Day 11 -- Boston MA @ House of Blues w/Porcupine Tree

Sunday September 27, 2009

Woke at a rest stop somewhere outside Boston. Was initially confused by the big McDonald's trashcans in the parking lot when viewed through my porthole (and those damn Mormon Baits videos last night). Bought more band aids for my stricken fingers and a chocolate milk for nutrients. Went back in to grab some food (rather than make it myself, aforementioned stricken fingers) but the only thing appetizing from one of the many fast food mini-chains within they were out of. Nice. Weather turning sour. Also nice.

The Boston House of Blues is across the street from Fenway Park, which I would have thought was cooler if we didn't have to immediately load in the rain. Jrab showed me the ropes of setting up/tearing down Jerry's drums, mainly the marks on the cymbal stands for the angles and what goes where. The only things that had me concerned (set up Jerry's drums many times on my first tour out of necessity after Jrab wound up in the ER w/the flu and bleeding ulcers 3 shows in...) were the monitor extension and Jerry's in-ears. Jrab's trailer keys were missing from last night, Jrab and Ryan tore up the bus looking for them since Ryan had them last (last night). On a whim checked the pocket of my hoodie in the closet since things that are mysteriously missing tend to wind up there. Sure enough, I had them...!



Late in the afternoon and I'd been sustaining myself on cigarettes and choclate milk. No food in the upstairs dressing room. Or mirrors, or showers for that matter. Printed signs for which room goes to who said either "PORCUPINE TREE" or "SUPPORT". *sigh* The PT crew and band guys have been really nice, guess any weirdness is coming from higher up the totem pole. Finally a PBJ on the bus, starting to feel weak.

Catered food finally delivered upstairs and was able to eat a full meal before we got onstage. Grilled catfish with pasta and salads. Was OK. Took a few pics of the Black Panther and Fenway Park during a lull in the rain. Got onstage with just enough time to soundcheck, and I didn't have any time to touch anything drum-related. An hour later King's X went on and again knocked em dead. Subbed "Black Flag" for "What Is This" since it was a more famous song. Could kinda tell the guys were struggling a bit, but that's only cause I see them every night, heh. On "Lost In Germany" you could clearly hear Dug singing "shit shit shit" instead of "dit dit dit" and he spaced a bit on the sermon but pulled it together. Writing out Ty's setlist Jrab made all the song titles taint-related (inside joke). The look on the kid's face when I gave it out after the set: priceless!

King's X







"Hey Ty!" *click*



Porcupine Tree



After the show Ryan and I met up with his friend JP who took us over for a quick tour of the Berkelee School of Music (he works there). Cool old downtown, rain finally let up. He gave us a whirlwind tour of digital and analog studios, labrynthine hallways and finally to his office for a gift: 2 big ass bottles of Victory Golden Monkey trippel boc. Awesome! Took it back to the dressing room to partake. Ty and Jerry up there talking about the new website Ty's working on. Before we dispersed to the bar wound up with Jerry talking to 2 of the Porcupine Tree guys and hung in their room a bit. As a crew guy passed by Jerry a wineglass fell and broke. Jerry was moritifed and apologetic (and comic), even tho I don't think it was his fault. A loveable goofy drunk, that Jerry Gaskill.

Wound up at a bar next door with Wilson, Ryan and JP. Gary came in upset about business stuff but didn't really join in. Dug came by for some drinks as well. Night ended quite blurrily. Ryan had to get JP a cab. And Wilson and I took an end-of-the-night cab ride to a convenience store for smokes. We could have walked it but never would have found our way there (or back).

Wilson



Dug



Ryan 13 and JP



Drunk



Drunker



Drunkest. Wilson, Gary, Ty and Wes from PT aboard the Black Panther. Don't recall taking this one...

Day 10 -- Philadelphia PA @ Electric Factory w/Porcupine Tree

Saturday September 26, 2009

Woke at a Flying J outside Philly somewhere. Gorgeous weather, fresh breeze. Bus windows open to air it out. Finally one with a different layout than the last 3 we were at, was like walking into the same place 3 times but in 3 different states. Weird. Got a chocolate milk for the nutrients and made an awesome sandwich on the bus. Weather turned before we left. Clouds came in and nice breeze became chilly.

Philly looked familiar as we drove in, recognized the big ship harbor from when I was there 2 years ago w/Under London, the big bridge we drove in on last summer with The Mother Truckers. Other cities like Flagstaff AZ I've been to at least 5 times and I still don't recognize anything.



Another nice venue, Electric Factory a big brick building in a questionable part of downtown. Inside big stage and lights, balcony, holds at least 2000+. Word is this one didn't sell out until word was out that King's X was supporting. Then the last few hundred tix were snatched up. Awesome. Big backstage area with hallways, rooms, alternate access to the stage. Got lost a few times. Bathrooms painted in weird designs with day-glo paint. But lo and behold, a washer and dryer! Was running out of clothes at that point (recycled back to jeans from first days of tour, was elated to find 2 black shirts in my suitcase yesterday, heh).

Backstage lounge. Buncha weird shit, out of tune piano, fucked up pool table, shuffle board that didn't shuffle, weird bar in the back with Bogey and The Duke:







Hallway



Washroom/bathroom area







Dressing room



Had some helpers to get everything up the big ass metal ramp, started to rain soon as we got everything inside. Hopefully it'd stop or load out would suck. It didn't and did respectively, but I jump ahead of my tale. Got everything situated, Jrab showed me some ins/outs of setting Jerry's drums up (I'd be drum teching for Canada since Jrab can't enter the country, long story). Have set them up in the past (my first tour after Jrab wound up in the hospital w/the flu and bleeding ulcers) but was nice to finally learn the 'proper' way, heh.

Catered food in a common room, sandwiches and this amazing pasta salad. Had a double helping of each to keep up my energy reserves. I'm not eating enough and am not hungry either, which makes me eat even less. Probably the cause of my general road-weariness. But also loading in/out and generally sweating my ass off around 3 separate times each day. Hence not writing much or taking very many pictures. Just kinda don't care.

Again little time for soundcheck and early-entry for VIPs, which meant scrambling to set levels and people watching. But again, King's X walked onstage and knocked everyone on their ass. Great crowd. Had to wait til end of PT's set to load out, which was in the rain of course. End of the night was out smoking in with Jrab and Richard from PT (keys). Nice guy. They are really blowing up, word is they'll be back stateside next Spring for a college arena tour.

King's X



Porcupine Tree







Then end of the night was loading merch out down the wet metal ramp and of course slipped forward while backing a dolly of boxes. My hand was still holding the dolly which slammed onto the ramp and then gravity took over and dragged my fingers down the rough metal. Ouch. Left a trail of blood drops backstage going to the bathrooms to wash it. It was bad but I'll live. Should have been wearing gloves...

OUCH.





Went out to a bar around corner with Jrab and Ryan, some really good prog rock band playing. Guitarist used this weird double neck guitar and did some cool midi stuff, played a xylophone solo with it. Awesome. Back at the bus this European promoter friend of Ryan came by with her friend and some beer. Wound up drinking inside the trailer since it was the only place out of the rain. Living the dream.