tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9134955728763758802024-03-05T13:06:13.760-05:00hi8us tour blogHad to disable this since we're using an image as a custom header.hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-37942106940518212182012-06-26T13:58:00.000-04:002012-06-26T15:23:57.543-04:00Back at it... SUCKA! (end of 2011 - June 2012)<br />
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Hey, It’s me, Jim, again. I am writing stuff again. It looks like hi8us has played about twenty or so dates since my last blogger. We did:<br />
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-Red Parka Pub in Glen, NH three times(6/3/11 4/6/12, 4/7/12), <br />
-Captain Carlo’s in Gloucester twice (6/4/11, 9/16/11), <br />
-The Beach House in Falmouth, MA four times (6/10/11, 7/9/11, 8/5/11, 10/28/11)<br />
-The Perfect Wife in Manchester, VT four times (6/11/11, 8/26/11, 6/1/12, 6/2/12)<br />
-Cape Ann Brewery in Gloucester, MA twice (7/8/11, 6/22/12)<br />
-WFNX Downtown Crossing Block Party, Boston, MA thrice (7/14/11, 8/4/11, 9/1/11)<br />
-The Land Ho in Orleans, MA thrice (7/16/11, 8/6/11, 6/23/12)<br />
-Flavours in Lenox, MA once (10/21/11)<br />
-The Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA once (10/22/11)<br />
-The Black Lobster in Salem, MA once (6/24/12)<br />
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Coming off a three date run this past weekend, I felt good about playing with the hi8us dudes again. Since our hi8us hiatus over the winter/spring months, I have been busy playing with a side project called The Darryl Strawberries, and writing material for a new recording project called Ranger Pool. Playing with some different folks and taking a different style-approach in my other projects has translated well to playing with hi8us again. It feels like everyone’s playing style has evolved a bit, actually, and bringing them all together again was fairly refreshing.<br />
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Here is a link to our show from this past Saturday at The Land Ho in Orleans, MA. The recording is high quality and individually tracked. Our good friend Chris McGilvray did a great job capturing this show and tracking it out. Thanks again Chris!!<br />
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<a href="http://archive.org/details/hi8us2012-06-23.LSRBSC1K3MATIX">hi8us The Land Ho, Orleans, MA 6.23.12 (Sets I & II)</a><br />
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I cruised through my phone pics trying recreate a timeline of what we have done since my last blog. I came across these shots of our near death experience on Rt. 89 in VT, heading home from a weekend up in Burlington, VT. I was at the wheel of Precious, we were all still half-dead from a late night, the sun was out, and I think I had Pandora on The Books radio….tranquil. All of a sudden the front, driver-side tire blew, and I was jolted back to harsh reality. I was in the right-hand lane, and was immediately pulled into the passing lane by the physics involved with one of your wheels missing. Thankfully, there was no one passing us in that lane, cus that would have been ugly man! I was able to muscle Precious back over the breakdown lane, and there we waited for help for hours.<br />
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Max, Mike and I were on our own, and bonded on the side of the road until a tow truck showed up<span style="font-size: small;">. </span><br />
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We were encouraging the dude from the garage as he tried to get our rusty wheel off. Max was trying to help the guy, and Mike and I killed time being idiots. Anyway, we eventually got home.<br />
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Our First post-hiatus gigs were back up at the Red Parka in Glen, NH on the first weekend in April 2012. We had a two night run at this fine establishment, and were staying just down the street. <br />
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The gigs went really well, and we travelled up into the nearby White Mountain National Forest during the day between gigs to take in some naycha! <br />
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This one is a picture of Mike taking a picture of naycha. He is so good with that camera!!<br />
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This past weekend was a ton of fun. We played the Cape Ann Brewery to a good crew of our friends, and then shot to the Cape for a fun night at The Land Ho… where the room was packed, and our friend Chris brought his Hi-Fi audio rig to capture the sets. We stayed at the infamous Old Tavern Inn, and after-partied the shit out of the place. It was like GG-Allen meets Axl Rose post “The Spaghetti Incident” album. (I don’t know what that means) <br />
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We closed the weekend out with an afternoon gig at the Black Lobster in Salem, MA. The venue is right on the water, and legions of boaters would dock up and get busy in front of us. It was tit! For me, the highlight of the weekend was a few inspired versions of Spirits in the Night by the Boss.<br />
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Now that I inadequately have you back up to speed on what has been going on with us, I will pledge to let less time pass between posts, so that you don’t have to endlessly worry. Take care out there, and remember… its not the road you travel. <br />
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jim<br />
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<br /></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-84532820466315414692011-07-28T14:17:00.013-04:002011-07-28T15:06:55.728-04:00East Coast Tour - OFEST Coastesville, PA 5.14.11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYboum5tgb5ZsOC696AazxNHMU64R1aL6HBjBT0YqYM2SBY3MUMAlEAJW5HQ1sPbHKvkK32jdBJ1mxc-NgjlrlblqOUq-qLfQV8UvUrw3r86BU6IQLzCOLNxJ-RPq79aYhvGO7zpAgyin/s1600/NOLA3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634470970861720658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYboum5tgb5ZsOC696AazxNHMU64R1aL6HBjBT0YqYM2SBY3MUMAlEAJW5HQ1sPbHKvkK32jdBJ1mxc-NgjlrlblqOUq-qLfQV8UvUrw3r86BU6IQLzCOLNxJ-RPq79aYhvGO7zpAgyin/s400/NOLA3.JPG" /></a> The drive from our state park camping spot to Osyrusfest was about 2 hours. The routing brought us through Gettysburg PA. We all looked out over the rolling hills as we drove through town, it was pretty intense to think of all the souls that lost their lives right there about 150 years ago. A little bit further along on the ride, we began driving up on horse-drawn carriages in the street. We repeatedly had to slow down and go around them to avoid an accident. Of course it wasn’t long before we realized that we were in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country. You quickly realize that everything around you is a bit off from everyday life as we have come to know it. The band stopped in to an Amish market to buy some provisions before arriving at Ofest. I bought little Amish peanut butter cups, and Mike got Amish wasabi peas. The dude at the counter thought we were crazy, but had a sweet Abe Lincoln beard, so he was cool with me. We jumped back into Precious and continued on. As we passed through the rest of the town, I marveled at devotion that these folks have to their simplified style of life. Men wore wide brimmed hats and suspenders and smoked big pipes, while the women wore blue and white apron dresses and bonnets. We whizzed by a few more horse drawn carriages, and just before we were out of town, with my image of the Amish and their minimalist lifestyle crystallizing in my mind, we saw a young Amish lass off to the left at the corner of a farm field dressed in her aforementioned dress and bonnet. She was churning up a crazy plume of dust and hay with a large gas powered weed whacker that she was man-handling like no one’s business. Apparently she was part of a reformed sect of the Dutch community that prefers Husqvarnas to traditional hand sickles. My passing thought was “you go girl!”<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo2w3hUVXthnLSOmdwmrQtWhzkRvgIGUdYTVQ_m61cveqkZJtGDviQcq_gWsoDdrSb44fS3X8TjQrJN4rpDSnzV1zvOW7fMu5pujvTYq_H9pxNSvVfQ97AG2Qbqc7MXFFL9fW_HJtRtsO/s1600/Ofest4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634470884432850338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo2w3hUVXthnLSOmdwmrQtWhzkRvgIGUdYTVQ_m61cveqkZJtGDviQcq_gWsoDdrSb44fS3X8TjQrJN4rpDSnzV1zvOW7fMu5pujvTYq_H9pxNSvVfQ97AG2Qbqc7MXFFL9fW_HJtRtsO/s400/Ofest4.JPG" /></a> It wasn’t long before we were taking a few quick turns and rolling down a small dirt road into the Hoffman compound. It was slightly overcast, but the temp was perfect. We reached the front gate of the festival and looked out over the oasis of enjoyment that is Osyrusfest. For those unfamiliar, Ofest is an annual music festival put on by the brothers Hoffman. Paul and Preston are lighting designers for some wicked big bands, and each year they have their own shindig to celebrate their love of music and sick lights. We pulled our tour bus, Precious, up to the side of the road inside and hopped out. Friends and acquaintances from last year’s festival were roaming about the grounds. I took survey of the area once again, and felt that exciting “wow” reaction inside, like when you walk out of the tunnel towards your seat at Fenway for the first time of the season. The lush green lawn and towering quarry walls were as I remembered.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-ibHkr1-7zIvwcE6MyzGsI1IUm9XBcWjzXpZXUsbormxth77htOfJhDA-3RuN6CEjQTgtxe3c63LjJJOKe0IcLX_f_eCUyC963ZjaWWDDAW6sHHO8UKYu1vtvvt23jSHaO3J_a4216y4/s1600/Ofest6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634470749888435954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-ibHkr1-7zIvwcE6MyzGsI1IUm9XBcWjzXpZXUsbormxth77htOfJhDA-3RuN6CEjQTgtxe3c63LjJJOKe0IcLX_f_eCUyC963ZjaWWDDAW6sHHO8UKYu1vtvvt23jSHaO3J_a4216y4/s400/Ofest6.JPG" /></a> The stage, off to the far left end of the field, looked like the perfect balance of concert style and function. LED cans were strategically placed, and an oversized disco ball hovered over everything. After some minimal setup of our campsite, we all cruised up towards the main house and grill for some grub and beer. We caught up with a bunch of friends, and made some new ones as well. Before too long, Max, Mike and I were hucking the disc around the field one-hand style. Folks joined in, and all of a sudden, it was a pahty! </div><br /><br /><br /><div>The music got going in the early evening and continued on into the early AM hours. As the evening turned to night, the scene at Ofest went from awesome to absolutely amazing. I would never have thought you could transform the landscape of this quarry-bed backyard into surreal psychedelic kaleidoscope festival madness by simply dimming the sky. It really did. Lights bounced off of the disco ball and reached the far stretches of Ofest festival grounds in every direction. The music sounded so good. A superb Radiohead cover band headlined Friday night. I easily would have mistaken them for the real thing if they weren’t playing right in front of me. They closed their set with an inspired version of Karma Police. Awesome! An all night DJ spun records for the rest of the night. By festival standards, I had an earlier night that night, and tried to pace myself so I would be completely ready to rock n’ roll the next night. I crept into Precious, and “unts unts untsed” my way to sleep.</div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634470592962255074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hLdPbOlKcdURSB6pxdywGqG272pdppa3OeOPRT1Dk6AQehNNCC-C_MB2WF3xZi2wYE8p7bqIhIV1ZbYPYPRFww5Y6lov-Cmo1N6dTOnHT5mCs1GL3Vw47sQsSJyna6OpRaN-ok_FyUMO/s400/Radiohead+%2540+Ofest.JPG" /> Saturday arrived, and I emerged from my Precious slumber in the early afternoon. The annual Ofest Chili cook-off was underway, and the voting was just finishing up when I arrived at the grill area. I felt obliged to try each of the 6 entries right away. They were all excellent, and each varied in style. I was too tardy to vote officially, but Chili #1 was my favorite. An excellent mix of meat and beans… a bacon hint to the flavor of the sauce, and not too spicy. Well done!After filling up with meat and beans, I headed over to the stage to check out the preparations for another day of music. While the sound guys were getting things together, another crew of Festies were preparing for the annual Osyrusfest Beer Tasting. In preparation for the fest, attendees were encouraged to bring their favorite beers from around the country for this big ole’ beer tasting. The goal is to arrive with something others might not find in their local area liquor store, and to try the rare offerings everyone else brought. This event was insane! If you love good beer, this was it! From the outset, you could tell that a number of Ofesters cared deeply for the fine craft of brewing, and they knew what they liked. There were a number of IPA-heads in attendance, as well as small communities of Stout lovers and Belgian aficionados. The bottles began racing around the tables for everyone to try. The contributor would shout out the brewery, name and style of the latest beer to be cracked, and the tasters would remark audibly in anticipation of the taste bud assault that was about to ensue. The tasting lasted for well over an hour, and there were smiles on the faces of all as the event winded down. Favorites for me were a beer out of NC called Hoppyum IPA, and a sour beer called Pumpkin jack something or other. I dunno, but that sour was something else!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXehQAOhRhvLgOFULfkkiWZTODa2eXIT4I9aYOzu9YbwrOz195tqhp1_-b0KhJegWx0bMvxp1NB1no2PHjRKcrZ0SyCs9qqS466-jRWBVBll9lL9ixffYhhRt01NQk8x3yg_ERToP8eY8p/s1600/Ofest2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634470448801616850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXehQAOhRhvLgOFULfkkiWZTODa2eXIT4I9aYOzu9YbwrOz195tqhp1_-b0KhJegWx0bMvxp1NB1no2PHjRKcrZ0SyCs9qqS466-jRWBVBll9lL9ixffYhhRt01NQk8x3yg_ERToP8eY8p/s400/Ofest2.JPG" /></a> After getting loose on oat soda, I joined a small crew for a short hike to the top of the quarry wall. Preston’s lady Alicia, her dad Tim, and few friends all made the trek up the steep path located around the back of the stage area. From the top of the quarry walls, you could look down on Ofest and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the festival scene. If you were afraid of heights, the edge was a bit scary. We took some pictures from the top and made our way back down after a short time. As I made it back down to the field, a band out of RI called Hip Bobsha took the stage and totally rocked it out. They sounded amazing through the big PA system.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonFFuloow4h7_MG1cU8NZFyPQ8cN0GhzNFysGK6-wp2VWZJFkmMlpDMv-g6vEOkNCWFFpgpl3I89XWPJpMWnS_w2QMpg8UHvdJKO-y1ECA-4wRWzwU0bQTGChN2LXwzDe30M3PXDsFuQH/s1600/Ofest3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634470316154664610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonFFuloow4h7_MG1cU8NZFyPQ8cN0GhzNFysGK6-wp2VWZJFkmMlpDMv-g6vEOkNCWFFpgpl3I89XWPJpMWnS_w2QMpg8UHvdJKO-y1ECA-4wRWzwU0bQTGChN2LXwzDe30M3PXDsFuQH/s400/Ofest3.JPG" /></a> Weather was on and off for the afternoon, and the hi8us dudes weren’t 100% sure we were going to get our set in…again! The previous year, we got cut short just as we got going. It sucked. This year, we were slated to go on before the headliner act around 8:30 or so. I tried to keep it a bit reigned in during the beer tasting, so I was coherent come show time. The weather ended up working out just enough that everyone got to play. We went on after a cool act from NYC called Turbine. The combination of misty air, an over cast sky, and the onset of evening was perfect for our set time. The lights were really starting to show up in the air, and I could tell the guys and I were really feeding of off this super cool playing environment. We played through our greatest hits with a vengeance, and had the Ofest crowd getting into it. Good times! The late night band Duende Mountain Duo closed out Ofest 2011 with a blistering display of break beat style and synth keyboard madness. It was excellent.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92bWhyphenhyphenQfyFLKPzPb1y6t6uIhRya3h3MkVm3783nC16WeBA4h7bna-Xs7ASZdjMTR6W9kUglwuUIoSajz3yoE__VDs5HqWrH6r7-IfhBE7ETAFbZ-9-vxoNp3rZ66ubKH4WWLxqz5nuiCW/s1600/Ofest5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634470055305004130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92bWhyphenhyphenQfyFLKPzPb1y6t6uIhRya3h3MkVm3783nC16WeBA4h7bna-Xs7ASZdjMTR6W9kUglwuUIoSajz3yoE__VDs5HqWrH6r7-IfhBE7ETAFbZ-9-vxoNp3rZ66ubKH4WWLxqz5nuiCW/s400/Ofest5.JPG" /></a> The next morning hi8us split out in the early AM and made it back to the Commonwealth by supper time. It was a sweet dash up the East Coast for sure. I was back in my cube on Monday. Zow!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebXu2CAW5m390mF433mFDfWAzQMmtjeY1qsZa49c0r4uafizl2cpq1n133Ww-3sdCb5ZdZxqZzhxrrq3Rxih6-RWnL3w4BkhdcW5iVUAU_vrBmDcQLVtjkOgvLENvefCQW32h_m_yDIjD/s1600/Ofest7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634469271634534242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebXu2CAW5m390mF433mFDfWAzQMmtjeY1qsZa49c0r4uafizl2cpq1n133Ww-3sdCb5ZdZxqZzhxrrq3Rxih6-RWnL3w4BkhdcW5iVUAU_vrBmDcQLVtjkOgvLENvefCQW32h_m_yDIjD/s400/Ofest7.JPG" /></a> </div>"Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force"<br /><br />jim </div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-36661378072105638462011-07-21T11:39:00.005-04:002011-07-21T11:49:27.065-04:00East Coast Tour - Roanoke, VA +Camping 5.11.11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbJ_dt9DBKPr4bTz2kF-yZ3eKNOhJizuLUirARVb-AyBUMLqccFQj-fvapzIR5uFj51mfti3EW_ZxPt1Oq1dz_phJMO1xVKJ_ltjyEgWV4cihgrAS2C8_JVm6D1RyhgD5iUxGtzPgD9XK/s1600/PACamp2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631831408596754194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbJ_dt9DBKPr4bTz2kF-yZ3eKNOhJizuLUirARVb-AyBUMLqccFQj-fvapzIR5uFj51mfti3EW_ZxPt1Oq1dz_phJMO1xVKJ_ltjyEgWV4cihgrAS2C8_JVm6D1RyhgD5iUxGtzPgD9XK/s400/PACamp2.JPG" /></a> Our next show was a Wednesday in Roanoke, VA with a band called Triscale. We hit the road for the trek from NC to VA. I think I slept the whole time, but believe it was a short ride. We were playing at a club called Martin’s Downtown and got there just round suppah time. Everyone at the club was cool. It was kind of a slow night, but during our second set the crowd picked up, and a few people got all into it….which can make even a slow night a good one. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMh3Qj5PPfmQ79P2duHhApI1NkhfLG6a7NIXWsUa7kKPeYBDl0uaTKSoUvDMfOxF-8mbMdGikSC74SWcirmVm9mnOM_Xexx8ryqBZuUMnr9GqAWjdcjtxBHCY4ytdqE6JaTW0_jQT36gM/s1600/Rnoke3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631831230188387666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMh3Qj5PPfmQ79P2duHhApI1NkhfLG6a7NIXWsUa7kKPeYBDl0uaTKSoUvDMfOxF-8mbMdGikSC74SWcirmVm9mnOM_Xexx8ryqBZuUMnr9GqAWjdcjtxBHCY4ytdqE6JaTW0_jQT36gM/s400/Rnoke3.JPG" /></a>Triscale was real cool as well. I remember having a really good burger at Martin’s, but honestly forget if where we stayed that night, or if we just drove through. On our way out of Roanoke, we saw Glen Danzig’s tour bus at another local club. We had a short friendly exchange with some of Glen’s crew. Badass! <br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOquqgv5jk9Nz1ENnr7JZA0aEjLdxj6Z7eOHt9y6KToDoPG62mhp5rWzPUoiXj6k0FRGaxhLoI-So6BK08BkSy3tRizZe1huAwBzNCV0_1BrShZWVKhnt50XS0gVqj9CKVDLz19ny_Pek/s1600/Rnoke2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631831148719925826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOquqgv5jk9Nz1ENnr7JZA0aEjLdxj6Z7eOHt9y6KToDoPG62mhp5rWzPUoiXj6k0FRGaxhLoI-So6BK08BkSy3tRizZe1huAwBzNCV0_1BrShZWVKhnt50XS0gVqj9CKVDLz19ny_Pek/s400/Rnoke2.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>We had the next day off and decided to make tracks towards Pennsylvania to find a good spot to enjoy the down time. We ended up in at a state park in southern PA where we had our pick of the sites. Bud, the campground host, was very nice but showed signs of having cabin fever. We exchanged a few stories, and he seemed to like us. Before evening, all the guys dispersed into the woods to gather firewood for the night. Everyone did a great job gathering many logs and branches, but as usual, Keyboard Mike ended up gathering the most wood; ) As night came, we had a good fire going, and Foss, our manager/road bartender expertly mixed drinks for the band. Keyboard Mike and I collaborated on Ukulele/Egg shaker renditions of some of our favorite songs, and I made gorgonzola/garlic/onion burgers. </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIq_RCAQsMdcsZeAzeF1fn-5621rywPoKSxh9NR-VRdKkLkXjJ1z3Ars3PlkyK1RnREka-IouUNkgPOuaHCzTBZwgGtuAV4LIw4wR9YPlJGWQZdplBHCk3ADRktYC5bkmx9muWcnJTHuhW/s1600/PACamp1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631831070583792306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIq_RCAQsMdcsZeAzeF1fn-5621rywPoKSxh9NR-VRdKkLkXjJ1z3Ars3PlkyK1RnREka-IouUNkgPOuaHCzTBZwgGtuAV4LIw4wR9YPlJGWQZdplBHCk3ADRktYC5bkmx9muWcnJTHuhW/s400/PACamp1.JPG" /></a>This off day in our lil tour itinerary was a great break in the action. Everyone got a chance to relax and enjoy being in the woods. Friday morning when we woke up, Max got to it with another great breakfast before our departure. We made another small fire, and Bud was sure to come visit us again multiple times with extra scraps of wood as an offering. We eventually got our act together and split for Coatesville, PA and Osyrusfest 2011.