Has a nice ring to it...sounds like it could be one of those light-hearted chick flick comedies...or the name of the newest shit metal-core band...
So Day 1 was at home here in Chicago...It was at Reggies, which is one of the premiere places to play here now. I have been to over 100 shows here now, but have never played there, so this is a happy first...
We all met up there...saved money on a trailer this way and I did not want to drag around those pain in the ass things more than I had to...
Things were weird though...The show was supposed to start at 6pm, which never bodes well for a local band...while we are on the tour, the fact is, we are still a local band when we play here...There were no other openers scheduled either...So there is a good chance that many people would not be getting there till later...Work schedules and travel and all...
Luckily, in the morning, I found out the show got pushed back to 8pm...Better for us!!!
I got to the club around six and there were already some people there hanging out...Apparently word about the time change did not get out...Still, good for us.
The staff there is excellent. They make you feel very welcomed and there is not any bullshit to deal with. Adam was already there and Jim and David showed up shortly after...We loaded in and was trying to find out what was going on. Destroyer and Enthroned were to use our cabinets and the drum set was supplied. Pathology was using their own stuff and they would just set up in front...Problem was the provided drumset...It was missing a floor tom, a throne, and it was just not that good. Perra (of Nominon who was the touring drummer for D666) asked if we brought our kit...was too late to go get it, but we decided that we would bring it for the next three dates since we had the room in the trailer...That was really the only setback for our portion of the tour was that kit...Even still, instead of whining and crying about equipment, professionals make due and use what is there...And that what all three bands did...
So we set up and do a soundcheck and things sounded great on stage...We were ready to slay a hopefully full room...We hung out for awhile and got to know the Pathology guys, the Destroyer guys, and the Enthroned guys...We all really hit it off...This was going to be a fun tour.
So after the hang out and getting to know each other, it was time to take the stage. The place was filling up nicely and we has seemed to get a good response...We raged through our set in about a half hour. We always plan for that as we don't want to cut in to the other bands time. If we finish early, so be it...better than over staying your welcome...
Here was the setlist for the tour...
-Insanity's Grip
-Among Us
-Against Their Will
-The Blade That Reaps
-Embrace The Aftermath
-Paralyzed With Fear
-Affliction of the Beast
Yes, mostly Haven material...we do need to push the new album you know. And it is very difficult coming up with setlists for shows now...With 3 full length albums, the Demo EP, The Beast 7", there is a lot to choose from.
I felt really good after our set. Two really great turnouts for Chicago shows in a row for us now (See the Gravehill tour post for more info on that) and to be honest, I don't want to play Chicago for a long time now for fear of getting disappointed...The last two shows we did here will be hard to top...
Didn't have to break anything down as Pathology was setting up in front of the backline. Went to drink beer, and lots of it...Hung by the merch table and watched Pathology. They are really not my thing, but they were really good. Our friend Shawn Whitaker (Insidious Decrepancy) was doing vocals for this tour...
Destroyer 666 was up next...Went up to check if they needed anything or had any questions about gear. All was well and they went on and about killed the place. I had seen them in Chicago in 06 and I remember the intensity and turnout being better for that show, but this was still a killer set.
Enthroned was up next. Now, I was never a black metal fan, so I have never heard these guys. After checking with them regarding equipment, I went back to the merch table and paid attention while they played. They were really good. Again, I am unfamiliar with their material, but I was digging what I heard.
Here is a review of the show from The Punk Vault. Contains some cool pics too!
Time to break down the gear...and get this...We actually got help with load out from members of Destroyer and Enthroned...Take note on this bands we have played with before that used our gear and then would just stand around while we loaded everything out...
Said bye to everyone and headed home...Ate a burrito and got a few hours of sleep before our trek to Detroit...
Monday, August 30, 2010
Another Tour Already?? The Backstory...
Well, sort of...It was only four days...I'll get to that in a minute...
I was going to write about Central Illinois Metalfest and our show in Akron, Ohio first, but I wanted to try and write about this most recent jaunt with everything fresh in my mind...
Ok, so a couple months ago, we were asked to be part of the Destroyer 666 and Enthroned US Tour...This was an extensive US tour that lasted nearly a month...Long story short, we were asked to do the whole thing in the beginning, which we accepted...Things kept changing though (as I'm sure it sometimes does) and we ended up on the tail end of the tour. About 2 weeks before the tour would launch (and about a week after we got home from the Gravehill/Hod/Caridac tour), I got a call from John McEntee (Incantation and Ibex Moon Records) asking if we could fill in a chunk of dates for our friends and label mates Estuary who were now unable to do the tour. We looked at every way possible, but there was no way we could have done it, which sucked, but that's what happens sometimes...Besides, the notice was too short and contrary to popular belief, people in bands do have lives and responsibilities...
We would be on the Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, and Montreal dates...Not too shabby, especially since it was three markets we have never played, with two being in another country...Yes, I can say it now...Cardiac Arrest is now an International live band! Yay us!! Only took me a little over 20 years playing death metal to do that...
