Roadie Blog

Not posting here at the moment.

2010-06-28T14:48:00.000-05:00

Stopped posting to this blog, been busy with Facebook. May try to get back to posts here in the near future. Thanks.

Paris -Day Off

2009-05-10T06:25:00.002-05:00

Day off in Paris today. Walked from the hotel towards Notré Dame, then decided to head in the opposite direction towards the Eiffel Tower (never been). Got close enough to snap some photos, but not close enough to be bothered by the crowd. Basically walked around for 4 plus hours, took the subway back to the hotel, when I determined I had wore a hole in my right sock. Had an early dinner with Micah and Brad (who walked around the same places as me, but never saw them) at a sidewalk restaurant near the hotel. After food, took an ill advised nap woke up in the middle of the night, read and interneted, finally fell back asleep. Slept through lobby call, was awakened by phone call from production manager. Luckily we were still waiting on a van, so I didn't get oil spotted (left).

Berlin - Day Off

2009-05-08T12:56:00.003-05:00

First Day off of the promo tour. As we were pulling into the hotel at 1am last night I saw a poster with Alfred Hitchcock on it, further investigation led me to the Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen. They have the only Hitchcock exhibition in Europe. I made it over this afternoon, paid my 4 Euros and spent a couple of hours looking at still photos, letters, storyboards, wardrobe, etc. All pertaining to Hitch's 6 decades of amazing film work.

Ran into a bunch of the crew as I entered the hotel after the museum. Went out for food (Italian) and then wandered the mall next door to the hotel and got gelato (banana, yum).

Time to dust off the old blog...

2009-03-18T11:04:00.004-05:00

Well, almost another year has gone by without a blog post. Why? What have I been doing? Here's a brief synopsis:

In May of 2007 I stopped touring full-time to start a tube amp company with my good friend Ossie Ahsen, it's called 3 Monkeys . Oz moved down to Raleigh in August and we spent the rest of '07 and most of '08 designing and building prototypes on the pool table in my (Paige's) sunroom. We moved out of my house and into a nice shop in August '08 . The amps were released to the public in November '08, right in the middle of the collapse of our economy. Sales have been steady, but not brisk. I have only done one tour since '07, which was the Experience Hendrix Tour in Oct-Nov '08, where I teched for Brad Whitford and Doyle Bramhall II.

Fast forward to 2009, I've been out teching for Darius Rucker (of Hootie & the Blowfish), filling in for my pal Skully (who's wife has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl). Darius has managed to go Gold with his debut country record in 9 weeks. He's also released two singles, both of which have gone to #1 on the Billboard Country Chart. In the last few weeks I have also been working for Green Day, as they will be releasing a new album in May and touring the world for the next few years. Oz and I will keep the amp company going while I tour.

So hopefully the blog will continue as I race around the world with Green Day again...

One Year Anniversary

2008-04-16T08:06:00.002-05:00

Since Tom Spaulding pointed out that it was my one year anniversary of posting to this blog, I decided to ACTUALLY post something!! Where have I been? What have I been doing? Well, I semi-retired from the road last June to start a tube amp business. I have been busy building prototypes and generally trying to get the business off the ground ever since. Soon, within 60-90 days, all will be revealed...

For now, here is a photo from the only gig I've done since last year. I got an email from the one and only Marshall Crenshaw last week asking me if I was available to work his gig closing the Azalea Festival in Wilmington, NC. Since I'm a big fan, and it was only 2hrs away, I agreed and had a fabulous time doing it!! Marshall's bass player was MIA, as his flight was canceled by US Air, so Marshall and Diego Voglino (his drummer) did a duo in the Flat Duo Jets style. We had a great hang for lunch and dinner with Marshall, Diego and Don Malter from NYC. Lots of music talk and story swapping. Thanks guys for a great weekend. Also, thanks Tom, this post is dedicated to you...

Fountains of Wayne

2007-04-13T20:36:00.000-05:00

Just out is 'Traffic and Weather' the new album by Fountains of Wayne. Go download it from iTunes or buy it at your local CD store or big box retailer. These guys write perfect intelligent pop songs. Hard to pick a favorite but 'Someone to Love', 'Strapped for Cash' and 'Yolanda Hayes' come to mind. I mean who writes songs about the lady at the DMV (Yolanda). These guys should be at the top of the charts, but maybe they're just too smart for the average Wal-Mart shopper. Come on, be cool, be hip, BUY the new Fountain's record...

Paige at the KISS Koffeehouse

2007-04-04T08:53:00.000-05:00

How I spent my Spring Break

2007-04-04T08:47:00.001-05:00

Wow, a new blog post. Alert the media!!

So, as many of you know, when I am not touring I am usually working on some kind of remodel project at home. These projects usually take twice as long as I think they will and quadruple what Paige thinks. This is due to most of my projects being a 'first time' for me. I like to earn while I learn. Wait a minute, am I getting paid for this? Uh, no. Damn.

Current projects where to smooth the popcorn ceiling in the office (3rd bedroom), the hallway, and the entryway. Luckily I have a guy for this, and he did it in one and a half days. Our good friend Terry Anderson came to paint again and did a great job.

I meanwhile have been working on converting the office from this to this and this. Which consists of building all the furniture out of Birch and installing recessed lighting in the ceiling. Since most walls are not square (and our house especially), it presented me with a challenge to get the built-in bookcases to align properly. I still have to add the shelf that goes over the window, as it has been difficult to get my head around. The lights were easier than I thought, but I did a lot of prep work in my 4 ft tall attic. I still have some file cabinets to build, some guitars to hang, and shelves to build for the closet. Then on to the bathrooms and master closet...

Hollywood, FL - Show Day

2007-01-29T20:52:00.000-05:00

Flew down this morning to Ft. Lauderdale with my buddy Skully to do a couple of shows with Hootie and the Blowfish. I've known the guys since their club/frat party days... Great bunch, band and crew.

We're playing at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino which is owned by the Seminole Tribe. They also now own ALL of the Hard Rocks, except Las Vegas, but they aim to buy that one too.

Load-in and set-up is easy, the guy I'll be replacing is here to guide me through the rig and guitar changes. Easy enough. Tomorrow we're taping for TV in Myrtle Beach, should be fun. The 5:30am lobby call tomorrow shall not . OUCH!!

Happy New Year everyone. Hope to have some more bloggin' here soon.

PS How's that Foy??

Cleo - R.I.P.

2006-12-07T10:58:00.000-05:00

Cleo, our beloved Golden Retriever passed away this past Monday, she was 16 years old. She was the sweetest, most gentle dog I have ever met. We only had her for 3 years, but it was a lifetime to us. We will miss her greatly. There are many photos of her here.

Scenic Walkway - Oak Island, NC

2006-10-29T13:30:00.000-05:00

Here's a photo of our almost completed walkway at the end of our street (it goes over the Davis Canal/Creek and marsh to the beach side of the island). It now takes us under 5 minutes to walk from the house to the beach. Sweet!! There is also a canoe/kayak dock on the left of the walkway.

Indianapolis -Show Day

2006-10-13T12:56:00.000-05:00

Chilly one today, supposed to be 35 with the wind chill all day. Get a UPS shipment of guitars from Collings, an acoustic maker in Austin, TX, who has recently started making electrics. Man these guitars look and play great. It is freezing onstage and the wind isn't helping. Luckily they have set up some heater to blow in guitar world and onstage. My hands are freezing during line check. Later, Kevin brings down a repair, that's been sitting in his shop for 2 years. He meets the boss and watches some of the show from guitar world. Load out and head to the warm bus.

Indianapolis -Day Off

2006-10-12T12:52:00.000-05:00

Wake up in the hotel parking lot, rooms aren't ready. Eventually go by the desk and get a double room, would have had to wait on a king... Talk to my friend Kevin from Uncle Albert's, he's the designer of my tube amp prototype. He invites me over for dinner. I hit the Border's bookstore, PF Chang's for lunch, and wander around the mall a bit to kill the afternoon. Kevin picks me up after 5pm and we head to his house. He starts on dinner, as we wait for his wife to return from aerobics. He shows me his Batman collection, which takes up his entire basement. This is the most Batman memorabilia I've ever seen in one place. Wow. We talk amps and music also, and he shows me the shop where my amp was born. Dinner is almost ready when a friend of Kevin's stops by, his name is Bud and he's 76. He's a fan of Kevin's band, and an interesting man, who has worked with computers since the 50's. We all talk about music, computers, etc. till after 10pm, when Kevin drives me back to the hotel.

Detroit -Show Day

2006-10-11T12:49:00.000-05:00

Another small, badly designed gig. Plus it is cold and raining. Buses must park far away from the stage, so I don't return to the bus but once all day. Band comes in for an abbreviated rehearsal of a new song. Get the bosses monitors sorted out, as I am now mixing everything but the drums from a small mixer next to my workbox. Band plays a good show, even do the new song well, unfortunately for the crowd it rains the entire show.

