Time Hopping

I’m way behind so my long ride to Edmonton from Vancouver will be great catch up time. Dust’s Hard Attack is filling my ear drums for this session. Ryan turned me on to this unknown classic in my world. So yeah…Oakland, home of Aunt Mary’s. Great Brunch! I had Southern Bubble and Squeak. Potato southern-greens cakes topped with poached eggs and “pot likker” gravy, which was vegetarian they said. A biscuit and more greens were on the side. It was awesome and AM’s had a great menu overall, will return.
I hate Fresno CA, sorry. Every show I play there is a pain in the ass, but today’s was the best of them so I’ll soften up on Fresno a little. The past is the past right? And before we knew it we were back in the van on the way to Scotty’s to get a few winks in before we hauled it to Portland on our day off.

Suicidal Tendencies

Today’s catering did not want to make me kill myself. The San Jose Event Center nailed it with Red Wine cooked sausage, meatballs, veggie meatballs, chicken, pasta, polenta, lots of greens, asparagus, crackers, fruit, savory cheese & cheesecakes, chocolates, lemon tea cakes, and a slew of others. I had seconds boxed.
4,200 peeps in the house tonight. We served and the crowd’s volley was full force with four, yes…four circle pits. Tony organized them into one by the end of the set, it was mammoth and it was awesome. The hype man-chine Scotty Roo helped fan the flames as well. Good times.
I’m my own worst enemy when it comes to personal performance and I considered this night my weak link, but after ST shined like a diamond the positive waves were absorbed and I’ve straightened myself out. ST are the top of the crossover food chain, the message, the music, the players, the dedication and the passion are as sharp as a Global sashimi knife.

God's Greatest Gift

Quoting the apostles on their packaging, the Christian owned IN-N-OUT, is hands down thee best fast food burger chain in the land. Any burger fan needs to “see the light” with a trip here….and oh, don’t for the the code “Animal Style” when ordering.

Grill 'Em All

The ultimate mark of obsession or appreciation, depending on how you look at it.. A recommendation from one bearing “the mark” I was like a Vampire seeking a safe house and sent to Café Tropical.
I had one of the tastiest breakfast “Sando’s” I’ve ever had. BE&C on a croissant Each ingredient was prefectly fitted and heated. I followed up with a Guava Empanada, chocolate chip coconut cookie and Tiramisu. The baked goods here were godly.
For a winning combo of quick, cheap & quality Café Tropical is a total winner. 2900 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 323-661-8391
Harkins tattoo & bakery case

First show

Got there too early, food hunt ensued. Elephant Thai was today's choice (ate there last time) and it was awesome again. Timing is everything around lunch time, it was like I time hopped as I walked into a nearly empty restaurant, sat down and like magic was full in the blink of an eye....only reinforcing the quality of the food in my mind. Poof, a bowl of hot and sour soup appeared in front of me without even ordering anything yet. The service was smooth and efficient and before I knew it, the amazing Pad Thai I had ordered (with extra peanuts) was placed in front of me to be demolished. Things was, the portion was beyond normal and I had to box it.
Full, I slowly walked back to the venue only to sit around some more until we were cleared for load in. The Dodge Theater was massive and thrilling at the same time. I'm pretty sure it's the biggest room I've played so far in my musical life. Among the excitement I forgot to snap some photos while we stormed the stage. I won't forget tomorrow.

Alice Cooper'stown

No Orientation today...load in at 10:30am tomorrow on the first day. So with nothing to do we head out and on over to Alice Cooper'stown, home of the BIG UNIT. It pretty much looks like a sports bar/haven for Seaside Guido's but with Alice Cooper rock awards and memorabilia, while the staff dones Cooper's corpsepainted eyes. I ordered the Gonzo's BBQ Beef Brisket bathed in Sonoran sauce and it was delicious, super tender meat that practically fell apart when I chewed it. Although I didn't get the BIG UNIT someone at the table next door ordered it and I swooped in for a photo 'cause it's size made me laugh so hard. Behold the BIG UNIT...a hotdog enthusiast's fantasy come true.

Goodbye Hadley, MA

I couldn't think of a better send off then eating at Sofia's Praises. It's a small family owned Polish food place with some of the best pierogies I've ever had. I ordered the Polish Plate which had two pierogies, a golumpki, very tasty kielbasa & a side (I had the Kapusta which was kraut, cabbage and spare rib) all for a measly $7.50. I was stuffed and satisfied and most importantly not forced to eat shitty airport food!
Hours later we finally land in Phoenix, check into the hotel and rest up for tomorrow's tour orientation/walk through at 10:30am.
The first four shows we'll be joined by Suicidal Tendencies, we are psyched!
TOUR SCHEDULE
4/2 Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theater
4/3 Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium
4/4 San Jose, CA @ Events Center
4/5 Fresno, CA @ Crest Theater
4/7 Seattle, WA @ Paramount
4/8 Vancouver, BC @ UBC Thunderbird Arena
4/10 Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Center
4/11 Calgary, AB @ The Coral
4/12 Saskatoon, SK @ Praireeland
4/13 Winnipeg, MB @ Convention Centre
4/14 Thunder Bay, ON @ City Auditorium
4/16 Toronto, ON @ Ricoh Coliseum
4/17 Montreal, QC @ Cepsum
4/18 Worcester, MA @ Palladium
4/19 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
4/21 Columbus, OH @ LC Pavillion
4/22 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
4/23 Lafayette, LA @ Blackham Coliseum
4/24 Houston, TX @ Verizon Theatre
4/25 Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete St. Ampthitheatre
4/26 Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
4/28 Denver, CO @ Fillmore
4/29 Kansas City, KS @ Uptown Theater
4/30 St. Paul, MN @ Myth
5/1 Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
5/2 St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
5/3 Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian
5/5 Louisville, KY @ Expo Five
5/6 Detroit, MI @ Fillmore Theater
5/8 New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom
5/9 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
5/11 Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
5/12 Boston, MA @ House of Blues
5/13 Albany, NY @ Washington St. Armory
5/14 Richmond, VA @ The National
5/15 Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues