Youse guys wanna go getta cuppa cawfee?

Day 9

The last time we met here the band had just played (and were amazed by) Pittsburgh, and were headed off with high spirits for 4 days off driving and a solid relax in New York City. None of us had ever been there, so there we anticipated plenty of accent mimicking and strut adopting. We had been extensively warned about traffic and the cost of parking, but were ready to face the challenges head on.

Exit only?

According to New Yorkers it is a hive of scum and villainy.

The first night we drove to Greenpoint in Brooklyn to play a show in a loft. Free parking was located by mounting a curb and pizza was eaten. The building was converted commercial space and filled with musicians and artists. Supercool. Justin and Ritchie – who make up the engaging Noxious Foxes – lived in the space and operated a studio there. The show started late with a band called Multitudes – a high energy jazz-punk trio. Incredible drumming with intense blast beats and some aggressive and playful guitar lines. They put on a great show, but by the power of grayskull it was hot. The place didn't really have air conditioning, and everyone in the place was sweating buckets just watching the band. In between sets the entire party shifted to the roof to drink and cool off.

Noxious Foxes set up next and laid waste to the place – two piece with the most insane loops I've ever heard; they rocked my socks clean off. Not pleasant for anyone standing nearby.

After their set it was our turn. We got it all ready and raced into the set. Everything was going swimmingly, when suddenly – with us in mid-song - a flash of yellow jumpsuit, tangled hair, and oversized glasses burst through the door, screamed “you're not suppose to be here” and slammed Scott from the side. He turned to defend himself with his drumsticks, not entirely sure what was happening. This crazed canary lady grabbed his sticks and ran out the door, 2-stepping it down the stairs with Scott in hot pursuit. Julian and I were dumbfounded and questioned whether that had just happened. As we were realizing that it actually did just happen, Scott burst back through the front door, grabbed another set of sticks and we kicked back into the song. Intensity followed and we neared the end of the set. As we were about to kick into the last jam the party fell oddly silent. We looked up to see the NYPD. Party was over. Time to go home everyone. We pleaded our case (we're Canadian, we only have one song left) to no avail, and two New Yorkers of the female variety stepped in to run a diversion. We continued to drink until the drinking was done.

Day 10

Saturday – waking up in Brooklyn. We walked with Ritchie and Nolan (one of Ritchie's roommates) and got ourselves some bagels and coffee, chilled in a park and wandered around Brooklyn / Greenpoint / Williamsburg. Bloody Marys on a patio and a visit to a local music shop filled out the day.

They are watching.

And then it rained crazy.

At night we played at the Rock Shop in Parkslope. Pretty decent venue in an interesting part of town. Free parking easily located (and $12 was found on the ground in our parking space). So far we'd made money parking in New York. We played with a bunch of bands, but the one the stood out by leaps and bounds was Chicago's (and soon to be Portland's) Yourself and the Air. Three guys making pretty exciting, danceable and intricate music. Great dudes too. After the show we accompanied them to a nearby establishment to drink way too many beers. Or perhaps just the right amount of beers. Regardless, Eric, Jeff and Drew were great fun. We heavily suggested that they come to Vancouver.

Considering our excessive inebriation, we ate sandwiches from a local deli and slept in the Van after some artful barrier work.

Day 11

Sunday – We awoke hung over. In addition to the beer and whiskey shots, we'd dipped into the Four Loko stash. That stuff makes me see lazerbeams and talk in the best kind of foreign langauges, but you pay for it dearly. We sorted out some food, did some interneting, and drove into Manhattan for our gig at Pianos. We found parking but had to pay for it. $1.50, because it was Sunday and the time of day. We drank some margaritas at a Mexican restaurant and met some friendly locals.

The gig was fun, playing with Rioux – a music student come electronica performer. After packing gear at about 1:30am we drove down to Times Square. It is something to see – huge and monsterous and boisterous and flashy – but we left a little put off. Maybe it was the garbage everywhere, or the sheer opulence of everything, or the distinct lack of toilets, or the single worst hot dog I've ever had. It was a bit much. We sallied forth and returned to Greenpoint to sleep in the van by an industrial district.

Day 12

Narwhals migrating reminds me of friends across the country.

During the day we drank coffee and ate bagels while chilling out in a garden cafe. Extreme pleasantness, such a nice day and it was good to take it super easy. When we met Young Boys in Minneapolis, we had a good time together and they ended hooking us up with a gig in Brooklyn for Monday night at a place called Don Pedro. This was a really awesome dive bar. Steven – the manager – was a nice guy and even changed the tv from baseball to the hockey game for Scott.

This one probably doesn't need a caption.

We drank mega cheap beers and and played some pinball and then watched the bands for the night, which included The Hussy and Young Boys. After the music and the loading, we headed to a recommended all night diner and ate delicious burritos. Best decision ever.

Next we head to Montreal for a gig with our pals in Cinema L'Amour. La journee continue.