While I generally never get nervous about this kind of stuff (stressed is more my style) this tour was kind of eating away at me...I was nervous about the whole border thing...None of us have anything to hide or prevent us from going, but in our case, if something can go wrong, it will for us. We have a lot of "pie in the face" moments and this tour could have had the potential for a lot of that...This tour was organized and we would be working with the booking agent and various tour managers, something we have not experienced. Also, I get nervous about bigger bands...How will they treat us? Will we get along? Will we be able to sell stuff at our prices? Will we be able to sell stuff at all? Are we going to get screwed on our guarantee? This is the kind of stuff that rattles around my empty skull...
Things looked to be on the up and up though...The booking agent was cool and kept in contact...things were getting organized and plans were being made...All we had to do is show up and kick ass...
We really put everything into our rehearsals for this tour...I mean, we always do regardless, but I think we were paying real close attention...These would be important shows for us. We would be playing for people who may not have heard us before...Also, several genres would be represented on this tour...Black, War, Technical Brutal Death (Pathology was on this tour as well) and our mix of what we do so there would be different fan bases. How would we go over on this?? Another bout of Tom nervousness...
Some things tour wise were working in our favor though...Everyone would be using the same drum kit...Awesome! Less to lug around and it helps in the set up time. We had a half hour set, so the more time saved, the better...And we were getting decent guarantees...I had the trailer secured, so that was one less thing to worry about...We had some more merch en route as well...Everything was lining up...
But I still had an unsettling feeling about the tour...To be honest, I think I was scared for the first time in my band life...
I was going to write about Central Illinois Metalfest and our show in Akron, Ohio first, but I wanted to try and write about this most recent jaunt with everything fresh in my mind...
Ok, so a couple months ago, we were asked to be part of the Destroyer 666 and Enthroned US Tour...This was an extensive US tour that lasted nearly a month...Long story short, we were asked to do the whole thing in the beginning, which we accepted...Things kept changing though (as I'm sure it sometimes does) and we ended up on the tail end of the tour. About 2 weeks before the tour would launch (and about a week after we got home from the Gravehill/Hod/Caridac tour), I got a call from John McEntee (Incantation and Ibex Moon Records) asking if we could fill in a chunk of dates for our friends and label mates Estuary who were now unable to do the tour. We looked at every way possible, but there was no way we could have done it, which sucked, but that's what happens sometimes...Besides, the notice was too short and contrary to popular belief, people in bands do have lives and responsibilities...
We would be on the Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, and Montreal dates...Not too shabby, especially since it was three markets we have never played, with two being in another country...Yes, I can say it now...Cardiac Arrest is now an International live band! Yay us!! Only took me a little over 20 years playing death metal to do that...
While I generally never get nervous about this kind of stuff (stressed is more my style) this tour was kind of eating away at me...I was nervous about the whole border thing...None of us have anything to hide or prevent us from going, but in our case, if something can go wrong, it will for us. We have a lot of "pie in the face" moments and this tour could have had the potential for a lot of that...This tour was organized and we would be working with the booking agent and various tour managers, something we have not experienced. Also, I get nervous about bigger bands...How will they treat us? Will we get along? Will we be able to sell stuff at our prices? Will we be able to sell stuff at all? Are we going to get screwed on our guarantee? This is the kind of stuff that rattles around my empty skull...
Things looked to be on the up and up though...The booking agent was cool and kept in contact...things were getting organized and plans were being made...All we had to do is show up and kick ass...
We really put everything into our rehearsals for this tour...I mean, we always do regardless, but I think we were paying real close attention...These would be important shows for us. We would be playing for people who may not have heard us before...Also, several genres would be represented on this tour...Black, War, Technical Brutal Death (Pathology was on this tour as well) and our mix of what we do so there would be different fan bases. How would we go over on this?? Another bout of Tom nervousness...
Some things tour wise were working in our favor though...Everyone would be using the same drum kit...Awesome! Less to lug around and it helps in the set up time. We had a half hour set, so the more time saved, the better...And we were getting decent guarantees...I had the trailer secured, so that was one less thing to worry about...We had some more merch en route as well...Everything was lining up...
But I still had an unsettling feeling about the tour...To be honest, I think I was scared for the first time in my band life...
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Goodbyes suck!
Well, I get home when most people are getting ready for work...I crash out in a drunken coma...
My phone wakes me at around noon...It felt like I had just closed my eyes when I laid down and now I was up again...It was Scott...The Gravehill guys were getting ready to make their long trek home to California...I throw some water on my face and head out the door...
I walked over this time...I should have walked home a few hours before, but common sense waved bye bye to me at some point in the night of debauchery...not a bad walk at all, except it was really hot out...
Al Famine was still over and everyone was just hanging out...either groggy from the long two weeks we had or hung over...or both...
And of course, Renee corrupted me once again...There was one lone beer in the house...And that was a Sam Adams Imperial White...They pack a punch...especially when I think I was still drunk from the night before...
And that folks is what is in that coffee cup I'm clutching here...
We say our goodbyes and watch Gravehill take off...I know Scott has a pic of the Gravehill-mobile and that shit awful trailer departing...
So now I am mega-bummed...While I was bummed on the road during certain times, it hit me bad now...While I keep in touch with everyone from Gravehill, it is not the same as hanging out. Who knows when we will see each other again? Sooner than later I hope...The point is, I'm already missing my friends...