Detroit -Day Off

2006-10-10T12:48:00.000-05:00

Wake up in the hotel parking lot. We are staying in a small town outside Detroit. Really nice, new hotel too. Grab some Thai for lunch, very spicy. Return to the hotel and watch the World Superbike race on the bus. Meet the Jim's, Ebdon and Survis, after the race in the lobby, they have rented mountain bikes from the hotel. We head off on a 8 mile trail. Get about halfway before phone calls and the threat of rain turns us around. We split up just before the hotel and after returning a few calls, I head out for another 4 or 5 miles, before it does start raining. Meet Jerry about an hour after turning my bike in, and we head for dinner. Decide on one of Detroit's famous hot dog joints, a small place that serves them Detroit, Chicago, or Coney Island style. Tastes great, and to complete a night of fine dining we get Pumpkin Blizzards from the Dairy Queen next door and walk back in the rain.

Cincinnati -Show Day

2006-10-09T12:47:00.000-05:00

Load in to the dreaded River Bend shed. Seems we are playing all the older, smaller, badly designed sheds in a row... In-ear monitors are terrible tonight and the boss is not happy. Will need to get this sorted out in Detroit.

Cincinnati -Day Off

2006-10-08T12:46:00.000-05:00

Get to Cincy mid-morning, must get off the bus at the hotel, as it has to park blocks away. My buddy David comes and picks me up after noon. I've known him and his wife Julie for 20 years (Ouch). We stop for some Mexican food, before heading for their house in Northern Kentucky. Meet their two daughters, before Julie takes them to the park. David and I stay behind to play some guitar and talk music (big surprise). Later, they feed me a fabulous steak dinner and David drives me back to the hotel. I had a great time.

Alpine Valley, WI -Show Day

2006-10-07T10:56:00.000-05:00

A bit chilly for a show today, I'm feeling a cold coming on too. Try to rest as much as possible. Show goes well. Bad load out.

Fontana, WI -Day Off

2006-10-06T09:50:00.000-05:00

Wake up on the bus at The Abbey Resort on Lake Geneva. Beautiful place, we've stayed here before. Watch a Tivo'd Grey's Anatomy before heading into the hotel. My room is facing the marina and the view is beautiful. Get a call from Jerry, seems Survis as procured a boat for a few hours and I head over to meet them and go power boating on the lake. Take some great pics. Spend a few hours running around the lake, it's cold, but beautiful. Hit Chuck's for a late lunch/early dinner of fish n' chips. Yum. Tired, back to the room for TV and reading.

Chicago -Show Day

2006-10-05T09:44:00.000-05:00

Sunny and cold today. Should be around 45 degrees at showtime. Brrrrrr.

Meet Scotty after lunch, he helps Survis with JP's rig and brings my guy a Boost Royale to try out. Boss leaves the Boost Royale on the entire show. He must like it. Go buy one...

Also, meet Fred (a friend from the Gibson Custom Shop clinic I did a few months ago) and we go backstage to check out the gear and whatnot. Show goes well, although a little cold...

On the bus and off to Wisconsin...

Chicago -Day Off #2

2006-10-04T09:18:00.000-05:00

Pouring rain today. Figures. I really wanted to take some good pics today. Rain ends, but it stays cloudy and cool. Walk down to get a new camera bag from Central Camera, oldest camera store in the city. Then walk over to Millenium Park to take some pics. Jerry joins me later and we hit a pub for fish n' chips, then do some window shopping. Later, we join Magee to see 'School for Scoundrels'. Very funny movie with Jon Heder and Billy Bob Thornton. Eat too much popcorn, so no dinner.

Chicago -Day Off

2006-10-03T09:07:00.000-05:00

Get awakened on the bus at 4:30am at the US border. Don't have to get off the bus, but as usual the border patrol is rude, nice to be home... Can't get back to sleep, spend a few hours reading then sleep a few before we hit Chicago.

Awake at a truckstop, where we are only 40 miles out. This 40 miles will eventually take us almost 2 hours in traffic. Ugh. Check in to the Hard Rock Hotel, never stayed here before, looks like a W inside, but the rooms are bigger. Turns out to be a beautiful day, have lunch at Baja Fresh, then walk to the Navy Pier and back to the hotel, should have brought my camera.

Take a nap and miss most of the day. Oops. Grab my camera and get some shots at sunset. Call my friend Scotty and he decides to come to the city and take me to dinner. Cool!!

Scotty arrives and we hit a Latin place called the Mambo Grill. Delicious food. And good conversation with Scotty and Teddy (from Make'n Music). Scotty drives me back, and we catch some of the sites on the way...

Toronto -Show Day

2006-10-02T09:02:00.000-05:00

Indoors today (Hockey Arena). Place is a maze, spend half the day looking for catering.

Work non-stop today, hardly even get out to the bus. After dinner, meet my friend John-Angus MacDonald of The Trews, a Canadian band whose last album was produced by Jack Douglas. Show him and his lady around backstage, hang for a bit, then release them into the crowd to find their seats.

It's Tommy Lee's birthday tomorrow, so his band/crew give him a cake onstage. He also comes up to play a song with our band. He's an excitable guy normally, and he's over the moon playing with our guys. Happy B-day Tommy.

Toronto -Day Off

2006-10-01T08:53:00.000-05:00

Make it through the Canadian border OK, didn't even have to get off the bus. Arrive at the hotel around noon, chilly today and drizzling. Grab a quick Thai lunch with Jerry around the corner. Then an hour of internet, and off to see the movie 'Flyboys'. Good action flick, weak on plot, but great aerial fight scenes and good cinematography. On the walk back to the hotel scope out a string of Indian restaurants, one of which will be dinner.

Meet in the lobby around 8pm for dinner with Survis and Jerry. Walk to the Indian place we picked earlier, it's packed. We have chosen well, it seems. Wait a few minutes for a table. Order the Chicken Tikka Masala, it turns out to be good, although very different from ones I've had in the past. Indian food is very regional, so sometimes you get a surprise, either that or the chef is from Detroit. LOL. Leave stuffed and ready for bed...

Bristow, VA -Show Day

2006-09-30T08:40:00.000-05:00

Up early and head to the Starbuck's in the Tyson's Corner Mall. Arrive early, stores aren't even open yet, but the 'Bucks is. Yay!! Wait in line behind two people, the first is ordering $50 worth of doughnuts and muffins,probably for her co-workers which is a nice gesture, except she is holding up the line for 15 minutes. Ever hear of a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts? Starbucks is there to grab something quick and go. After she is done the idiot behind her, who has been standing in front of the pastries for 15 minutes, can't decide what SHE wants? There must be something in the water up here that breeds stupidness (you should see them drive), maybe its the proximity to DC, the center of all that is stupid. But I degress. Anyway, grab coffee and muffins for Paige and head back to the hotel. Did I mention that it is cold and raining...

Make my bus call at 10:30, off to the gig. I want to invite a friend and his family to the show tonight, but get the smackdown, I'll have to pony up $125 a ticket to get them in. Ouch!! Sometimes it sucks touring with a band this big.

Setup, etc., have dinner, wait on Paige and Beth. Boss doesn't arrive till late (probably stuck in traffic). Quickly meet with him about rig related stuff and it's showtime.

Show is a good one. Load-out and say goodbye to Paige, I won't see her again for almost a month :(

Tyson's Corner, VA -Day Off

2006-09-29T09:12:00.000-05:00

Arrive at the hotel in the am. My wife and Beth are driving up today. We head to Georgetown after they arrive. Have Thai for lunch, then much shopping... Nobody buys much, but the weather is beautiful and it's nice to be outside. Back to the hotel, meet a few of the other roadies for drinks and off to bed.

Boston -Show Day #2

2006-09-28T09:08:00.000-05:00

Get to the gig in the afternoon, no soundcheck. Pretty boring day. Show goes well. New proto amp sounds even better!!!

Boston - Day Off (Moving Day)

2006-09-27T09:01:00.000-05:00

Rent a cargo van this morning, as Jerry and I are helping my boss move some stuff from his newly sold house to storage. Get down to the boss' place after lunch, and fill the van with plastic tubs of stuff to take to storage. Ossie meets us at the warehouse after we unload the first load, he's here to deliver the proto amp (now fully enclosed in a custom suede enclosure). Oz gets enlisted to help us with the next load of stuff.

Load up another van full, after cleaning out most of the basement, the barn, and the garage. It's dark and the boss takes us out to dinner. We walk in his favorite spot, which is packed with people, including our singer. We wait in the bar for a table, then have some amazing Italian food (I had Balsamic Grilled Swordfish) and good conversation. It's after 10pm and we still have to unload the van. We get done around 11 and head for the hotel. Whew... Thanks to Jerry and Oz for the help.

