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!