Since Scott and Renee were off for the day, we hung out...went to a killer hot dog stand that I never knew about in all the time I lived here...Highly recommended, but daylight dining is suggested...It is also Anthony Bordain approved!
Of course we got beer afterward and just hung out and drank through the evening...I split around 8pm though...an early night...One of the few...
When I was home, I didn't know what to do with myself. This feeling is still going on, weeks after the tour commenced. I never knew if I would enjoy touring or not. But, as I was home, all I wanted to was be out playing. I guess I was meant to be doing this.
We had a few days off now to relax and decompress...Next stop...The Sickest Fest in the Midwest...Central Illinois Metalfest!
My phone wakes me at around noon...It felt like I had just closed my eyes when I laid down and now I was up again...It was Scott...The Gravehill guys were getting ready to make their long trek home to California...I throw some water on my face and head out the door...
I walked over this time...I should have walked home a few hours before, but common sense waved bye bye to me at some point in the night of debauchery...not a bad walk at all, except it was really hot out...
Al Famine was still over and everyone was just hanging out...either groggy from the long two weeks we had or hung over...or both...
And of course, Renee corrupted me once again...There was one lone beer in the house...And that was a Sam Adams Imperial White...They pack a punch...especially when I think I was still drunk from the night before...
And that folks is what is in that coffee cup I'm clutching here...
We say our goodbyes and watch Gravehill take off...I know Scott has a pic of the Gravehill-mobile and that shit awful trailer departing...
So now I am mega-bummed...While I was bummed on the road during certain times, it hit me bad now...While I keep in touch with everyone from Gravehill, it is not the same as hanging out. Who knows when we will see each other again? Sooner than later I hope...The point is, I'm already missing my friends...
Since Scott and Renee were off for the day, we hung out...went to a killer hot dog stand that I never knew about in all the time I lived here...Highly recommended, but daylight dining is suggested...It is also Anthony Bordain approved!
Of course we got beer afterward and just hung out and drank through the evening...I split around 8pm though...an early night...One of the few...
When I was home, I didn't know what to do with myself. This feeling is still going on, weeks after the tour commenced. I never knew if I would enjoy touring or not. But, as I was home, all I wanted to was be out playing. I guess I was meant to be doing this.
We had a few days off now to relax and decompress...Next stop...The Sickest Fest in the Midwest...Central Illinois Metalfest!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
After Tour Celebration--Sweet Home Chicago Part 2: Electric Boogaloo!
Yeah, I guess you could call it that...While we had to end it early, we still felt a great sense of accomplishment. For Cardiac, it was the first time we have ever did something this extensive...We all got along, no major melt downs, we gave 110% every show, dealt with the downs, and relished in the ups...We proved to ourselves that we could tour...
I had phoned Scott of Cianide before the Indy show to see if his offer (see Tour Day 8 entry) still stood...Good news...it did...and he even took Friday off. Preparing for debauchery...that's what us drunks do!
We left the Indy show probably around 3am...We stopped at a Denny's to grub and finish the drive back to Chicago...I couldn't tell you who drove...I think it was David...with me being drunk and a stomach full of awesome breakfast food, I went into drunk/food coma and crashed hard...Next thing I know, it was daylight and we were back at our rehearsal spot and gear was already being unloaded.
Still half asleep, I did what I could...We also had to put the damn extra seat back in the van...What a pain in the ass...
Everything got unloaded, so I took Adam back to his place...Came back and closed everything up and headed back to Casa de Knizner for the second time this tour. Works for me! Jim and David had to ride along since Jim left his car by Scott's after the Chicago show...But we weren't going there to party yet...Come on...It was like 8:30 in the morning...I'm bad, but not that bad...Ok I am, but Scott and Renee were at work...When I dropped Jim and David off, I noticed Al Famine's car parked there...Must have partied the night before...Hopefully he would still be around for this evenings festivities...
We get to my place about 2 minutes later...Had to search for a parking permit for the Gravehill-mobile (zoned parking and revenue collectors love finding non compliant vehicles) and we just chilled here...Matt and Corpsie went straight to the basement to crash...Rhett did laundry and he, myself, Bob, and Mike just chilled out and watched TV...We had a lot of time to kill and it was nice to just relax...
I had to take the van back at some point today, and luckily, the place was right down the street...I'll worry about it later because I wanted to clean it up before I took it back...
In the early afternoon, hunger started to kick in...I suggested my favorite junk food joint, Jacky's, which is right across the street. However, I was outvoted in favor of Deep Dish Pizza. Yes, the last time the Gravehill guys were here, we really did not have time to do much of anything Chicago-wise and they got shafted...Not this time though...I took them right down the street to one of the more famous establishments here on the South Side...
Disclaimer: Let it be known that we here in Chicago do not just eat Deep Dish Pizza like all those food shows lead you to believe...We mostly eat thin crust that is cut into squares...Deep Dish is a nice treat once in awhile...Got that???
Corpsie and Matt stayed behind and slept while the rest of us gorged on Deep Dish Pizza...I'd like to say that we were dicks and didn't bring them back any, but we are not like that believe it or not...They got leftovers that were still hot (that's how close this place is to the house)
Bob, Mike, and I cleaned the van while the others ate, took showers, etc.