Boston -Show Day

2006-09-26T08:53:00.000-05:00

First show in Boston today. Always a big deal, as this is hometown for the band. Before showtime, Dave Perewitz and a few of his friends (all riding bikes built by Perewitz) show up on their custom Harleys. Dave has just done another Biker Buildoff on Discovery Channel. Hope he wins this time.

Using a new ÷13 amp tonight in place of the missing Blockhead Proto.

Show goes great, with a special appearance from our sidelined bass player, who comes out to play one song. He looks great, and we hope he comes back soon.

Walk away tonight, as we have another show here, day after tomorrow.

Boston - Day Off (Sort Of...)

2006-09-25T08:49:00.000-05:00

Down to the office (warehouse) this afternoon to do some clean up and get a few spare parts. Wait around to let the stage manager/carps into the building to dump some unneeded staging.

Boston - Day Off

2006-09-24T08:46:00.000-05:00

Wake up on the bus late (10:30am), I'm the only one left on. Leisurely have tea, eat breakfast, check email, etc. Eventually check in, shower, etc. Make my way back to the bus to watch MotoGP. After the GP, run into the boss and his family outside their bus. They've just gotten up and are watching football. Watch the Panthers vs Tampa Bay game with them, then off to eat Indian with the boys...

Camden, NJ - Show Day

2006-09-23T08:41:00.000-05:00

Show in Philly (Camden) today. Off to the gig early, load-in, set-up. Boss is not happy with the amp he's been using. Luckily my buddy Ossie is bringing me a new prototype amp today. No soundcheck, boss arrives just as Motley is loading their gear onstage. Plays the new proto for a few minutes, decides to use it for the show. What a sport!!

Show goes well, new amp sounds great. One problem, it has no box, only a chassis. Oz takes it back to his laboratory to make it whole...

Philly -Day Off

2006-09-22T08:45:00.000-05:00

Get to the hotel before noon. All the rooms are not ready, should be ready before 3pm they say. Stow my bags with the bellman and head to the gym. After working out, back to the lobby to soak up free wireless internet and wait for my room. As 3pm comes and goes, still no room. Decide to go to lunch with our FOH engineer (sound man) Jim Ebdon. We hit the Continental, a trendy diner type place near the hotel. Have Fish n' Chips, they are amazing... Back at the hotel after 4pm, my room is just coming available, they give me a larger corner room for waiting so long. Thanks, I would have taken a closet, if it had been ready at noon. Stupid hotel. Have amazing Gelato for dinner, as I'm still too full from the late lunch. Hey, at least I worked out today...

Charlotte -Show Day

2006-09-21T08:43:00.000-05:00

Up early, as Bob is taking me to Charlotte at 9am on his way to visit Momzilla. We get to Charlotte around 11:30, in time for load in. Paige arrives at the gig in time to have dinner with me, then watches the opener and heads home (she has to work early tomorrow). Show goes well. Aftershow, back on the bus bound for Philly.

Raleigh -Day Off

2006-09-20T08:42:00.000-05:00

Bus drops me in Durham around 10:30am. Bobzilla is my taxi to the house today. Thanks Bob. Bus continues on to Charlotte. I head home to see my wife (who's at work) and my doggies. Cleo, our older Golden Retreiver, has not been doing well the last few weeks, bit has rebounded significantly. She is happy to see me and hops around the living room doing her 'wave'. I do some laundry and reorganize my suitcase, run some errands, walk the dogs, talk to surprised neighbors, cook dinner for me and Paige, and watch TV before finally sleeping in my own bed.

Jones Beach -Show Day #2

2006-09-19T08:42:00.000-05:00

Back to the gig, uncover everything. Not much to do, as we did it all the first day. Rumors of a soundcheck are unfounded. During the show I see Patrice from Rockstar:Supernova on the side of the stage with Tommy Lee. Damn, forgot my camera on the bus. Load out and wait for our driver to get back so I can tell him which exit to drop me off at, so I can go home tomorrow. Yay!!

Long Island/NYC -Day Off #3

2006-09-18T08:34:00.000-05:00

Wow, another day off here in NY. Decide to head into the city early today. Run into Rob and Chuck (sound guy) at the train station. Once in NYC, I head straight for 30th Street Guitars to buy that pedal for the boss. My friend Ossie from Blockhead Amps is also meeting me here, he is hooking me up with some new tubes for the boss' touring amp. After trying and buying the pedal, Ossie and I head for Ultrasound Rehearsal Studios, across the street. The guy we need to get the tubes from won't be available till afternoon, so we take the subway down to the West Village.

Arrive in the West Village, on our way to Matt Umanov Guitars. But first, we stop at John's Pizzeria for the best pizza in NYC (in my opinion). We devour a cheese and garlic pie. Walk down the block to Umanov's, see actor Donal Logue at the counter buying a guitar, or stings, or something. I came down to try out a new electric guitar made by acoustic maker Collings. The guitar doesn't disappoint, it's a very hip take on a vintage instrument.

After Umanov's, we stop at one of the myriad of bakery's lining Bleeker Street. Ossie gets a Cupcake, me a Napoleon. Ossie tells me not to write about this on my blog. Too late!! We head back uptown to Ultrasound, grab the tubes I need, and Ossie heads back home before rush hour. I grab the subway back down to SOHO to do a little shopping.

Arrive in SOHO and grab a quick Chai at Starbuck's while resting my tired feet. Then hit all the usual stores (Bloomingdales, Yellow Rat Bastard, Rubber Sole, etc.). I don't buy a thing... Walk back towards St. Marks, and end up buying a cowboy shirt at a vintage clothing place I like. Since I'm on 3rd Ave, decide to walk up to Kips Bay and see what movie is playing when I get there. Decide to see 'Black Dahlia', even though all the review pan it. They were correct of course, not a terrible movie, but the meandering plot does it no justice. Acting is good, especially the actress playing Hillary Swank's mother (sort of a Nora Desmond character). I expect more from Brian De Palma.

Back on the subway, I have to go across town from Grand Central to Times Square, the Mets game must have just let out because everyone is in Mets gear and whooping up a storm. Seems the NY Mets just clinched the NL East. Go Mets!! I saw my first major league game at Shea Stadium many years ago. Now if my Red Sox could just do better... Arrive back at the hotel before 1am.

Jones Beach -Show Day

2006-09-17T08:33:00.000-05:00

Lobby call at 10:30 to go to the gig. This gig is hated by many a roadie, as the load-in sucks, it's over the water, bugs are bad, etc... Load-in, set-up, eat lunch, no soundcheck, eat dinner, etc. Show goes well, see a few celebrity guests on the side of the stage. Tonight is a walk away, which means we just cover up all the gear in place and head back to the hotel.

Long Island/NYC -Day Off #2

2006-09-16T08:31:00.000-05:00

Second day off here on LI. It was supposed to rain all day, but I get up to sunshine and mild temps. Spend the morning/afternoon in my room repacking, surfing the net, etc basically killing time. Why I don't know. Finally get motivated and head into the city around 2pm.

Decide to get some culture and head straight for the main branch of the New York Public Library. The inside of the library is amazing, all marble and ornate wood, with intricate ceiling murals, etc. Finally find the room I'm looking for, I've been researching modern furniture books from the early 50's, and they happen to have copies at this library. Can't just go to a shelf and grab a book, as they have too many books for the shelves, so I fill out a slip of paper and wait 40 minutes or so for my books to show up. The books don't disappoint, I'll be trying to find used copies on the internet very soon.

After the library, I head for the newish Apple Store on Madison Ave. This is the mecca for all Apple geeks like me. It's further uptown than I thought, almost to Central Park, so it's a long walk. The entrance is a glass cube above ground, and the entire store is below, underground. The store is packed,and I really don't need to buy anything, just wanted to see the place. Head back downtown and east, thinking about catching a movie later.

Walk by a Barnes and Noble, and grab a new paperback, as I just finished my last book. Head towards my favorite Thai place on 34th St., but decide to try a Vietnamese place about a block West of the Thai place. Have some Pho Bo soup, not bad, but not great. Make my way over to the Loews Kips Bay Theaters on 2nd Ave to see 'Hollywoodland', a movie about the suspicious death of 'Superman' actor George Reeves. Ben Affleck does a great job playing Reeves, and Diane Lane is also great.

Catch the train back to the hotel.

Long Island/NYC -Day Off

2006-09-15T08:26:00.000-05:00

Wake up in the hotel parking lot around 8am. Pouring rain. Great. Hotel is on Long Island, right next to the Nassau Colesium. Grab my key and head in.

