. Dallas. The climate is more bearable than San Antonio and there is more civilization around the venue to get food and supplies. There are places to explore and see before the 18 hour drive to Tuscon, AZ that begins at 1:00 am CST.

18 hours is a long haul, even in a tour bus.

Death by Decibels Tour Blog Carolinas to Texas

The Virginia show was not that long ago, but it seems like forever. That's what happens with days off on the road; the day after the off day becomes day 1 all over again. The first off day on this tour was in New Orleans. Uh-oh... If I was a few years younger and not married, I would have been there in the French Quarter doing what most male visitors to the French Quarter do. As it is, however, I opted to spend my day off going to the Monday Night Football game (Saints vs. Vikings).

I had originally purchased two tickets for the game but when the friend I was going to take backed out, I traded the two tickets for one better ticket... see side story

side story: Starting 2 hours prior to game time I spent about 90 minutes scouting scalpers to make my transaction. I figured out their profit margin per ticket and discovered what tickets were selling versus what tickets were going to waste. 30 minutes to game time I start making my move. I find a scalper with an odd number of tickets. This SHOULD mean he would be willing to part with one. I present him with the offer to give him 2 of my $40.00 tickets in trade for one $60 ticket that he sells for $80. Since he only profits $10 per ticket for the lower level tickets and only had a single $60 it made perfect sense for him to take the deal and have a pair of tickets to sell (which are more likely to move) and have the same profit as he would for the one odd ticket. Instead of taking the ticket, he accused me of being a fraud and walked away. When I explained what I was doing he couldn't understand why I wanted to trade two tickets for one. Luckily his competitor overheard the interaction and wanted to take the deal.

end of side story

The tickets were in the upper bowl of the Superdome. I was seated between season ticket holders that had sold their extra ticket to the scalper that I made my trade with minutes before I made the trade. The guys were friendly and it was a goop opportunity to make some new friends for a few minutes. The Saints scored on their opening drive, there was screaming, cheering, and random hi-fives from total strangers. After the game calmed down I was bombarded with questions of why I came alone, why I love in OH but like the Saints, why I was in New Orleans... I guess my lifestyle can be difficult to understand to some.

At halftime I wandered around the 'dome looking for a tasty adult beverage. The beer offered close to my section was only typical American ballpark beer and I wanted something with flavor and substance. I figured that the more expensive seats would have better beer choices. I was right. As I waited in line for a Stella on the field level, I met a wife who's husband was in a wheelchair and had seats right at field level in the first row. We chatted and she invited me to come sit with them as there were open seats around them. I spent the rest of the game there and didn't mind that bad officiating and bad kicking led to a disappointing Saints loss. I had spent $80.00 on two tickets, traded up for one and ended up in a $500.00 seat for Monday Night Football. So far, my day off was going great.

I walked back to my hotel from the Superdome. I like to explore new places and New Orleans was ready to be explored, but I soon discovered that the Big Easy smells like pee. New Orleans is a dirty place and I don't think Katrina has anything to do with it. It's just another mecca for debauchery like Vegas or Atlantic City except New Orleans doesn't try to put on an aire of inviting cleanliness, they just left it seedy.

I had intended on meeting up with the rest of the guys wherever they were to have drinks and party the night away. Ha! I went back to the hotel, changed clothes and fell asleep. The next thing I remember is Adam, the roadie I was sharing a room with, waking me up to go back to the bus. I missed the party. I fell asleep at midnight. Back at the bus I saw the results of everyone else's day off. WOW! I missed a hell of a party. It was night of the living dead staggering around the lot; a drunken debacle to end all drunken debacles and I'm the only sober guy. I suppose every tour needs an old man.

The next day in Houston, showed the damage from the day off. Everyone but me was dragging all day. Hangovers are a bitch! Houston also had the benefit of having two friends meet me there. Al and Karl roadie friends who's resume's totally eclpise mine came bearing gifts. I've said it before, I enjoy a friendly face in a sea of strangers and when the friendly face buys dinner, I'm thrilled.

Visiting with friends breaks the monotony and curbs the lonliness for a while but eventually it sets back in. My wife and daughter are a thousand miles away, I don't hear from them often and I've missed Helen's first word: "Duck". I'll probably miss her first steps while I'm out here and I'm trying to find another tour as soon as this one ends. In essence, I've chosen lonliness so I can't complain.

Time to go get some lunch in San Antonio, then load in the show.

Here's the pitch... mudball, low and away

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm usually not engaged in "polite" conversation. My irreverent foul mouth is quite infamous amongst my peers and has gotten me in trouble on numerous occasions. However, as I get older I'm noticing that an irreverent foul mouth isn't always the best way to get one's point across, and often times results in the speaker being seen as unintelligent and annoying. This goes beyond the spoken word into the world of writing and blogging.