Took the van back without any issue. I was a bit worried about it because of all the goofy things that we went through with the change over and turning it to a different city, but all was well...
Went and loaded up on beer and some food for the night...Drinking and grilling would ensue.
We got to Scott's around 7pm...Besides myself, David was the only Cardiac member in attendance for the bash...And Al Famine showed back up to partake in the bash...and what a bash it was...I'll let the pics do the talking...
Yup...that's how we roll...This went on till about 5am...I can't even fathom how much booze was consumed...I know I brought a 30 pack, David brought a 12er, Al brought beer, I believe some of the Gravehill dudes bought some beer, Scott's house is ALWAYS well stocked, and that bottle of Maker's Mark was full when we got there...The bash is what the kids now call, epic!
It was getting light out when I made my way home, which thankfully is only a few blocks away...David had left already and the Gravehill guys were crashing at Scott's...I would see them again in just a few hours...
I had phoned Scott of Cianide before the Indy show to see if his offer (see Tour Day 8 entry) still stood...Good news...it did...and he even took Friday off. Preparing for debauchery...that's what us drunks do!
We left the Indy show probably around 3am...We stopped at a Denny's to grub and finish the drive back to Chicago...I couldn't tell you who drove...I think it was David...with me being drunk and a stomach full of awesome breakfast food, I went into drunk/food coma and crashed hard...Next thing I know, it was daylight and we were back at our rehearsal spot and gear was already being unloaded.
Still half asleep, I did what I could...We also had to put the damn extra seat back in the van...What a pain in the ass...
Everything got unloaded, so I took Adam back to his place...Came back and closed everything up and headed back to Casa de Knizner for the second time this tour. Works for me! Jim and David had to ride along since Jim left his car by Scott's after the Chicago show...But we weren't going there to party yet...Come on...It was like 8:30 in the morning...I'm bad, but not that bad...Ok I am, but Scott and Renee were at work...When I dropped Jim and David off, I noticed Al Famine's car parked there...Must have partied the night before...Hopefully he would still be around for this evenings festivities...
We get to my place about 2 minutes later...Had to search for a parking permit for the Gravehill-mobile (zoned parking and revenue collectors love finding non compliant vehicles) and we just chilled here...Matt and Corpsie went straight to the basement to crash...Rhett did laundry and he, myself, Bob, and Mike just chilled out and watched TV...We had a lot of time to kill and it was nice to just relax...
I had to take the van back at some point today, and luckily, the place was right down the street...I'll worry about it later because I wanted to clean it up before I took it back...
In the early afternoon, hunger started to kick in...I suggested my favorite junk food joint, Jacky's, which is right across the street. However, I was outvoted in favor of Deep Dish Pizza. Yes, the last time the Gravehill guys were here, we really did not have time to do much of anything Chicago-wise and they got shafted...Not this time though...I took them right down the street to one of the more famous establishments here on the South Side...
Disclaimer: Let it be known that we here in Chicago do not just eat Deep Dish Pizza like all those food shows lead you to believe...We mostly eat thin crust that is cut into squares...Deep Dish is a nice treat once in awhile...Got that???
Corpsie and Matt stayed behind and slept while the rest of us gorged on Deep Dish Pizza...I'd like to say that we were dicks and didn't bring them back any, but we are not like that believe it or not...They got leftovers that were still hot (that's how close this place is to the house)
Bob, Mike, and I cleaned the van while the others ate, took showers, etc.
Took the van back without any issue. I was a bit worried about it because of all the goofy things that we went through with the change over and turning it to a different city, but all was well...
Went and loaded up on beer and some food for the night...Drinking and grilling would ensue.
We got to Scott's around 7pm...Besides myself, David was the only Cardiac member in attendance for the bash...And Al Famine showed back up to partake in the bash...and what a bash it was...I'll let the pics do the talking...
Yup...that's how we roll...This went on till about 5am...I can't even fathom how much booze was consumed...I know I brought a 30 pack, David brought a 12er, Al brought beer, I believe some of the Gravehill dudes bought some beer, Scott's house is ALWAYS well stocked, and that bottle of Maker's Mark was full when we got there...The bash is what the kids now call, epic!
It was getting light out when I made my way home, which thankfully is only a few blocks away...David had left already and the Gravehill guys were crashing at Scott's...I would see them again in just a few hours...
Tour Complete--The Aftermath
Well, as I said, I will explain....But first, here is the press release that went out on what was to be the final day of the tour...
Ibex Moon Records has announced that the last four dates of the "Campaign For Death Metal Purity Tour", featuring GRAVEHILL, CARDIAC ARREST and HOD, will not go on as planned.
Though HOD dropped off the bill after the July 7 date in Austin, Texas, other factors led to GRAVEHILL and CARDIAC ARREST canceling the final dates.
Commented CARDIAC ARREST drummer Jim "Grindhead" Deabenderfer: "We in CARDIAC ARREST and GRAVEHILL are disappointed to be in this position. Canceling shows is not something either of our camps are accustomed to. We are forced to drop these dates for purely logistic reasons, not financial. This should not reflect on any of the promoters for the dates in question — our plans simply had to change with the situation. Both CARDIAC ARREST and GRAVEHILL are committed to make up these four dates as soon as possible."