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>jim</div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-77028450432112901522011-07-21T11:08:00.004-04:002011-07-21T11:25:35.360-04:00East Coast Tour - Asheville, NC 5.10.11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBmd8TFWdtsz8piAGoOeuv0mJSnzrZGq8geul7L-T8FlbLelnE8zScNHUk3BAGCqGhgTE3sPyy1brMK3NivXqnvqKBqn7LT64yqC31RWjPrvV9vORM1uiB5L9Q-TfymMHSjdM3MQbQTkw/s1600/Asheville4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631823403924335778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBmd8TFWdtsz8piAGoOeuv0mJSnzrZGq8geul7L-T8FlbLelnE8zScNHUk3BAGCqGhgTE3sPyy1brMK3NivXqnvqKBqn7LT64yqC31RWjPrvV9vORM1uiB5L9Q-TfymMHSjdM3MQbQTkw/s400/Asheville4.JPG" /></a> After a night of yurt sleep in GA, Maxi cooked up some breakfast for the dudes before we hit the road for Asheville, NC. We had about a 5 hour drive, and the weather was nice. We saw some of the devastation of tornadoes that had ripped through the area a week before. Houses were in splinters on one side of the street, and untouched on the other. Powerlines were down in every direction. The whole thing looked like a movie set. It was very humbling, to say the least.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBtUAq4Vnh_EPKxdNGEkSphgCwh8-m12pTQ7jZVHm5CzH76eSrSDp8HI6wWK5VYe2ubDNoHkr_P1J3vcGSCl6dXQyYpioGnP4M6gxsu2t9GtsKMPyiuQqPw0CYgLbm418f2VIB5SwJkLC/s1600/GA6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631823301992079970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBtUAq4Vnh_EPKxdNGEkSphgCwh8-m12pTQ7jZVHm5CzH76eSrSDp8HI6wWK5VYe2ubDNoHkr_P1J3vcGSCl6dXQyYpioGnP4M6gxsu2t9GtsKMPyiuQqPw0CYgLbm418f2VIB5SwJkLC/s400/GA6.JPG" /></a>We eventually arrived at the house of our longtime friend and colleague Sam Katz in Asheville during the early afternoon. Sam had just returned from a game of pickup hoop down at the local courts. He reported that it was a grueling game, and though his shot was off a little, he had a number of good assists, and his team won. As Sam described the game, I got to thinking about how hoop trash talking in Asheville must differ from that of a court in say… the Bronx. As you may know, Asheville, NC is a beautiful mountain town known to many as the hippy Mecca of the East Coast… only rivaled by perhaps Burlington, VT. Instead of street gangs in this city, there are bike gangs, and those bikes are not motorcycles. The guns that these gangs fight with are Super Soakers, and when rival bike gangs clash, the encounters usually culminate with both gangs converging on a local brewery to toast IPAs together. Needless to say, low brow basketball court smack talk in this town is more likely to involve insulting someone’s closet hydroponic growing process, rather than their mama.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylRfG0dWjx5Wlllfhwvvo-uD0PqacFiSzB_vBhd6ChdY1i6w7sAVXba_Pbrhr2FWqlK6RpWNlxFvzCCrKLLXybP53NVnjoIKGfP-QgN2iJ09pUUfZb__SImvzk8n6fWWQxpPuaV38kTVf/s1600/Ashville5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631823174535885442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylRfG0dWjx5Wlllfhwvvo-uD0PqacFiSzB_vBhd6ChdY1i6w7sAVXba_Pbrhr2FWqlK6RpWNlxFvzCCrKLLXybP53NVnjoIKGfP-QgN2iJ09pUUfZb__SImvzk8n6fWWQxpPuaV38kTVf/s400/Ashville5.JPG" /></a>After Sam was all dolled up, and we got Precious unlocked, we made our way to The Bywater where we were sharing an evening bill with The Archrivals. The Bywater is an excellent establishment on the shores of the French Broad River (first pic above). As you walk in, there is a traditional wooden bar setup and 18 local area beers on tap to enjoy. I immediately grabbed a pint of Green Man Ale and made my way out to the backyard to scope the landscape of the place.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfnktzTlxUJx6bw_a_qg32yN1GKjYOhuPOpHmhPIszLchnrUDoL1ysI0ouf45ex5CjARpejLkCrHsYIEHtk9EoJMrJjuzfA-PRwcFjgdtMscafomIosxv1oQmfs42Xlt1SUc9BaKgLaKf/s1600/Asheville2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631823059283620706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfnktzTlxUJx6bw_a_qg32yN1GKjYOhuPOpHmhPIszLchnrUDoL1ysI0ouf45ex5CjARpejLkCrHsYIEHtk9EoJMrJjuzfA-PRwcFjgdtMscafomIosxv1oQmfs42Xlt1SUc9BaKgLaKf/s400/Asheville2.JPG" /></a> As you look off the back porch to the left, the high volume of the French Broad River is immediately apparent. The subtle rush of the river water in the background continually reminds you of its presence, and helps to create a cool unique setting. The wide open backyard at The Bywater is a drinking sport enthusiast’s heaven. There were horseshoe pits, volleyball nets, frisbee golf goals, fire pits and barrel BBQs in every direction. Anything you could want to do with a beer in your hand was available, and Foss and I quickly took to one of the horseshoe pits with our pints.</div><br /><br /><div>The timetable for the gig was nice and relaxed. After another pint, we casually started to setup an outdoor bandstand under the back awning of The Bywater. I was happy to have lots of light placement options for our light rig, and ended up with a very tasteful, well lit stage after it was all done. </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItu7YUJ1qjfFw6i4u6TA9QCyCrAOWsB2R5kGId3t6_J36vVSToLB8ydC7t84hcTA7pKOMQTgJgglr20HR1eYiUTvh6CrAyvcQXYGK08zF7VXDrIAcRPiXxs3Ax2hlZbBYunaQON-mByY7/s1600/Asheville1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631822938603657714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItu7YUJ1qjfFw6i4u6TA9QCyCrAOWsB2R5kGId3t6_J36vVSToLB8ydC7t84hcTA7pKOMQTgJgglr20HR1eYiUTvh6CrAyvcQXYGK08zF7VXDrIAcRPiXxs3Ax2hlZbBYunaQON-mByY7/s400/Asheville1.JPG" /></a>As we started playing, I took survey over the yard and enjoyed the sight of the many patrons enjoying their beers at the various sets of tree log tables and chairs scattered along the river bank. The outdoor setting allowed the sound of the bands to push out over the open air. I could hear my amp really well, and the band’s stage mix was great. As the evening set in, the lights really started to show up and a cool little atmosphere started to take shape. After our set, we passed the baton to The Archrivals, who completely killed it. I loved their style and flow. As evening fell on The Bywater, the stage looked great, and the whole backyard was partying. I was all into the music and the scene, and at one point reminded myself that this was a random Tuesday in May. Not bad. After The Archrivals wrapped, both bands hit a cool place called Universal Joint for some afterhours food and beers.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlW3rutauYoAJID8zU9avZHHeyd7cLr6iED1wrfYd6IH-G38g-iV7wYg6fFhtstPwBxRvGSBlKs8TPPfBuhYiLVEdYxa_UZ_XPtc1KTZ6h7c0_D4UFDtki57zn_SLmRuAmRR-VTZsBfLa/s1600/Asheville3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631822775942477010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlW3rutauYoAJID8zU9avZHHeyd7cLr6iED1wrfYd6IH-G38g-iV7wYg6fFhtstPwBxRvGSBlKs8TPPfBuhYiLVEdYxa_UZ_XPtc1KTZ6h7c0_D4UFDtki57zn_SLmRuAmRR-VTZsBfLa/s400/Asheville3.JPG" /></a>During our time at UJ, a crazy electric storm blew threw and lit the sky up for a few solid minutes. When we returned to Sam’s to crash that evening, we found that the power was out in the house. We lit some candles and told ghost stories. Max was truly in his element again when it came to the ghost stories, and he would hold the candle to his face each time he reached the scariest parts of his stories. During his last ghost tale, he was building up suspense that had everyone in a frenzy. Then, just as he was about to raise the candle to his face for effect one last time at the climax, the power came back on. Everyone immediately shifted their attention to the TV and started playing Nintendo. The next morning we said our goodbyes to Katz and were back on the road.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>jim</div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-75904260573946693112011-07-20T13:36:00.008-04:002011-08-01T15:33:51.349-04:00East Coast Tour - Athens, GA - 5.9.11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtniFoWdvkp1K2pCyCBsCg5iFKveTZpIFSHqAdcLWmaTDacK1-YJlNdS8URhXq5Vfpa29kdyK_7fgBKMb0v7-YxJnUkDtcyOxgduRqmQFFA8WCsaIKUYgeD4oqG3JxA3hxSLJj7-OZG8K2/s1600/GA1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631493287813223858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtniFoWdvkp1K2pCyCBsCg5iFKveTZpIFSHqAdcLWmaTDacK1-YJlNdS8URhXq5Vfpa29kdyK_7fgBKMb0v7-YxJnUkDtcyOxgduRqmQFFA8WCsaIKUYgeD4oqG3JxA3hxSLJj7-OZG8K2/s400/GA1.JPG" /></a> We hit the road east from Louisiana to Georgia with me at the wheel and Mike in shotgun for the 9 hour trek. The plan was to drive through the night and arrive at our State Park camping accommodations early the next morning to enjoy the day before playing. Along the way during this leg we saw a pair of armadillos cruising around on the side of the road, and we all flipped out in excitement like when you go to the zoo.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0jqXbAZsieIVsB9CW9NTmMXOZN32_IpKtJl_rLIMrnRC13W71q6OUXYPLt-9ybsWbJ4bnoHjwN_KY2MrkAy634-N602BlAybr9v0mnAxzS5sF6xIylsQ3T4imoEv6HY1u0mu_vakpF0y/s1600/GA4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631493193110852338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0jqXbAZsieIVsB9CW9NTmMXOZN32_IpKtJl_rLIMrnRC13W71q6OUXYPLt-9ybsWbJ4bnoHjwN_KY2MrkAy634-N602BlAybr9v0mnAxzS5sF6xIylsQ3T4imoEv6HY1u0mu_vakpF0y/s400/GA4.JPG" /></a> In preparation for this trip, we scouted out Yargo State Park about 20 minutes outside of Athens. Having become regular patrons of the US State Park system over the past few years of gigging with Precious, Yargo’s appeared to be a legit park to our expert eyes.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fzdxBxjb1ciYL147vTfD-3-JBwAoh7csZm0FoLWLofiwv-LulNZL8RWk2k2lLdferOojYJi8hlXEbsoaeZs35vFoEombxP8OFqx75y-WabxmmOnTWzLErdHe5E6J93NCxDjM0ypZenl2/s1600/GA5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631493032243040578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fzdxBxjb1ciYL147vTfD-3-JBwAoh7csZm0FoLWLofiwv-LulNZL8RWk2k2lLdferOojYJi8hlXEbsoaeZs35vFoEombxP8OFqx75y-WabxmmOnTWzLErdHe5E6J93NCxDjM0ypZenl2/s400/GA5.JPG" /></a> Our hopes were high for some nice accommodations. Yargo’s yurt village was the factor that had us all feeling like it was going to be fun place to relax. We arrived to a beautiful lake and a super hip lil’ yurt, and quickly made ourselves at home. The next few hours were filled with chilling out, cooking and crushing tallboys.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGnz-OBgRL8V6Z-KEBKkx3OlukuWHdqx09yGJoo-IH8OzmBVT0IKQHD3g1ujAnBpuq9c2uUjvLc9LVUD43GXI9xraqh_l4Fr4yvg47VQJHrQPrAAq0JMMMzBzQB2ljctZGRWkjM7odcAP/s1600/GA2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631492888661901090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGnz-OBgRL8V6Z-KEBKkx3OlukuWHdqx09yGJoo-IH8OzmBVT0IKQHD3g1ujAnBpuq9c2uUjvLc9LVUD43GXI9xraqh_l4Fr4yvg47VQJHrQPrAAq0JMMMzBzQB2ljctZGRWkjM7odcAP/s400/GA2.JPG" /></a> We eventually got ourselves together and made our way towards Athens for our gig at Rye Bar. I got in contact with my cousin Stephanie who lives in town. She gave us a recommendation for some good local grub, then we all met up before the gig.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa-CCwN9B8viiFt65XMHlZH-GJmNPeAEUToY8FcYr37iL5JF-DyJdqOuvVQPlt2PTTJlh1zhkkUvHD_yoNcEo99bNcjHyUAvd2LujIsxYJhs8-jjZ4Cr4L_p8vNi7RRwnkcAgYtWOoZez/s1600/GA3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631492756199592578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa-CCwN9B8viiFt65XMHlZH-GJmNPeAEUToY8FcYr37iL5JF-DyJdqOuvVQPlt2PTTJlh1zhkkUvHD_yoNcEo99bNcjHyUAvd2LujIsxYJhs8-jjZ4Cr4L_p8vNi7RRwnkcAgYtWOoZez/s400/GA3.JPG" /></a> It was great catching up with my Aunt and Uncle who made the trek out for the show, as well as my hip cousin who I haven’t been able to hang with in years. We sipped on some local Terrapin beer and talked about the family. This was a rare southern Chekos summit meeting. The southern Chekos faction is a unique branch of the tribe. Lighter in complexion and speaking in a less traditional, consonant-rich dialect, these Chekos, much like their brethren to the north, are astute conversationalists. In her natural habitat, Stephanie clearly displayed many traditional Chekos personality traits that begin to surface in young adulthood. Her understated confidence projected to all with delicate style and grace. Everywhere we went, she won people over with ease. Her friendly but assertive approach at one establishment had her behind the bar sifting through aperitifs to add to the round of complimentary shots being prepared by her new friend tending bar, at her request. She was clearly in her element. The band all seemed to find some level of familiarity in her ways, and swiftly resorted to egging her on with the familiar “Chekooooooooos” shout out I had heard so often throughout my formative years. It was satisfying to see another Chekos on campus making their mark with our unique family surname. It was a great night for sure. We played with a cool band out of Atlanta called Cloudeater, and despite a thin room, considered the gig a success… largely thanks to Chekoooos bringing her A-game. Way to be, Chekos; )<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fINWiF-mnLqLikL9A8hEgOBk4XfJJG4t7Q0N2KO-2gAnYsNgve_Xlzws7jlhp3FS62m2-eXYrPwgSKM0ASbEnI91kqgj9eQsh4IvEMFOQVuyQmfaH6fX4zSC5pcyIUihOswIdLLxNvFC/s1600/GA7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631492617728584722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fINWiF-mnLqLikL9A8hEgOBk4XfJJG4t7Q0N2KO-2gAnYsNgve_Xlzws7jlhp3FS62m2-eXYrPwgSKM0ASbEnI91kqgj9eQsh4IvEMFOQVuyQmfaH6fX4zSC5pcyIUihOswIdLLxNvFC/s400/GA7.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>"you guys are so fuuuucked..........."</div><br /><div>jim</div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-76826814515254571572011-07-20T12:23:00.027-04:002011-07-20T13:25:05.197-04:00East Coast Tour - New Orleans, LA - 5.6.11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILpTkOfLB8_UFkOWo2RDrqrWb1s0Gu0otUHZmiOUGFOFAY1Krm_Ddvyq3CdYuDw1NPjhllXLQeJAsSPt5yUoD-aaPhzOfJbZ7KU4nKUYmw9myJthYvkpd5ANfC24Z9UkB2gOJAoO14Z2n/s1600/NOLA5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631480987754644130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILpTkOfLB8_UFkOWo2RDrqrWb1s0Gu0otUHZmiOUGFOFAY1Krm_Ddvyq3CdYuDw1NPjhllXLQeJAsSPt5yUoD-aaPhzOfJbZ7KU4nKUYmw9myJthYvkpd5ANfC24Z9UkB2gOJAoO14Z2n/s400/NOLA5.JPG" /></a> An early departure from work finds me greeting Adam at a nearby post-work bar affectionately dubbed “Conference Room H” on our way to Logan to catch a flight down to New Orleans. It’s Cinco De Mayo, and at the moment, the gin and tonic seems to suit us more appropriately than any tequila based beverage. The final few hours of pre-vacation work duty were quite stressful, but created a perfect contrast for appreciating the now steady flow of Beefeater leaching into my bloodstream.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrnB2OBR5PVkI3ROVawF3aEJdKXrzPta8yckkQvxgY7_KijmrnXT6Z_m48-HYs7-QxPb9Y2qoW150lGbBgH6rriLPGrcMwNxFczUJjD4Nacfr8t6ihKEZ1XzwfPzjuMt0aBWZ3em6b4h6/s1600/NOLA6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631480868907744978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrnB2OBR5PVkI3ROVawF3aEJdKXrzPta8yckkQvxgY7_KijmrnXT6Z_m48-HYs7-QxPb9Y2qoW150lGbBgH6rriLPGrcMwNxFczUJjD4Nacfr8t6ihKEZ1XzwfPzjuMt0aBWZ3em6b4h6/s400/NOLA6.JPG" /></a>After a short layover in Baltimore, we boarded our connection flight to NOLA and quickly made friends with all our surrounding neighbors on the plane. Funny how different the crowd on a New Orleans-bound flight can be from that of the Baltimore-bound plane. Our row neighbor Becky, a seasoned bartender at a Philadelphia area Elks Club, was lovely company. She provided sparkling conversation and added to the fine overall atmosphere of the passenger cabin. The 2 hour flight served as the perfect pre-game to the Royal Family Ball show we were immediately rushed to upon arrival. It was good to catch up with everyone already at the show. Like the Moontower/Dr. John scene from Dazed and Confused, Adam and I ran into each of the hi8us dudes one by one amongst the packed house of jazzfesters collected in the hip, warehouse confines of the Contemporary Arts Center.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm47mLCSNT0RYYYWMfF5T4kNSb78iONGHYO1GOurc3KCmh96y4bqXGvZe9WP1l7UThgldr9Aa3RJh5P-Psy5kpZO6xe81KPEGAqg-SjQaQh5YCZGE16B4wlT6MxifPGYRYYXD_y_Om1uMX/s1600/NOLA11.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631480687406401026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm47mLCSNT0RYYYWMfF5T4kNSb78iONGHYO1GOurc3KCmh96y4bqXGvZe9WP1l7UThgldr9Aa3RJh5P-Psy5kpZO6xe81KPEGAqg-SjQaQh5YCZGE16B4wlT6MxifPGYRYYXD_y_Om1uMX/s400/NOLA11.JPG" /></a> The pulse of the Coombs-driven bass Boogaloo madness washed over me. I think at one point I made mental note of the contrast in setting from where I had been only hours before, back at my desk in Boston. As the night/morning pressed on, the details faded into foggy recollections, and we decided split to the Olde Town to avoid invading anyone else’s personal space at the CAC; ) An early night for most, by NOLA standards, would serve us well in being prepared for our spot at the Olde Town Crawfish Boil the following evening.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r72AUz-iV9m2ZBxnf-LxijBWSlAi7SswjLz2RKgH4HmhlfwtJpPrwuMn8Vpy2wHEi_E6lst5AFSMLJzo4Umi3P7gnrboPpXdyFz_jM2CX79lTzGFo9s4Xnp93Wv1X24tOtzHFtP3H84e/s1600/NOLA1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631480449234837314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r72AUz-iV9m2ZBxnf-LxijBWSlAi7SswjLz2RKgH4HmhlfwtJpPrwuMn8Vpy2wHEi_E6lst5AFSMLJzo4Umi3P7gnrboPpXdyFz_jM2CX79lTzGFo9s4Xnp93Wv1X24tOtzHFtP3H84e/s400/NOLA1.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSWOiC3VYyJcuOEdsrTIhDM6B3eTp17tcHxtD14f_b3VYurhQBtOjQ1M12dRkoSwy8fw6OKn6gZA76sgFZj6qsAk5ijefgHnukAYJu-BYaOkU3DnhevIUWD99tcG4UeIkEZPwi6RbO8Op/s1600/NOLA2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631480325432723794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSWOiC3VYyJcuOEdsrTIhDM6B3eTp17tcHxtD14f_b3VYurhQBtOjQ1M12dRkoSwy8fw6OKn6gZA76sgFZj6qsAk5ijefgHnukAYJu-BYaOkU3DnhevIUWD99tcG4UeIkEZPwi6RbO8Op/s400/NOLA2.JPG" /></a> The sun arrived for Friday and half the band hit the Festival Grounds for some music and local grub. With a belly full of fried green tomatoes, sweet tea and alligator pie, we hit up the jazz tent for some tunes before Willie Nelson took to the Gentile Stage. Willie played a loose set of his many hits, and we shot back to the Olde Town Inn to get ready for our gig during their Crawfish Boil Party. The weather was perfect for the shindig, and we played two inspired sets. Late night, a few of us hit up The Greyboy Allstars at Tipitina’s. The boys of Grey were excellent!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5kqcZgBQ_03jZyujEfilnQBYmmHZyfeUrOvGw3gYxik3XzaLiDCdU2-QnAQLrGEKv7vFKIZkRjko6Z3S-FFP-5vZSp6ForVpAAIAKMLdJHieSR-Qk5-WUMAIlF1J3k9Dq5a12atxRtxm/s1600/NOLA12.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631480222644578178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5kqcZgBQ_03jZyujEfilnQBYmmHZyfeUrOvGw3gYxik3XzaLiDCdU2-QnAQLrGEKv7vFKIZkRjko6Z3S-FFP-5vZSp6ForVpAAIAKMLdJHieSR-Qk5-WUMAIlF1J3k9Dq5a12atxRtxm/s400/NOLA12.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrn51WfNIvz4YqxrkQ_Kr70JW5C5tBcMCR4wzEGCdy408KtErF09StEKtGkvUWxs2VTDMr0EVmo0x2za5dBZd2EYN2I3vTOEyiCOAGdQMWYEMUtulBIeva8TyHR3_64JhopYfIEe5m1XW/s1600/NOLA10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631480085695527218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrn51WfNIvz4YqxrkQ_Kr70JW5C5tBcMCR4wzEGCdy408KtErF09StEKtGkvUWxs2VTDMr0EVmo0x2za5dBZd2EYN2I3vTOEyiCOAGdQMWYEMUtulBIeva8TyHR3_64JhopYfIEe5m1XW/s400/NOLA10.JPG" /></a> Saturday had us back to the Festival Grounds for some more beautiful music and food. A few of us caught Kirk Joseph’s Tuba Tuba where they played nice tuba renditions of Walk Like an Egyptian and Manteca. After the tuba madness, I was back at the Jazz Tent for the Nick Peyton Sexxtet before shooting to the Conga Stage for Ms Lauren Hill’s headline spot. Lauren got off to a slow start with some technical problems, and some mic droppage, but soon got that engine chuggin, and dropped some Fugee/BMW knowledge on the assembled masses. I found a splendid ironic contrast in the setting of Ms. Hill’s performance at the festival. While Lauren so eloquently sang of how many mics she rips on the daily, Mr. Jimmy Buffet was simultaneously professing his love for cheesburgers over at the Acura Stage. As Ms. Hill would finish up a song, the thousands in the crowd would turn their heads with a collective “huh?!!” expression on their faces as Buffet’s relaxed island rock style filled the air left empty by the miseducated one. Looks of disgust would quickly form on faces of her fans in the down time as her DJ pulled out the next record, fit it to the turntable and dropped the needle. As the beats resumed, the disgruntled crowd would return to order. The process repeated itself throughout the set…. to my comic delight.