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ML 2011 Summer Tour Update - Part 3 Submitted by Mammoth Life on Thu, 08/25/2011 - 17:50

ML in Arkansas near Devil's Den State Park - 8/8 {pictured above}

On 8/9 from Arkansas we headed west to Dallas. There we stayed for two days at the now underconstruction, XPRMNT Labs via Jerett Fulton. We go way back with him to as early as 2007 in Lawrence, KS at MixTape Soundlab on New Hampshire. Sharing studio space at that time then w/ such Lawrence notables as Archetype, Fourth Of July, Andrew Morgan, DRI, Boo And Boo Too, and The Noise FM to name a few. It was like a taste of home down south. The same mixing/ control board and monitors, outboard gear and racks, black leather studio furniture was all there... it really got nostalgic. Arriving just in time to meet Jerett and get the full tour, we caught a lift and filled the room up w/ a MixTape classic, ie Smoke Rings via DRI out of the same studio equipment and monitors that the album was mixed on by Jim Vollentine {Spoon}. SOO sick!! Look for that studio to be up and runnin in the next few months. Pictured below in front of the same control board that ML used to record An American Movement in Lawrence at MixTape back from 2008 - 2010.

Our show on 8/10 in Dallas at 2826 Arnetic was canceled due to conflicts w/ the venue that were outside of our control. Apparentley there were internal friction within the venue caused by staff, etc that resulted in the bar being closed all together for a few days. No sweat, we roll with it, we roll with it. Picuted below in Quanah, TX off of Highway 287 on 8/11.

On 8/12 we landed in the southwest; first up Albuquerque, NM. That afternoon Neil's taste in style and philosophy brought us to a full on Native American hand made retail store w/ beautifully crafted jewlrey, head dresses, and satchles. Among many other fine trinkets. Elizabeth and Neil both found prescious items worth picking up. Some how we stumbled upon a 16" pizza for $9.35 that afternoon too... somehow. Budget & warm food on the road is the key to my heart. That night was a 2nd round visit to none other than Burt's Tiki Lounge. We performed at this same venue on last summer's tour as a 5-piece... w/ such a small stage, I've got to be honest... it felt quite nice having a lighter load. The venue was well attneded for a showcase that featured not only us, being that we are a Lawrence group, but an Austin band as well, ie The Dry Season. Midwest represent. Headlining was Albuquerque locals, The Glass Menageries. Pictured below is ML at Burt's.

The Glass Menageries had a close friend named Kate who lived in the SouthWestern buttes of Cedar Crest, New Mexico... she put us up that night and her backyard was insane. Pitcured in the morning of 8/13 below their crib a bit, albeit in their neighborhood; srrrsly.

Tucson, Arizona had a show for us the evening of 8/13 at Plush on the magical 4th Avenue strip... so similar to Mass Street in Lawrence; it has quickly become another one of our favs. Plush treats us very well and we have begun to build a strong relationship with resident bad ass, Kris Kerry. Currently residing in St. Louis, he is bringing Plush to the MidWest!! Billed that night w/ Tucson staples, Mr Free & The Satellite Freakout; they raged. They've also got this legit screen printing set up at their merch table... get your shirt printed right in front of you the night that you were at the show!! Slick.

We got held up in Tucson for a few days as we had our Rogue Bar show on 8/15 moved back to Tuesday the 16th. As a result we just crashed on 4th Avenue until 8/15 and got in the feel. Check us busking ML tunes below!! In the process we did discover The "Burger Stand" of Tucson. On 4th Avenue, hit up Lindy's... best burger we've had on the road. House sauce is a combination of Chipolte and 1,000 Island dressing... rivals the coveted Mac Sauce anyday.

8/16 we arrived in Scottsdale, AZ... always up for an adventure here {due to last summer's visit}, we came in expecting about anything. Manny and Rogue Bar were kind enough to pitch us on the bill that night due to lack of local billing on our 8/15 show. Right next to a gas station w/ bars on the window and the proprietor of the store packing a pistol on the hip... the atmosphere is a bit crazy here. Next to our Pathfinder in the parking lot of the venue, that night another touring van got broken into and their Bass and Bass Amp got stolen right in front of the Rogue Bar's front door... wild. The show was great fun all considering, good bands... wild kids in attendance. Rogue Bar. Oye!!

Kix Mead playing a serious game of Tetris everynight we finish up a show... she masters the art of fitting puzzle pieces together. Always the gamer.