Rain breaks about 11am. Decide to head into Manhattan. Grab a cab to the train station to catch the LIRR into Penn Station. Aim for a 12:30 train, but read the schedule for another station online, so have to wait an extra 30 minutes.

Run into Lammy and Rob, two of the new guys on my bus. They are headed in to grab some electronic and guitar parts to fix something for the band. I have no agenda, except to meet friends Steve and Morgan for a late dinner, so I decide to hang with them.

We arrive at Penn Station, which is under Madison Square Garden. Stop at the Starbucks, and run into a few of the carp/lighting guys from our crew. No one wants to be stuck out on Long Island, even if it is raining in the city. Grab the subway downtown, headed for Canal St. As we come out of the subway, it is pouring rain again. Stop at the first store on Canal we see selling umbrellas. Rob and Lammy each buy an umbrella, I stick with my REI raincoat. We head to see Mr. Wong, who is an electronic parts guy that Rob's friend recommended. Find Mr. Wong's shop in the back of one of those places selling fake purses and Rolexes. He has the parts we need and soon we're back out in the rain and headed for Ludlow Guitars.

Ludlow is a great little guitar shop just south of Katz's Deli on Houston. We spend an hour or so checking out some guitars and chatting with the staff. They don't have the guitar part needed, so Rob and I jump in a cab and head up to 30th Street Guitars. Arriving at 30th St., I chat up the owner and find out we have a mutual friend (Jimmy Archey formerly of Gibson Guitars, now with First Act), who he proceeds to get on the phone for me. I spy a vintage pedal that I've been trying to find for the boss. I may come back and get it on Monday, after I get his approval to buy it. This place also has a ton of cool old guitars, I could have bought quite a few, but since I've procured 3 guitars in the last few weeks, that's out of the question. Rob finds his guitar part finally. I bid Rob farewell as it's getting close to 6pm, so I head down 3 blocks to meet Steve at his office.

Hang around at Steve's office for an hour or so, as he finishes up work. We eventually head downtown for our traditional 6th Street Indian dinner. Steve's wife Morgan has Tae Kwon Do class tonight (she's a 4th degree black belt), and is running late, so we kill time at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square. I buy Alfred Hitchcock's 'Frenzy' DVD, as I've been searching for it for a year or more. Steve and I walk the remainder of the 8 blocks to 6th Street and meet up with Morgan. We don't always eat at the same place as 6th Street is full of Indian restaurants. We just look at the menus and select a place (they all look the same) that has Banana Pakora and Vegetable Samosa.

Seated at our table we all order Shrimp Vindaloo to go with our Pakora and Samosas. We spend the meal catching up on our various lives. It's after 10pm when we finish dinner. Walking to the subway station, Steve and I get ice cream, while Morgan plays with a puppy outside the ice cream place. We go our separate ways at the train staion, as they head to Brooklyn, and I head across town to Penn Station. I get the 11:30 train back out to the island, arriving back in my room around 1am.

Albany, NY to Holdel, NJ

2006-09-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Finished my last show with the duo last nite. Said a pleasant 'see you later' to everyone. Off to bed.

Up at 6am for a 7am lobby call to go to the airport in Albany. I'm flying to Newark, then driving down to Holmdel, NJ to join my regular tour which is 'all ready in progress'. Breeze through the Albany airport, which is the size of RDU, but WAY LESS crowded. Fast flight. Get picked up by a runner at baggage claim to make the 30 min trip down to the gig. It's raining cats and dogs, and this is one of the worst load-in gigs.

Get to the gig around 11am, backline is already loaded in, as we have a 1pm band soundcheck. Say hello to all the old gang, and some of the new blood on the tour. Bobby, who has been subbing for me, was gracious enough to stay for an overlap day (makes things easier). We even do the ceremonial 'passing of the snake'... Thanks Bobby, you da man.

Band comes in for soundcheck, minus the singer. They do their thing, and get finished early, so Motley can take the stage. Meet Adam from Floyd Rose Guitars, he's brought us a couple of new ones to try. Spend the rest of the afternoon trying to get a laminate and misc stuff from production.

Watch some of Motley's show from backstage, they have more pyro than any band I've seen (including KISS). My wife will LOVE it!!

Show goes well, great to be back, comfortable here (like an old shoe). Load-out is the worst ever, takes twice as long... Out to the bus to say goodbye to Bobby, then off to bed.

Wow, a new post!!!

2006-09-12T10:07:00.000-05:00

OK, OK, so still no posts to the blog... I was informed by my accountant Foy, that he cannot live vicariously through me if I don't post. I apologize. It's just been particularly boring lately. Show days go by quickly and are relatively uneventful (the show is fun though). Days off consist of the internet, sleeping, and reading mostly. I did tour Mark Twain's house in Hartford, CT on Saturday with my friend Ossie. Definitely a house of cool and unusual architecture and interior. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me. Ossie and I of course, ate Thai food for dinner.

As this tour draws to a close (2 more shows), I'll be sad to leave, but excited to get back to my other gig (already in progress). I may even get to go home next week for a few hours, before we play in Charlotte.

Long Overdue Post

2006-08-30T14:28:00.000-05:00

OK, so I've been out on tour for 2 weeks now. All of the tour except for the last week is here in Canada. Hasn't been too exciting, so I'll just hit some highlights:

-30 Hour bus ride from Winnipeg to London, ON (watched a lot of DVD's)
-Watched 'The Party' with Peter Sellers on DVD (can now recite most of the lines)
-Mostly sold out theaters and a few small arena gigs
-Saw a couple of movies, nothing exciting
-Walked around downtown Toronto for 7+ hours (my feets hurt)

More posts when something good happens...

Blogged with Flock

Important News on Tom Hamilton

2006-08-26T17:18:00.000-05:00

This one hits close to home.

From the Aerosmith website:

"AEROSMITH bassist Tom Hamilton will be sitting out a few gigs at the beginning of the band's upcoming “Route of All Evil” tour. Hamilton has just completed a seven-week course of radiation treatment for throat cancer. He will be with his family recovering and will join the tour in mid-October. He and his band mates look forward to his return. Filling in for Hamilton will be David Hull, a longtime friend of the band who played in the Joe Perry Project."

I wish Tom all the best for a speedy recovery.

Cleo's 16th Birthday Party

2006-08-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

Cleo's 16th Birthday Party - 1, originally uploaded by guitartech.

We had a birthday party for Cleo's 16th birthday last night, including 'doggie cake'. Hey, we don't have kids, so these are our babies. Party was attended by Sophie, Henry, Shilo, Maggie, and Maxx. Oh, and a few humans came as well... Here's Cleo munching on her cake.

Watch this Video - OK Go - Here it Goes Again

2006-08-08T18:43:00.000-05:00

Got a link to this from Bobzilla. Their stuff is genius. Already bought their album Oh No, you should too...

Gibson Summer Jam

2006-07-28T07:53:00.000-05:00

Flew to Nashville this morning on SouthWorst Airlines. My flight was delayed over an hour, and they never even announced it, just kept the departure time (9:20am) on the board, even after they changed gates. That, and the idiotic ABC lineup for boarding (which no one can figure out) has me on the outs with this airline.

Arrive in Nashville late, get picked up at the airport by my friend (and Gibson Custom Shop employee) Steve Christmas. He's also got Kevin 'Beavis' Briers in the car, Kev is a tech like me, and currently on tour with INXS (of TV Rockstar fame...) Off we go to the new Gibson Custom Shop.

Kevin and I are giving guitar tech clinics today for the attendees of the 'Gibson Summer Jam', a celebration of the move to a bigger/newer building for the Custom Shop.

Anyway, arrive at the new building, they have armed security everywhere (weird). Head straight for the 'Pro Shop', this is where the one-off and artist guitars are built. Say hello to friends Sean and Ernie. Take a quick tour of the building, then walk outside to the tent where we will give our clinics.

Next to the tent is a big stage where Tesla will headline a show tonight, and Cheap Trick will headline the finale tomorrow night.

Have lunch, then set-up for my clinic, which is at 1:45pm. Tesla is still soundchecking, as they arrived late. I finally start my clinic around 2:30, about 20 people show up (there was supposed to be 1500+ people at this thing, but about 1/4 of that actually made it). Give a brief clinic on set-ups, string gauges, general maintenance, etc. The entire time, the opening act is soundchecking, with the PA aimed right at me. Oh well. Everyone asks questions, and I had a good time.

Kevin is up next and does a 30 minute nut replacement to about the same crowd. Kev and I hangout, catch some of the bands (not much), and eventually head to the hotel. He is flying out in the morning, I am staying to go to the auction and see Cheap Trick.

BIG 80's Hair

2006-07-13T07:57:00.000-05:00

My wife (in the middle) and her friends get their 15 minutes of fame on our local papers website (photo 3). Photo is circa 1985. YIKES!!