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHZSyGfFBeLN3P_BJgCmWkJQr00KkfH5__Xo5ZAAtnCvzs0OrkeJp2_0hrOWUKdbsYMjxwjATbr76YiGKuBA1ygav4GI4jDpQNE19N2Cw6gDWjJdNWu4EPwTHfyfcFRPfamsrzM364WLE/s1600/NOLA9.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631479918189632370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHZSyGfFBeLN3P_BJgCmWkJQr00KkfH5__Xo5ZAAtnCvzs0OrkeJp2_0hrOWUKdbsYMjxwjATbr76YiGKuBA1ygav4GI4jDpQNE19N2Cw6gDWjJdNWu4EPwTHfyfcFRPfamsrzM364WLE/s400/NOLA9.JPG" /></a> After another late night show, and a Sunday of bumming around the French Quarter drinking Bloodies and taking pictures, we all reconvened at Café Du Mond for some Café Au Lait and Bignettes before shoving off for Athens.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUtJ-UZBfpBVdz7f5E_bM4XuDeNDlT2McHq2ZcNpaC5HnM-rycQE5R-NaK7M0AgPoHhCK8Z9xKnmqz384-GY2u6QRArjRjVwXQB19dy5ZoWgX1M3kiOrYKvGHvphg9_7dNcIWbkBAA5pi/s1600/NOLA8.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631479793974657122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUtJ-UZBfpBVdz7f5E_bM4XuDeNDlT2McHq2ZcNpaC5HnM-rycQE5R-NaK7M0AgPoHhCK8Z9xKnmqz384-GY2u6QRArjRjVwXQB19dy5ZoWgX1M3kiOrYKvGHvphg9_7dNcIWbkBAA5pi/s400/NOLA8.JPG" /></a> The long weekend was a whirlwind experience to say the least. Thankfully, everyone seemed to have a blast and we were all ready to make some miles and play some more shows.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd33RNgBXjbKY5buoo51wuCVJdJUnVCE_phjbQdpIUidiEMZvHwWLINXxQuoh_WQfSraQ9efrUlZMWa4-_6rJytXsc01r7-u-fAcIQZreIseKcmzrcThK9T_bvwwYkmUZzURFgezYkCuE/s1600/NOLA7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631479668089882594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd33RNgBXjbKY5buoo51wuCVJdJUnVCE_phjbQdpIUidiEMZvHwWLINXxQuoh_WQfSraQ9efrUlZMWa4-_6rJytXsc01r7-u-fAcIQZreIseKcmzrcThK9T_bvwwYkmUZzURFgezYkCuE/s400/NOLA7.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HAtkb92As6w1Y-xprJ1CHTAG6vN6XUpXFcEfRjuKWjH1Exl1Tb_Xav1pEw56_sYQALpgpNL_NMPIam7BPDPDWeRxCPkAvkUjFe5dlgARBaQffigtto-_iKgBZoRfZfja_WhjOzucgQzL/s1600/NOLA4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631479560098279602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HAtkb92As6w1Y-xprJ1CHTAG6vN6XUpXFcEfRjuKWjH1Exl1Tb_Xav1pEw56_sYQALpgpNL_NMPIam7BPDPDWeRxCPkAvkUjFe5dlgARBaQffigtto-_iKgBZoRfZfja_WhjOzucgQzL/s400/NOLA4.JPG" /></a> Good times from the big easy… Keep it sleazy; )<br /><br />jim </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-60667119875017881282011-06-27T15:49:00.016-04:002011-06-27T16:46:37.837-04:00Feb Thru April 2011 Shows Ramblings...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMt9Pisg5EnnDvw4pe5do-cDPp01Gp1HuNIb-FD6CQa8gY95q6k2jYemjbMOsjwNVi-CUYXU36vtIoz7FVHkYLGMpM0dIgt6izmTloN4AuiVrNzxb06fgy9aQgQN7u6-DSsh5sy7Dyar6Q/s1600/Gear1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622992791374553058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMt9Pisg5EnnDvw4pe5do-cDPp01Gp1HuNIb-FD6CQa8gY95q6k2jYemjbMOsjwNVi-CUYXU36vtIoz7FVHkYLGMpM0dIgt6izmTloN4AuiVrNzxb06fgy9aQgQN7u6-DSsh5sy7Dyar6Q/s400/Gear1.JPG" /></a> Greetings,<br />By my account, hi8us has played 8 shows since my last blogger dogger. Looking back on these shows, there were some killer sets, and some excellent experiences. A big thanks to all of our great friends and fans that rallied out for these shows. I have tried to pull together any pics I could find from them. Anyway, here is the rundown. Please enjoy.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvOoENZc0_gDxLG80ns-XChdZPKPZcngVdVbMTFe8DICJ9ywy_E49XA4agKCd1lJO8tVHUZcujf5Tc5AT4CUnW_ErofZNoRrfErmRsFLkHsLf_h01ilYWybBERoeK54j3AVx0eJG3h5Sy/s1600/LL1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622992604057851474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvOoENZc0_gDxLG80ns-XChdZPKPZcngVdVbMTFe8DICJ9ywy_E49XA4agKCd1lJO8tVHUZcujf5Tc5AT4CUnW_ErofZNoRrfErmRsFLkHsLf_h01ilYWybBERoeK54j3AVx0eJG3h5Sy/s400/LL1.JPG" /></a> We played the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA on Friday, February 11, 2011 with John Doney and Grand 27. That show was excellent. Grand 27 covered “Where Is My Mind” by the Pixies. Loved it!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8uBJAnwWpx_b202dEGcjbVdRnPfkR71UFsS42Z1leEttvsq37q7I8DOvw6HEVhDRiKcaucVl1-Zr4QbBOMXLQuU-7kJWgx4WITrb11D5tTKZrhOZp2jMvo4mbRrwtUUEnfJeRZoFY_93/s1600/LL2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622992486821530754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8uBJAnwWpx_b202dEGcjbVdRnPfkR71UFsS42Z1leEttvsq37q7I8DOvw6HEVhDRiKcaucVl1-Zr4QbBOMXLQuU-7kJWgx4WITrb11D5tTKZrhOZp2jMvo4mbRrwtUUEnfJeRZoFY_93/s400/LL2.JPG" /></a> We did a short set at The Lucky Dog Music Hall in Worcester, MA on Sat. February 26th. This is a pure rock club, and we really did rock it on this night. We opened for a band called The Bammies. One of the bands on the bill made a poster for the show with our name on it that had a picture of a women’s big naked butt bent over on the front. Classy! The poster remains in our tour bus as a fond memory of that evening.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93IEHLYIvMyGU57nRQPpNVvqqbe08LKLGXJQ7X29YxQ8NyXE1X2UQpzttMs1zben_953GrwrjgtJdRLqicnboXm2wyNjjG3YW1E1pgkfHvDfUyijg5RzyxsI20x5U9TCczC9hmuQad3mu/s1600/Lucky2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990309428645890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93IEHLYIvMyGU57nRQPpNVvqqbe08LKLGXJQ7X29YxQ8NyXE1X2UQpzttMs1zben_953GrwrjgtJdRLqicnboXm2wyNjjG3YW1E1pgkfHvDfUyijg5RzyxsI20x5U9TCczC9hmuQad3mu/s400/Lucky2.JPG" /></a> We played yet again up at Red Square in Burlington, VT on Sat. March 12th. The show was real cool. Hellah cool if you are in CA.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzOBAo8vNQ0Ocse8mO5DBMv-1Wp5_j-Hlyp8MAp03xU67w22EM_de7guPttic11eigpOxJTr0dpJAxdmV03JoKb5vwn1pyzcAw9LQQ-7dx3RkHso2Tmf-Ztt3oj0hNNlHUkW68_AVfK4N/s1600/Cannon2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990208177557922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzOBAo8vNQ0Ocse8mO5DBMv-1Wp5_j-Hlyp8MAp03xU67w22EM_de7guPttic11eigpOxJTr0dpJAxdmV03JoKb5vwn1pyzcAw9LQQ-7dx3RkHso2Tmf-Ztt3oj0hNNlHUkW68_AVfK4N/s400/Cannon2.JPG" /></a> hi8us made their debut appearance at Above The Notch at Cannon Ski Area on Friday March 18th. Our buddy Mike Bloch, affectionately known as NUKE, made the trip with us. We had a blast.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WJbTHlu4BiQymZ5XmcqeFfvIIWC8nXcIdaMe4NV9BzwadGqiooDSX_Cam1M8krY8FCVmbVtQJbxnWqM96N3eFJyOvfs7z_VNafme_3xI8O5V1kZfmGuY1ZzAFvP0MODCvXcEUhcEiReg/s1600/Cannon3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990061433520130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WJbTHlu4BiQymZ5XmcqeFfvIIWC8nXcIdaMe4NV9BzwadGqiooDSX_Cam1M8krY8FCVmbVtQJbxnWqM96N3eFJyOvfs7z_VNafme_3xI8O5V1kZfmGuY1ZzAFvP0MODCvXcEUhcEiReg/s400/Cannon3.JPG" /></a> This place was like an alternate universe. It seemed like no rules applied. They gave us tons of free food, anything we wanted to drink, we could play for however long we wanted in their excellent room, two free hotel rooms, and after they closed the owner brought us into the cooler and made us all root beer float shots in these plastic shot glasses designed specifically for root beer float shots. It was whacky.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_x3OzVMOa6AeM3rBism62zLYuWODBYzOHV3vvflEq3Lw_SUMb21u6LFI6SoegwUJqwuYhu0-ttpFq9JP9qvTr2q49xHudTgjBqjiesZLiafdcy9wYBVxyu9GxkuMgPo0AnVzClXQcLbQh/s1600/Cannon1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622989928513752690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_x3OzVMOa6AeM3rBism62zLYuWODBYzOHV3vvflEq3Lw_SUMb21u6LFI6SoegwUJqwuYhu0-ttpFq9JP9qvTr2q49xHudTgjBqjiesZLiafdcy9wYBVxyu9GxkuMgPo0AnVzClXQcLbQh/s400/Cannon1.JPG" /></a> The night capped off when we returned to our hotel rooms. hi8us had two rooms, separated by one in between. We got back and relaxed with a few more drinks before settling down for the night. As we finally got comfortably prepared to fall asleep, the silence of the evening in the mountains of NH was interrupted by the occupants of the room separating the two hi8us rooms. We are not exactly sure what went on in this middle room that night, but the next morning as us hi8us dudes reconvened from our respective hotel rooms, we all came to the logical conclusion that the middle room occupants must have had exercise equipment in there, and after a night of drinking, they realized that they fell off their workout schedule, and needed to make up for it with a very loud intense exercise workout session before bed. Those NH’rs, so disciplined. We all found beautiful irony in the fact that the rock band was trying to sleep on either side of this mess. God bless em’!<br /></div><br /><div>Friday April 8th had us back down at The Beach House in Falmouth, MA for another go-around at this excellent venue. Pat took care of us proper, and we all hung out after the gig in Precious. Pat was kind enough to let us plug into the side of the Beach House and crash in AC comfort for the night. Thanks Pat!<br /><br />Thursday, April 14th we were back at The Lucky Dog in Worcester opening for The Flock of Assholes. These guys are the BEST 80’s cover band you will ever find. They play deep cut 80’s songs to perfection. Definitely check them out if you hear they are playing near you. They are rad.<br /><br />We were back at Red Square in Burlington VT on April 16th. Again, it was awesome.<br /><br />On Friday, April 29th, we played our first show at the new Cape Ann Brewpub in Gloucester, MA. These guys just got an entertainment license for their new place, and we were one of the first bands in there. A big crew of friends and hi8us fans made it out for this one. I had the beer battered fish and chips before we played. It was amazing!!... best I can ever remember having. We played all night, and enjoyed Fisherman’s beer the whole time. It was a great time. Looking forward to playing there again real soon… I think in July. This was the unofficial kickoff show for our East Coast tour as well.<br /><br />During this window of shows, Mike and I made it into the studio once again to lay some vocal tracks for a bunch studio versions of some newer material. Clearly we were inspired. Hope to have those to you soon!!<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKndJqvfW5h9gh4liC-eDa5sjWwAF28U9ssMadLixZX8jWLh6wzyZRssyg61iVzrALsxvgoLV1706t-fr5zSvTwz9STbNAZgzUJ1w5lEngmaG5epH579hNf671ozNdSstHJLhrhfImJQ1/s1600/Session1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622989454985243634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKndJqvfW5h9gh4liC-eDa5sjWwAF28U9ssMadLixZX8jWLh6wzyZRssyg61iVzrALsxvgoLV1706t-fr5zSvTwz9STbNAZgzUJ1w5lEngmaG5epH579hNf671ozNdSstHJLhrhfImJQ1/s400/Session1.JPG" /></a> jim<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-55307676182161681832011-02-09T17:26:00.010-05:002011-02-09T17:46:24.688-05:00hi8us Rock and Roll Winter!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcf0BOcdpd1eYWH1Sz8LDywER_wmC8VY12OdsXcbRVYtxfk0nsPdcBLO2661hEl-T-ppc0_hduWd4-hkqlwouJfpNrDXKUtkZHStabGUBjrnP3NFsMUlOC0WZeZVj9CDlcUJyl1U2hH3S/s1600/Max+Precious+Snow.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571823346927716946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcf0BOcdpd1eYWH1Sz8LDywER_wmC8VY12OdsXcbRVYtxfk0nsPdcBLO2661hEl-T-ppc0_hduWd4-hkqlwouJfpNrDXKUtkZHStabGUBjrnP3NFsMUlOC0WZeZVj9CDlcUJyl1U2hH3S/s400/Max+Precious+Snow.JPG" /></a> Hi there,<br />It seems like time to check back in with you legions of hard core fans with a little updater. It is dumping snow outside right now as I write…again. By my count we have played 6 shows since my last post.<br />We hit the Middle East Upstairs on December 10th opening up for the Grateful Dread. We played a set we were totally happy with, and the crowd was definitely into our variety of music. A few of my good friends made it out to the show and a bunch of us hung out to listen to The Dread, who were quite awesome. The dudes in this band had chops and played really fun versions of classic Dead tunes… I think my favorite was Peggy O. I hear they play down on the Vineyard a bunch. I can imagine walking into a bar on the Vineyard in the summer, hearing these guys ripping, and thinking that they are the perfect band for that atmosphere. Maybe I will make the trip down there once it gets warm.<br />The next weekend we shot up to Vermont for a weekend of shows 12/17 and 12/18/10. Precious made her winter debut which included a 30 degree climb up a mountain road on our way to Middlebury, then back down the other side….thank you Mr. GPS! I was terrified, and really appreciated arriving at the club alive through the winter weather and treacherous terrain. We set up and rocked out to a decent crowd at Two Brother’s Tavern. People filed in and got more and more into us as the night got on. hi8us reached a milestone at this show as well. We have seen a few fights from the stage in our day. We are usually safely removed from the action, but not on this night!<br />The shenanigans started out with a dude fight, which is pretty standard. This one was especially exciting though, since the guy that started the ruckus was BOMBED and energetic, and took a swing at the bouncer…big mistake! He wasn’t going down easy though. It took a swarm of other dudes to pile up on this guy to try to shuffle him out the door of the basement bar. As the posse swarmed on this spirited soul, he fought back with all his might. The cluster of drunken men began to shift about the room with a chaotic path of alcohol-fueled aggression. It was like a sloppy rugby game with no ball or goals. We were in the midst of an excellent instrumental groove when the melee broke out. We tried to keep our focus on the notes being played, but looked on with curiosity and concern as the tornado of fists and crew cut heads shuffled dangerously close to the floor level bandstand from which we played. At this point, one shift of this mob in the wrong direction, and our concise, well organized setup of gear would have looked like a garage sale at the home of Kip Winger, in an instant. Fortunately, good prevailed over evil, and the unruly chap was punted to the street. Poor bugger! We finished our jam, and Max didn’t miss a beat. What made the night a milestone was the follow up fight! Just as we were wrapping up our 2nd set, another exchange of ill-will was conveyed between patrons within the confines of the room. To this day, the details of the 2nd altercation remain unclear, all that hi8us knows is that one girl cracked another girl, and that girl when down… and the girl who went down had lived in the area for 10 years. She wanted everyone to know that multiple times. It was unfortunate ending to an otherwise great night… well, there was also that other fight. Maybe it was just a bad night altogether. We played well though, and saw a guy on guy fight, and a girl on girl fight...while playing! hi8us can multitask. I drove Precious to Burlington after the gig that night, and thought about fighting the guys the whole time. They were all asleep in the back though, so I just drove.<br />The next night in at Red Square in Burlington was great. A huge crew of hi8us fans travelled up to party with us at this excellent establishment. We saw no fights, and sampled many beers prior to the show at The Magic Hat brewery for free. Yay! <div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nSvYzvtnuY3ezuwEk7YEd81foJW_g1XMtIzHJOZjpUGhMX4b0XDeU-xx-rg4dHLv3L2p0_TRQKfQF0E9P1DTsJL0JcE4iO2nGatPiOiIXgUM-HlTZJn-4EcQF3ZYU2nDbLPqYpmEo41H/s1600/Jim+70%2527s.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571823245671700242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nSvYzvtnuY3ezuwEk7YEd81foJW_g1XMtIzHJOZjpUGhMX4b0XDeU-xx-rg4dHLv3L2p0_TRQKfQF0E9P1DTsJL0JcE4iO2nGatPiOiIXgUM-HlTZJn-4EcQF3ZYU2nDbLPqYpmEo41H/s400/Jim+70%2527s.JPG" /></a> After a break for the holidays, and our first New Years Eve not playing in eons, the anticipation grew for our return to the Red Parka Pub in Glen, NH on 1/21 and 1/22/11 for what was dubbed White Mountain Mania. We played back to back nights at The Parka to a capacity crowd on both evenings. We had a nearby ski chalet where a nice crew of us all shacked up for the weekend. This place was perfect… pool table n’all. Picture the Brady Bunch going on a ski vacation. This place would have been to their exact specifications. We felt great about these shows, and had a great response from our fans that rallied out. We hope to get back to The Parka soon. We shall see. Highlights on the shows were guest appearances by Adam Foss and Skinny Mike Palica. Thanks dudes. Good playing! We also celebrated three of our good friend’s birthdays from the stage with a medley of birthday related songs. It was pissah! Thanks to all that made this a great weekend. We appreciate it.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks-Q0wyRhnJYRN4-Oo6aOlV9k2nYfmAUWVoYwI1RX8uhpQ4W5uQ-fpOF3yCsEQyaapo86crgua7VoPCSOegoC00MTBUcDQ0uvlKwmeQRc96R2tiDKJfc9jfFXrliOfLP3-TaOv6Qh0lXS/s1600/Conway+House.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571823060953953922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks-Q0wyRhnJYRN4-Oo6aOlV9k2nYfmAUWVoYwI1RX8uhpQ4W5uQ-fpOF3yCsEQyaapo86crgua7VoPCSOegoC00MTBUcDQ0uvlKwmeQRc96R2tiDKJfc9jfFXrliOfLP3-TaOv6Qh0lXS/s320/Conway+House.JPG" /></a> We played a late night slot at The Bitter End in the West Village of New York City on 1/29/11. Max, Mike and I drove down in Mike’s car with our gear. Mike’s evil GPS took us to the Bleecker St. in Flushing, NY instead of Manhattan. Fortunately, we had plenty of time to kill, so we righted our course and started driving towards all the big buildings we had previously been driving away from. We had dinner at a jazz club called Drom and saw drummer Mark Guiliana in a piano trio that was super cool. We ate Greek food and sipped some booze drinks. We eventually made it to The Bitter End and played an excellent long set til about 3:45AM. We kept a crowd til our final selection was complete, then shot the shit with the staff as we dragged ass loading our stuff out. They were cool about it. We felt great about the night, and even got a soundboard from Rioshi(sp), the superb sound engineer that has mixed our last few shows at this venue. Niiiice!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0oMMV2SP3Ls4dA-q5ByNtyTvwY-ihxcYivrSFENEXn5MtzyDC8lPZDmA6zr7aASU2rQdu5Fi-NpfsKEBwVBuIIOq0akfZqd2jekOQROwPzN32Yf8WSA4AcJr4eHeJ0ZL1HDkKQ1UZ6Pc/s1600/Bitter+End+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571822911629676066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0oMMV2SP3Ls4dA-q5ByNtyTvwY-ihxcYivrSFENEXn5MtzyDC8lPZDmA6zr7aASU2rQdu5Fi-NpfsKEBwVBuIIOq0akfZqd2jekOQROwPzN32Yf8WSA4AcJr4eHeJ0ZL1HDkKQ1UZ6Pc/s400/Bitter+End+3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlasSBLCXtEvlUP0yVJQ9-mnY8BRohqL7rLLPZsjGJQmRVHu3E4BUmY_SSn7eCLuGWQVL2ePJkItTmXbZMFD0qOBANuonRATbLStT-BJW3ASglyE3Qm1XNxjlQ0xD4tB9ZNSLgjS-wsIq/s1600/Bitter+End+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571822466154694434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlasSBLCXtEvlUP0yVJQ9-mnY8BRohqL7rLLPZsjGJQmRVHu3E4BUmY_SSn7eCLuGWQVL2ePJkItTmXbZMFD0qOBANuonRATbLStT-BJW3ASglyE3Qm1XNxjlQ0xD4tB9ZNSLgjS-wsIq/s320/Bitter+End+1.JPG" /></a> Finally, this past weekend, 2/5 found hi8us back at The Perfect Wife in Manchester, VT. We had a weather-filled trek to and from the venue. Highlights of the gig were our buddy Ben cruising up from Pittsfield with his crew and requesting his favorite songs all night. Ben is in the running as #1 hi8us fan. We really appreciate his devotion to the band, and in-turn, should probably book another Pittsfield gig in the near future. Also, thanks again to the cool staff at “The Wife” for making the night a fun one. See you soon.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jBRV7dHdMlkuXyY9-hBL98QU69qOFauKBaIMM2wliAIEy3ccy0LDLj1hkg6oiK-UKZvbVdgpu4N1UcrGp3CXyKv1wHV8xCZEzw54P-tN7xdpUCyxBuksY8MFb0BaKtkASaZzHsr911nx/s1600/Wife+Bottles.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571822301166774578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jBRV7dHdMlkuXyY9-hBL98QU69qOFauKBaIMM2wliAIEy3ccy0LDLj1hkg6oiK-UKZvbVdgpu4N1UcrGp3CXyKv1wHV8xCZEzw54P-tN7xdpUCyxBuksY8MFb0BaKtkASaZzHsr911nx/s400/Wife+Bottles.JPG" /></a> Good times. Talk soon.<br /><br />jim<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-28065967586947096422010-11-26T11:38:00.018-05:002010-11-26T12:17:59.414-05:00Catchin Up - Fall 2010 Shows and Studio Session<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPprdKlr4kuRzxHILI-DV7jB4E5yqPKjcuzu_ODy1jzN1DfhqlTr6M4zDxa0AJqMbes7MLC_4OT9RJiN2mBtd4zebgtwYC9R8M_yP-issTVf07gagUXqJAioi2LBS8gs7H6GLt4q1wJDNt/s1600/Pic+11.