Howdy gang.
Just got back from our European trip last night. Slept for a massive chunk of hours, woke up still feeling not-so-rested and like I might have a slight cold (jesus, does the sickness EVER let up?).
Feeling better today, thankfully.
So yeah, the week-long Euro tour went very well. A couple of gigs were fairly sparsely-attended (and even those were 120 + shows) but the energy and enthusiasm from the diehard-core contingent was truly wonderful and inspiring throughout the short tour and keeps me about underground hardcore/punk rock's future.
Highlights for me include:
Getting to see and play with Seattle's great Champion again. Only one show, unfortunately (last night, in Bochum, Germany). These boys are the real thing, very passionate and sincere, the nicest bunch you'll ever meet in this sometimes mean and petty business and they are an amazing live band! Many of you know how un-interested I am in about 85% of the HC/straight edge bands out there these days, so when I give props to a band, I hope you know how much it means to me.
Seeing and playing with Slapshot. I know, for various reasons, I'm not suppose to like these Boston HC legends but I can't help it. I find myself singing along to "Hang Up Your Boots" and "Old Tyme Hardcore" every time I hear them.
Working with Danny (who drove, roadied and handled merch duties for us) and getting to see various members of our extended MAD (our Euro booking crew) family again. Danny took good care of us and made sure we got through the tour safely and soundly.
Favorite show: Bochum (Germany)...it was the last show of the tour for us and we had the best slot on the bill (in my opinion , anyway), second to last, just before Slapshot. The place was packed, the sound was decent and the crowd raged throughout the entire evening.
Runner-up fave show: Meerhout (Belgium)...this was one of the big festivals Europeans are known for and I must admit, it was pretty surreal and crazy playing in front of 10,000 people on the main stage (just after Rise Against and before Flogging Molly). We had a good time slot and I thought, despite the mega barriers and security crew, we played well and did ok "connecting" with a chunk of the large crowd. The downside is that I went and did a fairly spectacular jum, only to come down weirdly and tweak my lower back for the rest of the tour.
Yeah yeah, I know. I'm getting old
Anyway, it was a fun trip and I look forward to getting back over there later in the summer.
Much love and many thanks to everyone (especially all you Euro kids who made it out to the shows).
Just got back from our European trip last night. Slept for a massive chunk of hours, woke up still feeling not-so-rested and like I might have a slight cold (jesus, does the sickness EVER let up?).
Feeling better today, thankfully.
So yeah, the week-long Euro tour went very well. A couple of gigs were fairly sparsely-attended (and even those were 120 + shows) but the energy and enthusiasm from the diehard-core contingent was truly wonderful and inspiring throughout the short tour and keeps me about underground hardcore/punk rock's future.
Highlights for me include:
Getting to see and play with Seattle's great Champion again. Only one show, unfortunately (last night, in Bochum, Germany). These boys are the real thing, very passionate and sincere, the nicest bunch you'll ever meet in this sometimes mean and petty business and they are an amazing live band! Many of you know how un-interested I am in about 85% of the HC/straight edge bands out there these days, so when I give props to a band, I hope you know how much it means to me.
Seeing and playing with Slapshot. I know, for various reasons, I'm not suppose to like these Boston HC legends but I can't help it. I find myself singing along to "Hang Up Your Boots" and "Old Tyme Hardcore" every time I hear them.
Working with Danny (who drove, roadied and handled merch duties for us) and getting to see various members of our extended MAD (our Euro booking crew) family again. Danny took good care of us and made sure we got through the tour safely and soundly.
Favorite show: Bochum (Germany)...it was the last show of the tour for us and we had the best slot on the bill (in my opinion , anyway), second to last, just before Slapshot. The place was packed, the sound was decent and the crowd raged throughout the entire evening.
Runner-up fave show: Meerhout (Belgium)...this was one of the big festivals Europeans are known for and I must admit, it was pretty surreal and crazy playing in front of 10,000 people on the main stage (just after Rise Against and before Flogging Molly). We had a good time slot and I thought, despite the mega barriers and security crew, we played well and did ok "connecting" with a chunk of the large crowd. The downside is that I went and did a fairly spectacular jum, only to come down weirdly and tweak my lower back for the rest of the tour.
Yeah yeah, I know. I'm getting old
Anyway, it was a fun trip and I look forward to getting back over there later in the summer.
Much love and many thanks to everyone (especially all you Euro kids who made it out to the shows).