Lake Las Vegas - Show Day

2006-06-24T17:50:00.000-05:00

Arrive at the Hyatt at 3:30am, check-in and try to go back to sleep. By our 10am lobby call, we are told to hang around the hotel and wait for the show to be cancelled. It's still in the triple digits at 107 degrees. We are staying at Lake Las Vegas, a manmade lake about 30 minutes outside of the Vegas Strip. The resort here is very nice...

Go down to the pool with Jesper and Suzy, soon we get the call the gig is off, and we are to checkout and head to the airport to fly home. I was kind of enjoying myself at the pool...

Checkout and wait in the lobby for our bus/van to the airport and to hear our new flight info. I, of course can't get a flight out till 11pm tonight, not that my travel agent didn't try. Everything was sold-out. Everyone gets dropped off at the airport and I go to a hotel to hang out till time to go to the airport... Well, at least there's free high speed internet...

Laughlin, NV - How hot is TOO hot???

2006-06-23T17:45:00.000-05:00

OK, so go down to the stage at 1pm. It is almost 117 degrees, it won't be under 100 by the time the band hits the stage at 9:30pm. Who thought it was a good idea to do a show in this weather? We set-up and soundcheck quickly, all drinking as much water as possible and taking periodic breaks in the barely air conditioned trailers behind the stage. By showtime it's still too hot, show cancelled. We loadout and take another long bus ride to Lake Las Vegas, for our show tomorrow.

Laughlin, NV - Day Off

2006-06-22T17:41:00.000-05:00

Fly from Burbank to Vegas today, then board a bus for an hour and a half ride to Laughlin. Southern Nevada is in the triple digits and it is HOT. We get to Laughlin and check-in to the hotel/casino. It is 116 degrees outside. Ridiculous. I stay in the room till 8pm when we go to load-in for the show tomorrow, which is outdoors. At 10pm when we finish loading in, it is still 101 degrees. Double ridiculous!! Can't wait till tomorrow (at least we don't have to go in till the afternoon). Eat in the mexican restaurant in the casino, the food is amazing and cheap. Hudathunk?

Los Angeles - Show Day

2006-06-21T17:29:00.000-05:00

Load in early to Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Nice theater/performing arts vibe here. Going to be an easy day. No real catering to speak of until dinner though. Filip from Civilian Lab comes by in the afternoon to show me some of their new modules for carrying around all the stuff us roadies have to have on hand (Gerber Tool, flashlight, earplugs, etc.). These guys make great stuff and soon there is a herd of roadies checking out the gear. I buy a couple of the modules and wear them for the show.

Matt, Elizabeth and Alec show up early for a tour backstage and to check out our opening act Geoff Byrd. By showtime the celebs are in full force with Rick Springfield and Don Johnson in attendance. The band plays an amazing show and after a quick load-out we're back at the hotel.

Los Angeles - Day Off

2006-06-20T17:24:00.000-05:00

Fly from San Jose to Burbank today. Arrive at our hotel in Hollywood around 2pm. Call my friends Matt and Alec and they come pick me up to go hit some music stores. Alec is shopping for a used Marshall amp. We eventually tire of the mindlessness of guitar salesman and grab some dinner near the Beverly Center. Back to the hotel early evening and fall asleep reading.

Saratoga, CA - Show Day

2006-06-19T17:30:00.000-05:00

We're playing today at the Mountain Winery, which us an outdoor stage located at the top of a mountain at the site of the old Paul Masson Winery. Crazy twisty one lane road up the mountain, but beautiful at the top. I'll upload some pictures when I sort through them.

Great show. Great crowd, easily the best of the tour.

San Jose - Day Off

2006-06-18T17:21:00.000-05:00

Roll to the airport early for our flight to San Jose. Just minutes from the terminal the van gets a flat tire. We all jump in the luggage/cargo van and finish the ride in sitting on our luggage.

Since I had no ticket for my flight here, they have to buy me another flight out. The airline is very helpful checking our group in (15+ people) and we're off to security. After another frisking, head to the gate and fall asleep on the flight to San Jose.

Land in San Jose, where they have a 'limo' type van to pick us up, not the best kind for 15 people and all their luggage. We end up with most of the luggage in the seats inside the van.

Since we're at the hotel early, go down to the pool for more reading. Around 7pm walk downtown with Mike and have some killer Thai food at 'House of Siam'. Mmmmmmmmmmm...

Denver - Show Day

2006-06-17T16:37:00.000-05:00

Down to the gig early (8am). Tonight we're playing a benefit for Children's Hospitals, with Seal performing before us. Load in is quick and smooth, meet some of the Seal crew (nice folks) and we're done with soundcheck by 1:30pm. Head back to the hotel for some rest, but end up going to buy a new book at Barnes and Noble.

Back to the gig around 6pm, catch Seal's set (very good) and we have them dancing in the aisles by the time the encores roll around. Load-out and back to the hotel for a few hours sleep before flying tomorrow.

Denver -Day Off

2006-06-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

Today is my sister Alison's birthday. Happy Birthday!!

Down to the pool early today for some reading (we aren't leaving for the airport till 1pm). Meet everyone at 1 o'clock for the short drive to the airport. We are flying to Denver to do a benefit show tomorrow. We do a group check-in and I am last in line to get my ticket, which they have no record of. What? Seems the airline is a sponsor of the benefit and comp'd the tickets, which they left me and one other person off the list. Our tour manager pays for my ticket and I'm off to grab some food before the flight.

Grab a burrito and wait in a looooooooong security line. Since my ticket was booked at the last minute, I get the pleasure of an extra security search. Fun!! I get pulled to the side and wanded down, and all my carry-on stuff gets gone through with a fine tooth comb. They of course find nothing and I'm on my way to the gate, where we are already boarding.

Since I was booked at the last minute, I also get a middle seat (ugh!), but it's in the exit row and I'm next to our LD Jesper, so it's not too bad. Eat my burrito before take-off and fall asleep.

Land in Denver and head to the hotel, which is right off the 16th St. walking mall. Still full from the burrito, I opt out of dinner and instead wander the mall and browse a few stores before heading back to the hotel to read...

San Diego - Show Day

2006-06-15T16:09:00.000-05:00

Playing at the Del Mar Fair today in San Diego. Better stage than most pro venues. Nice backstage trailers too. We thought it we were going to be roughing it...

Day Off - San Diego

2006-06-14T16:29:00.000-05:00

Leave the hotel at 8:15am for the airport. Small airport here in Medford, OR. We are flying to San Francisco, then to San Diego. Almost 2 hour layover in SF, Jesper knows of a killer Japanese noodle shop right next to our gate. It doesn't disappoint and we all have Shrimp Tempura Udon.

Land in San Diego and head to the hotel. Read by the pool for about an hour then return to the room for a nap, to try and get rid of the migraine I've had since landing.

Get up after a few minutes and go rent a car (cheaper than a cab) to go to dinner in La Jolla. Meet Mike, Sonya (VIP), and Suzy (Audio) and we're off to La Jolla. Jesper has a friend (Dave) there who has a place a block from the beach. We arrive as he's finishing up grilling dinner, we grab it all and head to the beach. Catch the sunset while eating at a picnic table right next to the water. Incredible food and view (see photo above).

Back to Dave's for more hanging out and eventually make it back to the hotel. Tired and full from dinner.

2nd Show Day - Jacksonville, OR

2006-06-13T16:17:00.000-05:00

Up early for a walk to the Sears, then a Thai lunch. Meet up with Mike (our drum/key tech) after lunch and we cab it to the gig, then walk down to the town and rent a couple of mountain bikes. Ride back past the venue and onto the trails behind the gig.

After the first hill, where I accidentally shift and hit my knee on the stem, I'm so out of breath I have to stop for a minute. I'll admit I'm out of shape, and riding in the mountains at 1600+ feet doesn't help, but I continue on. We end up taking an amazing ride for almost two hours, and reaching 1890 feet above sea level. View some photos here.

As we return the bikes and head back to the gig we notice the huge line outside the gates for people trying to get down front. Cool. Band plays another killer set and we're back to the hotel for a flight to San Diego tomorrow.

Show Day - Portland, OR

2006-06-10T14:32:00.000-05:00

Up early on the bus, can't take the heat. Walk around downtown Portland to get my bearing. The theater we're playing is only a few blocks from the hotel I had a day off at earlier in the year. Grab a Chai tea and head back for a shower before load-in.

Call Paige and find out Bobzilla is in town on a day off. Give him a call and he comes down in the afternoon to say hello to everyone and hang for soundcheck, then he's off to watch the Hurricanes game. He's back for the show and despite an early bus call tomorrow, he makes it through the whole set.

Load out and back on the no AC bus for our ride down to Medford, OR. Bus goes away today and we'll be flying the rest of the tour.