Throw politics into the mix and a huge mess is the result. This week I have seen and heard many things that are inappropriate in "polite " conversation. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but do the democratic supporters calling VP candidate Palin a "cunt", "bitch" or "caribou barbie" (a personal favorite of mine; you're welcome Allie) really think that language helps their cause? Is that how the democrats plan on convincing America that their platform is the better choice for Americans?

The inappropriate name calling actually seems more prominent with the democratic supporters than the republicans and I have a good idea why; the main derogatory term that would be used to describe Obama is so inappropriate and incendiary that even rural simpleton racists (the ones clinging to their religion and their guns) that are voting for McCain solely based on his skin color won't mention it publicly. Even those people understand what polite conversation is.

Maybe the name calling is in the Obama playbook. Maybe when one signs up as an Obama supporter the weekly email newsletter gives out talking and blog points to rally the troops and making sure that there is enough mud slinging and name calling to help nail down the loose planks on their platform. Maybe politics as usual in America is becoming as much of a joke internally as the rest of the world sees it.

In any event, this is our political system in 2008. Candidates flap their mouths while no one listens. The Ameican people rally behind what is best for them in the short trerm and what is best for their chosen party rather that what is best for the nation. In this era of instant electronic media we are bombarded with information. Our next leader is going to be chosen by people who read blogs or listen to commentary to determine who they should vote for. That being the case, the bloggers and commentators have a ethical responsibility to rise above name calling and mud slinging. It's very easy to convince a swing voter on a point / counterpoint basis, one just has to try.

Death by Decibels Tour Blog Part Deux

I'm somewhere on Interstate 95 traveling toward Springfield, VA. The rides are getting longer and daytime television isn't getting any better. I really should have brought a book.

Mrs. E-Rock is telling me about Helen's latest adventures. My little girl is figuring out balance and will be walking any minute now. She is putting together syllables and will be making words and speaking very soon as well. There is no way to describe how proud and amazed by my little one, but the disappointment of not being able to watch these things is heavy on me. I wonder if she'll be angry with me when I come home.

On a completely different subject... if anyone out there thinks that traveling via tour bus across the country is just the pimptastic, bees knees lifestyle, didn't have our driver. I think he has hit every rumble strip on every highway we've traveled on. While laying in my bunk I can feel the heavy foot acceleration and braking and the choppy turning as the bus rocks and sways. How hard is it to stay in the lines? Isn't that a lesson learned in kindergarten? I've been on tours where the driver was so good that I didn't even know the bus was moving. That's not the case this time, but I don't think it's worth bitching about too much so I'll move on.

non-tour related stuff...

I just turned on the news and all I can say is fuck the naysayers. Yes, the Cubs lost their first NLDS game last night. Yes, the Cubs have lost their last 7 playoff games. That does not, however, mean they deserve the moniker "loveable losers" and news reporting that has already eliminated them from the Series. They have the second best record in Major League Baseball and were the first NL team to clinch their division and a playoff spot. Show some damn respect. It was only one game.

digressing from baseball rant... (go Cubbies!)

Now it's time to unpack my toys and set up for tonight's big rock show after finding some breakfast.

Death by Decibels Tour Blog 1

...Boring title I know. I've been up since 7:00 am. I wake up every morning around 7:00 without an alarm. It probably has to to with my daughter waking up at the same time and making it impossible to sleep any longer, but I don't seem to be lacking sleep so I'm not complaining. Besides... I get up and have the bus to myself. I like private "quiet time" which is rare when I am but 1 of 12.

My duties on this tour are actually light and it's refreshing. I'm still getting used to not being horribly exhausted at the end of the day, but I'm definitely not complaining. My new muso friends, Dying Fetus and I got along right from the start. In fact, everyone on this tour is laid back, friendly and happy to be here. Working amongst friends is always a plus.

Today, I'm meeting a couple of friends for lunch. Having a network of people across the country to visit and spend time with is one of the perks of my job. With our brutal schedule (different city daily, no hotel stays, sporadic showers, sparse food) friendly, familiar faces are always welcome.

One of the side effects of touring is disconnection from the world. It only took 2 days for me to lost track of what day of the week it is. I am in the minority of Americans on this tour (the rest are Canadian and European) so American politics is not the tv programming or conversation of choice. The bus and venue become the world we know and nothing outside of that matters. I still read select blogs, but have been abstaining from mouting off or posting much. It's a liberating feeling... really.

This blog is boring. Go outside and play or something. I'll have something better next time.

Fall Touring...

After a few weeks at home I've gotten back into the thick of things. Here's a brief detailing of the next month.

