Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Expedition On The Western Shore - post 3















San Francisco. Kimo's. Another well played, auto-destructive, megamaniacal, outstanding, jibber jabbering hot mess of radicalizationess. Hats off to Space Vacation and, once again, Glitter Wizard. Party was cut short when Black Betty got her rear right window smashed in by a crack head on the hunt for tasty snacks that he could trade for smokable rocks. Decided to round the night out with bong and Big Trouble in Little China. Not bad.


Santa Cruz. Once again blessed to share the stage with Glitter Wizard. We'll have pics soon. Partied with our buds in Decrepit Birth and Son Of Aurelius who also put us up for the night. If y'all know Decrepit you know the hash smoke was thick, so it didn't help when Joel broke their ceiling fan with his head to prove some sort of point. Laid out on the floor then moved on to Reno.

Reno. About an hour into the trip there we got the call that the show was canceled so we flipped a bitch on the 101 and headed back to L.A. 10 minutes later we got the call that the show was back on. We got to Reno 5 hours later and found out the other bands didn't know they were supposed to play. So we drank. Riff Lovin Rio, Reno's rock goddess, put her fingers to work and came up with Otis and their P.A. Otis' singer didn't show up until 5 minutes before they were set to play because he was out drinking and celebrating his birthday. When he got the call ten minutes earlier he said, "Gypsyhawk is back??? I'm on my way!!" Sweet fuckin' dude, sweet fuckin' dudes, sweet fuckin' band. They let us shack up at their house/farm and we did it right 'til 7 in the morn. We love Reno. Some of the coolest cats conceived.

Home. Relax Bar with Colombian Necktie, Mountains of Blow, and Lungbutter. Not a bad night to close out the tour. Had a bunch of friends show up unexpectedly which was nice. And it was the only night of the tour where guitar strings broke on stage (Scotty:2, Andrew:1). So now we're home, booking September which will start in Phoenix, head east to Florida, up to Chicago, west to Seattle, then south home again. See you around.

Eric, Andrew, Joe, and Scotty.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Expedition On The Western Shore - post 2




So, we picked up the records in SF. Come to one of our next shows and get one.

Portland. Amazing show, awesome promotion, the DJ we played with had only the choicest of nuggs, and the other band really packed in tons of people for us. Oh yeah, and Lemmy showed up to sing "Free Bird". So shizzling dizzle dope! But, special thanks to our friends for coming out and giving us a place to sleep.

Seattle. When waking up alone in a strange place you must remember to be prepared. Just because it's warm and sunny at 9:30 PM doesn't mean it won't be cold, dark and rainy at 10 the next morning. The other important thing to remember about that is don't be distracted by big lights and cultural milestones cloaked in the cumbersome environment. Get your coffee right away or you might walk into slowly moving vehicles in reverse. That all said, the show was a good one. Mystery Ship and Emeralds are both great bands filled with awesome guys and should be paid attention to by you. So if you're in Seattle and either of those bands are playing hightail it over, but don't miss out on Blowjob: The Musical, currently playing at The Rendezvous. Just make sure you don't walk in during rehearsal or else you'll get reprimanded with a "get the hell out, dipshit."

We took off around 2 the next afternoon after getting the truck out of the tow yard (*quadruple checking with a hotel concierge about your parking spot is apparently not enough in this town) and drove straight to SF to arrive about 7 in the morning. Tonight we play at Kimo's with Space Vacation and Glitter Wizard, all Blackhaven highlights. It's gonna rock.

Tomorrow Santa Cruz, then back to Reno, then homeward bound, the incredible journey, to close the expedition in Hollywood.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Expedition On The Western Shore - post 1

We finally got a chance to sit down and write. We're in Portland and it's hot. Ripe smells permeate the band atmosphere so we're up in some nice digs showering and drinking.

First Show was at Ramona Mainstage in Ramona, CA, home of the wild animal park ie the middle of nowhere. The place was the size of a mega church and we failed to pack them in. But so did the promoter and the town favorite so we all suck equally. Red Octopus put us up so we had great people to party with. And check out Green Room. The kid is the apprentice of Isiah from Earthless so there's that.

Next was the 4th. Some of us were with vatos in Boyle Hieghts, some in LBC with family, the rest at the Huntress party in Highland Park. Booze, fireworks, blah blah. We all had a great first day off from tour.


Hollywood. Les Deuxdxxxxkdshf;. Great staff and Tuesdae is our babe of the year. She got up and sang back up on Rock N' Roll Hoochie Coo with us. That is sure to be a tour high lite. Sumerian Axe crushed it. Playing again with them at Que Sera July 25 with Emeralds, and Wildildlife so don't be stupid and come to that one.

Ventura. Worst mexican food ever, but not Mexican people's fault. Usually metal kids like us, but not so sure this time. We did get hit on by two old drunk guys, though. No one would put us up except the old drunk guys so we went to the Santa Barbara Mission and met some kids rummaging for change in the giant ass fountain. They were there for about 45 more minutes while we sat on a wall drinking wine and smoking reefer. Got kicked out about 8 in the morning and beat it.

SF, day one. Partied.

SF, day two. Oakland, technically. Played with Hobocop, who was like a band that would play The Smell, Glitter Wizard, who are the shit and our brothers so listen to them. I'd say they sound like Black Sabbath with David Bowie instead of Ozzy and all that that would entail. Last was Taco Cat. Cute chicks playing upbeat poppy punk. Also would do well at the smell. Outside there were crackheads and riots.

Reno. Top show so far. Knew nobody but made tons of friends. Great bands and great folk abound. Plus it's nevada so we could drink and smoke indoors all night. Particular band of note (even though all bands were great) was Knight Fall. Sheeeeeeit. Catchy metal that doesn't repeat itself. Shit was real. If you were at a party in the woods and someone offered you a tab of Emperor or a hit of Wintersun you'd take both and end up with Knight Fall. All the kids were great and we can't wait to go back. If you're ever in Reno go to Ryan's Saloon. Honestly, can't say enough good stuff about this place and the shows there. Fuck, some of the tastiest burgers ever, too.

Portland. ...TO BE CONTINUED...