The affected dates are as follows:
July 15 - Buccaneer's - Memphis, TN
July 16 - Downtown Music - Little Rock, AR
July 17 - Walters - Houston, TX
July 18 - Ten Eleven - San Antonio, TX
The "Campaign For Death Metal Purity Tour" will conclude tonight in Indianapolis, Indiana at The Melody Inn, with GRAVEHILL and CARDIAC ARREST playing alongside Abyss Records acts MAAX and CHRIST BEHEADED.
So, what were the logistical problems...Well, I'll tell ya...
Ok, Hod is the one that secured the van. We had taken over said van. Hod provided a lot of the gear being used, so when they left, so did the gear...We scrambled to get ours to finish out the dates we could...
Now, Indianapolis is about a 4 hour drive from Chicago. Get where I'm going to with this? No? Keep reading then...
We also had to return the van. We were already getting hit for the different driver fee now.
We had two options at this point...
1--Finish the tour as planned
2--End the tour early for said logistical reasons
Option 1 sounds great, don't it...I thought so...Here is the problem with that...
We finish out the dates and play Memphis, Little Rock, Houston, and San Antonio...we return the van in San Antonio and we fly home from there (remember, we have plane tickets as this was the plan from the get-go) and everything is peachy, right?
Ok, how do we get our equipment home?
"Oh Tom, just ship it back home!" you say...
Yeah...2 4x12 cabinets, 1 Marshall Head, and Jim's monster drum kit...
"Just fly home with it!"
Yeah, right...
"Just rent a car and drive the stuff home!"
Won't fit...have to rent a van again...
"Gravehill has the trailer...they could take the gear back with them and work out shipping arrangements!"
Ain't gonna happen...room in the trailer was limited as it was and the van was being used for storing stuff as well...Now, no van with extra storage for their ride home...
"Go back to Chicago, dump your gear off and just use other bands stuff!"
Ok drive away from our next city, dump the gear off, and then do double the drive back to Memphis.
Believe me, I may sound like a smart ass, but we did try to examine every option to continue on with the tour...Nothing would work for us. We really did want to continue on, but ultimately decided to end it in Indianapolis since we were pretty close to home.
So that folks is what happened...No drama, no bullshit not getting along with Gravehill (or earlier, Hod)...We were just stuck and going home was the only way...
We knew we were beat...
It was all decided as a group (including Gravehill) that we would end in Indianapolis. We all put our heads together to try and make this thing work to no avail.
The plan was to go back home to Chicago, dump the gear at the practice space, return the van (which we also get a hit on for turning it in another city, but with turning it in 5 days early, it kind of offsets) and relax and party before Gravehill had to make their long trek back to Los Angeles...
Kind of anti-climatic, eh?
Ibex Moon Records has announced that the last four dates of the "Campaign For Death Metal Purity Tour", featuring GRAVEHILL, CARDIAC ARREST and HOD, will not go on as planned.
Though HOD dropped off the bill after the July 7 date in Austin, Texas, other factors led to GRAVEHILL and CARDIAC ARREST canceling the final dates.
Commented CARDIAC ARREST drummer Jim "Grindhead" Deabenderfer: "We in CARDIAC ARREST and GRAVEHILL are disappointed to be in this position. Canceling shows is not something either of our camps are accustomed to. We are forced to drop these dates for purely logistic reasons, not financial. This should not reflect on any of the promoters for the dates in question — our plans simply had to change with the situation. Both CARDIAC ARREST and GRAVEHILL are committed to make up these four dates as soon as possible."
The affected dates are as follows:
July 15 - Buccaneer's - Memphis, TN
July 16 - Downtown Music - Little Rock, AR
July 17 - Walters - Houston, TX
July 18 - Ten Eleven - San Antonio, TX
The "Campaign For Death Metal Purity Tour" will conclude tonight in Indianapolis, Indiana at The Melody Inn, with GRAVEHILL and CARDIAC ARREST playing alongside Abyss Records acts MAAX and CHRIST BEHEADED.
So, what were the logistical problems...Well, I'll tell ya...
Ok, Hod is the one that secured the van. We had taken over said van. Hod provided a lot of the gear being used, so when they left, so did the gear...We scrambled to get ours to finish out the dates we could...
Now, Indianapolis is about a 4 hour drive from Chicago. Get where I'm going to with this? No? Keep reading then...
We also had to return the van. We were already getting hit for the different driver fee now.
We had two options at this point...
1--Finish the tour as planned
2--End the tour early for said logistical reasons
Option 1 sounds great, don't it...I thought so...Here is the problem with that...
We finish out the dates and play Memphis, Little Rock, Houston, and San Antonio...we return the van in San Antonio and we fly home from there (remember, we have plane tickets as this was the plan from the get-go) and everything is peachy, right?
Ok, how do we get our equipment home?
"Oh Tom, just ship it back home!" you say...
Yeah...2 4x12 cabinets, 1 Marshall Head, and Jim's monster drum kit...
"Just fly home with it!"
Yeah, right...
"Just rent a car and drive the stuff home!"
Won't fit...have to rent a van again...
"Gravehill has the trailer...they could take the gear back with them and work out shipping arrangements!"