Faith Hill xmas special live concrt DVD shoot
9/9 - 9/11 Chicago, IL - Sears Center

Corporate Show
9/14 - 9/22 - Baltimore, MD- (I'm not sure about the venue)

I'll also be FOH for Dying Fetus' Tour

9/26 - Mokena, IL - The Pearl Room
9/27 - Detroit, MI - Harpo's Concert Theatre
9/28 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's Concert Club
9/29 - New York, NY - Blender Theater at Gramercy
9/30 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
10/1 - Worchester, MA - The Palladium
10/2 - W. Springfield, VA - Jaxx
10/3 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
10/4 - Spartanburg, SC - Ground Zero
10/5 - Raleigh, NC - Volume 11
10/6 - OFF DAY (travel)
10/7 - Houston, TX - Meridian
10/8 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
10/9 - Dallas, TX - Ridglea Theater
10/10 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
10/11 - San Diego, CA - Soma
10/12 - Hollywood, CA - The Key Club
10/13 - OFF DAY (travel)
10/14 - Oakland, CA - The Metro
10/15 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
10/16 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven

If I'm going to be near you, hit me up. I'm always down for a visit.

I found a candidate

As I observe politics in Washington and the reaction of the throngs of people flocking to both of the major party candidates like they are the messiah, I am discouraged by the direction our nation is taking. Our government has grown almost totally out of control. Even worse, all of the rhetoric and spin from the messianic Democrat and Republican candidates for President suggests to me that they offer no real ideas for improvement and only stand to maintain the status quo and tow their respective party line to preserve their power hold in government.

Well, not to disappoint any of you, but I HAVE looked long and hard at EVERY issue and found a candidate that has our freedom and prosperity in mind on every single one of them.

I'm supporting Bob Barr, the Libertarian nominee for President, and I hope you'll at least check him out and maybe even join me. Visit www.BobBarr2008.com and take a look at the issues. Once you actually read the Libertarian position on the issues you'll rethink your decision about your chosen candidate.

Obama people... you want "Change"? This is your chance.

McCain people... you want to preserve economic freedom and prosperity? This is your chance.

Here's the official blurb about Bob, taken from his official bio.

Bob Barr spent eight years in Congress as a Representative from Georgia. His intellect and leadership skills were quickly recognized. He rose to prominence as a result of his courageous commitment to principle. Bob Barr was and is a strong defender of your civil rights. He will fight to protect our privacy against "big brother" and he'll defend our right to keep and use firearms. Bob will cut government spending, and taxes. And, he'll balance our budget. Bob's plan to tackle our national energy crisis includes embracing new technologies and conservation - but also, more domestic production and refining.
Remember there is no reward without risk...

Mom's Obit

Today we had to write Mom's obituary. Here is the text as it will appear in the Dayton Daily News and Cincinnati Enquirer:

KIGER, Kathleen, (nee Havlish) age 62, of Kettering, formerly of Cincinnati, passed away Monday, August 04, 2008 in Dayton, OH. Kathleen was a member of Ascension Catholic Church and a graduate of the College of Mount St. Josephs in Cincinnati with a degree in Elementary Education. After dedicating herself to raising her family for 17 years, she worked as a bookkeeper for Friendly's.

She is still adored by her family: Terry L. Kiger, her husband for 41 years; daughters, Mary Ann (Erik Rogers) Kiger of Kettering and Debbie (Chris) Hicks of Xenia and granddaughter Helen Kiger Rogers. Everyone who had the pleasure to meet Kathy is richer for the experience. One never left her house hungry and she left a trail of love everywhere she went.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday August 7, 2008 at 10:30 am at the Church of the Ascension, 2025 Woodman Dr. Kettering immediately followed by burial in Valley View cemetery. Her family will receive friends on Wednesday August 6, 2008 from 4-7pm at Routsong Funeral home 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton (www.hospiceofdayton.org) or The Livestrong Foundation (www.livestrong.org). Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.

Priorities

I was all set to write about my gig last weekend, a post game extravaganza with Steven Curtis Chapman, and yet another miserable experience in Atlanta (the Detroit of the south). Rain, bad crew, hotel disasters, trucking woes... the gig was rife with blog fodder. Things changed a few minutes ago. As I sat in my couch clicking away the keystrokes that detailed my adventure the phone rang. I usually ignore the house line. Anyone who wants to contact me knows it's my cell phone or nothing. My house phone is for my convenience and no one else's so the number is rarely distributed.

Hospice, where my mother-in-law has been attempting to regulate her pain from chemo and radiation therapy, has my home number and called early this morning. I saw the callerID and immediately knew what the call was about and I didn't want to answer the phone. My wife was asleep so in the split second it took me to walk across the room to get the phone these were my thoughts.