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543908765902416274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPprdKlr4kuRzxHILI-DV7jB4E5yqPKjcuzu_ODy1jzN1DfhqlTr6M4zDxa0AJqMbes7MLC_4OT9RJiN2mBtd4zebgtwYC9R8M_yP-issTVf07gagUXqJAioi2LBS8gs7H6GLt4q1wJDNt/s400/Pic+11.JPG" /></a>Hi There,<br />Wow, its been a while since I “blogged”. My rough estimate is that hi8us has played twelve shows since my last blog entry. Some rooms include The Farm in Essex, MA, The Beach House in Falmouth, MA, Red Square in Burlington, VT a few times, our buddy Brett’s wedding reception, a couple stops at Cap’n Carlos in Gloucester, MA, The Precinct in Somerville with John Doney and Evan LaFlamme, The Red Parka in Glen, NH, The Wonderbar in Allston, MA, and back at The Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth, NH.<br />Here is a quick little photo highlight reel of our time on the road during these shows:<br /><br />During our weekend up in NH playing at the Red Parka Pub in Glen on 10/2/10, Precious made her first, of hopefully many, stops at Dolly Copp Campground. A short distance from the Pub, we camped out after the gig and, for the most part, had a great stay with Precious in the majestic woods of the White Mountain National Forest. This weekend was surprisingly warm, and we enjoyed some fleeting summer weather during the day on Saturday before the show. The Frisbees were flyin! Speaking of the Red Parka Pub, we have a few weekends scheduled up there during ski season, 1/21-22/11, 3/4-5/11, where we play back to back nights. This is one of our favorite rooms to play lately, and the play/ski/play trifecta promises not to suck.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDZF_AxdOZKAgSGbAESnFOBod5Qe7Ll_Gd2zfyBwYFr1Jq0e3ZyGK9gp62QKl-0IYFpL3WKowII8xUK-fIzynvbFhabAt3cv62-vgRJZsUypV2Nzpzn7Q0vZ14iq-tln9v5oKALLimsuz/s1600/Pic+4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543903253040474402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDZF_AxdOZKAgSGbAESnFOBod5Qe7Ll_Gd2zfyBwYFr1Jq0e3ZyGK9gp62QKl-0IYFpL3WKowII8xUK-fIzynvbFhabAt3cv62-vgRJZsUypV2Nzpzn7Q0vZ14iq-tln9v5oKALLimsuz/s400/Pic+4.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YLSBORkL6IGDLrXFksEujEXfhBRt23O-tlqiRvzBWbrhpeSDiEABnQpCPa3B9VzY26DnYThIfzLQd1vkquI5l4uSbjwWLhTmbK592IDKCht7I1oVEdk8kBzibYUMo50iMj7HZ6QYfQqR/s1600/Pic+10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543903200532712242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YLSBORkL6IGDLrXFksEujEXfhBRt23O-tlqiRvzBWbrhpeSDiEABnQpCPa3B9VzY26DnYThIfzLQd1vkquI5l4uSbjwWLhTmbK592IDKCht7I1oVEdk8kBzibYUMo50iMj7HZ6QYfQqR/s400/Pic+10.JPG" /></a> This is a shot I took of Mike with my phone camera during one of our sets at Red Square in Burlington, VT… pretty sure it was 10/23/10. Mike has that glow about him after delivering an especially inspired rendition of Tuesday Night. Mike always steps it up for that number…. like when Garfunkel digs deep and drops Bridge of Troubled Water during the Concert in Central Park in “67”.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xc64gAx7SN9o_anoG8sR0x3xK4otfDJdOnMfnlnOTdAZjDDhfeiS70C_R8D5kUENckajF6atB1_W9E1RR_4fI7iUXu6xWBnRHO1oEOl6lB6s44YG3qskF7cbk0dFh-MA0ol-BsE9iXBK/s1600/Pic+5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543903113815278402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xc64gAx7SN9o_anoG8sR0x3xK4otfDJdOnMfnlnOTdAZjDDhfeiS70C_R8D5kUENckajF6atB1_W9E1RR_4fI7iUXu6xWBnRHO1oEOl6lB6s44YG3qskF7cbk0dFh-MA0ol-BsE9iXBK/s320/Pic+5.JPG" /></a> This is a speeder bike I found for sale at a flea market in Waterbury VT. on our way home on Sunday 10/24/10. I should have bought that thing! It was $5, and it looks like they are going for $25 on ebay. Not that I would have ever sold it again. Instead I bought a subwoofer bass tube for $10.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup1y2S0L5EXQxbZYU5_9SPDxsuhrWqXEWUZwoKm6D0xDLl3OWdY4oGe1pKOOftMj515szoRyHqpyg4hShNpodgRrfIwA2zSKcinQX8zzGeV5awYYIGmtoj9NxSgYbU42nzsb1W3LsJrj8/s1600/Pic+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543902490423805186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup1y2S0L5EXQxbZYU5_9SPDxsuhrWqXEWUZwoKm6D0xDLl3OWdY4oGe1pKOOftMj515szoRyHqpyg4hShNpodgRrfIwA2zSKcinQX8zzGeV5awYYIGmtoj9NxSgYbU42nzsb1W3LsJrj8/s320/Pic+2.JPG" /></a> This is one of Max in front of the excellent pizza oven that our boy Brett had at his wedding reception party. We all got to make our own pies in this oven. They were incredibly good. Max couldn’t believe it!<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QdcYSzRzZpZ3RiqkDqXdVqXvaX5Dq7u3sUkKyIvs-IGjAhegdtd1lIpd6geJG9pHolfDR6_YkdHml39M4lDyiTdo2AsUx6ENv9PNzqYZNOf2ExJlEUB7BUoOLfLG90cvy-Mu85oA-mFM/s1600/Pic+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543902276984388578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QdcYSzRzZpZ3RiqkDqXdVqXvaX5Dq7u3sUkKyIvs-IGjAhegdtd1lIpd6geJG9pHolfDR6_YkdHml39M4lDyiTdo2AsUx6ENv9PNzqYZNOf2ExJlEUB7BUoOLfLG90cvy-Mu85oA-mFM/s400/Pic+3.JPG" /></a> This is an orange I ate that was looking at me.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKlfR6zD1DjJECJKPjbrC1h7MMbMTdyRwIYQJmaU3vHhXBT8C8GaWYuTPsWsWQCIjA_Gy5FAf25aMXea19p4BQSlMTFf5Z8FTozCnRyYQxNUatjM4exq5ZPsy8C_g4YI6XHbcBUw_9Ke2/s1600/Pic+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543902192031245602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKlfR6zD1DjJECJKPjbrC1h7MMbMTdyRwIYQJmaU3vHhXBT8C8GaWYuTPsWsWQCIjA_Gy5FAf25aMXea19p4BQSlMTFf5Z8FTozCnRyYQxNUatjM4exq5ZPsy8C_g4YI6XHbcBUw_9Ke2/s400/Pic+1.JPG" /></a> Here is the outside of The Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth, NH…just in case you couldn’t piece that one together.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yL42HVu9gAkod0Nf8RuKtPKW_H3rv7n16WP38WWhwiSjeEThtxRI_b79GcNW7ZysYb9ivxnGD-07nIYyt9llAS557pIHRNLjPP7E7q1kkeTG4eqRpg2tIYPfwYMCmXjqE0tDaSXAQdbk/s1600/Pic+6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543902047782732722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yL42HVu9gAkod0Nf8RuKtPKW_H3rv7n16WP38WWhwiSjeEThtxRI_b79GcNW7ZysYb9ivxnGD-07nIYyt9llAS557pIHRNLjPP7E7q1kkeTG4eqRpg2tIYPfwYMCmXjqE0tDaSXAQdbk/s320/Pic+6.JPG" /></a> This is a picture of the band at breakfast after that Blue Mermaid gig in Portsmouth on 11/12/10.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMtB9iwwYfvDpEPLV1uYh7im7rqD7_cXC1o-YkmDgOVNnVlUa_uJr796ZqXdTSZD-_CLTuPIBerFv0gzF-M1gopwVq7vrl0xej8XamZZq0sfFYTdrASP5NtflJzwugJF2GrQay0BaP1YO/s1600/Pic+7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543901943097850546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMtB9iwwYfvDpEPLV1uYh7im7rqD7_cXC1o-YkmDgOVNnVlUa_uJr796ZqXdTSZD-_CLTuPIBerFv0gzF-M1gopwVq7vrl0xej8XamZZq0sfFYTdrASP5NtflJzwugJF2GrQay0BaP1YO/s400/Pic+7.JPG" /></a> This is a pic of me in front of The Dakota in NYC.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFBT6C-PggPbN1FkPzYGRViZfXXFKPLG88dZP7UEITTmOz_MbuoE3MP3ehieWWxX43vjMkisl22NnytATc2j5SaNNrfqUw6H0ddZdxAmjdiT8QBFPUUSW4oH9NxG_gGcL5a-HnNB2wsip/s1600/Pic+9.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543901839509188786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFBT6C-PggPbN1FkPzYGRViZfXXFKPLG88dZP7UEITTmOz_MbuoE3MP3ehieWWxX43vjMkisl22NnytATc2j5SaNNrfqUw6H0ddZdxAmjdiT8QBFPUUSW4oH9NxG_gGcL5a-HnNB2wsip/s320/Pic+9.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>Other than playing a bunch, hi8us hit the “studio” in Salem, MA on Halloween weekend to do some recording. We set up in Max’s dad’s wood shop for the weekend, and live tracked a bunch of our songs. The sessions were real fun, and we felt like we fell into a nice rhythm together by Friday night after we set up. We wanted to take a different approach with these sessions, and from listening back, it sounds like we got a bunch of the feel we were after. We have been feeling like most of the music we play at shows these days is post-Superficial Deep material, and we have been dying to record studio versions of these songs. We feel like these songs are some of our best, and really capture the sound of the band. We are looking forward to finishing up the production on these tracks, and mixing them down. In the meantime, here are some shots from those sessions. Stay in touch. See you out there.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWhXhukq3I7xp8PWkCtr-HOmLEpHFRbShDTINCgzAFHRgiL4opEi1PQnsX275IyBAflueU_pn5A5aYLQhqlyVHeT6mpM0XAH925OJC1yXbkjekLyU8XI8G-yfz0ZK-jWo75VrYyVKa6TI/s1600/photo10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543901617590453570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWhXhukq3I7xp8PWkCtr-HOmLEpHFRbShDTINCgzAFHRgiL4opEi1PQnsX275IyBAflueU_pn5A5aYLQhqlyVHeT6mpM0XAH925OJC1yXbkjekLyU8XI8G-yfz0ZK-jWo75VrYyVKa6TI/s400/photo10.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpZUuVBGSzFkgCNgBudw1Av9bzoWy2cjqLBEtay6kLGMYcNIAO9aNqLWkopQYJV-4HOh55dTtQphDkILjfxM4ohF6QukgepIOM-16bEjX5PGjTvR7kv6298roU7S1K6naV9xWK6weBVNu/s1600/photo7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543901505702212146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpZUuVBGSzFkgCNgBudw1Av9bzoWy2cjqLBEtay6kLGMYcNIAO9aNqLWkopQYJV-4HOh55dTtQphDkILjfxM4ohF6QukgepIOM-16bEjX5PGjTvR7kv6298roU7S1K6naV9xWK6weBVNu/s400/photo7.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoll83LTUDlg4RegndnZT2YRUwAmNY0AX2Cgs9dVO-ojk3j-tI4PoQSp7fJ3-6PYe-daiZyxbj0C6fLhO9MqrDCJoS7PJSZJREqLLWcShEC91Kn3lituEAO_djXEmSskGB_PwYA01oQPiB/s1600/photo3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543901421020289458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoll83LTUDlg4RegndnZT2YRUwAmNY0AX2Cgs9dVO-ojk3j-tI4PoQSp7fJ3-6PYe-daiZyxbj0C6fLhO9MqrDCJoS7PJSZJREqLLWcShEC91Kn3lituEAO_djXEmSskGB_PwYA01oQPiB/s400/photo3.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4aoQIGOlZGREOiKH413UCmaDiApO4gqWLlzx92OlvuSpwny5YAtU8y9Z88Yf4WRT9mEF4RBQInBL2AiaP8vsddlzmIxhF-rsDgh9VDFk214DLNLBBiXzYJPTRE9_0y_PLGrCIHFlpwcg/s1600/photo5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543901287091365602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4aoQIGOlZGREOiKH413UCmaDiApO4gqWLlzx92OlvuSpwny5YAtU8y9Z88Yf4WRT9mEF4RBQInBL2AiaP8vsddlzmIxhF-rsDgh9VDFk214DLNLBBiXzYJPTRE9_0y_PLGrCIHFlpwcg/s320/photo5.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcvCddkJedQRfgdLLbhJ-dg5u_P26zhCF4cvFYY4zyi5F5DJaqgEi8IhP_L2iWtSVrk0me1jCF4qxhxlZ-06srCj3hLCZFtCjBddElDckr1v5V318BX5zSd5lYYe0t6MTaqNAsNoHGDov/s1600/photo8.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543901151893967298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcvCddkJedQRfgdLLbhJ-dg5u_P26zhCF4cvFYY4zyi5F5DJaqgEi8IhP_L2iWtSVrk0me1jCF4qxhxlZ-06srCj3hLCZFtCjBddElDckr1v5V318BX5zSd5lYYe0t6MTaqNAsNoHGDov/s400/photo8.JPG" /></a> jim<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-46502327224960027042010-08-11T16:55:00.020-04:002010-08-12T09:19:37.603-04:00Sacodelic Summerfun, Glen, NH (7.30 - 8.1.10)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrQQXi5fWOZHbzP4naLhOI1-eFogrNqX_c2bBBTcqTn-sYpoksZQRAkU0v-lApWYHfJkXnVvCskrr7wUd72axWmbUE9nz34akbni5r8x9evu3tXnJavzl92d-AG5hdOhw2AlZoIRdMCv-/s1600/sacodelic4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504261077422561074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrQQXi5fWOZHbzP4naLhOI1-eFogrNqX_c2bBBTcqTn-sYpoksZQRAkU0v-lApWYHfJkXnVvCskrr7wUd72axWmbUE9nz34akbni5r8x9evu3tXnJavzl92d-AG5hdOhw2AlZoIRdMCv-/s400/sacodelic4.jpg" /></a> <div></div><div></div><div></div>I usually meet up with my good friend Charlyn on a weekly basis to grab lunch. We used to work together, but she got a new job and left me. Fortunately, her new employer is a few blocks away from her old one, so we can still work it to get lunch fairly often. At lunch we always order the same exact thing, and usually gab about whatever is going on in our little worlds. On occasion, one of us is having a bad day and will vent to the other about whatever is bringing them down. Sometimes we are both having a crappy day, and it will just be a bitchfest against the establishment… which is trying to bring us down. I feel like a common trait we both have is our desire to keep our souls vibrant, and not to allow the corporate environment we spent many of our hours in, to consume our otherwise optimistic outlook on living. During one of our lunches some months ago, I told Char that we were playing at the Red Parka Pub in Glen, NH. Char and a whole big crew had seen hi8us at this pub back in January when we were all up at a Cabin nearby for our buddy Tommmmeeee’s birthday weekend. (<a href="http://blog.hi8us.org/2010/02/dark-side-of-bar-hi8us-nh-weekend-129.html">See that hi8us Tour Blog Entry</a>) Needless to say, that weekend was a blast, and at the mention of a return to the Red Parka, Char’s interest was peaked. I had suggested we camp in the White Mountains for that weekend since we will be up there, and Charlyn one-upped it by suggesting we camp on her family’s land along the Saco river, which is literally next door to the bar. I was all about it, and quickly the weekend evolved into the idea of a first-ever hi8us music festival.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lfs7uJAzh4u7erdbHwfHlCtQpRzLP0HkNWk_8qPoKLYsZug9vLpvnu8I3Z8mD9lFcRzBqYG_RjpXHOn0YAyMNcLixnMuz3UToz8hpd1wLwn11eaN1Y8F7ZUWDv94aBh6mtcKkpVzk55P/s1600/Sacodelic+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504260950927165010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lfs7uJAzh4u7erdbHwfHlCtQpRzLP0HkNWk_8qPoKLYsZug9vLpvnu8I3Z8mD9lFcRzBqYG_RjpXHOn0YAyMNcLixnMuz3UToz8hpd1wLwn11eaN1Y8F7ZUWDv94aBh6mtcKkpVzk55P/s320/Sacodelic+9.jpg" /></a> As the months past, we worked out the minimal logistics of having a bunch of people down to the river for camping and music. This mainly involved renting a Jiffy John.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSwAupL8vVgOahIHBmiOybwJfS3hSrI2UJ3-mtNHpC6WOM81xMC7Jfciv__b8ja8HEtc_6ck-EkdjemW4LA2NmBd17thRlsB4wm6jc64rS5HWcGJTpyPEB0NBTucGfUn-pIT892-u8o1y/s1600/sacodelic3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504260784801187922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSwAupL8vVgOahIHBmiOybwJfS3hSrI2UJ3-mtNHpC6WOM81xMC7Jfciv__b8ja8HEtc_6ck-EkdjemW4LA2NmBd17thRlsB4wm6jc64rS5HWcGJTpyPEB0NBTucGfUn-pIT892-u8o1y/s400/sacodelic3.jpg" /></a> Char’s uncle actually owns the property, and he was VERY cool about us doing whatever we wanted down there. The land is at the end of a huge hay field and directly on the Saco River. It is so far removed from civilization, that we were able to make as much noise as we wanted, whenever we wanted during the weekend.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-vil2HjksD8grMX_RmiOeMJLGVyve95R5oQ_wdOsU2RI7OMlHiFuCmmUSnQAHMX4u711HKGWO-zderbx9bRIZDzt27AwApZUdpRusnaEPh2tb3MHNTi4t3TrDKD7_dwsV4x-ercKa0LT/s1600/sacodelic+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504260662681191106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-vil2HjksD8grMX_RmiOeMJLGVyve95R5oQ_wdOsU2RI7OMlHiFuCmmUSnQAHMX4u711HKGWO-zderbx9bRIZDzt27AwApZUdpRusnaEPh2tb3MHNTi4t3TrDKD7_dwsV4x-ercKa0LT/s320/sacodelic+6.jpg" /></a> We invited a few of our friend bands to play at the event, and also had some welcome support from Max’s buddy Chris and Puff Puff Pass BBQ with their Smoker grill extraordinaire, as well as the boys from Cape Ann Brewing who were pouring pints off their beer-pouring VW Bus all weekend.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9LADmm6EqfvLbZi8OvupWvEa4rWZICsmpthBoNtFc0xGBOWyTo0FukPLmexqA5iCjeYChyqhlKbvuPP4D0lgZRnExZe80nIhDmhoIE6zxkn3pPRGztHqXDTEivqwhrfR_Cfi8bMLGhlc/s1600/sacodelic+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504260541879281586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9LADmm6EqfvLbZi8OvupWvEa4rWZICsmpthBoNtFc0xGBOWyTo0FukPLmexqA5iCjeYChyqhlKbvuPP4D0lgZRnExZe80nIhDmhoIE6zxkn3pPRGztHqXDTEivqwhrfR_Cfi8bMLGhlc/s400/sacodelic+5.jpg" /></a> Max and I got up there on Friday morning and met up with Charlyn and Tommmeeee, who were already there. Going into the weekend, no one knew what to expect and the element on uncertainty definitely added to the excitement of things. Tommmy and Char had done a bunch of preliminary prep-work by the time we arrived, and a few hours after we got there, the place was in formidable shape and ready for some serious leisure.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rx5qXD0WuAK9Xj-lw9oNRJf1r3jV1I2V87uHYI97M6iO2oGz2658uwnGj6HbaPP8I4ppjFblIEJAyH9zkleHyeGxPJi_SgUN9R46fELJMY8yGFBeSMpl70bRLYUh69j2D2vSpXame7V3/s1600/Sacodelic+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504260369962653906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rx5qXD0WuAK9Xj-lw9oNRJf1r3jV1I2V87uHYI97M6iO2oGz2658uwnGj6HbaPP8I4ppjFblIEJAyH9zkleHyeGxPJi_SgUN9R46fELJMY8yGFBeSMpl70bRLYUh69j2D2vSpXame7V3/s400/Sacodelic+10.jpg" /></a>As folks started to arrive early Friday evening, the power that was being supplied by our bus Precious was up and running and the PA was pushing music out onto the river. The stage was set up against the woods, and our festival-goers found spots for their tents along the nearby sandy banks of the Saco. As evening fell on the camp, a long line of tiki torches illuminated the path from the central stage area to the beach/bonfire. I got a chance to experiment with our new LED light cans a bit once the sun went down. I up-lit the trees around the stage which created an excellent atmosphere to that area. Once nighttime was completely upon us, DJ Surgeon General and DJ Frost threw down some tasty DJ sets that took us into the late night. Some time before these guys were about to get going, Charlyn and I, and everyone else for that matter, really began to recognize that this whole event was turning out to be a cooler thing than we could have expected. As Jessie( DJ Surgeon General) got into his set, Saco-delic took off. The whole place started pulsing with energy. Folks were spread out over the various areas of the camp. Some congregated in the teepee to chat and stay close to the Fisherman’s taps, while others circled the big bonfire burning down on the beach. The celebration went late into the night, and had campers sleeping in on Saturday morning.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme-4-25fEqCNODrZe0UeChXjSm2NurMsgMFKULL-A9wuGjT_NDogFNfY6PsnF1m_sm778Oi_UqDCEfZ9Zjez0tasg0LCsk1SqQx-bC2QG2cBuBsDJem1x8Igo6PsDv8_5nGnsrS2a5P8Y/s1600/sacodelic+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504260271133057234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme-4-25fEqCNODrZe0UeChXjSm2NurMsgMFKULL-A9wuGjT_NDogFNfY6PsnF1m_sm778Oi_UqDCEfZ9Zjez0tasg0LCsk1SqQx-bC2QG2cBuBsDJem1x8Igo6PsDv8_5nGnsrS2a5P8Y/s400/sacodelic+7.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIcqMcHvRKrXiivNxQJYwiQHj4c96q6txrGtg5zbi0C949FrtSROeRUj6xu6nH3DnUjK0My9DD1ptLMN51dXsol9hwQfxWAcuFvCGepnegFGhWPbHPc5R1XV4OFrvKHX75p6v3M3VK5Y_/s1600/sacodelic+1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504259234483059218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIcqMcHvRKrXiivNxQJYwiQHj4c96q6txrGtg5zbi0C949FrtSROeRUj6xu6nH3DnUjK0My9DD1ptLMN51dXsol9hwQfxWAcuFvCGepnegFGhWPbHPc5R1XV4OFrvKHX75p6v3M3VK5Y_/s400/sacodelic+1.jpg" /></a> Late Saturday morning the camp started to bustle with activity. The smell of coffee in the air got me out of my tent. I took an immediate plunge into the Saco to wake up before playing some acoustic songs to open up the music on the Saco stage for Saturday. Mark and Julia hooked up some breakfast burritos for campers on their new Coleman stove. They were superb! I mixed up a bloody before I got to it, and enjoyed sipping the morning booze beverage between songs. The music from the stage could be heard from everywhere at the camp, so you could be wading in a tube on the river and listening to The Awesome Something tear it up on the stage. Notta bad! The bands played into the early evening, with Boston’s own Paperback headlining the Saco-stage. They wrapped around 6pm, just as Maxi’s buddy Chris (aka. Didge)was taking the pulled-pork shoulders that had been smoking for hours off of his insane meat smoking rig. I eat two sandwiches before us hi8us dudes split for the Red Parka to set up for an evening of music up there.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxB3GNmuHNRlmHvfX3f7ylJSJrhFZk_181DJpL_sLSt3d4vTqRJpZn58ZcatKSzilDXRIAbQCEXyoIiJV9A2UJg2fb8MTICCfDG5UB6fkphTZ-2bzQFYzf0lHdKKEX-oKtzSOkX2RzLte/s1600/sacodelic2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504259022724263458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxB3GNmuHNRlmHvfX3f7ylJSJrhFZk_181DJpL_sLSt3d4vTqRJpZn58ZcatKSzilDXRIAbQCEXyoIiJV9A2UJg2fb8MTICCfDG5UB6fkphTZ-2bzQFYzf0lHdKKEX-oKtzSOkX2RzLte/s320/sacodelic2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br />We arrived to a welcoming staff at The Parka which was a stone’s throw away. The last time we played there, the power went out and we got cut short on playing time. Nevertheless, Babz and crew remembered us and made us feel at home. After an easy set up, we ate some Parka grub and the Saco-delic faithful began to make their way over from the camp. hi8us rocked out for three sets to an awesome room full of shiny faces, and even celebrated Keyboard Mike’s B-day on stage at midnight. After it was all said and done, we made it back to the festival for a little after hours enjoyment before crashing. Some, “UB the DJ” playlists were the late night soundtrack of the festival and serenaded me to sleep sometime in the early hours of Sunday morning. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Sunday morning everyone started to slowly pack their stuff up and soaked in yet another beautiful day on the river. My dog Tobi enjoyed curling up on a raft in the middle of the Saco while we were swimming. The cleanup of the area was surprisingly painless, and despite those in attendance being spent after a weekend of revelry, everyone was in good spirits and feeling grewvy. In the early afternoon, a select few of us were still lingering to make sure everything was buttoned up. We all acknowledged what we had pulled off, and started talking about what we could do next year to make it even better. I pulled away over the long rolling hayfield and made my way towards route 16 feeling fine. Viva Sacodelic!! Miles down the road we stopped off at Martin’s and ordered fried oysters and clams. They were a 6.8 out of 10 on the Fried-Seafood-O-Meter. </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV1OCI9gwOLaB8qK8M9hKCgytLYXhLOuVgB0iEy8fpaJ1dIroWsdCjWxo_DfeAHrRgzQOs9WvtgLZwxXWdTp8aAnKK5bMtSTQw5aGv01b7cHu4sBQGIVyLKnGf4sE5yf71vSTg6ARTOv0/s1600/Sacodelic+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504258889013311250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV1OCI9gwOLaB8qK8M9hKCgytLYXhLOuVgB0iEy8fpaJ1dIroWsdCjWxo_DfeAHrRgzQOs9WvtgLZwxXWdTp8aAnKK5bMtSTQw5aGv01b7cHu4sBQGIVyLKnGf4sE5yf71vSTg6ARTOv0/s200/Sacodelic+8.jpg" /></a><br />jim<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-33233294614588397312010-08-11T15:12:00.006-04:002010-08-12T12:46:54.546-04:00Summer Catch Up (6.18 - 7.23.10 Shows)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcFvRUTAUSdHZV7zYtgstHyrf1QKQLRfESBGyedZiyAR5QfV3rXL6Nenhe4a8AsAO5vWM0FVSJo51T_f521ITOgOWGWVYjtNT7OVftk1SfT0HsISV7cSyyt4Rf-HJA-ZhbX-8pisdxMd7/s1600/prior+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504232484662812818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcFvRUTAUSdHZV7zYtgstHyrf1QKQLRfESBGyedZiyAR5QfV3rXL6Nenhe4a8AsAO5vWM0FVSJo51T_f521ITOgOWGWVYjtNT7OVftk1SfT0HsISV7cSyyt4Rf-HJA-ZhbX-8pisdxMd7/s400/prior+3.jpg" /></a> Since Osyrusfest we played a few dates around New England. We hit the Black Lobster in Salem MA on June 18th and then shot up to Manchester VT to play at the Perfect Wife the next night. That gig was perfect. After that, the next weekend we returned to Burlington, VT to play the outdoor stage at Red Square yet again. Man, we love that place! That was on June 26th. <div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBkvt86OwT_vog_ng2OGnULCsC2sFNZuLUb0YX8gA2s5ouiGRRQzfDejBvz6GCdQDyT1iEu5OhBqiUBno_I72xsQbHzsGpA0fBtbypJup_cREUqoh_IZpEYeoC7uQ4gFBv9J3gHAzuD9M/s1600/prior+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504232406934176050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBkvt86OwT_vog_ng2OGnULCsC2sFNZuLUb0YX8gA2s5ouiGRRQzfDejBvz6GCdQDyT1iEu5OhBqiUBno_I72xsQbHzsGpA0fBtbypJup_cREUqoh_IZpEYeoC7uQ4gFBv9J3gHAzuD9M/s320/prior+2.jpg" /></a><br />Gearing up for playing a few of our good friend’s weddings, we did a show out at Flavours in Pittsfield, MA on July 9th with Johnny D opening up for us again. His set out there was stellar! During this trip we stopped at the coolest random vintage shop on the side of the road. It was a junk collector’s absolute heaven. Trust me, I love junk! I bought a brown salt and pepper shaker set that sits on a built in spoon rest. Form and function all for $6! <div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLilvxZ0qiI3UldHSAHcfzKlRRfhZ9OaN3IdVz1g1UmdbgEDkKS1cnksgckvn7bX2yv7hqPL3qXrE0SwB5CnWBGgL_FD04VuECY4Nu22rj2Y6PkbyzMyAfOPj8fvlw5G2H2lz3muTuN16/s1600/prior+7.9.10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504232299574120050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLilvxZ0qiI3UldHSAHcfzKlRRfhZ9OaN3IdVz1g1UmdbgEDkKS1cnksgckvn7bX2yv7hqPL3qXrE0SwB5CnWBGgL_FD04VuECY4Nu22rj2Y6PkbyzMyAfOPj8fvlw5G2H2lz3muTuN16/s320/prior+7.9.10.jpg" /></a> We had another gig at the Black Lobster on July 23rd that we thought was going to get rained out. It actually turned out being a quiet but super fun night on the water. All of these gigs were cool, so cool in fact, that we didn’t want them to be lost as distant memories. Thanks to everyone who came out and had fun with us on these dates in time. </div><div></div><div>jim<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-54740850487596738022010-06-29T16:11:00.008-04:002010-06-30T13:35:55.671-04:00Osyrusfest, Coatesville, PA (6.11 - 6.13.10)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHzXTTuUT1kPd4puiaE6RiIGpgeaC4as9q_-KAxssrIj1I1ubJne0PZxDbJQr40xYwDrVePOmxKi1CI-bajkrP_Sy4MI07L3-nXQlWzHU9Fim45VZSi_2zqYRnreUvjv1Ze6tDJ9xwlq7/s1600/Ofest+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488291442204363058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHzXTTuUT1kPd4puiaE6RiIGpgeaC4as9q_-KAxssrIj1I1ubJne0PZxDbJQr40xYwDrVePOmxKi1CI-bajkrP_Sy4MI07L3-nXQlWzHU9Fim45VZSi_2zqYRnreUvjv1Ze6tDJ9xwlq7/s320/Ofest+1.jpg" /></a> After a gig at The Farm in Essex Vermont the previous Friday, the weekend of the highly anticipated Ofest had finally come. Our bus “Precious” and the band, sans Mike, who had to work Friday, made the trip down to Coatesville, PA for this annual party in the woods. Mike would follow later on that night to join up with us for our set on Saturday evening. Our friend Preston and his brother Paul own and run a high end concert lighting business and put on Ofest each year so they can showcase their skills and have a big party for their extended network of friends. The small festival has an amazing vibe. Everyone that attends has heard about the event through word of mouth, and the capacity is capped at 300 people. We were excited to be asked to play this year, and went down a day early to take in the event and party with our friends who were also going. Our buddy Tommy contributed beer for the fest, and came with hi8us in Precious along with a bunch of beer.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HMHegFtmVBtQesmJf3kQepzmoXela6TfUjw-LcHtCkNEW8fnBa1RAPfwc3EWXa6-zoRl6kxXN7Sxk9hToWFHte5oct1S-AwXMMk9bQTcaEQDLoa9VpAKQHXZKtp4jA_ot9PPOPBmjnMw/s1600/Ofest+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488291318517349698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HMHegFtmVBtQesmJf3kQepzmoXela6TfUjw-LcHtCkNEW8fnBa1RAPfwc3EWXa6-zoRl6kxXN7Sxk9hToWFHte5oct1S-AwXMMk9bQTcaEQDLoa9VpAKQHXZKtp4jA_ot9PPOPBmjnMw/s400/Ofest+2.jpg" /></a> We arrived to find a sweet little oasis within the rolling farmland of Amish-country PA. As you roll in you see a high cliff off to the right, and a full-on concert stage just below. Off to the far off left sits the schoolhouse which has been strategically lit to provide the most pimp backdrop to the festival once the sun goes down each night. The renovated schoolhouse sports a little patio area off to the left where the food for the fest was centralized. At the nucleus of this little area stands a field stone, wood fired grill that runs 24 hours a day for the entirety of the fest.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXE9m6jXNk7egnUh5RuXSX7clkpvShLQujeA2a9Vl1jaCvyn2-87vVjI_qCrno7-u0lQVvzx_jvLHAPEMzIh19Bizwo_qnYXwv6_Hs_DAHGPqv2GfH2FLKA9geJH_q1_nZnS7Iao2V38h/s1600/Ofest+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488291243437623666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXE9m6jXNk7egnUh5RuXSX7clkpvShLQujeA2a9Vl1jaCvyn2-87vVjI_qCrno7-u0lQVvzx_jvLHAPEMzIh19Bizwo_qnYXwv6_Hs_DAHGPqv2GfH2FLKA9geJH_q1_nZnS7Iao2V38h/s400/Ofest+3.jpg" /></a> Our set at the festival got cut short due to threatening rain just as we were really starting to get going Saturday night, but the overall enjoyment of the weekend made our lack of time on the stage sting a little bit less. The highlights of the weekend for me were the beer tasting summit that took place of Saturday afternoon. I tried about 25 samples of beer I had never even heard of. The highlight was a stout known as The Abyss. I need to look it up, but it was so smooth and tasted like a milk shake made by the devil… in a good way; ) Also, after our abbreviated set, I dropped about 5 pounds of Bob’s Ah-So Marinated Steak tips on the grill, and sent the scent of sweet cow-flesh heaven across the field of hippies. Like Yogi being drawn to a pick-a-nick basket, folks gravitated towards the grill and a fortunate few experienced the sacrament of Ah-So. A second late-night 5 pound batch was dropped at about 3am that night, and all hell broke loose once again. I felt like I made my mark at this festival more at the grill than I did on the stage, and I am okay with that. Sometimes you take what is dealt to you. This time around it was a piping hot BBQ, and about 10 pounds of premium beef I had in tow with me. Thanks to Preston and Paul for a great time. Viva Ofest!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIrtP1eWNFBHinLPDdLU4E7Urwmu_3J_1YEOo4o8dYPnc3RzkGp_OpwlSdR6zOqGbycBitcCD0MMV6BZmC0NU9AA57ZO6U2llmHa4ENnIQTZyq_E_24lV-Wc18M0cwBHkrb3ToNL-LLHk/s1600/Ofest+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488291168049567634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIrtP1eWNFBHinLPDdLU4E7Urwmu_3J_1YEOo4o8dYPnc3RzkGp_OpwlSdR6zOqGbycBitcCD0MMV6BZmC0NU9AA57ZO6U2llmHa4ENnIQTZyq_E_24lV-Wc18M0cwBHkrb3ToNL-LLHk/s400/Ofest+4.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH4-pDRZOzF_pGiAzpY3DB8EO6_Fk0IprXNSjfrzi-5EfnThArXpzj0CwFVY-58dY7iJmNTXV1rNBg3__MTaTdifXQ8byWpzgfXEF7c2QDOyDcFVlMujwdgLnPTGfJe8GTz1Wuh9e1YTp/s1600/Ofest+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488291087027537730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH4-pDRZOzF_pGiAzpY3DB8EO6_Fk0IprXNSjfrzi-5EfnThArXpzj0CwFVY-58dY7iJmNTXV1rNBg3__MTaTdifXQ8byWpzgfXEF7c2QDOyDcFVlMujwdgLnPTGfJe8GTz1Wuh9e1YTp/s320/Ofest+5.jpg" /></a> jim<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-23148832471430908992010-06-18T14:49:00.006-04:002010-06-18T14:56:51.098-04:00Gloucester & VT with the Dudes (5.20 - 5.21.10)Returning from a crazy tour around the USA, hi8us was back in New England this weekend playing a sweet pair of shows. We hit Captain Carlos in Gloucester on Friday night. The sets were fun and we all felt good about our playing. My friend Blackie came out to the show which I was psyched about. Blackie can sometimes get aggressive at shows, but was relatively well behaved on this evening in May. My cousin Billy and his boy Mark and their other buddy also rallied out. Bill had tuna steak for dinner at Cap’n Carlos, and said it was the best he has ever had. Billy is a big time foodie, so that is saying a lot for him. This is a shot of Billy and me helping Roland cut wood back in the 80’s up in NH. Good times!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrVwPrwNRGdqMfLh3NAkYpMF4WyjC-wkiNknbBeCaxivoD8bYWLgv_6G8eQQEQLIR2OD5tr_4LLIv1wcCRKfMrBoWwvDDotOXXBWieMFKQVuRZ9TjtClFW5Br4jBf9XtlQoaN7YKL4QvH/s1600/scan0050.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484188311830613842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrVwPrwNRGdqMfLh3NAkYpMF4WyjC-wkiNknbBeCaxivoD8bYWLgv_6G8eQQEQLIR2OD5tr_4LLIv1wcCRKfMrBoWwvDDotOXXBWieMFKQVuRZ9TjtClFW5Br4jBf9XtlQoaN7YKL4QvH/s400/scan0050.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqB-YeZ9_oNV9MpSj4I00fAOtjhoPqjwPmSjMqZ2XCWa7kHQw2K798ZLD4i7aPpEzbxtXlw4eR4FVXRKr07uZnq-LlU4r9REGY8vTZIcV3IjCGMfPqGiuNAFHvwKTWPJFKqqcBk5aej-IX/s1600/VT+3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484188189675267010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqB-YeZ9_oNV9MpSj4I00fAOtjhoPqjwPmSjMqZ2XCWa7kHQw2K798ZLD4i7aPpEzbxtXlw4eR4FVXRKr07uZnq-LlU4r9REGY8vTZIcV3IjCGMfPqGiuNAFHvwKTWPJFKqqcBk5aej-IX/s200/VT+3.jpg" /></a> </div><div>The next night we shot back up to Red Square in Burlington, VT. We played their excellent outside stage this time around. Our good friend Mark had his bachelor party in attendance and the crew of dudes were all fired up. These guys all got front and center and whooped it up for us. The rest of the folks in the audience all soon followed suit, and before we knew it, a crowd formed out on Church Street as well. With the PA pouring our stuff out onto Church Street, we finished the show out strong, and felt like champs as we exited the stage. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbIFy_Z1dRB3UABGE6n7kTND9Kw6b06g1CV6HMBZ6VaFyGPwpGo3gDkxwsQ-v-shbliFvUKFj7d3vcjY-PQjUZ53gMwWo55z3N5ONdepKstkHcInbccLeh7RRhwyyKjTrlCKstcUnw5wG/s1600/VT+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 232px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484188079762904242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbIFy_Z1dRB3UABGE6n7kTND9Kw6b06g1CV6HMBZ6VaFyGPwpGo3gDkxwsQ-v-shbliFvUKFj7d3vcjY-PQjUZ53gMwWo55z3N5ONdepKstkHcInbccLeh7RRhwyyKjTrlCKstcUnw5wG/s200/VT+2.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div>After the show, we returned to the Bachelor party pad on Lake Champlain and partied til the wee hours. The collection of friends at this gathering was awesome. I had the best time catching up with my old school buddies, and the Fisherman’s VW was pouring killer brew all night. I took a 3am plunge into the lake which allowed me to extend my party endurance by at least another hour. When it was all said and done, I retired to the bus for some much needed pass out action. We had actually planned on camping that night, and in the late-early morning cruised back to our campground a short distance away so we could chill there later that morning. It was a beautiful day in heady VT for sure.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDajcSY4-dLAbYdD4NTzEoZpPoLuuRF68lQuLHYCfT8sfWQG8q6WwbfLhUw8PdpKQsd9bnwJJ_dtLnUllNbXfCxr-E0oaHmV8ZplkoQ8SxRtzHhU4gWtvGSp5qQfmsSDOopJvTfZVpQyx/s1600/VT+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484187927805760882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDajcSY4-dLAbYdD4NTzEoZpPoLuuRF68lQuLHYCfT8sfWQG8q6WwbfLhUw8PdpKQsd9bnwJJ_dtLnUllNbXfCxr-E0oaHmV8ZplkoQ8SxRtzHhU4gWtvGSp5qQfmsSDOopJvTfZVpQyx/s320/VT+1.jpg" /></a>The weekend was such an unexpected surprise after the highly anticipated tour, and one of the best hangs I can remember having. Looking forward to Mark’s wedding in July. That was one hell of a sendoff buddy!<br /></div><div></div><div>jim<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-50488322379238526632010-06-10T18:12:00.010-04:002010-06-10T18:20:27.524-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (Chicago 5.16.10 - Tour Closer)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Tsqx8Da3HMdaiJNRcQuBTmLOn2wR49wm6hlAyeFliVWQb5JdKIoFO9QapAzWA3tcXpH_9_xSE92r18WsHitSAwEejF5tzHYNs3D2LN9xlkXNPipYAkVTndC_N385BHrICxSTybGAVzrR/s1600/Chicago+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481272196456867202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Tsqx8Da3HMdaiJNRcQuBTmLOn2wR49wm6hlAyeFliVWQb5JdKIoFO9QapAzWA3tcXpH_9_xSE92r18WsHitSAwEejF5tzHYNs3D2LN9xlkXNPipYAkVTndC_N385BHrICxSTybGAVzrR/s400/Chicago+8.jpg" /></a> Late night on Thursday May 14th hi8us finished packing up on Main Street in Park City. Precious was all loaded up and a big run of consecutive gigs was behind us. You could feel somewhat of a collective exhale from the five of us. The next night would mark our first night off in two weeks, and all we had to do was drive for a couple of days. A mother of a haul across Middle America and one last tour closer date in Chicago on Saturday night was all we had left of this big run. The mood was definitely up amongst everyone in the bus. There was a little pad of time built into this two day driving leg, and we had fun driving that long straight road that stretched for over a thousand miles to Chi-town.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLP8kDAT-ZZF2mPgVtbZ6rvBBR8y-LN4KhBOhoPRheJxkzp78gOvDgoWIDqFvYIJ0luqjPvpn3sKP4ceZ2XYhuHES-iUXvW7ggJBajmn8OBKJiXAKFpoKzM8qLFTRmdRbweL5bjYSvJlum/s1600/Chicago+7.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481272131027960082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLP8kDAT-ZZF2mPgVtbZ6rvBBR8y-LN4KhBOhoPRheJxkzp78gOvDgoWIDqFvYIJ0luqjPvpn3sKP4ceZ2XYhuHES-iUXvW7ggJBajmn8OBKJiXAKFpoKzM8qLFTRmdRbweL5bjYSvJlum/s320/Chicago+7.JPG" /></a> </div><div></div><div><br /><br />Friday night we scheduled a stop in North Platte Nebraska to catch the puck drop on game seven of the Bruins/Flyers series. I was all fired up for the game, Sam wasn’t, but he was a good sport. Plus, if there was WiFi nearby, Sam would be occupied for hours, and I could watch the B’s on their road to the Cup! I called the Touchdown Club in North Platte, NE from I-80 to see if they would have the game on and they gave me a confused “huh” like they had never heard of hockey before. After I explained my situation, they agreed to put the game on for me if we showed up. Sure enough, we arrived in N. Platte and pulled up to the Touchdown Club. As we walked in, I immediately understood why they were thrown off by my inquiry. As you looked around this huge bar you were able to relive the legacy of the Nebraska Cornhusker Football organization in exact detailed chronological order through all of the Husker memorabilia that littered the walls. For instance, there was an entire corner wall of the bar devoted to Bob Devaney. I learned that he was head coach through the 60’s and into the early 70, and he brought the Huskers to two consecutive National Championships and was National Coach of the year in 1971. He single handedly made them Huskers a perennial contender in college football. Little did I know that as I was being educated at the walls of the TD Club, the B’s were imploding on the ice of the Garden. The TD Club did have $5 pitchers though, so as history unfolded I was able to drown my sorrows in economically priced macro brew. Eventually, I stumbled back into Precious and crashed out hard and tried to put the reality of this colossal collapse out of my mind. </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481271983819185010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7aS9EP_HRqhO-FBJIK37rJmVY4YqauER00bgpZNIo6Zx758ltDqgGffCxEeOisrWDhvaoZDPxeUh0RtpkWBGDIK61EZ_tryJJ102OR0dTkyPxFYroXdU3iL0176moQoxW-OJW9q3poYF/s400/Chicago+1.jpg" /> When I came to, we were somewhere near the end of Iowa, and making good time. We eventually arrived in Chicago, and met up with Colin’s cousins Jill and Mark. These guys provide us with a mid-west oasis of comfort every time we come through town, and it seems to get better with each visit. This time through Jill and Mark had an awesome BBQ for the band with a crew of their friends in attendance, and then dragged that crew out to our gig at the Abbey Pub.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyp65y1DU7IFxXrpAKd5mHbXEbST2HAPCf4DQmFyB0aXHfHt9ZwWKe3dYn8es5xXNmY5ojNMjd17O3bmTYA0Tjtll9ZISg2wo0je-1ETTl0RVJVXvpcPoVPO8MgVYrS6TGu47UFjLte_T/s1600/Chicago+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481271899055003938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyp65y1DU7IFxXrpAKd5mHbXEbST2HAPCf4DQmFyB0aXHfHt9ZwWKe3dYn8es5xXNmY5ojNMjd17O3bmTYA0Tjtll9ZISg2wo0je-1ETTl0RVJVXvpcPoVPO8MgVYrS6TGu47UFjLte_T/s400/Chicago+4.jpg" /></a> Our show was excellent, and we even chilled out late night back at Jill and Mark’s with Tom the owner of the club. Tom was all about The Human Centepede, and was even able to turn Sam on to the film before the night was over. My favorite part of Jill and Mark’s this year was Jill’s parent’s little overweight dog Bamboo that no one seemed to like except me. Bamboo and I bonded immediately, and I scratched under his collar all night. He loved me too; ) Late night we watched a sweet Blind Faith concert DVD that I keep thinking about. That was the last thing I remember. No wait, I actually remember Tom from the Abbey saying with confidence that this was the Blackhawk’s year to win the cup. Damn, that Tom was a visionary!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazde79SfVI8eNEIV8RoXiYVbNhrqI87mBID_NzWnBW2rs7ey4FrYFvrd5hOMiCInwLlZKZaotHxDu9EbHTsg5DmwBPBJwmt2vbFLZ2ybHno9tlyq6kFkkemLkZYxtewtAGA8KMxn7w53r/s1600/Chicago+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481271742795578978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazde79SfVI8eNEIV8RoXiYVbNhrqI87mBID_NzWnBW2rs7ey4FrYFvrd5hOMiCInwLlZKZaotHxDu9EbHTsg5DmwBPBJwmt2vbFLZ2ybHno9tlyq6kFkkemLkZYxtewtAGA8KMxn7w53r/s320/Chicago+5.jpg" /></a> <div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzAneQGtabRsR5b1s9T5T46yyg74jIBTuVKG6oi_lcdnLt38bIIK7istZTlYU3zhM8Ccq9056dVFTHuV8fh9aOiJOK5xf_XzuVlV6hWYFKT8RE6PNzTtZPz13FpCamm8EHUoIhnnfoc8z/s1600/Chicago+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481271657517556802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzAneQGtabRsR5b1s9T5T46yyg74jIBTuVKG6oi_lcdnLt38bIIK7istZTlYU3zhM8Ccq9056dVFTHuV8fh9aOiJOK5xf_XzuVlV6hWYFKT8RE6PNzTtZPz13FpCamm8EHUoIhnnfoc8z/s400/Chicago+3.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalzcLPTN-W8EgRBBCaCFxv3RGeCdfAFAFLxQWtkfvU1T8KcQzIsY-o7gQcfY7YLiiik6xBFtAn6pBOegOEazHP-jF7hUrZroAPQmwPC4B1Zq8qOjdtS_9HVF_xIUN2-Ow2cv0cezPv1Is/s1600/Chicago+9.