Ain't gonna happen...room in the trailer was limited as it was and the van was being used for storing stuff as well...Now, no van with extra storage for their ride home...
"Go back to Chicago, dump your gear off and just use other bands stuff!"
Ok drive away from our next city, dump the gear off, and then do double the drive back to Memphis.
Believe me, I may sound like a smart ass, but we did try to examine every option to continue on with the tour...Nothing would work for us. We really did want to continue on, but ultimately decided to end it in Indianapolis since we were pretty close to home.
So that folks is what happened...No drama, no bullshit not getting along with Gravehill (or earlier, Hod)...We were just stuck and going home was the only way...
We knew we were beat...
It was all decided as a group (including Gravehill) that we would end in Indianapolis. We all put our heads together to try and make this thing work to no avail.
The plan was to go back home to Chicago, dump the gear at the practice space, return the van (which we also get a hit on for turning it in another city, but with turning it in 5 days early, it kind of offsets) and relax and party before Gravehill had to make their long trek back to Los Angeles...
Kind of anti-climatic, eh?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tour Day 13--Indianapolis, Indiana
Yeah, that's right...I can't think of anything catchy for this one...Maybe some kind of John Cougar Mellencamp thing, but I'm drawing a blank...
So we left New York probably around 3am to make the 12 hour haul to Indy...Mike started out the drive in getting out of the city. Not bad. My foot was now killing me so the best thing for me was sleep...I slept through the night, through a lot of storms, and a change in driver. Yes, David stepped up to the plate and got us through the storms...I am told he did damn good too, so he is now on the driver approved list for upcoming shows...
We gassed up around 8am and I took us the rest of the way...My foot was feeling a bit better now and I just wanted to get there...The ride wasn't too bad, just long and really nothing to look at. We were making excellent time though...
We were about an hour and a half ahead of the Gravehill-mobile as they had stopped at a truckstop for a classic truckstop shower...We chose to marinate for the day...
We got into Indy about right on schedule...we found the club and decided to get something to eat. We were in a very ghetto area by the looks of things and I think we were all wondering how this show would go. Cardiac has played Indy 3 times prior and turnouts have always been on the low side.
He grabbed something to eat down the road and I was deciding whether or not to stay the night...In the meantime, Gravehill rolled into town and was getting kind of lost...Their war machine needed an oil change as well. Luckily, there was quick lube place within spitting distance from where we were currently at...Problem is, my sense of direction is worth a shit and they went the opposite way...They finally met up with us about a half hour later...They pull into the oil change place, and the shitty thing was we had to detach the trailer...Dammit...It wasn't as bad as one would think though...So, oil change is done, and now they want to eat. It was around 5:30 at this point, so we would skip the hotel and head to the club. We also had to out our plan into action, which I will explain in detail in the next entry...I stopped at a store and picked up a 12er while I waited for everyone to finish eating...
We played The Melody in...Our friend Dano is the one that booked and promoted the show. He has never done us wrong, hence is why we will always work with him. The line-up was sweet...Our buddies Maax were the openers...We have played with them quite a few times now and they are a great band and cool dudes. Christ Beheaded would play after. Awesome black metal band consisting of Iron Bob of The Gates of Slumber fame...Then it would be us and Gravehill...
We hung around for outside for awhile and started staging the gear outside...the place was pretty small, so there was not a lot of room for gear. I drank beers in the van for awhile and checked in. The door guy looked really familiar to me, but I couldn't place him...Oh well...
People were really starting to show up...Our friends from Leproso came out to support and see the show. I also remember some other people from past Indy shows...But the place was filling up and I was pretty impressed.
Maax and Christ Beheaded set the pace...both bands were killer...In between the two bands, it finally dawned on me who the door guy (and sound guy) was...It was Karl from Gates of Slumber...It had been a couple of years since we hung out (they play Chicago all the time, and I have missed their last bunch of shows here) and my appearance has changed considerably sine then, so that's why we were both stumped...So we played catch up for a bit, and I started getting ready for load in...
We went up and did our thing...I was floored by the crowd...I think it is safe to say that Indy was one of the best shows of the tour.
Gravehill was up next and finished the assault...I believe they even got to encore...not sure if that happened throughout the tour because I never pay attention since I was usually three sheets to the wind and running merch...but for some reason, I remember it happening here...
We hung out after the show for a bit and took over the juke box again...we were in good company though since Karl and Bob were loading it up and playing good songs...
We said our goodbyes to everyone once the place closed and loaded out...We got an offer from Iron Bob to stay at his place, but we were heading back to Chicago...Yup, that was what was irking me since Hod dropped off the tour...We would not be able to complete the last four dates...Hence, the tour was now over...As promised, I will go into detail in the next entry...
So we left New York probably around 3am to make the 12 hour haul to Indy...Mike started out the drive in getting out of the city. Not bad. My foot was now killing me so the best thing for me was sleep...I slept through the night, through a lot of storms, and a change in driver. Yes, David stepped up to the plate and got us through the storms...I am told he did damn good too, so he is now on the driver approved list for upcoming shows...
We gassed up around 8am and I took us the rest of the way...My foot was feeling a bit better now and I just wanted to get there...The ride wasn't too bad, just long and really nothing to look at. We were making excellent time though...