1. Oh shit, mom died.
2. Mary Ann is asleep, I have to wake her up to tell her mom died.
3. Helen will be waking up soon and she is too young to understand why the house is so sad.
4. Does dad know yet?
5. What happens next?

I have been out of the loop since June 1. For most of the summer, I have been doing gigs all over the midwest and not part of the process of planning for the inevitable. So I get up and answer the phone with more than a little trepidation. The kind voice on the phone informs me of what I have already deduced and asks to speak to Mary Ann. When I got to the room, she snapped awake and knew before picking up the phone what the content of the call was going to be. (Here's where I'm a terrible husband. I could have given the news. I could have thanked Hospice for the call, hung up, and gently woke my wife and somehow found a kind way of telling her that her mother just died, but nope... I took the easy way out and let Hospice tell her. I'm such a pussy.)

My mother-in-law was the heart and soul of that side of my family. She was the one who kept everyone's schedule, reminded us of every reason to celebrate (birthday, anniversary, graduation, whatever...) She was the one making sure to accommodate my funky schedule when planning family events (including bringing thanksgiving dinner to me once when I was working the holiday shift as a producer at a local radio station). She was an educated woman never forgot anything and was interested in everything. From my brother-in-law's experiences in the world of corporate IT to my adventures in the roadie world; mom would listen intently, ask questions and offer insight. Mom was the loving mother, grandmother and friend every family should have. She adored her granddaughter and visited Helen daily for the first 3 months and weekly thereafter until going into the hospital (where we brought Helen to visit her instead). Mom knew my family history and understood the rocky relationship I have with my parents. She welcomed me into her family without reservation and loved me regardless of my stupid antics; she became the mom that I needed and was happy to do so. My mother-in-law was a great person who will be missed and thought of daily.

I'll tell you about Atlanta some other time.

DYFJ

I've never been a proponent of acronymed groups i.e. MADD, SADD, NAACP, NOW, etc... These groups usually exist because someone who was emotionally unstable to begin with was wronged in some way and turned their experience into a cause. Looking at the world around me, I have decided to create an acryonmed group.

DYFJ = Do Your Fucking Job

The DYFJ Foundation is a non-profit organization with the sole purpose of reminding the bulk of Americans (which in out opinion are on the borderline of retardation) that thy have a job to do. While in the employ of a person, business or entity that person, business or entity has certain expectations of the employee. There are no indentured servants, no slavery, and the working conditions in 2008 are pristine compared to those of the industrial revolution.

Somehow these facts escape the lazy American workers and have turned them into sniveling little whiners that feel that their employer somehow owes them something more than they are earning and they are unjustly being scrutinized. From the nursing home attendants and nurses that hate their jobs after realizing that the glamour of nursing was all in the brochure and their job consists of wiping asses and distributing medication rather than saving lives to the fast food worker that feels that the man is somehow keeping them down while they slave away at the grill making just enough money to buy the chemicals for the next weekend party; they all should DO THEIR FUCKING JOBS and stop whining.

If I can get DYFJ moving workplaces would be DYFJ certified and consumers would know that the employees within will carry out their duties with efficiency and accuracy. This includes customer service.

It's simple to join. The next time you catch flack from someone when they are on the job simply take a step back, raise your hand and say "Hey! Do Your Fucking Job!" I may even go so far as to write my congressman and president a letter conveying the same message.

Here's some fun stuff...

Roadie bowling starring E-Rock and Tim.

Plenty of Excuses... Laziness is One of Them.

I've been meaning to write something for weeks now. Being away from home, working crazy hours and missing my family has had me at my wits end at times, but I've still seen and done some amazing things since I last updated.

After New York I worked a local festival (although I was still working through the MI company) with Charlie Daniels Band and The Air Force Band of Flight. 80,000 flag waiving, born again patriots came out to experience Americana at it's best with funnel cakes, country music and demonstrations of military strength. Not exactly my cup of tea, but the paycheck was excellent and I got to be home for a few days.

Then it was on to Rothbury, MI for the Rothbury Music Festival. Festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella have set a precident for massively attended events in the United States and Rothbury, MI wants their slice of the pie. The innaugral event was nothing short of spectacular. (photos will follow in another blog VERY shortly) Great artists, great staff, wonderful community, perfect weather... nothing could bring me down. Almost. There were/are some issues that are nothing shy of petty bullshit that put a small cloud over the week, but not enough to mention in detail.

Rothbury did afford me the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend whom I haven't seen in more years than I care to admit. (because admitting that I've known someone that long is a sign of growing old) I believe there are some pics of Lori and I floating around the interweb somewhere. I was working so the photos aren't the most flattering, but we still had a great time. Hopefully my travels will take me to her area of the country in shorter time than it did last week.

