8.14.2013

Rochester & the return of Ken Mode

We played two shows zigzagging back and forth between New York and New England, but we left Ken Mode in Boston after the show. Problems with their booking agent were the cause, but the whole story is unknown to me.


Because they didn't play the two shows, and they were actually pretty well attended shows, we actually made a little more money than we would have if they had joined us. We met back up with them, and for the remainder of the tour, in Rochester, NY. I'm not sure what they did for those two days off, but they seemed in good spirits, although a bit tired looking.


The venue is nice, called the 'Bug Jar'. The show room has an upside down apartment living room on the ceiling, I guess, to simulate being a 'fly'. It's neat, and I would have taken pictures, except there wasn't enough light in the room to actually get a good one.


Tomorrow is Albany, NY. My show clothes are starting to get a little ripe. I'll probably have to sink wash them tonight or tomorrow...I'm thinking tomorrow.



Syracuse & Portland.

We're playing Gorham brothers music in Syracuse. It's a music shop owned by the brothers from the band engineer.


I needed to buy a new ride cymbal, because I had broken one of mine while recording the last record. The brothers music store doesn't sell any drum stuff beyond drum sticks, so they sent me to a music shop close by. They found me a sweet new ride cymbal, and they also gave me a crazy discount because I was in a touring band.


The show was in a small space, but was very well attended. We blew out one of the fuses twice, though. We ended fine once we got the power situation sorted.


The road to Portland, Maine is long, boring, and we have to drive it at least one more time back to upstate NY. We haven't played in Portland in quite a long time, and with the absence of ken mode, and the show being on a Tuesday night, we didn't expect a huge turnout.


To our surprise (despite the show starting extremely late with bands taking stupidly long sound checks due to technical problems) there was a pretty great turnout. There was a third band added last minute to fill in for ken mode, and people seemed stoked for all bands playing. The sound girl seemed tired and frustrated (probably from the technical issues out of her control), but she also said she did sound for the Ted Nugent show the night prior, which one can expect is quite tiring just to patron.


Off back to NY tomorrow, playing Rochester. Long drives seem to be the MO for this tour.

8.12.2013

Bostonian pop punk

Tour has officially started. The way you tell is to ask yourself three questions.

  • Are you unable to sleep in your own bed tonight?

  • Is the van breaking down?

  • Has anyone in your touring party stopped for a half hour and just stared at the drink refrigerator at a truck stop?


If you answered 'yes' to any of those questions, it's a good chance you're on tour.


Arriving at the show in Boston, there was a show just letting out from the secondary room at the venue. It was preventing us from parking the van, so we idled at the corner of the block and waited for them to disperse...and then hilarity ensued.


We noticed that 90% of the people standing outside didn't look over the age of 16, and the majority of the 'fans' fawning over band dudes loading vans were little scenester girls. One pair of girls went so much as to walk across the street to ask their mom if they could stay a little while longer to hangout with the bands. She apparently obliged, because they came back over looking excited.


The great moment, however, was when one of the bands announced they would perform an impromptu acoustic show at their van. So, next thing we knew, 3 skinny-jeaned, quaffed hair, prepubescents were strumming a guitar, and singing in bad three-part harmonies at their van, while now surrounded by scantily dressed, toothpick sized scenester girls.


Once they had finally packed up and moved on, we could finally park and get some food. The place is called the 'Middle East' and had some pretty awesome looking food. Armine had a veggie burger, Dave and Matt got regular burgers, and I got the chicken shawarma. Before this moment, I didn't exactly know what shawarma was (after hearing it in the avengers movie). Now I know, and it is delicious.


We have a long drive to Syracuse tonight. We're playing at a music store that is owned by the brothers from the band Engineer.


8.11.2013

Philly and beyond...

The show at king fu necktie was awesome. It's always fun to play at home, friends, family, etc.


We're still a bit rusty, but hopefully we have worked out the kinks. The true tour begins today with a drive to Boston, Mass. This is where we stop showering, and stare at truck stop drink cases for a half hour.


Beginning the day early with some coffee, off to pickup dudes, and we're off!

8.10.2013

NY, NY

St. Vitus, Brooklyn, NY. The drive want as bad as it usually is, but then again, we actually left Philly at a reasonable time, and didn't get stuck in as much traffic as we usually do. I always hate driving in New York, and it made it even worse, that when we got into the thick of the annoying traffic, the other dudes were blasting a Tom Waits record that eventually drove me to just unplug the iPod.


There were lots of video dudes here, some here for Justin (the guy who is doing the Rosetta documentary), and at least two others. Kinda sucks that we kinda sucked still. We're just getting warmed up now. Philly tomorrow. Hopefully things work out that we actually get ken mode on the podcast like I wanted, or else this weeks episode is going to be extremely boring.

Location:Manhattan Ave,New York,United States

8.08.2013

On with the tour!

Let the Rosetta tour blog resume! I haven't posted here since I posted for the new record, and for the new tour, so, here we are, on tour.


Starting off in Richmond, Virginia. We'll be playing mostly new songs off the record, two of which we've never played outside of practice/recording. A little nervous, but overall, pretty stoked. The response from the record was phenomenal. So much excitement, and so surprised at some of the payments from people. We somewhat scared that our long shot would come back to burn us, but as most times, I'm super surprised with our awesome fan base. Thank you all.

For those that (for some) have not yet listened or downloaded the record, it is up on bandcamp.com on a 'pay-what-you-wish' basis check out Rosettaband.com for the link to the record, and for the tour dates.


The true test of ones 'out of shape-ness' is the first show of tour. I failed with flying colors. Halfway through the set I was nicely buttered toast. It was a crazy struggle to get through the end of the set, but it was done.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a bit better, and I'll remember to warm up beforehand. Stretching is key, and I didn't have time to do so. Still a fun show though. First night with Ken Mode, and we get to see Weedeater again for the first time since Sweden last year. Stoked.


Tomorrow is St. Vitus in Brooklyn. Should be a stellar show.

Location:W Grace St,Richmond,United States