We were about an hour and a half ahead of the Gravehill-mobile as they had stopped at a truckstop for a classic truckstop shower...We chose to marinate for the day...
We got into Indy about right on schedule...we found the club and decided to get something to eat. We were in a very ghetto area by the looks of things and I think we were all wondering how this show would go. Cardiac has played Indy 3 times prior and turnouts have always been on the low side.
He grabbed something to eat down the road and I was deciding whether or not to stay the night...In the meantime, Gravehill rolled into town and was getting kind of lost...Their war machine needed an oil change as well. Luckily, there was quick lube place within spitting distance from where we were currently at...Problem is, my sense of direction is worth a shit and they went the opposite way...They finally met up with us about a half hour later...They pull into the oil change place, and the shitty thing was we had to detach the trailer...Dammit...It wasn't as bad as one would think though...So, oil change is done, and now they want to eat. It was around 5:30 at this point, so we would skip the hotel and head to the club. We also had to out our plan into action, which I will explain in detail in the next entry...I stopped at a store and picked up a 12er while I waited for everyone to finish eating...
We played The Melody in...Our friend Dano is the one that booked and promoted the show. He has never done us wrong, hence is why we will always work with him. The line-up was sweet...Our buddies Maax were the openers...We have played with them quite a few times now and they are a great band and cool dudes. Christ Beheaded would play after. Awesome black metal band consisting of Iron Bob of The Gates of Slumber fame...Then it would be us and Gravehill...
We hung around for outside for awhile and started staging the gear outside...the place was pretty small, so there was not a lot of room for gear. I drank beers in the van for awhile and checked in. The door guy looked really familiar to me, but I couldn't place him...Oh well...
People were really starting to show up...Our friends from Leproso came out to support and see the show. I also remember some other people from past Indy shows...But the place was filling up and I was pretty impressed.
Maax and Christ Beheaded set the pace...both bands were killer...In between the two bands, it finally dawned on me who the door guy (and sound guy) was...It was Karl from Gates of Slumber...It had been a couple of years since we hung out (they play Chicago all the time, and I have missed their last bunch of shows here) and my appearance has changed considerably sine then, so that's why we were both stumped...So we played catch up for a bit, and I started getting ready for load in...
We went up and did our thing...I was floored by the crowd...I think it is safe to say that Indy was one of the best shows of the tour.
Gravehill was up next and finished the assault...I believe they even got to encore...not sure if that happened throughout the tour because I never pay attention since I was usually three sheets to the wind and running merch...but for some reason, I remember it happening here...
We hung out after the show for a bit and took over the juke box again...we were in good company though since Karl and Bob were loading it up and playing good songs...
We said our goodbyes to everyone once the place closed and loaded out...We got an offer from Iron Bob to stay at his place, but we were heading back to Chicago...Yup, that was what was irking me since Hod dropped off the tour...We would not be able to complete the last four dates...Hence, the tour was now over...As promised, I will go into detail in the next entry...
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tour Day 12--I Want To Be A Part Of It...New York, New York...
Digging deeper into the well and out comes an "Ol' Blue Eyes" reference...Look that up if you are confused kiddies...
Where was I? Ah, ok, we wake several times in the morning...Why several times...Because the fucking staff of the hotel kept knocking on our door asking us about when we were checking out...Um, at check out time, which was noon I think...This started at 9am...Note to self...don't stay at that hotel again...
We finally got moving around 12, but it was important to continue the mini Food Network tour...Which led us right down the road to here...
We eagerly await our feast...
Awesomeness! The food was great and cheap...and they gave you a lot of it...Highly recommended...
We had to look for a place to get an oil change for the Gravehill-mobile...Not to be...That area of Jersey seems to not have convenient places...I had a bitch of a time finding cigs, no oil change place, and gas stations tended to be scarce...
So, we head off to our next destination, New York City...which was only a half hour away...I didn't drive because I fear big city driving other than Chicago, so Mike did it and I was relieved. My mood was a bit better today...Good, I'm getting out of my funk...
Getting into New York was not as bad as I imagined...I had been there once before, but I was with people who knew the area so it didn't really phase me...Don't get me wrong...it was a bitch, but not real bad...
Next, we had to find the club then worry about parking...
That wasn't so bad either...Easily found the place and found relatively close parking...Even the Gravehill-mobile with the trailer...Just had to feed the meters...
The club was Fontana's and it was right in the middle of Chinatown...Not much to do there. It was really congested and kind of unpleasant...garbage was everywhere, so the smells were not that great either...Parking right in front of the club opened up at 7pm...No lugging stuff if we played our cards right...
Hey, look...we are tourists...
We had a lot of time to kill...Matt and Bob wandered around. Corpsie and Adam took naps...Jim and David walked around...Mike, Rhett, and I stayed in the club. I drank beer and played Golden Tee...Did much better on that then I did in Portland with pinball...
Oooohh...We made it on a poster at the venue...
Yes, we were playing with Goreaphobia tonight, who I was looking forward to seeing again...
Mike and I decided to go walking around a little bit...Load in time was getting close, so we had to be back...not to mention being ready to move the vehicles for the optimal spots...