After Rothbury I switched gears and worked for 2 days with the McCain campaign. I'm not making any political endorsements here but believe me when I say IT'S ALL FAKE. We spent 19 hours setting up for a 1 hour Town Hall meeting. One underling who is working for free and kissing enough ass to beg for a job in November if his candidate wins would make a decision only to be overrided by another underling of the same nature only slightly higher on the kiss ass food chain. There were no less than 4 layers of this kiss ass override making decisions that had the entire stage moved several feet one way and then the other several times to frame the perfect picture of Sen. McCain, the industrial equipment (the gig was in a factory), the giant flag, the backdrop of the constitution, the VIP area of the stage and the strategicly placed factory workers listening intently from the shelves in the factory.

The MEDIA decides the president if you don't pay attention.

As for me, I'm going to base my vote on the catering provided to the support staff. I have an Obama gig coming up next month so I can make a good comparison, but McCain is a tough act to follow. Fresh homemade Baklava, bacon wrapped shrimp, a cheeze tray full of sof cheezes like Brie, gorgonzola and a rosemary goat cheeze that was incredible and some other delectable goodies that were quite indulgent.

(side bar... McCain's daughter has huge boobs and isn't bad looking. Maybe the tie breaker will be the desirability of the presidential offspring. Does Obama have any daughters?)

This week I'm off to the Rock-n-Resort. I'm working with friends, doing what I love and camping all at the same time. Can you believe I get paid for this? Hopefully I'll find a moment to update from the gig and post pics from the last few. Until then...

A Week at the Opera Days 4 thru 6

Thursday was a lovely day off spent in the city.  There are few things better than wandering New York City with nothing but an iPod a camera and absolutely no agenda.  I wandered from (in case you want to google it) my hotel at 333 Adams St. in Brooklyn across the bridge, zigzagging through Chinatown and other sketchy neighborhoods north to Central Park, back south to the insurance district and Madison Park and back north to Times Square where I met my uncle for dinner.  All in all I walked about 9 miles, took a bunch of photos, and spent the day absorbing New York.

Friday was gig day and what a beautiful day it was.  The temperature never rose above 72 and the humidity never rose above 30 percent.  Here's a view of the show from the 2nd delay ring, keep in mind that there are just as many people behind me as in front of me for this photo.

10:00 pm, time to load out.  Shit.  Here comes the rain.  Nothing like a thunderstorm to help load out a show that toow 3 days to load in.  The storm passed by quickly and we worked until 5 am before the local crew was forced to stop for 8 hours.

Saturday 1:00 pm time to start loading out the rest of the gear, this shouldn't take too long... remember, it's only 14 towers with 10 MILO each...

...5 hours later.   We're DONE! Time to go home.

A Week at the Opera Days 1 thru 3

Day one: travel delays and service snafus

I left Manchester, TN via BNA (that's Nashville in airport lingo) Monday 6/16/08 90 minutes later than scheduled due to flight delays of the plane arriving to BNA. I arrived at JFK (that's New York JFK in airport lingo) an extra hour later due to flight delays in the air causing the pilot to fly in circles over Virginia for an hour waiting his turn to arrive. ...At least I made it through security without the extra special treatment this time...

For a moment I almost sympathize with the counter attendants. They have to put up with some angry people spouting venom at circumstanced beyond anyone's control all day long. But I said ALMOST. They knew the job before they took it. It's basically a government job, it pays well and there is no recourse for treating people badly. People work for airlines and airports for the same reasons people become cops. The power trip. The fucking FAA, FTA and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) have made it impossible to voice any complaints or disdain for the treatment from the nasty human beings employed to handle customer service issues behind the counters of our airports. Their paranoia of terrorism and efforts to control the population through fear have rules in place that make it a crime to piss off the attendant and the attendants are already pissed off.

Arriving at JFK I had an interesting encounter at baggage claim.

I wonder if the pigeon had trouble making it through security.

Day Two: this gig is enormous.

The gig is a free outdoor show for the Metropolitan Opera House of New York. The event will draw 100,000 people to the park Friday night to see Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna- singing popular arias and duets with Ion Marin conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

Prospect Park is a park in Brooklyn that is the second largest park in NYC only to Central Park. The area that the gig is in is 1/2 mile long and 200 yards wide. This is a small section of the park which is probably a 10 mile drive to go around.

**Geek Info**

This photo is from the halfway point of the venue. From the stage coming toward me are 10 delay towers. (three are parallel with me taking this pic and not visible to the camera) each of these towers will hold 10 Meyer MILO.



