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
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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!
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!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, October 10, 2008
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.
18 hours is a long haul, even in a tour bus.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, October 03, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
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.
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.
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