PS On the way out of town we spot an unusual spectacle, hundreds of people riding bikes naked through the streets. Hilarious. And for a good reason/cause, read about it here.

Show Day -Seattle

2006-06-09T14:27:00.000-05:00

Up early for a Chai tea at Starbuck's. Walk to the gig around 10am, load-in, set-up, etc. Our friend Ted Kornblum from Ampeg stops by to hang out and see the show. Another sold out and loud crowd.

Aftershow go down to the bus, where the generator is broken, which means no AC for the ride to Portland. GREAT.

Day Off - Seattle

2006-06-08T16:57:00.000-05:00

Quick time at the border, and into Seattle by early am. Wake up on the bus around 7:30am and go for Starbuck's. Get my hotel room around 9am. Start walking around downtown Seattle about 11am, have some Pho at a great Vietnamese place for lunch. Walk around downtown for almost three hours before stopping to see 'The DaVinci Code'. Pretty good, as close as they could get to the book without the movie being 6 hours long. Unfortunately the character development leaves a little to be desired.

After the movie back to the hotel for about an hour then off to dinner with some of the crew. Jesper (our lighting director) knows a great sushi place, so we follow him to the Wasabi Bistro. It's packed and we wait half an hour for a table. Well worth it as the food is amazing. We have some Gyoza type dumplings that have a pumpkin tasting filling (later find out it is a type of squash, not pumpkin). Delicious. Then the sushi arrives and doesn't disappoint, the Albacore tuna is divine. We end up staying in the restaurant till almost 11pm. Everyone leaves stuffed and satisfied.

Show Day - Vancouver, BC

2006-06-07T16:55:00.000-05:00

First show back after a month break. Sold out here in BC, as the band hasn't been here for 10 years or so. Beautiful Performing Arts Theater here. Wish I had a day off here, as it's a nice city. Back to the States tonight...

Man on the Moon?

2006-06-07T08:52:00.000-05:00

Took this shot out my hotel room window in Vancouver, BC. The guy was working on the top of BC Place.

Jetlag...

2006-06-02T10:18:00.000-05:00

Just got back from a week in Hawaii with Paige. I had to do a couple of gigs (subbing for a friend), but we turned it into a vacation/anniversary present to ourselves. We stayed on the Big Island one extra day to take in the sights. I'm going to back post our activities from memory, as I just didn't have time to post while I was there. For now look at the pictures.

Kona to LAX to ORD to RDU

2006-05-31T09:29:00.000-05:00

Start of a lonnnnnnnng day. Fly out of Kona at 1:30pm, arrive in LA at 10pm, where all the restaurants are closed, then off to Chicago (arrive at 5am), then arrive home at 9:30am June 1st.

Uneventful flights, slept some, read some, ate some, etc.

Good to be home for a few days before heading back out on tour next week...

2nd Day Off - Big Island

2006-05-30T09:18:00.000-05:00

After yesterday, we decide to spend the day on the beach near the hotel. Drive up to the Hapuna Beach State Park. Where we spend most of the day relaxing on the beach.

Make an early day of it and back down to Kailua to watch the sunset and have dinner. Sunset is great, dinner is not. We haven't had the best of luck with food on the Big Island (besides Roy's), where we had amazing food on Maui and Kauai three years ago...

Back early, as we fly home tomorrow...

Day Off - Big Island

2006-05-29T09:03:00.000-05:00

Sleep in this morning after a late night (hey, we're on vacation!). Get a late start on heading south to see the volcano...

After Starbucks, we head south for a few hours. Make a quick detour stopping at South Point, the southernmost place in the USA (not Key West as most people think). Beautiful views here.

Finally make it to the Volcanoes National Park, where we take in the Kilhuea Caldera and the Chain of Craters Road.

We head back along the east side of the island, stopping in Volcano and then Hilo, before heading back to the hotel via Waimea. All in all, we are gone 9.5 hours and spent 7 of those hours driving. Hey it really is a BIG island...

Stop to just catch the sunset, before heading back to the room for showers before dinner.

Decide to try Roy's for dinner, even though it's a chain, as we had great food at the one in Kauai. Roy's doesn't disappoint, everything is great...

Show Day - Kona, Big Island

2006-05-28T08:59:00.000-05:00

Show today is on the hotel property. Load in at noon, soundcheck at 5, show at 8:30. Show sells better than the Honolulu one, and there is a great vibe. This band has always had 'it' whether it was in the clubs or in arenas and sheds, they never fail to put on a great show. Afterwards, we talk the hotel bar into staying open late, and they finally kick us out after 2am (they were supposed to close at 9:30pm).

Honolulu to Kona

2006-05-27T08:09:00.000-05:00

Flying to the Big Island today at 10:30am. Take limos to the airport, where we board two 9 seat charter planes. We are on one plane with 3 of the main band members. No one sings 'La Bamba' or 'Freebird' as we board...

Arrive at the Kona airport in under an hour. Rent a Jeep so we do some exploring on our days off.

Check into the hotel/theme park/resort (Hilton Waikaloa Village). This place looks like Disney World with the monorails and boats to take you to your rooms. In other words, this place is HUGE. We are in the coveted 'Oceanview Tower', sadly our view is of a construction site, not the ocean...

Head up to Waimea for lunch, it drizzles on us once we get into the mountains. Have lunch at a small restaurant recommended in our guidebook. Its good, not great. Dessert is a Coconut Custard, best part of the meal... Afterwards, do some shopping in Waimea. Should have eaten at the Thai place we find in the shopping center. Doh!

Head down through Waikloa Village proper, where there is basically NOTHING. Then on to Kailua-Kona, which is a lot like Lahaina town on Maui. Cool, seaside town vibe, with restaurants and shops. And, thank God, a Starbucks... We wander around for a few hours checking everything out, unfortunately when dinner rolls around we are still full from lunch. And since the hotel is 30 min away we can't really go back and change clothes then come back, as it'll be too late (stuff closes early in these towns). So we're stuck eating a $14 quesidilla at the hotel when we get back...

Show Day - Honolulu

2006-05-26T07:38:00.000-05:00

Up early for coffee and another wander around Waikiki. Off to the gig around 11am. We beat the gear there, so we wait around for the truck to arrive then get to work after lunch.

This is a fly gig, which means we'll be renting the 'big stuff'(such as amps and drums) from a local company. Rental gear is often pretty dodgy, but we do OK, as most of the stuff is new and in good working order. I set up and restring my guitars using the provided 'crib sheet' from Skully. Band comes in to soundcheck, everything goes well, and I'm back to the hotel for a couple of hours before showtime.

Ii find Paige in the same chair by the beach, where she's been all day. She heads up to the room to shower and get ready, I call in a takeout order to Cha Cha Cha and go pickup another delicious Jerk Chicken Burrito for us to split.

Show starts on time, with Paige commenting that everytime she has seen this band it has rained. Sure enough, after a couple of songs it is raining... (I blame Paige). Band plays a great set. I should interject here and tell you that I've known this band since their club/frat party days, my band used to open for them and vice versa, before they got signed and sold 16 million records. So it is kinda surreal to be here with them 16 years later.

After the show it's back to the hotel for an afterparty, we duck out early so we can get up early and take the early flight to the Big Island tomorrow.

Waikiki Day Off

2006-05-25T13:49:00.000-05:00

Up early for coffee and a walk around Waikiki. Beautiful sunny day. We decide to climb Diamond Head again and head for the bus stop. While waiting on the bus, a limo pulls up and offers us a ride for $1 more than the bus. Off we go in the limo... Arrive at Diamond Head around 11am. Climb to the top in about 20 minutes, don't stay long at the top, as it's really crowded. Back down at the bottom, we decide to walk back to the hotel, as it's only a few miles.

Stop for lunch along the way at the South Shore Grill. Order a couple of Grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwiches with Macadamia Nut Pesto. Yum. Then more walking (past tomorrow's gig at the Waikiki Shell) and some shopping in Waikiki before hitting the beach once back at the hotel.

After basking in the sun for a while, more drinks and hanging out with the touring party. Eventually make it up to the room for a shower and head out for dinner. We decide on Cha Cha Cha, a Caribe/Mexican place a short walk away. This place is an eclectic mix of Carribean and Mexican, Paige orders a Grilled Fish Quesidilla and I get a Jerk Chicken Burrito. Man, this stuff is delicious!!!

RDU to Honolulu

2006-05-24T10:23:00.000-05:00

Today we are flying to Hawaii for a week, and I will be doing two gigs while there (subbing for a buddy) and vacationing the rest of the time. Paige and I were married in Hawaii 3 years ago last week.