Behind those trees are 4 more towers. That is 140 flown speakers for delay. Each tower has either a 700HP or M3D sub on the ground below it depending on the position.



A prepped tower ready to fly:



The Main Stage Lighting Rig:



Day 3: Fly high and tune...

Today was a short and easy day; float the arrays to trim height, tune and align the system and tie up loose ends.

The stage with the roof up and video screens flown.



That's it for the tech stuff.

Today I had time to wander Brookyn for a little while as I needed to do laundry and had time to kill. To get from the park to the hotel I took the Subway and decided to take some "arty" photos. I don't claim that they're any good, but they look cool to me.

The view from the desk in my hotel room:



Lady Liberty.



A cool fountain on the harbor.



New York:





My new roadie friend Chris and I with the city behind us:



I know I've seen movies with this walkway in it but I can't think of the titles:



I don't know my schedule for tomorrow. If the day is lax I may try and visit my Aunt, Uncle and Cousins from CT tomorrow.

Bonnaroo Recap

A festival is a unique gig experience for anyone and a 4 day festival, that runs almost nonstop, is a marathon of work for the stage crew.  Audio, Video, Lights, Stagehands, Artists, and a cavalcade of administration staff are working long hours in miserable conditions to make it possible for someone's favorite band to perform for 90 minutes only to swap them out for someone else's favorite band in less than 30 minutes.

5 stages

4 days

Almost 200 bands

Bonnaroo!

The temperature in Manchester, TN this week was roughly 10 degrees hotter than the sun and the humidity reaching up into the 90% range wasn't helping keep anything or anyone cool.  The forecast was calling for a week full of rain, but the rains only fell for a few blissful minutes on day three.  The rest of the time the only clouds in the sky were the funny smelling kind that only emanate from 80,000 people smoking freelance pharmaceuticals.  To add to the misery; guess where 80,000 people relieve themselves, in rows of porta potties.  The fresh Tennessee mountain air that we smelled .. in day was replaced by the rotten smell of 4 days worth of poo held down by humidity as the festival drew to a close.

On to the roadie stuff…

This was my first gig as a contractor for Thunder Audio, Inc.  I hadn't met anyone on the crew so I really didn't know what to expect.  What a relief it is to have such a great crew.  Everyone on the crew was professional, talented and easy to get along with.  At a festival like Bonnaroo, the latter is the trump card.  A crew that works well together will have a great time, a crew that doesn't is doomed to misery.

As the FOH engineer / tech my job is to tune the system, mix any bands that don't have an engineer and interface with the guest engineers and make their job as easy and painless as possible.  I was lucky to have some easy going engineers that understood the hectic nature of a festival and were quick to adapt to changes.  (There was one asshole but I already forgot his name.  Hey fucker, if you don't know your own band's input list how do you expect anyone else to?)

One of the greatest moments of my career was meeting "Big" Mick Hughes.  Mick is the FOH engineer for Metallica and one of the most well known engineers in the business.  It was also my birthday… what a present!

My new friends from Meyer Sound, Buford Jones and Paul Giansante were hanging around all weekend surveying the use of their products at the festival.  All of the tent stages were using Meyer gear.  …MILO and 700HP to be specific.  I was fortunate to have some of the best compliments of my career given me in front of and from my Meyer friends.  Hopefully that will get relayed to the people that sign my checks...

Here are some pics from the gig...

The Main "What" Stage

Hippie in his natural environment

Metallica!

The Bonnaroo rainbow.

My Stage "The Other Stage"



Dimmer Beach



MILO Stage Right



Everything hanging all tidy like, time to rock.



And finally... me.

I'm off to New York for a week with the Metropolitan Opera House.  Stay tuned for more pics and bloggery.  Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.

5/24/08 - Najee in Lexington, KY

It's been a good while since I've posted a "roadie" related blog and last weekend's gig was just the spark I needed to reignite myself. My ongoing quest for my latest tour led me to lunch with an old friend and fellow roadie who has worked on some of the biggest tours in the last few years. Directly resulting from that lunch wasn't a tour, but a one off gig with Pyramid Productions mixing monitors for Najee.

Since the show was in Lexington, KY which is 2 1/2 hours from home a hotel stay was required. Now allow me a few words about the Microtel Inn. The Microtel Inn was the smallest room I have EVER stayed in. My daughter's bedroom is bigger. The room was 10x10 square with a bathroom off to the side. A queen sized bed took up most of the floor space and a desk occupied the rest. The shower worked (to my surprise) however the standard toiletries that come with every hotel room didn't make it. I'm not a rock star and don't require 5 star service AND... I booked my own hotel (with considerable attention given to production budget) so I can't complain too much, but never again will I stay in such a tiny little shit room. Life's too short to stay in cheap hotels.

Roadies are a unique group of people that are either privileged or cursed (depending on your outlook and the gig at hand) to work with a completely new group of strangers, called stagehands, every day. Lexington was no exception and today I was privileged rather than cursed. Andrew and company were a spectacular group and deserve to be recognized.

Roadies like me sometimes get geeky. We don't get geeky about the musos we work with; we get geeky about gear. When setting up the gear I noticed something peculiar. The monitor console, a yamaha M7CL, had that "new car" scent wafting off of it's case. Opening the console I noticed it was a virgin. NEVER BEFORE OPENED. I was it's first.

Notice the plastic film still on the screen!

In case you were wondering what my view of the show looked like:

I made some great new friends, both of the musical and technical kind and the season is just getting started. There should be more roadie blogs coming soon.

Fun and Success in Motown

Moe BEATs and I headed up to Detroit, MI (Detroit Rock City, Motown, The Motor City, or Shittown depending on your background) yesterday. At the request of Thunder Audio (after I sent several unsolicited emails with a friendly letter and a resume) I made the 3 hour trip to meet and interview with them and discuss the possibility of gigging with them in the future.

The meeting lasted all of 5 minutes at the end of which I was offered a chance to join up with them by contracting my audio services. Thunder is one of the largest production companies around, once they see what I can do at a festival, touring is not far off.

After a 5 minute meeting and a 40 minute shop tour it was off to meet a friend of Moe's, have some lunch and head home. Lunch in the 'hood, in Detroit, is a fucking adventure!

My Dayton, OH friends are oblivious to the 'hood. Oh they think they've seen it, they might even think they live in it, but they are really clueless. The area we were in seemed to thrive on only 4 legitimate markets:

1. Liquor Stores
2. Gun Stores
3. Churches
4. Check Cashing

Most of the time these establishments will be occupying one of each corner of an intersection with boarded up buildings surrounding them. Any businesses that are still open not only have bars on the windows but 10' fences with razor wire on the rooftops to keep potential robbers from breaking in from above. My guess is that the unseen markets of Drugs, Whores, and Fencing Stolen Goods are the dominant economic forces around there.

My lack of ebony was becoming VERY apparent as we drove deeper into the 'hood. Just when I was about to speak up we arrived at our destination. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but I think I was on a very short list of white people that had ever eaten there.

The faire was "Soul". A Soul Food buffet with nothing left out. Every drop of every succulent dish was guaranteed to give you an immediate nap and eventual heart attack and the meals are priced according to weight. I loaded up my plate with meatloaf, ribs, greens, corn bread, bbq pork and chicken, green beans and peas and headed to the register. $10 for what seemed like 2 lbs of food. I don't know if it was a good bargain or not, but I was full and sleepy after eating and ready for the long drive back to the safety of boring ol' Dayton, OH.

So I got a gig, filled my gut, and met some new people. not a bad way to spend a Monday.

St. PatROCKs Day and more

St. PatROCKS Day and more

Another year, another March 17th, another WTUE St. PatROCKs Day party. White people gather en masse and adopt an assumed heritage of Irish origins by consuming mass quantities of "green beer" (bud light with green tint) and traditional Irish Fare of overdone hamburgers and overdone chicken breast sammiches. (Corned beef and cabbage is a little too authentic) Kilts are worn (because Scottish and Irish are almost the same, right?) Whores come out in the daylight and act like whores with no fear of recourse. (who doesn't like whores, really?) Background noise and entertainment is provided by bands, strippers, dancers, and contests on the stage.

With a small percentage of Irish heritage myself, I'm left to question my cultural roots. Is drinking to the point of stupidity in my blood? Did the Irish provide anything positive to the world? While pondering these and other fruitless thoughts I still had a show to attend to.



On a completely different subject...

Proudly, I am also a direct descendant of John Adams: Founding Father and 2nd President of the United States. There is an HBO miniseries running currently about the life of John from 1770 through his Presidency. If the historical accuracy in this dramatization is correct I am a very proud descendant of one of the three men physically involved in the writing of the Declaration of Independence. We all know that Thomas Jefferson wrote it, but it seems as if John Adams, my family, was the delegate to the Continental Congress to commission the document from Mr. Jefferson and he was the delegate to present it to the Continental Congress for a vote. Mr. Adams and Benjamin Franklin were both privy to the original Declaration and proofread and edited it with Mr. Jefferson.

There is so much more information to know about this man and I want some real facts, not the dramatized version from HBO. Although I will continue to watch the miniseries I am all over the internet and public library trying to find out more about the role my family played in forming this nation. I suppose hating the existing government, lusting for freedom and a disdain for sociopolitical complacency runs in my blood.

