The Bicycle Recorder

Two weeks seems like a long time to some. However for freaks who enjoy little sleep, abusing substances and never staying in one place for more than a day, two weeks can go by very quickly.  There were a lot of amazing people and a lot of crazy happenings between Cleveland’s Grog Shop and Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ.  All of which still shocks, wonders and inspires us days after the fact.

The opening day of a tour is sort of like a blind date.  There is a period of preparation (practices & rehearsals) which is more often than not accompanied by a slight butterfly-in-the-stomach type apprehensiveness because you’re excited to be meeting new people, to be out on the road playing, to hear new bands, etc.  So on that first day of tour you get to the club, you load in.  You see the people you’re about to spend a lot of time with and you ask yourself some basic questions…”Are these guys even cool?” “I hope they don’t sound like Taylor Swift” “Is their lead singer inside that giant road case being wheeled into the club right now?”, shit like that.  Most people would shy away from a blind date and either fake their identity upon meeting their date or just not show up.  This time, there was no sweaty palmed handshake and no awkward silences.

Person L shocked us with an amazing live show that first evening in Cleveland and after that it became difficult to dismiss a group of people who play sick tunes AND share the same appreciation for James Brown and decriminalizing marijuana.

We were also fortunate to be van mates with two very inspiring people.  John and Camille Nolan by some means became our parental figures, but not in an authoritarian dictatorial way, more so in the wisdom department.  John and Camille carry tour experience like four-star general flaunt their distinguished service medals adorned all over their jackets.  They’re also that couple that makes you absolutely sick with envy because you can’t hold a relationship for even six months and these two act as though they’re still in their honeymoon phase after being married for years.

When you’re in such great company the days really start to blur and before you know it you’re back at your day job counting the days till you have another chance to be on the road again.  Despite our new crushes on the Nolans and Person L, having the chance to relax and be home in our own beds is priceless and it couldn’t have come at a better time because i love Thanksgiving dinners.  After thirteen shows without a day off we met “weed comedian” Doug Benson, played in the basement of a building where Brendan Benson was headlining, forgot a care package of weed and mushrooms in hotel refrigerator, almost gave Ej a make-over and discovered Baby Jingles.  The best part about all of this is that we get to do it all over again in a week.

Person L just released their second album, “The Positives” along side John Nolan’s first solo record “Height“.  We recommend you pick up these two incredible records sooner than later.  Thank You to everyone who opened their doors and floors to us this past couple weeks.

Turkey Time. See you New Yorkers at Nassau Coliseum!

From Jinda and Half of Brian