JP's entry
Friday 04/03/04
Tallulah LA

Here we are in the Days Inn in Tallulah, LA, just over the river from Vicksburg, MS. Last night was the first night of the tour; we played a little club called Martins Lounge in Jackson. It was our first time playing there and my first time in Mississippi.

When we got to the club, there was a guy singing country karaoke. It wasn't karaoke night; he apparently has a regular karaoke gig there, with billing in the paper and everything. There were about 10 or 12 middle-aged folks dancing in front. We sat down in a booth and waited, and I kept staring at a Schlitz bull sign behind the bar that had red glowing eyes. Nikolaus pointed out that it looked like the evil dogs in Ghostbusters.

After the karaoke singer's gig was finished, we soundchecked. It was one of those places where the band runs their own sound from the stage. After a painful feedback mishap, we were good to go. Luckily, some rock and roll fans began to mosey in around 10, and by the time we were ready to play, it was a much bigger crowd than we had a right to expect, it being our first time in Jackson.

The bartender (whose name was Chub, I believe) informed us that we were the only band that night, so we needed to play for a couple hours, which was cool because we got to do some covers and other songs that we don't often get to do in our normal 45 minute set. It turned out to be a great opportunity to work out some of the kinks on the first night of the tour.

All in all, we had a great time. The crowd was very receptive and we played well, despite the less-than-ideal PA. The crowd was great, the people who work at the club were great, and we sold some CD's. We're all looking forward to coming back to Martins Lounge soon.

After we'd loaded up, we climbed back in the truck and headed West towards the next gig. As we crossed the Mississippi River into Louisiana, I scanned through the AM stations and stopped on one called The Ragin' Cajun; it sounded like country music mixed with R&B horns. I don't know what records they were playing, but it sounded amazing. It didn't sound like anything recorded recently. I'm definitely gonna learn more about Cajun music.

About 3 AM we stopped and got a room here at the Days Inn. I asked the girl at the desk what parrish we're in; I think she said Monroe Parrish, or maybe Madison. Anyway, we're leaving now for Ft Worth.

Later,
JPK

SET LIST, MARTINS LOUNGE, JACKSON MS, 04/02/04

Fool on a Wire
Time Time Time
After Dark
Baby Goodbye
I Don't Mind
Phonograph
Light Years Away
One Woman Man
We Will Find a Way
Rocks Off

Bringing You Back Alive
Song in D
Twice as Gone
Still the Same
Gone for Good (aka "Swamp Thing")
Helpless
Belle of the Ball
Ever/After
Til the End of the Day
Let it Rock

 

JP's entry
SUNDAY 04/04/04
Austin, TX




We're on I-35 South, passing through Austin towards San Antonio. Last night we played in Ft Worth at a club called the Wreck Room. It was our first time there. The club was very cool, with a much larger stage than the last gig. Ft Worth is a neat town, and I've always liked Texas in general.



We spent a long time waiting backstage to load-in, because we were the first ones there. The backstage area at the Wreck Room has ample area to rest, as you can see here.



There were two other bands on the bill, Rustic Dog and Goodwin. Matt from Goodwin had contacted me through email a couple of weeks ago; they're a local Ft Worth band, but Matt is originally from Tennessee, and went to school in Knoxville. He offered us a place to stay, which was very nice.



The gig was pretty good, although there was no soundcheck and it was several songs into it before I was able to hear well. The show had a lot of energy though.


Thanks to Matt and Jody for being such gracious hosts! Next time you're in B'ham, we'll return the favor.

JPK

SET LIST, THE WRECK ROOM, FT WORTH TX, 04/03/04

Phonograph
Light Years Away
Fool on a Wire
Baby Goodbye
We Will Find a Way
Song in D
Bringing You Back Alive
Belle of the Ball
Time Time Time



JP's entry
Monday, 04/05/04
Austin, TX

Last night we played in San Antonio at a club called Communion. By the time we pulled into town it was pouring down rain; the radio had tornado reports. We were early, so we drove around for a while and saw some of the amazing old Spanish-style buildings there near San Antonio College.

There was some confusion at first over the billing, because when we arrived we were told it was a benefit show. A guy named Josh was putting on the benefit and he assured us that we'd get to play.



Communion is more of an all-ages, long wallet-chain, nu-metal kind of place, not the sort of club Stateside usually plays. But the Josh and the promotor Angel made us feel right at home.


We played well again, despite the monitors being completely dead for the whole set. All the folks there at Communion had a really open mind about our sound being different from what they normally have in their club.

After the gig we drove a few miles north of San Antonio and got a room at a Super 8, then went to a restaurant called Skillet that was open all night. I really do love breakfast food at 4 AM.

In the morning we headed to Austin, which is on the way from San Antonio to Oklahoma City (our next gig).



We're in Austin now, with our friend Natalie, since we have the night off. This is Natalie's dog Steve.



That's all for now,

JPK

SET LIST, COMMUNION, SAN ANTONIO TX, 04/04/04
Same as Ft Worth 04/03/04