Tour Blog 2011

Written this morning: To prepare us for this trip my mom warned me that in the south, while it’s really hot outside, it’s freezing cold inside from everyone cranking their industrial air conditioners full time. This it turns out, in the rock band context, is not true enough. We played a fantastic and seriously sweaty show at the world famous Milestone in Charlotte, NC. Never have I sweated like that. Brian and Kate played two 45 minute sets like heroes!

With FoY, WooD HeaD, and Illicitizen

Today is our day off before we head to Philadelphia, which is like a second home at this point. Our missions for the day are to get grits at Waffle House and some southern barbecue and sweet tea somewhere awesome.
Beers of the south approved by The True Jacqueline Beer Tasting Committee:

• Angry Angel Kolsch
• Terrapin Rye Pale Ale
• Sweetwater 420

We travelled way out to Cleveland, TN where there wasn’t a whole lot around except for  this record store in a strip mall. We didn’t play to a lot of people- just the owner, Bobby, and one other guy- but it was a very welcoming environment. We played music and listened to records for a while. Bobby just opened the place and the store is staffed by volunteers. He does it because he sees a need. Cleveland had one record store before Inherent; an FYE that closed down recently. So now you can buy Things Under Water online, at our shows, or at Inherent Records in Cleveland, TN.

Similarly, the A&M Theatre in Panama City, FL is a new place opened and run by people who value music and independent artists. In the four months they’ve been open they’ve put on over one hundred all-ages shows. They charge a cover to pay the bands and have a beer bar to pay the bills. Apparently there was one other music venue in Panama City which closed down so now the A&M Theatre stands as the lone place for bands to play in a town with three musical instrument stores in like a four block radius. We had a great time hanging out with Philip, Scott, and Melody who were extremely hospitable and welcoming.

Also I’ve been craving oysters and gin and tonic for a few days now. This craving has not been met. I’ll definitely post something when it is though.

Atlanta will for sure be the first city in the US to embrace replicant, transporter, and like robomech technology. Driving in on I75 in one of fourteen lanes while the urban skyline glares down on you with giant, LCD signs benevolently suggesting self-care products and television shows that most American human beings enjoy is awesome. We found it a little overwhelming and spent most of the day playing Clue in a bar a block away from the venue. Still though; city of the future.

Our show was really fun! The other bands were great and we’d really love to bring The Demon Beat and the terrifically hospitable Mogul Street Reserve up north some time. I talked to Ryan of MSR about guitars, Lyme Disease, dogs, and fish for most of the night.

We have met so many cute kittens on this tour so far. It’s sort of nuts. Anyway it’s been a great couple of days. Peanut Butter and Jealous was awesome. We’re definitely big fans. Everyone we’ve met in North Carolina has been super nice. I’m glad people are willing to let strange rock bands sleep and drink beer in their houses!
We’ve got a few hours to wander around Chapel Hill before we head to Greensboro. More later!
Shout outs: Jenna and Ron, DJ Kutzu, Tommy, and Danny. Thanks guys!

We’re about to get ready for our show at Sprout in Richmond, VA, but first we’ll enjoy their tasty food. We’ve all had a blast so far. We spent a while in Baltimore and got to go to the American Visionary Art Museum which was really rad. They had a whole room dedicated to a man named Eugene Von Bruenchenhein whose art featured aquatic looking space creatures which really resonated with us. We walked like a thousand miles around town because the buses kept driving past us. Milt walks crazy fast! After the museum we got frozen custard at the pier but when we got to the bus stop I had to throw mine away and then the bus almost left without me. We learned a lot about the fine city of Baltimore that day.

The show at Golden West was a smashing success and we met some nice folks at the Mojo 13 in Wilmington, DE. Mojo’s sign has a giant scary clown on it. The venue looks like it had once had a lot of freak shows and vaudeville acts but it’s in an odd location. Right next to a very delicious Mexican restaurant and across the street from a very sketchy-looking, but reportedly amazing, Italian restaurant called Mr. Pasta. All-in-all it was a strange evening.

On our way back to our friend Milton’s house somehow the door of our trailer had come open and a very kind gentleman scared us into pulling over yelling, “your shit’s falling out the back!” Luckily nothing was lost and that unknown highway man is a hero! Anyway, it’s quite warm down here but we’re having a great time and the shows are getting better and better!