Tour Day 3--I Love L.A.----Not!!

Yeah, I know the "Not" thing is old and cliche, but it fits for my thought pattern...

I just never been a fan of Los Angeles...I spent quite a bit of time there when I was a corporate drone, and while I remained positive for future visits there, the negativity and distaste I have for that city is always in the back of my head. The last time we were the was for LA Murderfest back in 2008. The most fun I had that weekend was the first day I got there and Jim, Kam Lee, and I hung out out the Gravehill practice bunker in Hellheim. The crowd for Murderfest was great, but I just did not have a good time.

So, will LA change for me?

This was an easy haul. About 5 hours and we were at the venue. The Gravehill dudes headed for home the night before to get some rest and to downsize some of the gear they brought to allow for easier loading and more room. While it helped, it was still tight if not loaded properly.

So no traffic problems whatsoever and we are at the venue early for once. This had to be good.

We were in East LA...Funny thing is, every time I have been in the for a "fun" visit, I have never been in the same place twice.

Another missed camera opportunity (Jim) occurred when we got off the interstate and was driving through the neighborhood heading to the venue. This was funny, or maybe you had to be there, but we all got a much needed laugh...

We look to our right and there was a school...the school had a basketball court...And inside this basketball court were a bunch of nuns shooting hoop. They were not playing "HORSE" mind you...No, they were involved on a full on, 5 on 5 game...It just hit me so funny seeing their habits flying around and them jumping and running for the ball...You had to see it to believe it...I wonder if any of them could dunk??

So we get to the venue and park. And the venue is padlocked of course...Gravehill is not around yet, and the doors are supposed to open at 7pm...I think it was around 5:30.

This show had two tours smushed together...I knew two of the bands on the other tour...Disfigured and Insidious Decrepancy, both from Texas. They were at the venue waiting all afternoon. We hung out and played catch up a bit until I eyed a corner store...And guess what? They sold beer!! Yeah!! So off I went...

So I brown-bagged it in front of the club...32oz Budweisers in cans for the win! I kept going back to the store until the club opened and still opted for the brown bag method since it was cheaper...

Fatalist shows up and I hung out with them...This was their last day of the tour, and since we were all somewhat ahead of schedule, it was nice to just hang out and shoot the shit...

Gravehill shows up and the unloading process starts...There was a bit of an issue because Fatalist was supposed to play second, and they were using some of our gear which just showed up...Even though I didn't agree with that (I'll get there in a minute) we got them what they needed and they went on...

Ok, now for that point I just mentioned. They were on our lineup of the tour...They got put on like they were a local opener and sandwiched in some of the other bands from the other tour. I'll never understand promoters I guess.

So Fatalist plays and killed it again! Then the other tour package played. I watched some of Disfigured, but generally I was going back and forth from the merch area to hang with Lilly (Lilith's Vault) since I have not seen her since 08 and going outside to buy cheap beers. Jim and a lot of the other guys were participating in an interview as well at some point, so I was more or less on my own. Corpsie bought me one of the best Taco's I ever had and the taco joint next door.

Here is something else that bothers me, and I have noticed this quite a bit. What the hell happened to metal camaraderie? All too often, people just go there to see the bands they want to see and then split, not even bothering with everyone else. Once Insidious ended, about half the venue took off. I understand it was July 4th and people probably wanted to go back to the BBQ's and what not...Eh, whatever.

Now was time for our package...I can't remember if we went first of Hod did (we took turns) but all three bands did our thing. The people who remained there were into it so that is always a good thing. I was a little bummed because several friends that I have in that area were nowhere to be found. Again, I can understand though since it was a holiday weekend.

So, did my opinion of LA change? Let's call it a draw this time...Not bad, but not good either...

Show's over and time for load out once again. Since Gravehill is local, they got to go home. Said our goodbyes to Fatalist and we headed out towards the next gig...I crashed...Next thing I know, we are at a hotel about an hour out of the city...The Hod guys get a room and I was going to do the same...Yes! I can sleep in a bed...

Nope...Their system went down so we could not get a room...Dammit, looks like I am sleeping in the van again!! Will I ever get a bed??

This time, Beer, Jim, and I slept in the van. Hotel security was not too keen on that idea and we got a "what for", but we had informed Mr. Rent A Cop that we had a room which was filled and was not able to get another because the system was down...He let us be.

So, we got some sleep and I woke early again...Spotted a (yikes) McDonald's across the street and got an egg sandwich. Beer also followed suit. Everyone else was still sleeping. Beer had a key to the room so I took it and grabbed a shower...Early bird gets the worm, right??? Jim and Beer also had the same idea after I was done.

We had to find a place to get an oil change before we hit the road again...I found one, right by the hotel, so we took off and let the other guys sleep. We get there, and they literally just opened. Not for the day...They just opened for business...They actually had to go get oil to do the change. So we had to wait a while...It was kind of humorous though...Our receipt was handwritten since they didn't even have the computers set up. The employee there said the boss was all rush, rush, rush, and open and they obviously weren't prepared.

So after that, everyone is up and moving...We check out and head to the next show in Prescott, AZ. Where?? Yeah, that's what I thought too...