Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I Survived SXSW

Yikes.

Austin, Texas is about a million degrees, hot and sticky and during South By South West is packed with people.

Every little tiny place where they could possibly put a stage, they do. It's an interesting combination of half assed bands with huge ego's and mid-level-successful bands with none. One must have an Artists pass to get anywhere cool, but the workhorses who make you look and sound cool get jack. "I'm with the band" gets you everywhere and nowhere, at the same time. It's like the volunteers for SXSW suddenly have this responsibility, they get to play god with musicians.

This whole weekend has been craaaaaaazy. Touring with Trail of Dead, is a tough gig to begin with. Touring with Trail of Dead during South by South West is a gargantuan task. Down time is not really an option, and it's an endless cycle of load gear in, load gear out, find parking, get yelled at by cops and volunteers, run errands for the band, then load the gear out again, load the gear in again. Load the gear out, re-load the empty cases, then find parking, then set up gear. Tear down gear, find the van, park the van as close as possible, un-load the empty cases, fill the empty cases, re-load the van. Then drive to the next venue for the next show.

Last night trail of dead played a venue called emo's, at about 11pm. Load in was at about 6. Then we had to load out after the show, and get to a venue for the Spin Magazine, SXSW after party. At this point, everyone but a few of us were a little tipsy. Some were a little more hammered than tipsy. This made the load out process that much more fun. We ended up at the venue, and unloaded gear. TOD was supposed to go on at 2:30am. They were then pushed to 3am. They actually went on closer to 4am. Leaving plenty of time in the well stocked green room and the open bar party for more drinking.

Needless to say, the show was epic. Standing on drum kits, jumping into the crowd, broken glass, etc etc etc. We ended up loading out and getting home at around 5:30. I was asleep by 6.

SXSW is over, and today is the aftermath of that. I haven't had a drink since Vancouver and it's amazing. It's nice to be able to focus on learning and working in Rock and Roll, than living the Rock and Roll lifestyle.

At this point, i'm sleepy, and smelly and need a coffee and a shower. Probably about 18 more hours of sleep, but without a doubt, I learned SO much, and wouldn't give up this opportunity for the world. I love tour, I love Music, and I love being in the thick of it.

xo

America!! FUCK NO!

So. I just saw a clip that was seen on the American propaganda network known as FOX. It's a commentary on the recent announcement that the Canadian Military will have to take a break after pulling troops out of Afghanistan in 2011.

Not only mocking our military, Greg Gutfeld takes a rather gutless shot at the Lieutenant General, Andrew Leslie's, surname before diving in and suggesting that during the Operational break the Canadian Military will be "taking a breather, doing some Yoga," and "getting manicures." Additionally, Mr. Gutfeld consults "Doug" a rather ill-educated looking man, with a shit eating grin who continues to perpetuate stereotypes and emasculate our country.

To top this lovely piece of "Journalism" off, is Mr. Bill Schulz, who compares America's legitimate police officers with our mounties, citing the fact that their cops have armoured vests and camo, while our mounties have Bright red coats. America has armoured cars and Canada's RCMP ride horses, and finishing it off with this lovely quote. "This is not a smart culture Greg!"

Wow. I'd like to invite Mr. Schulz to come up north and arrange a little meeting with our "little red coat" wearing Law enforcement.

If this is the way the American news networks portray our country, it's no wonder the American people are so misinformed. Currently I'm in Texas, and you would be surprised how ignorant the people are to the culture of their lovely neighbours to the north. Citing us as the "Fifty first state" and believing we actually live in Igloos and eat whale blubber.

Fox news is not known for it's quality journalism, but i find this piece slanderous and highly offensive, and down right ignorant. Mr. Schulz, Mr. Gutfeld, please I'd love to arrange a meeting with you both and sort out this little misunderstanding about my nation, oh, but wait. My horse is getting re-shod, and my Dog-sled is in the shop.