Currently sitting in the van, while the guys try to figure out the way to Philadelphia. It’s been too long, blog, my old friend. I think the last time I wrote I was sitting in a coffee shop in Durham, North Carolina with cough drops. Yeah that was it. Cough drops. Well, you’ll be happy to know I’m still coughing, but without the debilitating sickness I was afflicted with for more than a few days. I can safely smoke a few cigarettes (thank god, I was beginning to get real, palpable homicidal thoughts) and drink (okay, I never really stopped drinking, just kind of slowed down, and I guess Nyquil has 10% alcohol. I think I just sort of switched to pharms; Psuedoephedrine, acetaminophen, dextromethoraphan, etc. etc.
Durham was an interesting show. I think that sort of grey area description is going to become quite commonplace in these blogs. Everyone was nice and supportive and I really do like the Pinhook. Kym, who books the shows, is incredibly hospitable and knowledgeable about the area music, but as I am to understand, there’s not too much to speak of. I guess as sort of the little brother (or sister) to some of these more popular areas (Chapel HIll, Raleigh) it is just now starting to make a name for itself as a live music hub. Which can be a double-edged sword when touring through a place like that. On the one hand, if people want to see live music in Durham they’ve got limited options. Although, if there’s a show they’re really interested in attending, the much more happening Chapel Hill is a short twenty minutes away. Eh. Anyway. My illness was reaching it’s peak, and I was not in the mood to play. The crowd was decidedly coffee shop. A lot of people looked stoned, and it was something like ninety-five percent lesbian. Not that I have a problem with that, but it’s not doing me any favors. It’s not exactly our target demographic. Not enough people drinking, just like Charlotte. Fuck. Somebody get drunk for godssake! This solo girl act opened up. Skylar was her name. Great voice, also a really fetching young lady. The name of the third band escapes me right now, and if I remember before I post this blog I will erase this sentence and fill it with the name of the band. They were for the most part tight, and had some well put together songs. Greg the sound guy was nice enough to let us stay at his place that night. It was the first time we didn’t have to stay at some shitty motel. Honestly, I’ll take the floor of someone’s house, with all the familiar smells, and sounds than a motel bed any day. He cooked us potatoes the next morning and we split for Virginia.
My health was worse. Way worse. We took a vote and unanimously agreed to cancel the show in Charlottesville that night so I could take a day off and sleep and medicate and try not to die. We went to Roanoke instead where our show the day after was set to take place. The guys went around to explore the city, I guess as much as you can explore Roanoke, Virginia, and I got a motel room and a veritable boat of OTC drugs to load myself up on. I don’t remember much from that day. I did a lot of sleeping in a hot room wearing many layers.
The following day we had a show at a place called the Bazaar, which is a consignment shop near the edge of downtown in Roanoke which, after close, turns into a sort of DIY music venue. The proprietor was very cordial and well-disposed, and there was plenty of tea, which was good for me as my skull was still full of fluid and I was still hacking up something fierce. On the brightside though I was clear of body aches and felt way less fatigued, as I had been sleeping for two days straight. But, once again, no booze. It’s difficult when you are forced to take the bar rock out of the bar. Even though it was a tight spot we managed to play pretty well, and I sweat out a good amount of my toxic sick. I felt much better after we played. Watershed Conspiracy followed us. They were an older group who played music more akin to a bluegrass/country crowd. Another odd fit for a show, but I understand how things come together at the last minute. We caught a buzz and played Wii GoldenEye with this guy Graham who we met in Roanoke who also let us crash at his place. We got up and a the godforsaken hour of eight AM and started crawling to Baltimore. I’ll be back up to speed soon.
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