11/19/08
Hello Friends,
Lets get you up to speed on the turn of events since the accident. Late in the evening on the night of the accident, the keyboard player decides that winter touring is too dangerous and hops a cab back to NY, leaving the band and the tour permanently. Front, YTC, Lars and Negin fly to Denver to do solo shows to avoid any further cancellations. I remain in MN to meet Brandon at the airport on his return from NY after dealing with a family emergency. We drive all day and stay with friends in Lincoln NE. We leave early the next morning and make it to Colorado Springs right on time for load in and sound check. This will be our first show without keyboards. The performance is loose but very spirited and the group gains strength in overcoming yet another obstacle
11-13-08 We leave early in the morning to start our 2 day drive to Portland (crappy routing). We stop in Denver for lunch and some fuel and we get a flat tire on our crappy rental trailer. We wait for the replacement in parking lot for 2 hours . Once new tire is installed, we slowly weave North through the mountain passes in the snow driving about 10 hours and eventually stopping in Bringham City UT . Up at 7am and back on the road.
We manage to arrive at the Portland venue even a bit earlier than planned and were promptly joined by our new keyboard player, James Walton who flew in on short notice from NYC. James jumped in and rocked the first show with no fear and we were all relieved by his professionalism and musicianship. Thanks James!! I also had the pleasure of seeing my former band mates Jesse and Kjell from Patiokings and their wonderful lady friends, Hillary and Layla. So nice to see all of you! You really made my stay very special. Thank you!
We had a leisurely breakfast the next morning and hit the road for Seattle. The 3 hour drive seemed like a hop, skip and jump compared to the 10+ hours we had been driving. Had a great turnout in Seattle and got to see Kris and Aaron my pals from Western Ma who moved west last year. Thanks to them for making the show! I only wish there was more time to catch up. I hope to see them during the holidays. Also huge thanks to Andy formerly of Optimus Rhyme for putting us up. Thanks to his wife as well for putting up with 6 stinky band boys rolling in at midnight.
Early the next morning, we decided to drive straight to the Bay Area in one shot, to make the most of our free time. At about 7pm heading south on I-5 an adult deer ran into the road and struck our trailer, badly caving in the fender which was then rubbing on one of the tires. We pulled over and using a hammer and a tire iron managed to bend the fender back into place. Damian did a great job of avoiding a more serious collision--great driving D! The band is getting really good at dealing with emergency situations.
We arrived in Berkeley CA at around 3:30am and have been enjoying a couple leisurely days. Last night there was a screening of NerdCore Rising. Front and I did and acapella version of one of the songs for the audience (which was kind of embarrassing). After, Front, James, and I enjoyed a night out in San Fran. Today is another rehearsal day with a show in Oakland tonight.
Maybe tomorrow I can mail some of these post cards that have been accumulating. Thanks for reading.
-Sturgis
Lets get you up to speed on the turn of events since the accident. Late in the evening on the night of the accident, the keyboard player decides that winter touring is too dangerous and hops a cab back to NY, leaving the band and the tour permanently. Front, YTC, Lars and Negin fly to Denver to do solo shows to avoid any further cancellations. I remain in MN to meet Brandon at the airport on his return from NY after dealing with a family emergency. We drive all day and stay with friends in Lincoln NE. We leave early the next morning and make it to Colorado Springs right on time for load in and sound check. This will be our first show without keyboards. The performance is loose but very spirited and the group gains strength in overcoming yet another obstacle
11-13-08 We leave early in the morning to start our 2 day drive to Portland (crappy routing). We stop in Denver for lunch and some fuel and we get a flat tire on our crappy rental trailer. We wait for the replacement in parking lot for 2 hours . Once new tire is installed, we slowly weave North through the mountain passes in the snow driving about 10 hours and eventually stopping in Bringham City UT . Up at 7am and back on the road.
We manage to arrive at the Portland venue even a bit earlier than planned and were promptly joined by our new keyboard player, James Walton who flew in on short notice from NYC. James jumped in and rocked the first show with no fear and we were all relieved by his professionalism and musicianship. Thanks James!! I also had the pleasure of seeing my former band mates Jesse and Kjell from Patiokings and their wonderful lady friends, Hillary and Layla. So nice to see all of you! You really made my stay very special. Thank you!
We had a leisurely breakfast the next morning and hit the road for Seattle. The 3 hour drive seemed like a hop, skip and jump compared to the 10+ hours we had been driving. Had a great turnout in Seattle and got to see Kris and Aaron my pals from Western Ma who moved west last year. Thanks to them for making the show! I only wish there was more time to catch up. I hope to see them during the holidays. Also huge thanks to Andy formerly of Optimus Rhyme for putting us up. Thanks to his wife as well for putting up with 6 stinky band boys rolling in at midnight.
Early the next morning, we decided to drive straight to the Bay Area in one shot, to make the most of our free time. At about 7pm heading south on I-5 an adult deer ran into the road and struck our trailer, badly caving in the fender which was then rubbing on one of the tires. We pulled over and using a hammer and a tire iron managed to bend the fender back into place. Damian did a great job of avoiding a more serious collision--great driving D! The band is getting really good at dealing with emergency situations.
We arrived in Berkeley CA at around 3:30am and have been enjoying a couple leisurely days. Last night there was a screening of NerdCore Rising. Front and I did and acapella version of one of the songs for the audience (which was kind of embarrassing). After, Front, James, and I enjoyed a night out in San Fran. Today is another rehearsal day with a show in Oakland tonight.
Maybe tomorrow I can mail some of these post cards that have been accumulating. Thanks for reading.
-Sturgis
- Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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