After spending the time that we did in the SouthWest... soaking up that 115 degree, dry heat... California started to sound pretty good. Arriving here on 8/17 we hit up San Diego first... keep your eyes peeled and we'll have the California leg of the ML (dot) com tour diary up in a few short days. Until then, we'll keep enjoying this Bay Area weather of 70 degrees... hey-o!!!

ML 2011 Summer Tour Update - Part 2 Submitted by Mammoth Life on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 10:22

ML 2011 Summer Tour Update Part 2:

Camp sight in Rock Island, IL on 8/3 - impromtu day off

Picked up Neil at O'Hare airport in Chicago late afternoon on August the 4th. Following that, dropped off the Pathfinder at The Noise FM's crib, took the Blue Line CTA downtown to Jackson. Ran over to Grant Park on Michigan only to find it blocked off for the annual music festival, Lollapooloza. Ran and grabbed a bite at Flacos Tacos on Deerborn next to the Deerborn Station. Headed back to hop on the Brown Line CTA and took it to a gay bar in Chi-Town called Berlin... it was our day off & Kansas City's art-punk, disco erotica mega stars, SSION were playing!! They packed the place and after 2 am they went on to a crowd brimming w/ anticipation. They killed it. Cody {lead vocalist, SSION visionary - pictured below} is an unbelievable performer/ entertainer. They were playing material from their brand new sophomore effort titled, Bent. With a few selections from Fools Gold, and the Hole cover, "Credit In The Straight World," we left at 3 am and caught a taxi back to The Noise FM's to crash for the night. Thanks again to Alex and Austin Ward, as well as Hawley Shoffner for putting us up in their Logan Square home on such short notice... indie/DIY artists could not do this w/ out the support and help from one another.

During the day on the 5th, Neil visited the Chicago Art Institute, Elizabeth and I relaxed at the Heartland Cafe next to Red Line (great local/ organic food selection).

ML @ Red Line Tap - 8/5 - eventful. The show was great, but the major event of the evening was narrowly avoiding getting our SUV towed. After SS Web's set, Neil and I ran to the Pathfinder only to find the tires being barred up and in the process of getting lifted and towed. I ran over and explained how this was simply not an option; not only was our gear still inside of the venue, but tracking the vehicle back down at the pin the following day and then getting back to the venue to pick up the instruments, all the while making it to our St Louie show by load in... not an option. The tow guy was nice enough and offered another option, he called in a squad car to discuss the issue with us, as the towing company had not gained possession of the Pathfinder yet, so we had the option to speak with the cops and possibly turn the decision. They gave us a break, since there was not yellow paint around the fire hiderant... we were about 10 feet from it; the law is 15 - just fyi. $100 parking violation ticket did come our way however, that said we kept the ML Tank... best case scenario. That's the road... plan on one thing, plan on being surprised... plan on change. Keep calm and carry on; "feel it out right, and learn to let it sway."

All in all, Chicago was beautiful; we do love that city. (pictured above)

Hit the road and headed south towards St. Louis on the 6th to catch our show at Cicero's down in The Loop; such a great neighborhood in St.L Ginger Bistro (chinese/ asian fusion) & Blueberry Hill (bar/venue w/ a ton of great collectible & celebrity photos - also features Chuck Berry playing on a regular basis to this very day) are both worth stopping by if you are ever in that area!! We did swing by The Artch to catcha glimpse; majestic. That night, we loaded in to find a large, thin and crispy pizza waiting for us at Cicero's... warm food; yes please! The show was decent, great seeing some family (thanks Tom, Judy, Kennedy, and Emily), friends, and fans out. Jumbling Towers drummer, Louis Wall was in attendance; one of our besties. Following the show Louis took us on a tour through The Loop (pictured below), grabbed a few at Blueberry Hill, then we headed back to his crib. That night we got a wall climbing demonstration from him as well as a sampling of the latest Jumbling Towers songs... so sick! That for us, was quite a treat... the new Jumbling Towers tracks are insane!!

On Sunday the 7th we took a day off in St. Louis to hang a bit longer. Hit the St. Louis Zoo (free!!) as well as stopped by Vintage Vinyl in The Loop to pick up the brand new Sleepy Kitty release, Infinity City; St. Louis indie-pop duo locals. Their new release is catching a bit of press, and is quite good. Check 'em out fo-show!

Hit up Bella Vista, AR en route to Dallas, TX on August 8th {pictured above in southern Missouri next to the border}. This coincided w/ my 25th birthday! We stayed w/ family that night and for my birthday I got to hand feed wild hummingbirds... I'm not kidding!! Please see Neil pictured below!! I'll never forget that... once in a lifetime it felt like!

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