...and yet another change of subject

If you haven't checked out the latest pictures of Helen you should. Click Here For Helen Pics. My little girl is growing fast and beautiful.

F'n Cops Part Deux

Yesterday I posted a website www.ratemycop.com  that I discovered from a story on the Morning Express with Robin Meade  (which is a great news show. The stories are too short to have any spin or politicizing and Robin is hot.)  I immediately checked out the site, created a login, rated the latest government enforcer that I have had the displeasure of encountering and watched the rest of the story that I conveniently recorded with my DVR.  The story was informative about the site and led viewers to make their own conclusions; however the police officers interviewed did not have a favorable opinion of the website.  The idea that a government agent is somehow not above reproach and the availability of a public forum such as the internet creating a forum to inform the public about the actions (positive or negative) of the law enforcement community was too much for them to handle.

The interviewed officer (who's name, rank, and jurisdiction escape me because all cops look, act, and smell of the same bullshit) was making his case that the website creates a danger to the lives and families of the members of the law enforcement community.  He was alleging that through the internet that the addresses and other personal information of the officers listed on the website could be discovered and potential harm may come to them.

This website was just a list of police officers with a simple rating system and up to 300 words to describe your encounter.  No personal info other than the officer's name was available, and to rate the officer you had to already know their name. (This is on the ticket/report/badge) Personal information is easy to come by on the internet for anyone with the patience and desire to track it down.  All that is needed is a name and some computer ninja can find out what you had for breakfast on 8/19/02.  None of that information was available on the site. 

The police have gotten their way.  I tried to check the website tonight and it is "unavailable".  Just like that, the website is mysteriously gone.  I don't know what happened to the site.  They could have not paid their hosting bill, the server could have been hit by lighting, an employee could have spilled coffee on the server, there are countless reasons why the site isn't operational, but I have a good idea of what happened.

There is no way of proving anything and nothing come of it if it there were.  One little website is of no real significance in the grand scheme of things, but imagine the Imperial Government of the United States on all levels, from local to federal, doing what they can to control the masses of the people they purport to protect.  Is it hard to conceive?

Didn't think so...  Fuck tha Police.

F'n Cops

This is great. Everybody has been harassed by the cops at one time or another, now there's a website to expose these mindless cretins. Go to www.ratemycop.com

Blizzard (and not the yummy DQ kind)

Ohio based roadie, I'm used to the long months of January and February, but this is a tragic mis-allocation of knowledge and talent.

I can't wait for spring.

Why I'm a Libertarian

We are in the midst of probably the most polarized and important election of my generation’s lifetime so far. Were we at a mid-term election circumstances might be different but we are at the end of a term with no incumbent and no potential vice-presidential upgrade. The field is wide open, but I have no faith in the ability of the American People to think beyond their own problems and the candidates have made sure that the self-centered vote is the priority. Look at the field of candidates left. Is this the best we can come up with?

Hillary Clinton – Power hungry potential tyrant. She tows the party line for the Democrats (of course) but spends more time blaming the Bush Administration and throwing mud at her opposition than she does explaining how she will lead the country and effectively govern the American People

Barack Obama – Mr. Obama has the look, the appeal and the charisma to become President. He tells everyone what they want to hear, promises better times ahead for the poor and middle class, guarantees that everyone will be able to afford everything from medical care to garbage collection. How does he plan on doing this? The money has to come from somewhere. If he gives relief to the poor and middle class there must be a balance. I suppose corporations and the wealthy folks in charge of them will take the hit, but those folks didn’t get where they are by writing checks, they’ll pass those savings on to the poor and middle class making things even worse for them than they already are.

Mike Huckabee – First off… I LOVE THE FAIR TAX. This is the best idea since the Bill of Rights was written. That’s where Huckabee’s appeal ends. Economic freedom is a wonderful idea but Huckabee presents this to mask the real agenda that is just a continuation of the Christian Right’s agenda of eliminating a woman’s right to choose by overturning Roe v Wade and further discriminating against gays and lesbians by making a constitutional amendment defining marriage as 1 man and 1 woman. (that amendment would also be the first amendment eliminating freedom from a specific demographic instead of guaranteeing it)

John McCain – John McCain has the same general agenda as Huckabee with a few modifications. (i.e. Replace the fair tax with a tax reform program that only benefits the corporations and will not trickle down to the American Worker and perpetuating the “war” on terrorism by expanding it). McCain seems to be bent on forcing the American way of life and system of government on the middle east, much like his predecessor. That policy has failed and will continue to.

This is what we have been reduced to. Every candidate has an agenda involving the removal or modification of the freedoms of specific demographics of Americans. This November remember that Democrat = Socialist and Republican = Fascist and cast your vote accordingly.