Up early, as our flight is at 8:15am. Make it to the airport and check-in without incident. Fly to Honolulu via Dallas. Paige sleeps most of the flight, I watch a little of King Kong and then fall asleep too. Arrive in Honolulu at 3:30pm local time (9:30pm EDT). Take the shuttle to the hotel to save money, should have splurged on a cab, as it took forever...

Arrive at the hotel (Ala Moana Surfrider), which is right on Waikiki Beach. Up to the room, drop our bags and head to the beachside bar. Meet up with Devil Boy (my production manager) and one of the band guys, who are a few rum punches in already. Paige and I order Lava Flows (I don't usually drink, but on vacation I've been known to toss back a few fruity drinks). The guys have made friends with a couple (Paula and David) who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. Nice people.

Any way, we hang out talking, sitting right next to the beach for a while as more members of the touring party arrive. As the sun sets we are invited to take an hour cruise on a big catamaran that docks nearby. Off we go, I left both my cameras in the room, but Paula took a picture of Paige and I with my phone.

After the cruise it's off to find dinner. We hit Keo's Thai late (almost 10pm) and them back to the room for some sleep, as we are exhausted.

Quick update from home.

2006-05-16T08:19:00.000-05:00

Still doing cleanup on the newly finished deck addition. Had a nice time at the beach on Mother's Day, where we were joined by my parents. Cooked a killer Grilled Tuna dinner Saturday night using steaks provided by our good friend Foy.

Cleo (our Golden Retreiver rescue) had surgery yesterday to remove a growth on her eye. She came home very groggy, but happy. Went to bed early only to be awakened at 1am with Cleo bleeding from her eye. We took her to the 24hr Vet where they stopped the bleeding and sent us home. Gladly we woke up to no more blood and a happy puppy.

Attempting to get everything done at home this week before we head out to Hawaii next Wednesday. More later...

And it comes in Roadie Black too...

2006-05-16T08:16:00.000-05:00

The new Apple MacBook is available today. I was waiting on the 12" MacBook PRO to be announced, but might have to get this one instead. Yummy...

It's Official !!!

2006-05-13T08:10:00.000-05:00

Finally confirmation on the pedestrian bridge at the end of our street at the beach...

Deck is Done !!!

2006-05-10T08:04:00.000-05:00

The Deck Before and After...

Bayliss Takes a Double Win - Lanzi a Double Podium for Ducati in Valencia

2006-04-23T19:06:00.000-05:00

I just finished watching the WSBK races from SpeedTV on my Tivo. It was a very good day for Ducati.

From Ducati.com:

Troy Bayliss notched up the 24th and 25th victories of his World Superbike career with a double win at the Valencia circuit as the Ducati Xerox rider and his fellow Australian Troy Corser (Suzuki) put on a spectacular display of racing today. The Spanish Round saw two similar races and identical podiums with Bayliss's young Italian team-mate Lorenzo Lanzi grabbing third place on both occasions for his first podiums of the year.

"Everything went really well in both races," declared Troy. "We thought about changing the tyre for race 2 but we didn't and it was the right decision to stick with the hard tyre. I didn't think Corser was going to be as quick as he was in that second race, I thought it would be the same as the first but he went really well. I know that the limit of my tyre on the rear is exactly 35.7 or 35.8, but it stays good for the whole race and when I saw him pulling away it was disheartening. I just kept my eye on the board and did every lap like a qualifying lap, just hoping he was going to run into the same sort of problems as the first one and he did. Then once I got there it took me a long while to put it together and get past him. A big thanks to the Ducati Xerox squad, Shell Advance and all our other sponsors, they all did a great job to help us get this double win today!"

"Two fantastic podiums today!" declared Lorenzo. "I am pleased for Ducati Xerox and for me obviously because this podium in race 2 is worth the win at Lausitzring. It wasn't a victory but it was just as hard-fought. I pushed hard from the first to the last lap, never gave in, and to keep up with Abe I had to struggle because he had a superior pace at the mid-race distance. Then I caught Haga and managed to pass both of them, Haga on the penultimate lap and Abe on the last lap. It was incredible! Troy and I were the only ones to lap in 37.0 in the last few laps, so the choice of tyre was the right one to keep up the same pace until the very end. It is a perfect result for me in view of Monza in two weeks' time!"

Time at home...

2006-04-22T19:20:00.000-05:00

Ok, I've been chastised for not posting so here's a brief synopsis.

My time at home is usually boring, so I don't write too much. Basically I have been building an addition to our deck and also demolishing some of our existing deck. This and fixing other things around the house, as well as working on a tube guitar amp prototype has kept me busy. With the nice weather we have gone to the beach for Easter, but the rest of the weekends have been at home working in the yard and on the house. I'll post some pictures when the deck's done, hopefully in the next few days.

It's Official, I'm Unemployed...

2006-03-22T08:12:00.000-05:00

Flew home last night in the wake of this news story. I'm not upset, glad to be home and not wasting my time on the road doing nothing. More later...

Queen + Paul Rodgers - Spectrum, Philadelphia

2006-03-14T16:57:00.000-05:00

I got invited to go see an evening with Queen + Paul Rodgers last night. Cab it out to the Spectrum with Jim, Brad, and Scott. We pickup our tickets and head inside to meet up with Brian May's tech. He's busy, so we wait at FOH, where Jim knows one of the Clair Bros. Audio guys. Eventually, Brian's guy comes out and we go backstage to check out the gear. Brian May's tone is kind of a 'Holy Grail' to us geetar players, so we are surprised to see a rather sparse rig, just three Vox AC30's, although custom built ones. We also get to see Brian's homemade guitar that has been with him his entire career. I see a few friends on the crew as well.

We make our way to our seats at house left (off stage right). They open with 'Tie Your Mother Down', as expected. There is no opening band so they play an almost two and a half hour set, mixing in Bad Company and Free songs. Paul Rodgers does an admirable job with Freddie's material, but really shines on his own stuff.

Take the subway back to the hotel and I'm back in the room at 11, in time to catch the replay of Sunday's Sopranos premiere.

Philly Vacation

2006-03-14T11:48:00.000-05:00

More cancelled shows. But at least we stayed in the same city, Philadelphia. My wife flew in on Friday morning, we walked around the city most of the day taking in the famous South Street shopping. It was a record high 76 degrees and sunny. Went to dinner with a friend of Paige's and her family. Paige hadn't seen her in 19 years!!

Saturday was tourist day, we took the Phlash trolley down top the Old City. We probably could have walked there faster. Saw the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, and shopped in a few trendy stores. Had dinner at the Marathon Grill a few blocks away. Delicious!!

Sunday, it's rainy and we go out for Starbucks in the morning and end up walking around for a few hours shopping here and there. Sunday afternoon our bass tech Jerry and his wife pick us up and take us to their house in Delaware. We go out for a nice Italian dinner.

Monday it's a beautiful day again.. We decide to drive an hour to the Delaware shore (beach) where we walk around and have lunch. Later we hit the outlets for shopping and cook dinner at Jerry's before he runs us back to the hotel in Philly.

Tuesday we're up early and take the train out to the airport to catch Paige's flight home.

There's No Business Like NO-SHOW Business

2006-03-08T21:23:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, but we've cancelled three in a row due to illness. So basically, we've been riding the bus from town to town and hotel to hotel. Not much happening. Stay tuned...

Pensacola -Show Day?

2006-03-04T21:54:00.000-05:00

Up early and ride my bike around the mall parking lot and down the street. Doen to the gig around 11am. Load in and set-up, then get informed the show is cancelled, due to the singer's voice. We are going to line check and do some other stuff for the monitor crew, then load out at 6pm. Bus can't leave till 3am, due to the lack of hotel rooms in our next town of Lexington, KY. Ahh, the glamorous life...

Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn...

2006-03-03T21:44:00.000-05:00

Today we're at the Holiday Inn next to University Mall in my hometown of Pensacola, FL. To say this place is a dive is an understatement. It's one of those two story motel where all the rooms face the parking lot. It's run down, but not as run down as the mall next door which was built at least 30 years ago, and the only decent stores left are the Sears and JC Penney anchors on each end.

It is a beautiful day though, walk down and get some steamed shrimp from a place on the way to the Books-A-Million to look at magazines. Hang out on the bus later watching a movie.

Hollywood, FL -Show Day

2006-03-02T20:09:00.000-05:00

Flew out yesterday to Ft. Lauderdale, after spending three glorious days at home. Really hated to leave, especially since it was near 80 degrees today in Raleigh. We're playing at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino here, in a small (less than 4000 people) arena. Catering is the same for both lunch and dinner, both suck. It's our first show with our new opening act, who are old friends and always a good time. Show is good and load out is slow... We're not leaving till 3am, as our rooms in Pensacola won't be ready till the afternoon tomorrow.

Anaheim -Show Day

2006-02-24T19:19:00.000-05:00

Last show of this leg of the tour. YAY!! I get to go home for three whole days tomorrow, then another 7 weeks.