Luckily we found a pizza joint a couple of blocks down...I was thankful for that because I am not too big of a Chinese food fan...and there were tons of those places obviously...
Look at the Creep at the Pizza Joint!
So we get back and start the load in...My foot was hurting real bad so I was kind of crabby...but, work needed to be done...There's no crying in metal!
People were starting to show up...Ran into Danny and Ron of Malignancy...Jeff Zornow and Bridget showed up...Ross and Bob of Immolation also came by along with some other friends...Coolness!
I ended up with lots of drink tickets since most of the other guys don't really drink...So I enjoyed my free Iron City beers all night!
Animals Killing People were up first. Not bad, but not really my thing...Kind of that New York Brutal thing...They were super nice guys though!
The crowd was great for us and Gravehill...The stage was kind of small so we were pretty cramped so we did the best we could with limited movement...
Goreaphobia was next and they kicked ass. But, for some reason, the club started to thin out quite a bit...It was a Tuesday and late, but I thought New York was one of those cities that never sleep...Guess not...
I mentioned my hurt foot before...I think it was due to the way I rest my foot on the gas pedal while driving...The only way I can describe it was that it felt like the top of my right foot was cracked...Anyway, I aggravated it more when loading out...there were steps, and the first one is real low...almost like it is not there...When I was going down to get more stuff, I missed that step and the middle of my foot came down on it...PAIN!! I was hobbling around like a fucking idiot after that...They all told me not to worry about loading out, but I'm not like that...I'll deal with it after everything is secure...
We hung for a bit and got ready for the long haul to Indianapolis...This would be another long run of 12 hours and a through the night drive.
Where was I? Ah, ok, we wake several times in the morning...Why several times...Because the fucking staff of the hotel kept knocking on our door asking us about when we were checking out...Um, at check out time, which was noon I think...This started at 9am...Note to self...don't stay at that hotel again...
We finally got moving around 12, but it was important to continue the mini Food Network tour...Which led us right down the road to here...
We eagerly await our feast...
Awesomeness! The food was great and cheap...and they gave you a lot of it...Highly recommended...
We had to look for a place to get an oil change for the Gravehill-mobile...Not to be...That area of Jersey seems to not have convenient places...I had a bitch of a time finding cigs, no oil change place, and gas stations tended to be scarce...
So, we head off to our next destination, New York City...which was only a half hour away...I didn't drive because I fear big city driving other than Chicago, so Mike did it and I was relieved. My mood was a bit better today...Good, I'm getting out of my funk...
Getting into New York was not as bad as I imagined...I had been there once before, but I was with people who knew the area so it didn't really phase me...Don't get me wrong...it was a bitch, but not real bad...
Next, we had to find the club then worry about parking...
That wasn't so bad either...Easily found the place and found relatively close parking...Even the Gravehill-mobile with the trailer...Just had to feed the meters...
The club was Fontana's and it was right in the middle of Chinatown...Not much to do there. It was really congested and kind of unpleasant...garbage was everywhere, so the smells were not that great either...Parking right in front of the club opened up at 7pm...No lugging stuff if we played our cards right...
Hey, look...we are tourists...
We had a lot of time to kill...Matt and Bob wandered around. Corpsie and Adam took naps...Jim and David walked around...Mike, Rhett, and I stayed in the club. I drank beer and played Golden Tee...Did much better on that then I did in Portland with pinball...
Oooohh...We made it on a poster at the venue...
Yes, we were playing with Goreaphobia tonight, who I was looking forward to seeing again...
Mike and I decided to go walking around a little bit...Load in time was getting close, so we had to be back...not to mention being ready to move the vehicles for the optimal spots...
Luckily we found a pizza joint a couple of blocks down...I was thankful for that because I am not too big of a Chinese food fan...and there were tons of those places obviously...
Look at the Creep at the Pizza Joint!
So we get back and start the load in...My foot was hurting real bad so I was kind of crabby...but, work needed to be done...There's no crying in metal!
People were starting to show up...Ran into Danny and Ron of Malignancy...Jeff Zornow and Bridget showed up...Ross and Bob of Immolation also came by along with some other friends...Coolness!
I ended up with lots of drink tickets since most of the other guys don't really drink...So I enjoyed my free Iron City beers all night!
Animals Killing People were up first. Not bad, but not really my thing...Kind of that New York Brutal thing...They were super nice guys though!
The crowd was great for us and Gravehill...The stage was kind of small so we were pretty cramped so we did the best we could with limited movement...
Goreaphobia was next and they kicked ass. But, for some reason, the club started to thin out quite a bit...It was a Tuesday and late, but I thought New York was one of those cities that never sleep...Guess not...
I mentioned my hurt foot before...I think it was due to the way I rest my foot on the gas pedal while driving...The only way I can describe it was that it felt like the top of my right foot was cracked...Anyway, I aggravated it more when loading out...there were steps, and the first one is real low...almost like it is not there...When I was going down to get more stuff, I missed that step and the middle of my foot came down on it...PAIN!! I was hobbling around like a fucking idiot after that...They all told me not to worry about loading out, but I'm not like that...I'll deal with it after everything is secure...
We hung for a bit and got ready for the long haul to Indianapolis...This would be another long run of 12 hours and a through the night drive.
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