PENTIMENTO TOUR JOURNAL – ENTRY 3
Day 10 – Ashtabula, Oh – Ashtabula is one of those places that we have hit several times in the past couple of months. Each time the show and the people get better. The show was a ton of fun but the thing that stands out most about Ashtabula on this trip is what Matt Barnum, co-founder of West End, let us do. Besides making us pasta for dinner he let us spend the night at the venue. It was 2 am with our beds set up in the middle of the floor and all of our gear was still set up. We took advantage and got in some band practice. Being on the road a lot this past fall has given us less time to spend writing and reworking songs for our full length. It was awesome to get to jam new songs and just play. On top of Matt being the best dude, making dinner, and letting us be entirely too loud in the middle of the night, he brought us breakfast in the morning. I had Reese’s for breakfast, it ruled.
Day 11 – Ferndale, MI – So Ferndale is just outside of Detroit. The show was in a basement of just your average house. On our way to the house we passed 8 Mile, now famous because of Eminem; needless to say our hands were sweaty, something about mom’s spaghetti. There was a great atmosphere in that basement. The best part was how clean and organized they were for us. Not that I hate a basement that smells like piss and old beer, but these guys were show ready so it was a huge help when unloading a ton of gear and merch. Great show with great people.
Day 12 – Day Off– This was our first day off so we decided we would find a really cheap hotel and recharge the batteries, plus who doesn’t love free breakfast and a pool. This day was full of chlorine, mall walking and a family dinner at Applebee’s. We partied like old ladies.
I would much rather has this than the bible any day.
DAY 13 – Lancing, MI – Macs Bar was a cool little dive bar where the cushions on the bar stools look like they had been attacked by sharks. The show was opened with an acoustic act, he did all kinds of finger tapping and sliding. These are the moments when I really appreciate getting to tour and seeing all different kinds of music every night. We also got to share the stage with the dude in Homelife, if you haven’t yet, check out that band. We were lucky enough to be put up after the show by two lovely ladies Caitie and Dayle. Thanks for putting up with tons of smelly dudes on your living room floor and I miss little jerry the cat with his nub for a tail.
Outside of Mac’s Bar
Little Jerry
Day 14 – Chicago – Months ago on facebook I became friends with a writer for AMP magazine, Xan Mandell. He posted Reel Big Fish lyrics from the song Beer; I “liked” his post. He was nice enough to get in contact with me. Tonight was the night that after months of internet jiving we finally got to meet. It was like a first date with excitement. That dude is nothing short of incredible. Xan and his buddy Neal were nice enough to come hang at the show and give us a place to stay. The show was awesome; we played with So Many Ways. HOLY SHIT. Murphy the guitar player at one point was across the room shredding on top of the bar. It was hard to not watch this band. After the show we went band to Neal’s house, all of his roommate were nice enough to lend us their couches for the night. Xan and Neal: you two gentlemen are some of the nicest people I have ever had the chance to meet. I can’t thank you enough for all the fun you showed us in Chicago, I only hope to one day return the favor.
Born without Bones and Last Call/Chris Immunity: I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed spending the past couple weeks watching you all kill it every night. I love that I get a chance to share the stage with bands that I truly enjoy and love singing along to and people that I genuinely care about. Until next time friends.
On the road again
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Thanks guys!!!
Thank YOU!