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481271567211497826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalzcLPTN-W8EgRBBCaCFxv3RGeCdfAFAFLxQWtkfvU1T8KcQzIsY-o7gQcfY7YLiiik6xBFtAn6pBOegOEazHP-jF7hUrZroAPQmwPC4B1Zq8qOjdtS_9HVF_xIUN2-Ow2cv0cezPv1Is/s320/Chicago+9.JPG" /></a> The next morning Mike and I said our goodbyes, and split to O’hare for a flight back to the Bean. Max, Mike and Sam would travel back with Precious over the next few days. We were sad to part with the dudes, but I think we all shared in the good feeling that our tour was awesome. Sitting back at work the very next morning, I thought back to the blur that the last three weeks had been. None of us even had a minor tiff during the whole trip, and our music had definitely taken this major leap forward from the awesomeness it already was; ) To think what a few weeks of playing every night did for our sound and to imagine getting to do that all the time… maybe someday. I always feel blessed that I have this bond with the dudes in the band. We are able to share something that most people never even know.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhWiDyE1tsfcxvprZjrtBXeXIFHI7q1LN84alfEjHiopVebPag3og5jrAoNTqw8fkg3L844cKGKtcq9hB4tzrlsmmo_TLKA9syl52spAtV7oTi8LF5IDD1YKPdwSqe4KU18sKxvqfOsKj/s1600/Chicago+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481271444260022226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhWiDyE1tsfcxvprZjrtBXeXIFHI7q1LN84alfEjHiopVebPag3og5jrAoNTqw8fkg3L844cKGKtcq9hB4tzrlsmmo_TLKA9syl52spAtV7oTi8LF5IDD1YKPdwSqe4KU18sKxvqfOsKj/s320/Chicago+6.jpg" /></a> jim</div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-87701467931254029792010-06-10T17:14:00.006-04:002010-06-10T17:29:49.366-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (Park City 5.13.10)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxtU7y7aDzR4yL33mj-0ml3JSO3V_Ih1rJY9YIyrsVGqMjCGCwVC1qgU1ybRPik87j9Tasf5APewdOpE9wS7LOU-BqFDUXL0FOHI0ipMM-mUiJWxVlwsX_qjbvNgUhkAkEuFVLiqlh0xe/s1600/Utah+1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481258840688159746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxtU7y7aDzR4yL33mj-0ml3JSO3V_Ih1rJY9YIyrsVGqMjCGCwVC1qgU1ybRPik87j9Tasf5APewdOpE9wS7LOU-BqFDUXL0FOHI0ipMM-mUiJWxVlwsX_qjbvNgUhkAkEuFVLiqlh0xe/s320/Utah+1.jpg" /></a><br />The long overnight drive through the Nevada desert in comfy confines of Precious was excellent. Despite our lack of sleep, we pulled together as a crew and were able to arrive in Park City with some time to spare Thursday morning. We holed up at our favorite Utah man-made reservoir within Jordanelle State Park outside Park City for some day-time shut eye. The ride through the desert was predominantly quiet and flat. The desert sky at night is like nothing you get on the east coast. The lack of ambient light in any direction makes those stars pop out a little brighter. Travelly was popular during this leg, and some of us were even able to log some solid sleep. By the time we all resurfaced on Thursday afternoon, we were ready to play some more music, and connect with our local friends before the gig.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLpJXHAHvv_Yr94qaphRDQE5ylhhzF_0L2USxUrgz8MyKZ4eJiS32tc8UlNCSVmwFWWvWOKUb4ZxUZvgGkTSVw83ZQxkyvhnS4HxEo20oGDh-obQBMYEL3D4PrGyQJrcP_LUeNPY4u6hD/s1600/Utah+4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481258773077540546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLpJXHAHvv_Yr94qaphRDQE5ylhhzF_0L2USxUrgz8MyKZ4eJiS32tc8UlNCSVmwFWWvWOKUb4ZxUZvgGkTSVw83ZQxkyvhnS4HxEo20oGDh-obQBMYEL3D4PrGyQJrcP_LUeNPY4u6hD/s320/Utah+4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My buddy Dave is one of my oldest and truest friends. I have been through it all with him. We met in high school and hit Umass Amherst together as roommates in Baker Hall freshman and sophomore year. Before that Dave and his all-star family took me under their wing as a youth and would annually take me skiing at the Loaf on school vacation and to cool weird events like the Bread and Puppet Festival in Glover Vermont every summer. I got exposed to so much culture and awesomeness that I probably would have never even known about if it wasn’t for Dave and his fam. Reconnecting with Dave and his bro Pete is always sweet. They are those friends you have that you see after a long time, and can pick up with right where you left off. Dave and Pete brought their local posse to the The Spur for our Thursday night spot. Pete sat in with us again on the harp, and we all had fun. I finally met Dave’s lady Summer who actually became Dave’s fiancé Summer the weekend after we were in Utah. Congrats to Dave and Summer! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpE7_lOdcU4ZzFZT51Qi8fbievtGEfGKx-XriOALCVYN4n8Gb2jaUq_4nCjE6XcgB3GI3LN1gdUIv7-xUMLgXDYiKOxXOAPyTegI9AufSRix9GOk_uD9c9mPJZ4oUAraBsjSjJmxiJlMu/s1600/Utah+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481258676681115986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpE7_lOdcU4ZzFZT51Qi8fbievtGEfGKx-XriOALCVYN4n8Gb2jaUq_4nCjE6XcgB3GI3LN1gdUIv7-xUMLgXDYiKOxXOAPyTegI9AufSRix9GOk_uD9c9mPJZ4oUAraBsjSjJmxiJlMu/s400/Utah+3.JPG" /></a> Keyboard Mike’s cousin Adam made a celebrity appearance parting from his kitchen in Salt Lake for the evening. Adam has been to every gig hi8us has played in Utah! On a Thursday during what we are told is the slowest time of the year in PC, the Spur was doing alright for the night and we were happy with the noise we made.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70qO4gcwnbtkMRLGBWVlk_9qo8BcpELEP7bWKLpG6OulCUR3qesVYMS1wfBRW_Pfq2BQifWgg-xZhugv6IuRlGpkw2y1N9WeCvqlXDxOGXcSRLWQmPORpo_taIzhOW_6XFDdEA1EzXVzN/s1600/Utah+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481258618331307842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70qO4gcwnbtkMRLGBWVlk_9qo8BcpELEP7bWKLpG6OulCUR3qesVYMS1wfBRW_Pfq2BQifWgg-xZhugv6IuRlGpkw2y1N9WeCvqlXDxOGXcSRLWQmPORpo_taIzhOW_6XFDdEA1EzXVzN/s400/Utah+2.jpg" /></a> It is cool to come out to Park City in the off-season. There is a quiet charm to this amazing ski town when there is no snow on the ground. It is sort of like Amherst in the summer… except during the school year in Amherst you never rip through champagne powder off the 9990 taking face shots and giggling to yourself. Stay well Utah. Polygamy forever!<br /><br />jim<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-70814151013269973282010-06-10T16:34:00.011-04:002010-06-10T17:13:19.314-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (San Fransisco & Benicia 5.11 - 5.12.10)Rolling into San Francisco on Tuesday 5/10, we had high hopes for another big gig in this great town. We had our boy Bill Benninghoff and his latest ensemble “Bearded Lady” opening yet another hi8us/Heavy Guilt co-bill. We were back at The Boom Boom Room and everyone was looking forward to playing hard. We met back up with our friends John and Al for some Indian food across the street from the club before the show. Dinner was amazing. I was ordering Nigroni’s and Mike was even able to recruit folks from the bar at the restaurant to head across the street for the show. Good PR Raka!<br />The Boom Boom filled up once again with a great cast of fans and friends from the Bay Area. Everyone in the band felt great about the night, and I got a chance to catch up with some old school buddies as well.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveOCIYbLw-SICzmjKCZa7mZNicNvVqNS-wbl9jbcROP9yyKs8DbWtotHzQHiFWP27UPQlq-cK9gWpacW6gFY1SM0xrbVWEGdALpKE7egSfuW0_f2ltKIs-Yk4Vpy2vHkRqa4dH8XduQod/s1600/NoCal+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481253019896001762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveOCIYbLw-SICzmjKCZa7mZNicNvVqNS-wbl9jbcROP9yyKs8DbWtotHzQHiFWP27UPQlq-cK9gWpacW6gFY1SM0xrbVWEGdALpKE7egSfuW0_f2ltKIs-Yk4Vpy2vHkRqa4dH8XduQod/s400/NoCal+1.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN8JLV9nfmX1IhNNpc2PmzGUUpF1oEnDPFEOSkoMLiql4mFQDhkNxi9Wt-K-zraIEow7AVa7XVJh_pejLDS9EKy0siReORKZTyKQV5aMHZdgmdH9xNmrse2FVHTF6bEPJ4DH7duZ9olBw/s1600/NoCal+6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481252942348415474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN8JLV9nfmX1IhNNpc2PmzGUUpF1oEnDPFEOSkoMLiql4mFQDhkNxi9Wt-K-zraIEow7AVa7XVJh_pejLDS9EKy0siReORKZTyKQV5aMHZdgmdH9xNmrse2FVHTF6bEPJ4DH7duZ9olBw/s320/NoCal+6.jpg" /></a> Late night we all hung out at our buddy Rodney’s AMAZING place over on the hill by the Twin Peaks tower. As I stood out on the third floor balcony looking over the city, I tried to let San Francisco soak in again for a little bit. It is really such a special place on the west coast, and perhaps the city I identify with the most when I am out here. A few years ago, when I was just out of college, my sister and I flew out here with our bikes, and did a big trip up the coast. We hit San Rafael, Saucilito, Point Reyes, saw George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch entrance, and eventually made it up to the Russian River. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyEMiu-Hk0PNw7aLDLATgdPuNX-Fqzcdpe6mzgwX9KSxtyrowQIac9btlOFmVTWPlQymYVju8atfFxOUoXdBOyJBU7GYYxKdS21t87lT1hE4xZ7vVYxcXWe62-iXDfuhOcJnEFguUwtrM/s1600/NoCal+5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481251744619845362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyEMiu-Hk0PNw7aLDLATgdPuNX-Fqzcdpe6mzgwX9KSxtyrowQIac9btlOFmVTWPlQymYVju8atfFxOUoXdBOyJBU7GYYxKdS21t87lT1hE4xZ7vVYxcXWe62-iXDfuhOcJnEFguUwtrM/s400/NoCal+5.jpg" /></a> </div><br />It was something I will never forget. I realized how much this amazing area has to offer, and it felt a little bittersweet to only be able to blow through town for a night. Nevertheless, I had super fun for this short stint, and left with new fond memories of the city by the bay.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>Wednesday morning we all rose and got ready for our short trip out to Benicia, CA. We really had no idea what to expect in this town on the outskirts of the city. We got some grub and ate in the bus on the way to the gig. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJZXDPqscemeyzOiXmc0H0Qpv2sp461XOR3EsybGqhTCsxOTfdQKolRtd3cY2jvN8ywpI8BaNeb7iSNHJwEqwYyS_h3BEW3SmtK90ix6_LJ0j7G7Jokne9blenI1JHiFY09ERQzyzct3L/s1600/NoCal+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481251636704936930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJZXDPqscemeyzOiXmc0H0Qpv2sp461XOR3EsybGqhTCsxOTfdQKolRtd3cY2jvN8ywpI8BaNeb7iSNHJwEqwYyS_h3BEW3SmtK90ix6_LJ0j7G7Jokne9blenI1JHiFY09ERQzyzct3L/s400/NoCal+3.JPG" /></a> We arrived at the Rellik Tavern with a little spare time to set up and get situated. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that our show was highly anticipated by the locals, and fairly well hyped in town. Someone even ponied up cash to reserve the couch right in front of the band ahead of time. The crowd at the Rellik was excellent. There was a good engaging crew on the reserved couch area that went back and forth with us all night. They were extra cool and informed us that Wednesdays were ladies night in Benicia.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBFwcjEdtCMBgW0L5xtDAlkeIOp9VoyvIjIG7tbl1jaVl21ruKN5UufkxE8sooAhF0emWvAxEDZU6iIXkObyMQ0RzVIkkZVIQhZCVqKzOgpLWimHyMgNyyGyU7PB_Fzwaes0RV3YdMEqG/s1600/NoCal+2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 346px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481251553380009042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBFwcjEdtCMBgW0L5xtDAlkeIOp9VoyvIjIG7tbl1jaVl21ruKN5UufkxE8sooAhF0emWvAxEDZU6iIXkObyMQ0RzVIkkZVIQhZCVqKzOgpLWimHyMgNyyGyU7PB_Fzwaes0RV3YdMEqG/s400/NoCal+2.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The ladies were into hi8us, and we even gave them some sound bytes of the Boston accent between songs. One of the women couldn’t quite handle the authenticity of our “r” deficient dialect, or might have been too drunk or just had some kind of chemical imbalance, but she insisted on shouting “wicked retarded” after any rest in the music. Fortunately, like they do in the wolf pack, or in this case the cougar pride, the rest of the girls sniffed this little man out and she was eventually squeezed from her prime spot on the couch, and we didn’t hear her substandard attempts at “wicked” or “car” or “Wal-Maaht” again for the rest of the show. Actually, if she had thought to throw “Wal-Mart” into the rotation of words within her Boston impression, I would have had some respect for her, and would have insisted they let her stay. After the gig, our Benicia crew in the front row insisted they didn’t know her, and that they teamed up on her high-school girl-style to let it be known that she was being rude and they didn’t want her around. </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnhiYOEAkpKmY6g9UHbJMkt7fRGjvD3aJWbnHTb3gUBEh_DBPn9PM8XyM78lhyphenhyphenuz1jnYNR0oppEwm54SqyBuyyNFInEpdXjYGlZ1CFFhITY2D1MrPYZNv27BMquVWZH8l7WREJ1Zx45N1/s1600/NoCal+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481251388120873362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnhiYOEAkpKmY6g9UHbJMkt7fRGjvD3aJWbnHTb3gUBEh_DBPn9PM8XyM78lhyphenhyphenuz1jnYNR0oppEwm54SqyBuyyNFInEpdXjYGlZ1CFFhITY2D1MrPYZNv27BMquVWZH8l7WREJ1Zx45N1/s400/NoCal+4.jpg" /></a> We had a blast at this sleeper gig in Benicia to cap off our 5 night California leg of the tour. We were all feeling good and were mentally prepared for the overnight haul out to Park City that was ahead of us that night. California been very very good to hi8us. Tank you fohr da good times Arnold! </div><div> </div><div>jim</div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-74299543884271887952010-06-10T16:04:00.015-04:002010-06-10T16:33:58.106-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (Santa Cruz 5.10.10)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjtqE6n62KQWiFexQOu0BKhiabuf7mI87xJQtUr93kp3tLRYf5wwdm459bvv08XpAGn8z2reoiW7PtbNjwyvLLPo5pQgGgqRusIq8ZeFo_zr4erugSRBr9M94iJwbwdo-Z5UJV-ltpTkx/s1600/Santa+Cruz+2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481244444536127426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjtqE6n62KQWiFexQOu0BKhiabuf7mI87xJQtUr93kp3tLRYf5wwdm459bvv08XpAGn8z2reoiW7PtbNjwyvLLPo5pQgGgqRusIq8ZeFo_zr4erugSRBr9M94iJwbwdo-Z5UJV-ltpTkx/s320/Santa+Cruz+2.JPG" /></a> After a night of bag shots and a solo camp out session within the comfy confines of Precious, on the streets of LA, I woke to the dudes arriving back at the vehicle. We began our long trek up to Santa Cruz.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONmCe5r4UMBZUHjchSlU_wLhUI68qikc5-6wFJqebWauClSuiuzvaD5AALdoLXosFCGqnPzSf4cOk4vOoUHbzXqCVns9qtWOmHDnuzbHZXDYvto53tKGlCcM2_mpD1woaaC0fEa7wMEoK/s1600/Santa+Cruz+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481244389670128626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONmCe5r4UMBZUHjchSlU_wLhUI68qikc5-6wFJqebWauClSuiuzvaD5AALdoLXosFCGqnPzSf4cOk4vOoUHbzXqCVns9qtWOmHDnuzbHZXDYvto53tKGlCcM2_mpD1woaaC0fEa7wMEoK/s400/Santa+Cruz+5.jpg" /></a> The gig at Don Quioxtes was thinly attended to say the least, but Jackson behind the board was extra friendly, and ran a great stage. After the gig we shot to the campground at Big Basin and settled for the night at our most perfect campsite amongst the Redwoods. We woke to these giants towering over our site. The feeling of having such huge trees all around you is one of a kind. The serenity of those dense woods makes the whole mood something unique. I felt like at any moment storm troopers were going to come whizzing by me on speeder bikes with that eerie “whooomm” sound following behind. It never happened, and I didn’t have a light saber to cut off the stabilizer front end thing on the front of the speeder should one have happened to approach me.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6SO-p_6RGut7cMOFrh2lPgaoLPF7pljUFu-q4NQke3XMf2pw9I-Ak5jrX0Y5SUci_n1JZKEXOHUVLTnT5bvQ7En_HyfzZ4q7tFF-8Lhu5FsFqFc7x9DTHWmIEPGbG0z2xEv_so7Mi3YC/s1600/Santa+Cruz+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481244308345835042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6SO-p_6RGut7cMOFrh2lPgaoLPF7pljUFu-q4NQke3XMf2pw9I-Ak5jrX0Y5SUci_n1JZKEXOHUVLTnT5bvQ7En_HyfzZ4q7tFF-8Lhu5FsFqFc7x9DTHWmIEPGbG0z2xEv_so7Mi3YC/s320/Santa+Cruz+4.jpg" /></a> Maxi enjoyed some time making a fire in the morning while we enjoyed some breakfast IPAs, and then we took the official tour of forest.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg3wkzuv6MdMBevoc0PrLvqxZFTmAWhfdcKASH6wRzypFH_IWmelpEh42M71qxkilpf1dkI__P4YMPOE1c-cSBSCP63TQTNmBfTnaC34BxGGH2pJJRLSzI9oQX3yc3bDADcaKEsT4vTzw/s1600/Santa+Cruz+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481244215969356066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg3wkzuv6MdMBevoc0PrLvqxZFTmAWhfdcKASH6wRzypFH_IWmelpEh42M71qxkilpf1dkI__P4YMPOE1c-cSBSCP63TQTNmBfTnaC34BxGGH2pJJRLSzI9oQX3yc3bDADcaKEsT4vTzw/s400/Santa+Cruz+3.jpg" /></a> The Mother of the Forest is a 330ft Redwood and was the tallest tree in the area. These big trees also made me think back to my childhood book Merrill the High Flying Squirrel. Merrill was a little squirrel that enjoyed climbing about the trees, as most squirrels do. Then one day he ended up cruising up to northern California and all of a sudden he stumbled upon these huge Redwoods and he couldn’t believe what he had been missing. Merrill was pumped about the Redwoods. <div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XxIYcmxUbL3qef1GEMirWXkJBXKx7Iy349jKzDMfkiCyhkZDdA-ajMSlNuz-xtArQLm4OIU7MsFJze5Mw-8oAWaTMuastpPPXJ2iniaRePHl1fc0_uOU8Ms75SFtAuYkR6nyWKWKSR3U/s1600/Santa+Cruz+7.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481244007509760034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XxIYcmxUbL3qef1GEMirWXkJBXKx7Iy349jKzDMfkiCyhkZDdA-ajMSlNuz-xtArQLm4OIU7MsFJze5Mw-8oAWaTMuastpPPXJ2iniaRePHl1fc0_uOU8Ms75SFtAuYkR6nyWKWKSR3U/s320/Santa+Cruz+7.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />A lot more happened in the book, but that was a long time ago for me. A good read though… check it out.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi-8uWBqlZFC0Qflj36Q6-OFIDZ4GNxPlZH0erOs5H0fx-ysHsEfRoiRw4iQ8ppoGGCa-QAJDfTSIo6SpN4kutQQJ4zlamI3YlxVSgPmoT1r-L-GfwOHOJgZQ8zD2xu_2mXAyLFnAvBHV/s1600/Santa+Cruz+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481243898793720930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi-8uWBqlZFC0Qflj36Q6-OFIDZ4GNxPlZH0erOs5H0fx-ysHsEfRoiRw4iQ8ppoGGCa-QAJDfTSIo6SpN4kutQQJ4zlamI3YlxVSgPmoT1r-L-GfwOHOJgZQ8zD2xu_2mXAyLFnAvBHV/s400/Santa+Cruz+1.JPG" /></a> jim</div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-39629607572033387612010-06-10T15:46:00.012-04:002010-06-15T10:43:21.234-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (San Diego & Los Angeles 5.8 - 5.9.10)Saturday afternoon we hit the highway and trekked across the desert towards the West Coast. I forgot to mention that heading into Vegas we made another pass by the Hoover Dam. A part of me felt bad that I had insisted we detour to the Dam back in 2008. I was convinced it was going to be the only time I would get to see that thing, and now here I was again, and it was right on our way this time. Oh well, the thing is still nuts, pal!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LNuoUd7oZ31Nn-VSqIJijofJZCkfYhcF7QblKKhLMa6bwWjl94ENXSQRv7CdAasMeWSZOVtPNcNv-sZFdGK-FzGJHEIDugOMv424KPHtcl-ywBkj8F3ysg0-BbWHkoUE1jLGB_HiMLk2/s1600/SoCal+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481234860575976274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LNuoUd7oZ31Nn-VSqIJijofJZCkfYhcF7QblKKhLMa6bwWjl94ENXSQRv7CdAasMeWSZOVtPNcNv-sZFdGK-FzGJHEIDugOMv424KPHtcl-ywBkj8F3ysg0-BbWHkoUE1jLGB_HiMLk2/s400/SoCal+1.JPG" /></a> We rolled into the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego and pulled up to the club. Portugalia is a restaurant right downtown, and they had a decent setup for a show. We ate at the club, and the food was amazing. Mike ordered a pizza that made it back to the bus, and later on it was savored by all. I always hear bad things about west coast pie, but this thing was terrific. The gig was also great. This show was our first night with The Heavy Guilt as a full ensemble. The rest of the band was extra nice, and they pulled a huge crowd for their hometown show. hi8us had their own local fans in the room for our opener set, and we felt like we played it really well.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jecuxcZy8W7E8uULtAVdx9OHUM2okHRMp7VyWPYc3z8V3t7-Xh4hd2uCDcyzoyxIZaWWnZOySN3Jtl5URzMFxgcWnFpfSOdPm8slB6bdtDupvQ1H61tAjeVAqP70BhHo5oK0t0oOgOrc/s1600/SoCal+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481234790761377794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jecuxcZy8W7E8uULtAVdx9OHUM2okHRMp7VyWPYc3z8V3t7-Xh4hd2uCDcyzoyxIZaWWnZOySN3Jtl5URzMFxgcWnFpfSOdPm8slB6bdtDupvQ1H61tAjeVAqP70BhHo5oK0t0oOgOrc/s400/SoCal+2.JPG" /></a> <div>After the gig we made the call to shoot up to LA where we were playing the next night. We stayed with Sam’s buddy Joey and went out for a huge breakfast the next morning. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481234716008228306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqDWS_Xu7PZIr3HAB4KllHPSgp6WhXiSkD3ML-PzaxtuOFkIBXrP0_nmqFgXqFbSqHVPZZ23bwRcOOryIwOgbmQRiyIqX2cCizJ86koZGoj7Xk9DpaE9MvkV5vxIXmb6fnQ3X9cVtRq4M/s400/SoCal+3.jpg" /> After breakfast we went to our buddy Andrew’s up on the cliffs of Pacific Palisades. We chilled out at his place for the afternoon and decompressed a bit. Andrew’s backyard overlooks Santa Monica to the left and Malibu to the right. It felt like we were in a scene out of Entourage, except while we taking in the view we were doing our laundry in a coin operated washer/dryer downstairs. Whatever though, life was good. We were looking out on the Pacific. The Ferris Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier was off in the distance. Everyone was psyched to get to play our stuff in LA. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvt8paW5JDOPH16WreLafjJNEOL_GSs3Hm0YmL5Hu4oc_zcg2VvUYOoWvKxhvh9TLIe-4CKaPFuqD7pfsViehc0-5FpWaIvqRv4veuw3oR-qCJOiCEXTr8qKfuHjDlxdGWItK6AJg4OGE/s1600/SoCal+6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481234642529587778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvt8paW5JDOPH16WreLafjJNEOL_GSs3Hm0YmL5Hu4oc_zcg2VvUYOoWvKxhvh9TLIe-4CKaPFuqD7pfsViehc0-5FpWaIvqRv4veuw3oR-qCJOiCEXTr8qKfuHjDlxdGWItK6AJg4OGE/s320/SoCal+6.JPG" /></a> In a town where you are competing with everyone and their brother for a crowd, we had our own little pocket of heads in the room. Dan Rockett played a solo opener set, then the Guilt, then us. The sound was great, and the vibe of the room was nice. Highlight of the night for me was my old school buddy Bill making it out for the show. Bill and I used to spend all of our time together playing whiffle ball in Keith Higgins’ driveway and bombing around on our little skies at Loon Mountain when our families went on February vacation together. Our families always remained close after Bill and his fam moved out to Wisconsin, but somehow he and I just never crossed paths again. After the gig we all hung out and caught up a little bit. It had literally been 20 years since I had seen my old friend, and the best part was that cool feeling of familiarity that was there immediately as we started talking. Bill is the man, and Los Angeles was good to hi8us this time around.<br /></div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlSiEuJPtADEDUu5YlkjwPwJFzPf2QEMu4COtLGUr6Od-f_n2qd_Si-AQd6wdL-fjhAAqcM51o6X2h00Wk87s1FSkm-48Mu-rT66P9eWUy_LGvOngvfZ9RRXm5V0xv2TZP9qRYFsnoS-g/s1600/SoCal+7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481234526212670674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlSiEuJPtADEDUu5YlkjwPwJFzPf2QEMu4COtLGUr6Od-f_n2qd_Si-AQd6wdL-fjhAAqcM51o6X2h00Wk87s1FSkm-48Mu-rT66P9eWUy_LGvOngvfZ9RRXm5V0xv2TZP9qRYFsnoS-g/s400/SoCal+7.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib38df7ddazPfjPyGqM7GPDNs63cEYyY-Ynb8wVyf_lgJEHO6B5E4wjIuifQRSClweXgR-8KXUG_IpD3v4sP98dN4wS5aDn8lj6mx1nhYZgDvDc66tRKhimDAYVAMWFJftXnIJnNyy_CQk/s1600/SoCal+9.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481234282758069778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib38df7ddazPfjPyGqM7GPDNs63cEYyY-Ynb8wVyf_lgJEHO6B5E4wjIuifQRSClweXgR-8KXUG_IpD3v4sP98dN4wS5aDn8lj6mx1nhYZgDvDc66tRKhimDAYVAMWFJftXnIJnNyy_CQk/s320/SoCal+9.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwBSOfyqf9gh2D5_ag-senSrYSwU97BR5x5ZA2QkJbBfh5RkGxr4chPjCO1S_xnOp_5OPK9lucjpFn5uT2KfS6xC9yFrsmQltIelLtuSDl9GltDlXyHVEBuzaQvT0vzdqxbQw0VMYiSiL/s1600/SoCal+8.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481234137009517346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwBSOfyqf9gh2D5_ag-senSrYSwU97BR5x5ZA2QkJbBfh5RkGxr4chPjCO1S_xnOp_5OPK9lucjpFn5uT2KfS6xC9yFrsmQltIelLtuSDl9GltDlXyHVEBuzaQvT0vzdqxbQw0VMYiSiL/s320/SoCal+8.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>A big thanks to Bill, Mike, Yael, Andrew, Julie, Joey, Dan and Sam’s crew for coming out and feeling that east coast style for a night in the city of angels.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA97PCwCeJH62Eq8iqIk2pwy8hYdoNBzknLfVGKVcYgO3GsuSHw6dKdu9fQh0JoFMqUjYTwIdG3b3roBAAS5FC80TzOEtUQ9S-lrNxzQ340EFjjiHrTx7US1HHlrczNLUE1OYrztJ8pPD/s1600/SoCal+4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481233943962982082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA97PCwCeJH62Eq8iqIk2pwy8hYdoNBzknLfVGKVcYgO3GsuSHw6dKdu9fQh0JoFMqUjYTwIdG3b3roBAAS5FC80TzOEtUQ9S-lrNxzQ340EFjjiHrTx7US1HHlrczNLUE1OYrztJ8pPD/s400/SoCal+4.JPG" /></a> jim</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-91553189794453187812010-06-10T14:03:00.014-04:002010-06-15T10:29:44.415-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (Grand Canyon & Las Vegas 5.7.10)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeowlT0JX93MwqVTlAPGNcimGIhLAEmY8wp6dB7lkAyR4tqoQnqtWQOCDXd8_vU_9bw9_3eot4cmVgV3Myrf89FDEYFiFQATLLK4_teH55_goptDuaPwc2TFfIU1Id63ir7FYDyzKW0o_/s1600/Vegas+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481208511861464450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeowlT0JX93MwqVTlAPGNcimGIhLAEmY8wp6dB7lkAyR4tqoQnqtWQOCDXd8_vU_9bw9_3eot4cmVgV3Myrf89FDEYFiFQATLLK4_teH55_goptDuaPwc2TFfIU1Id63ir7FYDyzKW0o_/s400/Vegas+1.JPG" /></a> Our experience at the Grand Canyon was amazing. After another visit later in the day with the whole crew awake, we hit the road for Vegas. The band was looking forward to making our 2nd appearance in Sin City. All the kids at the Las Vegas Jam Band Society showed up at our last gig, and the night was awesome. This time around, the LVJBS actually put on the show, and we knew they rolled strong, so we were all feeling optimistic about the night.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-DQ_-44x-Bz1QCfuigdV5hI_4S5TnxtNCc7s_xThnmWIlkF8cq4k3FZ-cSM1n6ZNX9l0Ep3HApj2FwAznen13hUQFi0LRmCmj-nv0xPbuDJ40cQz2lV_PNgywLJ2ZGrxvPuH7PnnuO57/s1600/Vegas+8.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481208404842551986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-DQ_-44x-Bz1QCfuigdV5hI_4S5TnxtNCc7s_xThnmWIlkF8cq4k3FZ-cSM1n6ZNX9l0Ep3HApj2FwAznen13hUQFi0LRmCmj-nv0xPbuDJ40cQz2lV_PNgywLJ2ZGrxvPuH7PnnuO57/s200/Vegas+8.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDmVSenIcCqPwUW8iGnWm1Xakebpb39b-28Y_YL42cRSNIkI18y0N4LLHy7o_ZRKB2hn4pfcIu1WZ1G02x0cd8IV1QgInZEnJWvuNAqVbfu1KZjIDBDt1q-CehhdxRBoO7plYg-NTwFsH/s1600/Vegas+2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481208320844293010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDmVSenIcCqPwUW8iGnWm1Xakebpb39b-28Y_YL42cRSNIkI18y0N4LLHy7o_ZRKB2hn4pfcIu1WZ1G02x0cd8IV1QgInZEnJWvuNAqVbfu1KZjIDBDt1q-CehhdxRBoO7plYg-NTwFsH/s320/Vegas+2.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyj7xylMTruYq_k57YI-f28JxqMNZo4Alj2sT94faOXTbI-7QZei4yYpcFef4GxtSJDmH_ltM_LmrSG_-nXXj6X_dfNbCOQi-IKFa5ys8pkQ_SBwRBy7-QPgnCyRSr__fkVQgMjp1QTZI/s1600/Vegas+3.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481208183635369362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyj7xylMTruYq_k57YI-f28JxqMNZo4Alj2sT94faOXTbI-7QZei4yYpcFef4GxtSJDmH_ltM_LmrSG_-nXXj6X_dfNbCOQi-IKFa5ys8pkQ_SBwRBy7-QPgnCyRSr__fkVQgMjp1QTZI/s320/Vegas+3.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrHIZ5y2xqtDVqS2DkRPP-ZzRkIhxAERUbfJKx1dkqUnOjzBuDdX7uZg6JV-sQWwjfrVn87vdVBVJFSdYaz6HSuds4pW7Q2jsbsJXmvJVr2uUM17cuhIMD93BHRXvn0mPCoB0_yq5L8a5/s1600/Vegas+4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481207995328820578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrHIZ5y2xqtDVqS2DkRPP-ZzRkIhxAERUbfJKx1dkqUnOjzBuDdX7uZg6JV-sQWwjfrVn87vdVBVJFSdYaz6HSuds4pW7Q2jsbsJXmvJVr2uUM17cuhIMD93BHRXvn0mPCoB0_yq5L8a5/s400/Vegas+4.JPG" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbotsMTPL_T09XN05gCgBX_fxKvC-67UW6SY8WI-bG-T8M6DXwzQPWrsiYpfvcZ5LEXiteSGSf8mwmSFSwcfwVaUkkb5C3yd37kBccxaF2o4DCTmy74o-0G7QMfIb4vDlQlsX-k0YOXU9/s1600/Vegas+6.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481207707688769090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbotsMTPL_T09XN05gCgBX_fxKvC-67UW6SY8WI-bG-T8M6DXwzQPWrsiYpfvcZ5LEXiteSGSf8mwmSFSwcfwVaUkkb5C3yd37kBccxaF2o4DCTmy74o-0G7QMfIb4vDlQlsX-k0YOXU9/s320/Vegas+6.JPG" /></a> </div><br />Before the show, Mike, Colin and I were in the bar section of the club playing video poker and the bartender behind the bar was mixing up drinks like a pro. She's a bartender in Vegas… I guess she was a pro in the truest sense now that I think about it. Anyway, her buddy was sitting across the bar and next to us. She finished mixing a drink, and took a quick sip and exclaimed to him “Ahh, now that’s a fucking drink” The emphatic claim peaked my interest, and I asked her what it was. She explained that the drink is a Nigroni, and that it’s a “bartender’s drink”. I asked her for one, and she started pouring. The drink is equal parts gin, campari and sweet vermouth on the rocks… with an orange twist garnish if you’re fancy. Fortunately, gin is my booze of choice, and my go-to is a gin and tonic when opt for the hard stuff. I took my first sip of my first Nigroni, and I instantly knew it was my new fave. I enjoyed Nigronis for the rest of my time in Vegas, and have found myself ordering them when I am at a cocktail impasse ever since. It beats the hell out of asking for Jack and Cokes like everyone else on the planet.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7LXDO-1QQ1eDK0agrwKl4rbYgA5AXRSSbgl9p2IL3riF_URKmYxGR5tZR3Kvp9brIanK798qBreEaQs7E7s5qZuhKbd__3MYvRI3l2qdYTmWhIr05xEEdv_YVGe-r8A3lV_xUiwOmbnn/s1600/Vegas+7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481207579519567986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7LXDO-1QQ1eDK0agrwKl4rbYgA5AXRSSbgl9p2IL3riF_URKmYxGR5tZR3Kvp9brIanK798qBreEaQs7E7s5qZuhKbd__3MYvRI3l2qdYTmWhIr05xEEdv_YVGe-r8A3lV_xUiwOmbnn/s400/Vegas+7.JPG" /></a> With the West Coast on the horizon for hi8us, we packed up once again and lingered a little bit longer with our awesome crew of friends from Vegas. The night was definitely an emotional boost for us, and made after hours at the motel tons of fun. We were really starting to feel that vibe of being a band on the road at this point. We all had our tour legs under us, and our playing was really evolving into this tight little music machine again… we could all sense it. I had aspirations of doing some late night gambling that night, but it never happened. I recall Mike and me ending up on the couch with Travelly as the sun was coming up. We were eating a bag of those fluorescent colored mustard pretzel things that taste like heaven when you are banged up and we were washing them down with Torpedo IPAs. This all went down while half watching Marky Mark in his role as the frontman for Steel Dragon in the movie Rock Star. The irony was perfect.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xDyPAPjfpT1gCinmqFtED_EdeYU6suKFn5USf0W3M1PbpD7JWT6g6dC7F5qWfTRspm-w35Pppt_QNjzX4TatTf4wl39FyjrC5t4B0n7_bUaRu2wWMikXD3rPTSmOsD-3sbwm4YRnxt69/s1600/Vegas+5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481207511105910658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xDyPAPjfpT1gCinmqFtED_EdeYU6suKFn5USf0W3M1PbpD7JWT6g6dC7F5qWfTRspm-w35Pppt_QNjzX4TatTf4wl39FyjrC5t4B0n7_bUaRu2wWMikXD3rPTSmOsD-3sbwm4YRnxt69/s400/Vegas+5.JPG" /></a> jim</div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-62699403589574207502010-06-10T13:16:00.008-04:002010-06-15T10:23:51.923-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (Flagstaff & Grand Canyon 5.6.10)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hselC4kbGCM8DnQ4w7RReB4INFlRRXNLYwTgBOjquQsEyPE_XaNWrD4vAqNBZregVqv8y6iWaOi7huZbD0HjDREp4JzevtcYnM6nfO3eVZTzXbxIz0eZTFw_hIyDGOTnxq4sVUjK3pKU/s1600/Flagstaff+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481199797386156322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hselC4kbGCM8DnQ4w7RReB4INFlRRXNLYwTgBOjquQsEyPE_XaNWrD4vAqNBZregVqv8y6iWaOi7huZbD0HjDREp4JzevtcYnM6nfO3eVZTzXbxIz0eZTFw_hIyDGOTnxq4sVUjK3pKU/s400/Flagstaff+1.jpg" /></a> We had highly anticipated our next gig at the Flagstaff Brewing Company. It was thirsty Thursday, and more importantly, it was our first bill with the dudes in The Heavy Guilt from San Diego. It was actually just a few of them for right now…Eric Canzona and Al Howard to be exact. We set up, ate some grub and met Eric and Al as we were getting ready to soundcheck. The stripped down Guilt had Eric on acoustic and Al on percussion and other stuff. We got our first taste of The Guilt’s style when we caught their opener set. Al plays everything under the sun as a percussion instrument… including his tone bending circa 1986 modded mini boom box and a mop head with bottle caps manually attached to it.. We liked these guys from the start, and things were looking up for the next five dates we were playing with them. We were glad we dug on their music. It was a relief. By the end of the night, we had won the room of strangers over with our east coast rock style. After a chaotic load out and getaway, Precious was fueled up and ready to sprint towards the Grand Canyon for a late night camping boondoggle. We had a site reserved at this wonder of the world, and a late night push seemed like short work at this point. The reality of the leg was something different…<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC0bg2MU8SWACOkP9ApT-RubuNpV70JGVQOn52NIFO5zpNPTM6T-4mpC9fpOgR418LztVWs5Q0qlmn_SWXMadsmhasdivNe8JdLOF0dWaP2vlEkgnm16HW062WsF_gjD_6KRsLTuw1tIS/s1600/Flagstaff+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481199655633649170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC0bg2MU8SWACOkP9ApT-RubuNpV70JGVQOn52NIFO5zpNPTM6T-4mpC9fpOgR418LztVWs5Q0qlmn_SWXMadsmhasdivNe8JdLOF0dWaP2vlEkgnm16HW062WsF_gjD_6KRsLTuw1tIS/s320/Flagstaff+2.jpg" /></a> Long ago I had decided that seeing the Grand Canyon was one of those things I must do before I die. I would say “10 things I do before I die”, but getting to a place in Arizona is pretty attainable. All you need is some spare time and a little expendable income, and you’re there. I can’t go around having all these very attainable “10 things I do before I die” items. What happens if I knock them all off by the time I am 43, and then I have a bunch more years of living with nothing to do before I die. I guess I could have one thing on there like “eat 100 grape leaves in one sitting, or levitate”, that could keep me busy in the sunset years of my life… anyway, I digress. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLrmvQn5iRkDltJ9Sc-lzsot9WIdzTz9vYi-vzgrcdAbxQaIjkMpr9o1s28nk60TymdOEIYQk59wNHiIUEary_O_E3rslwEEuBcQcNKmlhJnRV72c2PqoOM_io4z4NJz8sX3okPFT0W3d/s1600/Flagstaff+4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481199496786721890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLrmvQn5iRkDltJ9Sc-lzsot9WIdzTz9vYi-vzgrcdAbxQaIjkMpr9o1s28nk60TymdOEIYQk59wNHiIUEary_O_E3rslwEEuBcQcNKmlhJnRV72c2PqoOM_io4z4NJz8sX3okPFT0W3d/s320/Flagstaff+4.jpg" /></a><br />The drive to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff ended up taking a while. By the time we got to the park, the sky was early morning blue, and the loser birds were chirping. Maxi was driving, and I was in shotgun. I was very excited despite our severe lack of sleep. Max looked pretty excited too. With the rest of our posse crashed out in back, Max and I travelled up the road to the observation area to get a quick peek at the canyon before we went to sleep. As we approached the parking area, there was this unique feeling in the air. We were surrounded by short trees on either side of the road. You couldn’t really see anything special around you, but for some reason you could just sense that this massive hole in the ground was close by. I think it was similar to that feeling you get when you’re hiking, and you approach a lake in the woods. You can’t really see the lake, but you can just tell that there is big open space near you. It was either that sort of feeling or all the signs we were passing that said “Grand Canyon Viewing Area Ahead”.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTubzBtGrJh7UnnhGbLZfli3mje_6Y6T-QSTsrHPDWGIgTnbmeRkjVcsRe2XXQlnmK26YFxp2_1XA3GGBrc2K-h22OHipH6rwN6HnAnv2yZ8F9gMSvjwtXC8xhuDG7C82S2lt4-WyFdagH/s1600/Flagstaff+3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481199195769638370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTubzBtGrJh7UnnhGbLZfli3mje_6Y6T-QSTsrHPDWGIgTnbmeRkjVcsRe2XXQlnmK26YFxp2_1XA3GGBrc2K-h22OHipH6rwN6HnAnv2yZ8F9gMSvjwtXC8xhuDG7C82S2lt4-WyFdagH/s320/Flagstaff+3.jpg" /></a><br />Max and I walked up to the canyon at dawn. There were a fair number of observers there taking in the scene. Everyone shared in a quiet serenity. You lay your eyes on that big canyon for the first time, and nothing you have seen or heard about it before seems to have done it any real justice. We hiked out to the edge of a butte and took in the silence of the AM as sun crept up over the far edge of the canyon. There was nothing to say. We just stood there in the beauty of nature doing its finest work. It was something special. I will never forget it. It might actually be one of the top 10 things I have ever done. </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFerjhiSUQiOp_NUll38SQX04imFYXYqc5vuX-m6A2ec6ax0tN4LkWXNPOHq_JtUgG_zfkidQVc2-OvQlO22AbfqZcnXjnA2TOvQP7nSWfkb9L9xJZueopInSCHGtLu_gFEeWRcEQAjAq/s1600/Flagstaff+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481199083902803506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFerjhiSUQiOp_NUll38SQX04imFYXYqc5vuX-m6A2ec6ax0tN4LkWXNPOHq_JtUgG_zfkidQVc2-OvQlO22AbfqZcnXjnA2TOvQP7nSWfkb9L9xJZueopInSCHGtLu_gFEeWRcEQAjAq/s400/Flagstaff+5.jpg" /></a> jim</div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-15549345457725158362010-06-10T13:01:00.012-04:002010-06-15T10:17:54.348-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (Dear...dear Santa Fe - 5.5.10)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwcu3T_r37Gl2icc_qkpBmCceP_kAN1Huo3PsBLXZx7Y16L60hiv5AV7hojYL3XfaFRZaDMZAy3yM7ASNercXiiZ89iIZwB-e_lhL25zZ2GfG0fuBzkYWnfJrjKru9zSgeP4hC3522C8J/s1600/Santa+Fe+6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481193136277732786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwcu3T_r37Gl2icc_qkpBmCceP_kAN1Huo3PsBLXZx7Y16L60hiv5AV7hojYL3XfaFRZaDMZAy3yM7ASNercXiiZ89iIZwB-e_lhL25zZ2GfG0fuBzkYWnfJrjKru9zSgeP4hC3522C8J/s320/Santa+Fe+6.JPG" /></a> After that mindbender weekend in NOLA, and some solid trekking across Texas, by the time our schedule had us in New Mexico, my internal clock and generally well grounded perception of time had been sufficiently spun. Continuous hours of erratic sleeping and extended driving, warp the days of the week into a time casserole of daylight and darkness. Your contact with the world outside of your vehicle becomes limited to the people you run into in those brief moments using highway rest-stops. Mike had a most memorable experience in Santa Rosa during one of these little stops. Ask him about it.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QSrdv0QHJHoWT8CVWuR0PFl-xQcY0DCtgxfX-nRb1cMnxV2zzJpRwYAdD3xQA1-s9FDvKCFrU2g1b46AJcJggZczarPq5a1zcxdrr4nHB6lgFw9ixmlyPaEfBcwQGO7FlwDN35epEuYT/s1600/Santa+Fe+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481193023534096978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QSrdv0QHJHoWT8CVWuR0PFl-xQcY0DCtgxfX-nRb1cMnxV2zzJpRwYAdD3xQA1-s9FDvKCFrU2g1b46AJcJggZczarPq5a1zcxdrr4nHB6lgFw9ixmlyPaEfBcwQGO7FlwDN35epEuYT/s400/Santa+Fe+2.jpg" /></a> Our next stop was a Cinco de Miyo gig in Santa Fe. We immediately loved this high desert town. Max, our soundguy at the club we were playing, only affirmed the good vibrations we got upon our arrival. He was super friendly and laid back. Max took us for a short tour into the art-rich neighborhoods of Santa Fe showing us key points of interest all along the way. The air was perfect and evening was coming.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOcJpxg5ahyptMndbNs5W5aQuA53rWm_rgR8w829uLuDfRbpz60secWaHX9yU_IDnxvzyZf2KLNPXDLCenFfzs0vHVxoUbosGhYf_lQYKikVTVvATQA6UgeaiCNTodxF1Xp-l-qj-m05y/s1600/Santa+Fe+3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481192820784731778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOcJpxg5ahyptMndbNs5W5aQuA53rWm_rgR8w829uLuDfRbpz60secWaHX9yU_IDnxvzyZf2KLNPXDLCenFfzs0vHVxoUbosGhYf_lQYKikVTVvATQA6UgeaiCNTodxF1Xp-l-qj-m05y/s320/Santa+Fe+3.jpg" /></a><br />As we walked back to the club, the sun was setting on the horizon and I finally started to feel awake and ready to play music. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8VeXqC3pPXbsKfFe9xom7iltfoEfQt_mjcdZb8l1O_ya3QMxxq9Am13ofnI4dZNl4KsXZ4P3gvtBNpveCn2OfJvZDdlOFkx8mla9jNloJDyJm_07vaNQAvXuIQhFciqGtmJrdkzWxhOk/s1600/Santa+Fe+5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481192367721555890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8VeXqC3pPXbsKfFe9xom7iltfoEfQt_mjcdZb8l1O_ya3QMxxq9Am13ofnI4dZNl4KsXZ4P3gvtBNpveCn2OfJvZDdlOFkx8mla9jNloJDyJm_07vaNQAvXuIQhFciqGtmJrdkzWxhOk/s320/Santa+Fe+5.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We opened for a local Santa Fe band called Rubixzu, and had a great crowd for our set on this annual party night. We got great feedback from the crowd, and even had some new fans in the room that had done their hi8us research before hitting the show. That always feels good. As the evening got on, we packed up shop and split to an excellent state park nearby where we planted Precious for the night, and cracked a few cold celebratory beers before turning in. