Van Helsing Rides Again
10/30/07 – 3:45 PM – On the road to Sacramento
That's right, Van Occupanther is back on the road. Turns out the alternator and the tensioner had given out. We missed our show in Arcata, which was a big disappointment because we'd really been looking forward to it, but there was nothing we could do. But now, a 7-hour round trip and a whole bunch of money later, Ludwig Van is back from the dead and carrying us to our next destination.
We made the best of our unexpected day off by hanging out with Beth in Eugene. We saw Once at the $1.50 theater. It had some great music in it, and you can't beat that price. We went to the mushroom festival and looked at pretty scenery and drank fresh apple cider. And of course we ate some tasty meals.
Tonight is the third to last show of the tour. It feels like we've been out here for awhile, but at the same time I'm surprised that we're almost at the end already. Perhaps that's because the preparation for the tour took more than three times as long as the tour itself. I admit that I'm tired of driving all the time, tired of sleeping on couches, tired of being tired – but I don't feel ready to settle back in at home. Being on tour means always having a purpose, always having a goal – get to the next city, play the next show. But it also means never knowing what's going to happen, who you're going to meet, what tomorrow's scenery will look like. I like that about it. But I do miss my dog and my bed.
10/31/07 – 12:00 PM – On the road to LA
Last night in Sacramento was lots of fun. The Press Club is a great little room with excellent sound. Coal Beautiere, a piano and bass duo, were first. They have a great way with a minor key and a triple meter. Art, the bassist, did some excellent multitasking, including holding down a drone on a miniature organ with his foot while playing bass. He and the singer/pianist, Adrian, were both talented and cool. Hearing good new bands and trading CDs with them is another fun perk of touring. These aren't just the best shows that I've played in awhile, but the best shows I've attended.
We played second, and the audience was great. They stood close to us and danced and had lots of moxy. I like that in an audience. Clay and Ira, who put the show together, were kind enough to put us up for the evening. I walked into their place and heard Neon Golden by The Notwist and I thought to myself, “Sweet.”
7:40 PM – Still on the road to LA
We blew out a tire on I-5 today. We've now purchased five new tires for Van Gogh in the course of a three-week tour. Sigh. In any case, we have two shows left out here. Tomorrow's the big Casbah show in San Diego. We're pumped.
That's right, Van Occupanther is back on the road. Turns out the alternator and the tensioner had given out. We missed our show in Arcata, which was a big disappointment because we'd really been looking forward to it, but there was nothing we could do. But now, a 7-hour round trip and a whole bunch of money later, Ludwig Van is back from the dead and carrying us to our next destination.
We made the best of our unexpected day off by hanging out with Beth in Eugene. We saw Once at the $1.50 theater. It had some great music in it, and you can't beat that price. We went to the mushroom festival and looked at pretty scenery and drank fresh apple cider. And of course we ate some tasty meals.
Tonight is the third to last show of the tour. It feels like we've been out here for awhile, but at the same time I'm surprised that we're almost at the end already. Perhaps that's because the preparation for the tour took more than three times as long as the tour itself. I admit that I'm tired of driving all the time, tired of sleeping on couches, tired of being tired – but I don't feel ready to settle back in at home. Being on tour means always having a purpose, always having a goal – get to the next city, play the next show. But it also means never knowing what's going to happen, who you're going to meet, what tomorrow's scenery will look like. I like that about it. But I do miss my dog and my bed.
10/31/07 – 12:00 PM – On the road to LA
Last night in Sacramento was lots of fun. The Press Club is a great little room with excellent sound. Coal Beautiere, a piano and bass duo, were first. They have a great way with a minor key and a triple meter. Art, the bassist, did some excellent multitasking, including holding down a drone on a miniature organ with his foot while playing bass. He and the singer/pianist, Adrian, were both talented and cool. Hearing good new bands and trading CDs with them is another fun perk of touring. These aren't just the best shows that I've played in awhile, but the best shows I've attended.
We played second, and the audience was great. They stood close to us and danced and had lots of moxy. I like that in an audience. Clay and Ira, who put the show together, were kind enough to put us up for the evening. I walked into their place and heard Neon Golden by The Notwist and I thought to myself, “Sweet.”
7:40 PM – Still on the road to LA
We blew out a tire on I-5 today. We've now purchased five new tires for Van Gogh in the course of a three-week tour. Sigh. In any case, we have two shows left out here. Tomorrow's the big Casbah show in San Diego. We're pumped.
