So we’re in Florida, we’ve been here for a while..anyone miss us? Annnyway, I wanted to update the blog at least a little bit from my perspective. Admittedly we’ve been a little lax on updating the blog but give us a friggin’ break, we’re busy here! Actually, it’s been a very peaceful nice tour. Staying in a condo is awesome but it takes a little bit of the “traveling” part out of it. This way we can all have our own rooms, save money cooking and what not, and just relax for a bit. We commute to the gigs kinda like going to Dayton or Toledo and living in Columbus except it’s sunny and there are beaches everywhere! I will attempt to make a short short summary of our tour so far.
Raleigh North Carolina – Shake Down Street — Awesome awesome venue, real small a little bit smaller than Rumba but a great supportive music space. Uncle John is awesome and is just great supporting the bands. Highlight of the night, watching this guy sing “Power of Love” check out the awesome Back to the Future video here, oh man..hilarious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOu8x1gqW3c
The Five Spot – Atlanta – This place is cool for sure, we were one of two bands the other was Aviva and the Penguins. The other band we were supposed to play with apparently broke up so that left a bit of a damper. Thanks to Aviva’s crew for being so nice, they even made a slide show of pics they took at the show for us, really cool! Thanks to Emily Hunt and Dan Cox from EP3 for helping us out with the show and for coming out, oh and showing me that great place across the street OMG Tacos, wow good stuff!
Guanabana’s – Jupiter FL — Wow, this place is amazing, like you stepped into the jungle and then you walk out of the place and remember you are right next to strip malls. Right on the water Guanabanas is a great restaurant and bar with a great stage, sound, lights, and awesome sound man Matt. Matt helped us so much being so friendly, running great sound, and giving us some road advice. I can’t wait to come back here and the crowd was great we made a lot of connections this night!
Funky Buddha – Boca Raton, FL — Again, great vibe here with all home crafted brews. Awesome staff as well who helped us out with some connections and of course with the great beer, I had one that was heavy in ginger flavor, really good stuff. The lights and stage were really cool here, a very loungey space that just felt really relaxed with lots of seating with pillows and oriental rugs. A few people from Columbus came out (thanks Kevin Oliver for putting the word out) and we sold some cps (always good on the road). This mighta been the show that afterward we went to a biker bar and there was a man wearing motorcycle boots and a kilt, awesome! Pics on Facebook! I missed the band but I heard they were awesome.
Hollywood Beach FL — This was a gig Class Acts helped us out with and it was really awesome. Right on the beach, the amphitheater sounded great and the crowd was great. People even waited patiently just to watch us play under tents while the rain pounded the beach, it subsided and we played pretty much on time too. No Woman No Cry went over really well and the whole crowd was dancing in front of the stage. I love connecting with the audience even with a cover, they loved our originals too!
St Petersburg Pier Fl — This was another gig Class Acts helped us out with and it was great. This was right on the pier looking out over the ocean. There was a gift shop right where we played and there was a real…I guess stuffed alligator that was standing up straight and had a cowboy hat on. No words to explain that sight really…ha. The gig was great and the older couple ballroom dancing during “Righteous Ones” was really cool, and interesting considering the song! Thanks to Amy Loveless for coming out and watching, it was great to see you!
Bardot Miami, FL — Amazing club, awesome bartenders, cool art on the walls (one was painted by George Clinton IN the club when he was performing there..uh..yeah), great sound, sweet music by the dj, um..yes please! Crowd was great and I met someone from Spain, Germany, and more..want to go back to Miami asap!
Evolution Records – Lakeland, FL — This place is a record store with a venue in the back. I love the vibe here and the people are so cool. The record store is almost all vinyl and the old school arcade game kept Matt very busy! The stage in the back is really cool, all home made I assume by Robert the owner and he just did a great job creating a space where artists can come through and be in a supportive environment. Our friends MojoFlo tipped us on here and Evolution had great things to say about them (of course!). Lakeland was really nice and I am excited to go back, we got some ice cream at the local shop and it was really good. Oh, also Ernest Tubb’s nephew Lucky Tubb was playing across the street. Thanks to all who came out to this show, one of my fav spots of the tour!
Tonight is Hideaway Cafe in St. Pete’s and tomorrow is Three Layers Cafe in Jacksonville. Matt left this morning so the two gigs are Shaw Brothers gigs. John Liberatore left after the St Petersburg gig and he did a great job filling in on this tour..thanks John! Also Thanks Genean (of course) for helping us out on the tour..ok more soon!
Cant wait to go back!