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVkJpmAwVnjAmJVPCldexVVaD8-BnJc-P_MevoVIU7FE33gSrLSZGEOE15Nq2YdCfS28uujCJhhHMcXGXObzGMvzx-9GLAM1ebXzj9O5zsx-2_AD0YnhYwQPQ3tWPHS0rhpBgIRAQPjgO/s1600/Santa+Fe+4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481192116817492562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVkJpmAwVnjAmJVPCldexVVaD8-BnJc-P_MevoVIU7FE33gSrLSZGEOE15Nq2YdCfS28uujCJhhHMcXGXObzGMvzx-9GLAM1ebXzj9O5zsx-2_AD0YnhYwQPQ3tWPHS0rhpBgIRAQPjgO/s400/Santa+Fe+4.JPG" /></a> The next morning was breezy and clear. We got on the road in good time and grabbed coffee at Bad Ass Coffee in Bernalillo, NM. The folks behind the counter were extra good to us. The quality cup-a-joe and friendly attitude were just what we needed before the push to Flagstaff. </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlUGvZoIvPmiQA7RGxWAKAbk9f9wLQpWRkzFGaF2r3VUPWmRX0tNxa8hiaHO0kJXZut_m3eOC1CtZdhINXrH0UfcWZIlIjzsixhc5lewSgoEznGLp8jo5sHpuRmCBe2IbRUOmOlj9NnXq/s1600/Santa+Fe+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481191988866740546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlUGvZoIvPmiQA7RGxWAKAbk9f9wLQpWRkzFGaF2r3VUPWmRX0tNxa8hiaHO0kJXZut_m3eOC1CtZdhINXrH0UfcWZIlIjzsixhc5lewSgoEznGLp8jo5sHpuRmCBe2IbRUOmOlj9NnXq/s400/Santa+Fe+1.jpg" /></a> The hi8us boys were especially impressed with the ice-coffee built ice cubes that complimented their high end brew. Down the road hours later when I thought I was without a sip of coffee, I looked down at my previously coffee-less cup and noticed my coffee ice cubes had melted into the energy yielding caffeinated goodness that I so desired at that very moment. As I sipped down the remnants of this café innovation, I came to truly realize how incredibly bad ass Bad Ass Coffee actually was. I think coffee ice cubes gave me faith that we are going to be ok. This country was built on innovation. From the industrial revolution all the way to the iPod, our forward thinking has kept us at the forefront of technology. Leonardo Da Vinci said that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. I thinking he was referring to the coffee ice cube when he came up with that lil nugget of wisdom. Cheers to that Leo; )<br /><br /><br />jim <div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-31283296186886870482010-06-10T10:56:00.007-04:002010-06-10T11:08:42.039-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (Houston & Austin 5.3 - 5.4.10)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWCKVhebRMgn3MFaxixvcvBOArEvW0NFmSqdT1GnDB4L56j16tUfthDg21dJikajOkJNbn0NHfHXyIIHy2NqEST2AfWvIxzuJlkZbvIheUFyNdm3GqF1iDregSOx0roLof9ms8rTSQa2L/s1600/Texas+7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481160738559998226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWCKVhebRMgn3MFaxixvcvBOArEvW0NFmSqdT1GnDB4L56j16tUfthDg21dJikajOkJNbn0NHfHXyIIHy2NqEST2AfWvIxzuJlkZbvIheUFyNdm3GqF1iDregSOx0roLof9ms8rTSQa2L/s400/Texas+7.JPG" /></a> After a whirlwind weekend in the Big Easy, hi8us shot west towards Houston to play a venue called Super Happy Fun Land. Our boy Sam Katz jumped on the road with us in NOLA, and the five of us eventually arrived in Houston Monday evening. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKfUPPm-JFxF-2fCIGc0TzRLN1usMW5gCWZGXwgjNbHD0aqD-1Mhirz1llANNd68LTn0Vgyy5GKtpo7nEimxmLfMA7BRujw6rmIugtl6Ue3aJiZMi_uyV2V3ENzPC1QhLLNoIzORawVHq/s1600/Texas+6.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481160588497487426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKfUPPm-JFxF-2fCIGc0TzRLN1usMW5gCWZGXwgjNbHD0aqD-1Mhirz1llANNd68LTn0Vgyy5GKtpo7nEimxmLfMA7BRujw6rmIugtl6Ue3aJiZMi_uyV2V3ENzPC1QhLLNoIzORawVHq/s200/Texas+6.JPG" /></a><br />Super Happy Fun Land is something you need to experience first hand to fully grasp. For the entire night, I felt like I was living an outtake scene from Zappa’s 200 Motels. This oversized art space was covered in excellent graffiti, and the most random collection of vintage oddities you will ever encounter. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRauqZ3rAfXecUz9xhTt6zNoeO5sGlQ_hThWoQ-hxjxZFDBKVIQlwfu9VKZvH3VGhUWD22t55fT7qaWEzlXyM9UINv_wKjrfPKxtA1h8PCPSx3Jrc01NIJZYOpJ-7SumuiTW4agiPx2u1m/s1600/Texas+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481160408835681922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRauqZ3rAfXecUz9xhTt6zNoeO5sGlQ_hThWoQ-hxjxZFDBKVIQlwfu9VKZvH3VGhUWD22t55fT7qaWEzlXyM9UINv_wKjrfPKxtA1h8PCPSx3Jrc01NIJZYOpJ-7SumuiTW4agiPx2u1m/s400/Texas+5.jpg" /></a> Lou, the owner, met us at their loading door and showed us around. We rocked out a high powered set in this giant room, and then hung out with the locals a little bit sipping our BYOBeers after the show. Sipping my Bud, I looked around the room and took inventory of where I was again. I couldn’t help thinking back on my life back in Boston, and the routine I have back there… and that now I am in the nucleus of weird down in Houston. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M2ajoUVnsModeuZPrzFyofKPkV6jhmHL6PDXkceEiVIQHQEVmX6mkL6xzPOS4GryILa3ArgKRuiua9aqyiaIcdN009iuQ626Dbqz0L-afPBchmMRBzhZZd75idnGpMegB6nPPn2Bpz3Q/s1600/Texas+1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481159936936881058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M2ajoUVnsModeuZPrzFyofKPkV6jhmHL6PDXkceEiVIQHQEVmX6mkL6xzPOS4GryILa3ArgKRuiua9aqyiaIcdN009iuQ626Dbqz0L-afPBchmMRBzhZZd75idnGpMegB6nPPn2Bpz3Q/s320/Texas+1.jpg" /></a><br />As I write this, I wonder what is happening at Super Happy Fun Land right now. Are the lights off with nothing special happening at all, or are little Oompa Loompa type figures creeping out of the dark corners of the room eating cotton candy and lighting off jumping jacks while carousel music plays over the PA in the background? Lets hope for the latter! <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcjZz7NeqqnGNjIw8BN1toIfu6gDqYNahxzPZ0jNKVYVTsgjil21zCMC_rz6B3i5AgyOYXVektRYHUUeCkgQeoeMiKM1R3w8ahdy8l5piosayIXLLfOwFVPNLnFqBUh5AU6owZJTV9uJE/s1600/Texas+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481159620826454690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcjZz7NeqqnGNjIw8BN1toIfu6gDqYNahxzPZ0jNKVYVTsgjil21zCMC_rz6B3i5AgyOYXVektRYHUUeCkgQeoeMiKM1R3w8ahdy8l5piosayIXLLfOwFVPNLnFqBUh5AU6owZJTV9uJE/s320/Texas+2.jpg" /></a><br />After the gig we camped in our bus “Precious” at a state park for the night and shot to Austin the next morning. Tuesday were psyched to arrive in the live music capital of the world. Our date was downtown at The Red Eyed Fly off of 6th Street. We played to a thin crowd, but were all riding high and pretty psyched to be where we were. We worked it out on The Fly’s excellent outdoor stage and then hung out for the band that was on after us for a bit. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRlHQnKQaudhevjz4R_VlRFVmfiYYAFZ4hV80FdCZcGQlC3yrzALYB-VDB7kxzeWNA6isyZPmx63gKJe3IVium2D-cLRBB_X5fHI1gzxox8jpnLp6WMmWb27vDgtbkOVDb9nHuhCMcAOi/s1600/Texas+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481159477071626146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRlHQnKQaudhevjz4R_VlRFVmfiYYAFZ4hV80FdCZcGQlC3yrzALYB-VDB7kxzeWNA6isyZPmx63gKJe3IVium2D-cLRBB_X5fHI1gzxox8jpnLp6WMmWb27vDgtbkOVDb9nHuhCMcAOi/s400/Texas+3.jpg" /></a> You tell yourself that the “O-for” gigs make you appreciate the shows that slam. There’s a challenge to digging deep and bringing the pepper on a night when you don’t have a big crowd to feed off of. It’s a weird form of on the job training I suppose. It’s certainly not a webinar from your cubicle. Anyway, I thought we sounded awesome on this Tuesday night in Austin Texas, and felt good as we hit the road for Santa Fe, a short 13 hours away. Yee-Ha! <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhbgVYAuL7sADzAqHS3tqFw8_a8A4JO82nrzu5fv90D8z_H1PTQ6PEBz46zhFJnfmyFO8qsFIQCbfzl_rmQRw85KgE5nfX3MBuRWjkHIKyStBPj81ZFQce_KovDyZoHqyXEqgdfJEm65O/s1600/Texas+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481159357978722002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhbgVYAuL7sADzAqHS3tqFw8_a8A4JO82nrzu5fv90D8z_H1PTQ6PEBz46zhFJnfmyFO8qsFIQCbfzl_rmQRw85KgE5nfX3MBuRWjkHIKyStBPj81ZFQce_KovDyZoHqyXEqgdfJEm65O/s400/Texas+8.jpg" /></a><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-35200222902435079332010-06-09T15:41:00.019-04:002010-06-09T16:36:05.275-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (New Orleans- 4.29 - 5.2.10)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCokYypJK8R4AqzgH5ekcmpv9PQeuI6DWr6dpof9pBJOv0nwpNeRUAjPGqr0JbZjS6FeYM2BkWePDqVg7gCF93-a46ZP-PyKA1T5MYmG-63I5Q2lMf9yBKtbRxcRPl-WBxtzsk_Qo07JO/s1600/NOLA+9.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkPaUTs5QKnh04qYagleUz5f_CcZF-Z_cU4cuiL0aXaD6trOyGkwIDTBXZ7fQzISo7uwAYBD_9NCzL-Ab_2Q7hWQ0ZAZ90mFp8bKY-8pMzuukHxhjOZ04NTwiHYLWsfUsgM_I-ol1HE9V/s1600/NOLA+5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480869597695080002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkPaUTs5QKnh04qYagleUz5f_CcZF-Z_cU4cuiL0aXaD6trOyGkwIDTBXZ7fQzISo7uwAYBD_9NCzL-Ab_2Q7hWQ0ZAZ90mFp8bKY-8pMzuukHxhjOZ04NTwiHYLWsfUsgM_I-ol1HE9V/s320/NOLA+5.JPG" /></a> Mike and I met up at Logan after work and hit Lucky’s in Terminal A for a few pops before we boarded the jetplane and flew to NOLA to start this run of shows. Max and Colin had been driving our tour bus, affectionately dubbed “Precious”, down the eastern seaboard for the past few days. The plan was to meet up and catch some late night music right away. We found Colin at the Louis Armstrong Memorial Airport when we arrived, and the roller coaster began immediately. The next few days for the hi8us boys were to be spent in the soul drenched chaos of this amazing city during its showcase event of the year; Jazzfest! </div><div>Our only obligation was to be in top form for our gig at the Old Town on Friday night during their annual Crawfish Boil Party. After a night of Boogaloo perfection at Tipitina’s, and sleep into the late afternoon, we emerged from our bungalow to set up and drop some music on the Old Town. The whole vibe of this party was perfect. With a packed house of Old Town patrons and friends stuffing their faces with Cajun boiled crawfish and crispy fried chicken, all washed down with sangria and an abundance of macrobrews, we jumped into it and rocked three sets under the outdoor patio.<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik68ZsARTWoKoCwVKSztMrqletabESnSOdNWFWidAT0zKHvYnUAX2Pu6X1jecczEYZ-AMK5CoaS6u3ipH4FU0oD6VR27gjak3nejDgKuMg6Ruz0-EguwOi1nCCo415oFR48YX2lfJ0gAPO/s1600/NOLA+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480869327687651314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik68ZsARTWoKoCwVKSztMrqletabESnSOdNWFWidAT0zKHvYnUAX2Pu6X1jecczEYZ-AMK5CoaS6u3ipH4FU0oD6VR27gjak3nejDgKuMg6Ruz0-EguwOi1nCCo415oFR48YX2lfJ0gAPO/s400/NOLA+1.jpg" /></a><br />The Rosen Bachelor party crew showed up, as well as my mom’s favorite doctor, Andy, that she works with back in the Commonwealth… a long time New Orleans resident. The whole place was charged up, and the feel good vibe of the city and Jazzfest was palpable in the hot humid air of this Friday night.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKkkyI279OpJLe9c_mlAgP3UGQER1a9FfxcbLmfji2HHopMBaeMF6_85rflz6_w3hTn_Tpr7UMIXObRZC0Kckbt16rLRgpSOFuJW1laugiS5ewE8iqa8hr3FX6yXBMJYGsLaNhNhtefF6/s1600/NOLA+10.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480869199135574002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKkkyI279OpJLe9c_mlAgP3UGQER1a9FfxcbLmfji2HHopMBaeMF6_85rflz6_w3hTn_Tpr7UMIXObRZC0Kckbt16rLRgpSOFuJW1laugiS5ewE8iqa8hr3FX6yXBMJYGsLaNhNhtefF6/s320/NOLA+10.jpg" /></a> We were all sweaty by the end of the night, and everyone in the place was feeling good. The band was charged up after the gig, and we carried our momentum out into the city for a late night of music and boogie. We kept it going into the wee hours before heading back to the Old Town to recharge before hitting the Fairgrounds on Saturday. After the fest, we had another great night out at the music clubs.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayZ7WhJ-74cG9_diAqnGEMYBsNrIUtp8dyYVtefji_dhiJrRIdoMMRTZ0gmJlUbSxw10OexqATfGGlAdAbWo72bNZIXSoM3cyLexKGlPmvpGjhD2OguebeYl0rwPEOQ8ey8sf0xssEl5u/s1600/NOLA+11.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480868969904147698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayZ7WhJ-74cG9_diAqnGEMYBsNrIUtp8dyYVtefji_dhiJrRIdoMMRTZ0gmJlUbSxw10OexqATfGGlAdAbWo72bNZIXSoM3cyLexKGlPmvpGjhD2OguebeYl0rwPEOQ8ey8sf0xssEl5u/s320/NOLA+11.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikquQnKK37c27hpjL-OTNkVlZDcmTDgPpvhmOlcsjeLsChyphenhyphenBKdjIyk2mDZxIOFqWK1jKgbRtMLkMn_EtSJNnvk_Yi8TtZe83ofrXnBTHlUVMpyyGl2SXDAAFpoREoX_jrJvxI5vUPHp2te/s1600/NOLA+12.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480868826384929810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikquQnKK37c27hpjL-OTNkVlZDcmTDgPpvhmOlcsjeLsChyphenhyphenBKdjIyk2mDZxIOFqWK1jKgbRtMLkMn_EtSJNnvk_Yi8TtZe83ofrXnBTHlUVMpyyGl2SXDAAFpoREoX_jrJvxI5vUPHp2te/s320/NOLA+12.jpg" /></a><br />We repeated this whole ritual again on Sunday, but started the day off over at an excellent brunch party in the French Quarter with the Geniass Productions crew.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarHSLR9gG9-BKU9H7VD1O7lbN6ctf0a9AENsel1dSusEmPC7_F-LhHNBEr14rNyvLx5fZ2YRMLESjGThd8tf4brwp78TKR9343alRub7GrQjthA5GIr4bw-rF_xbboEEEUkBAJne6thTn/s1600/NOLA+7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480868074317687970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarHSLR9gG9-BKU9H7VD1O7lbN6ctf0a9AENsel1dSusEmPC7_F-LhHNBEr14rNyvLx5fZ2YRMLESjGThd8tf4brwp78TKR9343alRub7GrQjthA5GIr4bw-rF_xbboEEEUkBAJne6thTn/s400/NOLA+7.JPG" /></a> John Mooney and Alfred Uganda were playing the party, and Mike and I were mixing Bloodies in the kitchen. It was the perfect start to the last day of Jazzfest in New Orleans. We closed out the fest that day with a set from the Wayne Shorter Quartet and then a little bit of BB King in the Blues tent. Colin caught Aaron Neville’s set to close things out… a Jazzfest tradition for many.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkfmf7VRyGA-mPUebvuWkTjR_5qNRbaVEr1C_FRGfJjR_Vw7g-wNrq_lkMhO_Igr7kG_VG-kn1L68F0iEk-UHPFQy41kREzaijQbC8FFPscDREOK5meyXAgTXQJ69fsgZi7Jrzkum4zmF/s1600/NOLA+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480867220515400050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkfmf7VRyGA-mPUebvuWkTjR_5qNRbaVEr1C_FRGfJjR_Vw7g-wNrq_lkMhO_Igr7kG_VG-kn1L68F0iEk-UHPFQy41kREzaijQbC8FFPscDREOK5meyXAgTXQJ69fsgZi7Jrzkum4zmF/s400/NOLA+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn07kdwU9KzpUjr6XmLxWu18BclBI6fSfsNRDHJEzCSKf7xhTWtf7EtgqU-uCm8bejlAHOrIsy6LiZ6aGaZ9LyhNfoLsZgwPCsDpw53EbCbWMf8XMsud2W4h28zWhjJo75shxhUOqLOPS/s1600/NOLA+14.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480866711688396578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn07kdwU9KzpUjr6XmLxWu18BclBI6fSfsNRDHJEzCSKf7xhTWtf7EtgqU-uCm8bejlAHOrIsy6LiZ6aGaZ9LyhNfoLsZgwPCsDpw53EbCbWMf8XMsud2W4h28zWhjJo75shxhUOqLOPS/s200/NOLA+14.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br />After one last night of music, and late night café au lait and Beignets at Café Du Monde with Daki, we crashed in anticipation of the rock n’ roll sprint around the USA that we were about to embark on. Our souls reloaded, we hit the hay and closed out our time at Jazzfest 2010. Thank you New Orleans! Shout outs to everyone who shared this amazing weekend with us. Darren, Jon, Jay, B-Dog, Rodney, Daki, Sue, Andy, Kurt, KP, John, Al,<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JhVCvfb1RvXQnwgAyMcx1xqNl1w7rAQ9Bf_uzLW3C1pboCR-NxlNfugzpNYm41D_JHM0vkY9gn7BJXXGuEIJHqoAsJDETIbzC32XPbb6ja_VvIY8mSB3Hxfyl-VzKxK-H9iBCqcsxhFM/s1600/NOLA+15.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480866257351227730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JhVCvfb1RvXQnwgAyMcx1xqNl1w7rAQ9Bf_uzLW3C1pboCR-NxlNfugzpNYm41D_JHM0vkY9gn7BJXXGuEIJHqoAsJDETIbzC32XPbb6ja_VvIY8mSB3Hxfyl-VzKxK-H9iBCqcsxhFM/s320/NOLA+15.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX72fjzx1z5bsAbuqx7yG_BbdtUEeENZCL6MyZRKPVqRoRkw2JzbvCcc-YOidKHwxcm_rM9DsO4DBFQGCkx-LBgHQF7OfCH1jNqDoJqBCYca45NT7zrF0HENnGoqQFr34b8yHiowMX0gO7/s1600/NOLA+3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480866139113550994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX72fjzx1z5bsAbuqx7yG_BbdtUEeENZCL6MyZRKPVqRoRkw2JzbvCcc-YOidKHwxcm_rM9DsO4DBFQGCkx-LBgHQF7OfCH1jNqDoJqBCYca45NT7zrF0HENnGoqQFr34b8yHiowMX0gO7/s320/NOLA+3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVheExwCisJGshwxzcYOolpPN6rfMlW94WEvTswpAhqBw8RwHg_WNhimV6F_AlZwlDCqb7bKVXLlCttlTJflW4jmW9lEPBc8pEfD7OvvW2mXI8u7s7NkFfu7vGB5JVbkC_dzp4GQJaahmS/s1600/NOLA+4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480865529403189922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVheExwCisJGshwxzcYOolpPN6rfMlW94WEvTswpAhqBw8RwHg_WNhimV6F_AlZwlDCqb7bKVXLlCttlTJflW4jmW9lEPBc8pEfD7OvvW2mXI8u7s7NkFfu7vGB5JVbkC_dzp4GQJaahmS/s400/NOLA+4.JPG" /></a><br /><div>jim</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-91097737156569441982010-06-09T15:19:00.004-04:002010-06-09T15:40:44.331-04:00Spring Tour 2010 (Final Prep Weekend April 17-19)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUCHZ3JY8fppQssAK32rpdO2bP_fgOdBSvzDBcdDjqSzy6vHRjGZ8mNYlMipzFHXyMpZ9aG9CnEI134OCdeJOuS_cBvxJ0e_ZZrpJTyk4FT4tq9PlmrNBy8HLswB5sLt_790V9M4R9mdm/s1600/NOLA+6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480860374848590242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUCHZ3JY8fppQssAK32rpdO2bP_fgOdBSvzDBcdDjqSzy6vHRjGZ8mNYlMipzFHXyMpZ9aG9CnEI134OCdeJOuS_cBvxJ0e_ZZrpJTyk4FT4tq9PlmrNBy8HLswB5sLt_790V9M4R9mdm/s400/NOLA+6.JPG" /></a> The weekend before our big national tour, we had a final push at the shop in Salem working on the tour van. Some serious man hours got this thing in top shape. A big shout goes out to Maxi, who’s focus and experience as a craftsman made our touring vehicle an oasis of comfort and safety. Max and Colin were ready to hit the road the Monday after to trek south. It felt like Christmas eve for the four of us. “This time on the road… it could be the best time ever known!” <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbleVJRMD3Z-Z49LNvwHWyXf7x0uSIrFenA7Yf5hl5wA7XWX8YMKJL9UAPWdpDdoCr2gGIvGn0efRq-u8TUYIxUv76wxXrQoaKD04xdps2KM4kuBPRyGd2CON8W3GqIIPMJDOqihEG2h-K/s1600/NOLA+0.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480860232693419698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbleVJRMD3Z-Z49LNvwHWyXf7x0uSIrFenA7Yf5hl5wA7XWX8YMKJL9UAPWdpDdoCr2gGIvGn0efRq-u8TUYIxUv76wxXrQoaKD04xdps2KM4kuBPRyGd2CON8W3GqIIPMJDOqihEG2h-K/s320/NOLA+0.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHgkxRrdx2bQbYpP7oRzYZRoRcF_q2mEYx7B_PjlOHQb8Oh6Jp9WVzsRe4ruzjK-rbUijw24BUbOMF6b8S347m2DYvwcdXyQM6-860_PsnNy_dJmlbc3yqlMwYM4jKB_FNvtdQxa2kkAH/s1600/NOLA+6.JPG"></a> </div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913495572876375880.post-6491110482268082972010-04-21T14:55:00.005-04:002010-04-25T10:05:09.363-04:00Lizard Lounge 4.9.10<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNjxvxNMaxdlUN_E457UMAq1jWX05ridt_5Vr64UHnpaOXsfCdMaolzmsZBPHPqTBODh8d0NGVyOiU0vtpg7KSY7qwHW8Dxxj1JH6vUcI9ZBfljXr1IS1KVs1J_KVBV-xof0EwPHtXs7T/s1600/Mike+Round+2.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462666750132299810" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNjxvxNMaxdlUN_E457UMAq1jWX05ridt_5Vr64UHnpaOXsfCdMaolzmsZBPHPqTBODh8d0NGVyOiU0vtpg7KSY7qwHW8Dxxj1JH6vUcI9ZBfljXr1IS1KVs1J_KVBV-xof0EwPHtXs7T/s400/Mike+Round+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our dates at the Lizard Lounge come around occasionally throughout the year. I always remark to my friends how this room is my favorite to play anywhere. To be truthful, I was bummed when another New Year's Eve date at the LL didn’t materialize this past go around. I was psyched, however, that we got the nod to host this evening in April, and had a personal goal to play at top form.<br /><br />In recent years I have found myself in this basement lounge venue on many weeknights enjoying some of the more inspirational performances I can remember seeing. Session Americana residencies have been the highlight of my Lizard experiences. Over the years these guys have really opened my eyes to what being a performer should be. Their forte is bare bones acoustic playing, and there is little to mask the raw performance of each individual. When I am playing, I try to stay mindful of the spirit of their style and what makes their music so high-impact. When done right, you feel what the performer is feeling… a pure emotion is conveyed and something strong goes through your body when you witness it. Those jolts to your conscience stay with you, and you can relive the way you felt to some degree. It’s like something you now own because you experienced it.<br /><br />This past Friday night it was our time to work it out on the rugs of the Lizard. Sometimes my expectations for an epic set in this room are never quite met. I feel let down in retrospect, but this time was different. Halfway through our long set, Adam and his friend Alicia Benjamin joined us and we dropped some groove numbers that felt perfect. Affirmation from the full-house crowd made the vibe of this Friday night complete. The rest of the set soared with full-on energy, and the show closed with a bunch of smiles and shiny faces surrounding us. We had done the room right!<br /><br />On the horizon, we are about to play a small marathon run of shows all around the country. It is really a luxury to be able to hit the road and only worry about getting to gigs, playing music and having fun for a while. When your objective is so focused, you can really refine what you are doing. Our material takes leaps forward, and we are better on the other end as a result. I can’t wait to be with my friends playing our music to people I have never met, and otherwise wouldn’t have if I had never picked up a guitar when I was little. To quote Frank Zappa - “Playing guitar is like fucking - you never forget it... unless you're really, really stupid.”<br /><br />jim<br /><div></div>hi8ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923147211943703339noreply@blogger.com0