Basically just trying to put this one to bed and get home. I do spend most of the day redoing my pedalboard to get the noise down, it works. Miss lunch though. See a few of my artist relations guys today, one guy that I haven't seen in many years. Always good to hang with the bros. See Phil Collen (of Def Leppard) backstage, as well as the manager of Nickelback.

Show is great, easily one of the best of the tour. Boss plays his new guitar on multiple songs. Soon we are out of there and off to the hotel at the airport. Got to get a few hours sleep before flying out in the am.

Los Angeles -Day Off

2006-02-23T19:01:00.000-05:00

Another day off here in sunny and mild LA. Sleep in this morning as we didn't get back to the hotel last night till 2am. Run into fellow crew member (and Raleighite) Marty in the elevator and we hit the Starbuck's. Drink my Chai Tea outside the hotel with a couple of other crew members. Later, have some Baja Fresh lunch and walk around Sunset Blvd. with Jerry for most of the afternoon.

Around 7pm, I get picked up by my good friends Matt and Alec. They are taking me to dinner at The Ivy, the place to see or be seen in LA. We are seated around the corner from the front door, my back is facing the room and I can see out onto the porch (where all the 'be seen' people are). Right as our food arrives, my boss' son pops up next to our table. I turn around and there is the boss and his family out for his birthday dinner. Of all the restaurants in LA, what are the odds we would be at the same one? So much for getting away from it all (just kidding). I go over to say hello to everyone and introduce my friends. We head out around 9pm, Alec has school tomorrow, got to get that boy home.

Los Angeles -Show Day

2006-02-22T21:01:00.000-05:00

Big show day here in LA LA LAND. Set up at the gig. My buddy Fredric from Divided by 13 amps comes by. We hang out talking gear and whatnot. Take a few photos with the boss. Tomorrow is the boss' birthday so I arranged to have a guitar he wanted brought down to the show tonight. We give it to him in the middle of the show and he plays it for one song. His kids present him with a cake and the band sings 'Happy Birthday' at the end of the show. Lots of good fun.

Before and after the show there is the usual LA celebrity hang. Get to see my friends Robert and Dean formerly of Stone Temple Pilots, they are there with members from their new band Army of Anyone. Their new record should be out later this year, good luck to those guys, they are some of the nicest in the business. Also see a few members of Velvet Revolver, Jane's Addiction, and Extreme.

Back to the hotel around 2am, dead tired.

Los Angeles -Day Off

2006-02-21T00:17:00.000-05:00

Wake up on the bus around 9am. We're in the parking lot behind the hotel. Have some breakfast on the bus. Get a call from a friend who is working in a studio down the street. He's off today and comes by and picks me up for lunch. We hit some Thai at Chan Dara. Good stuff... We also hit the Border's for some books and Amoeba Music for CD's. Then it's off to a couple of guitar stores. Basically just doing the roadie hang (minus the strip club). He drops me back at the hotel around 3pm and I'm off walking with Jerry and Brad around 4pm back to the same music stores. No one buys anything, just killin' time. We grab dinner at Mel's Drive-In, a diner made famous by George Lucas' "American Graffiti". Although this is not the location from the movie. Back to the hotel for blogging and Olympics.

After the Olympics I switch to HBO and catch part of the American Undercover's "Dealing Dogs". It's a documentary on that exposes the abuses that took place at one of America's most notorious Class B dealers (a dealer that sells dogs for research). It was hard to watch, but informative. The undercover investigation was headed by Last Chance For Animals, a group that acts somewhat like the Humane Society of the United States. Check out these organizations.

Fresno -Show Day

2006-02-20T00:12:00.000-05:00

Free internet at the hotel finally works this morning. Check email, etc. before heading to the gig. No soundcheck today, even though the band is here early enough. Watch some more of the Olympics before the show. Rockin' show. Two more to go and then I'm home...

Fresno -Day Off

2006-02-19T00:09:00.000-05:00

Arrive at the hotel in downtown Fresno around lunch. Not too many of the rooms are ready. Hang on the bus and watch the Daytona 500 till my room comes up. Not much happening in downtown Fresno on a Sunday (or any day for that matter) and the free internet at the hotel isn't working (GREAT). Watch the 500 off and on, then walk a couple of miles to a Mom and Pop Mexican restaurant, then back on the bus to watch some of the Olympics from the East Coast satellite.

Las Vegas -Show Day

2006-02-18T00:04:00.000-05:00

Walk to the gig (it's next door). It's still cold outside. Load in and set up. Band comes in for soundcheck, they rehearse a song with the singer from the opening band. Entertainment Tonight is on hand to film the show and backstage antics. Show goes well, Slash watches from the side of the stage. The band does a cover of 'Come Together' by the Beatles with the singer from the opening band dueting with our singer. Sounds great. Hang out afterwards with my band guy and his family (who have flown in).

Las Vegas -Day Off

2006-02-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Wake up to check the weather as we are supposed to rent Harleys and ride today. High is only 55, it's about 40 this morning. Unfortunately too cold to ride, since none of us have winter riding gear and neither does the dealer. Oh well, end up going to see Date Movie, a spoof of chick flicks. Not too bad, not Shakespeare either. Good way to kill a few hours. Grab some dinner later at the food court with some of the other guys.

Tacoma to Las Vegas -Drive Day

2006-02-16T23:47:00.000-05:00

All day on the bus today. It's a 20+ hour drive to Vegas. We left around 2am. I don't get up till 10am and I'm the first one up. There are only three of us on the bus, everyone else decided to fly. Eventually end up watching multiple movies on the satellite and DVD, reading and sleeping. Finally arrive at the hotel in Vegas around 9pm. We're at a casino, but I don't gamble. Grab a quick dinner and do some reading before bed.

Tacoma -Show Day

2006-02-15T23:41:00.000-05:00

I know, I know. Long time no post, bad roadie, no catering!! This happens in the last week of a tour leg, you try and just keep your head down and soon you will be home.

Today's show is in the Tacoma Dome, a very large old gig. And it's freezing both inside and outside. The band comes in for soundcheck and can't believe how cold it is. Everybody is hoping it warms up for the show. It does (barely). Good show, but long slow load-out. Band is still backstage when I go for a shower. I have to wait till they're gone, then a quick shower and on the bus for our long drive to Vegas.

Seattle -Day Off

2006-02-14T12:37:00.000-05:00

Get into Seattle at 4am, must get off the bus. Into the hotel and up till 6:30am. Well at least they gave me a goldfish in my room, his name is Gordo.

Miss another V-Day at home. Make sure to send the wife a nice bouquet of flowers though. Meet up with Jim and Burt(Brad) for lunch, Jim and I have Pho (Vietnamese), Burt opts for Quizno's over a burger and is disappointed. The Pho is excellent.

After lunch we decide to walk the 15 or so blocks to the Space Needle (never been up in it). We get there in about 20 minutes. Decide to hit the EMP (Experience Music Project), this is a museum dedicated to Seattle music(and musicians) and has the largest collection if Jimi Hendrix memorabilia in the world (hence the name). I wasn't allowed to take any photos inside the EMP, but it was worth the trip, lots of vintage guitars and killer Hendrix stuff, there was also a great Bob Dylan exhibit.

Next up is the Space Needle, none of us has ever been up to the top (probably because it is $13 to do so). We go anyway, I take a number of photos outside on the observation deck, till my hands are frozen, then back inside for a Chai from the Starbucks.

We stay inside the 'Needle till sunset, again taking some more photos. Unfortunately a large cloud obscures the sunset, so we leave just after twilight. Walking back towards the hotel, spot a couple of choice neon signs and snap a few more photos.

At the hotel we drop bags and my camera and head out for Indian food. We walk a few blocks back to Pabla and I have a very fiery Shrimp Vindaloo. Burt can't believe how hot it is. Very tasty. Back to the hotel, were I fall asleep reading. A very good roadie day off...

Space Needle

2006-02-14T12:19:00.000-05:00

Space Needle, originally uploaded by guitartech.

Obligatory Seattle shot.

Portland -Show Day

2006-02-13T12:01:00.000-05:00

Jerry had to go home for a couple of days, which means I'll be helping set up the bass rig again. One of the openers tech's (Jeff) will take care of the basses during our show. Set-up goes smoothly, I even have some extra time to solder some cables for my pedalboard.

Before the show I hear what sounds like a marching band backstage, seems our Brazilian production manager has hired a Carnivale band to play for some of the crews birthdays. Unfortunately I left my camera on the bus.

Show goes well, Jeff does a great job, before the encore, the Carnivale band takes the stage, complete with Vegas style showgirls leading the way. Singer announces our tour managers birthday onstage. Load out is slower than normal with Jerry gone, but we still get out in under 30min.