Yesterday we drove from Ithaca, upstate New York, to Mahwah, New Jersey to appear on the legendary Bumpskey Radio Show. When we arrived, the guys had cooked dinner for us. Before sitting down to eat meatballs & pasta, we played 5 or 6 songs live-to-air with an acoustic guitar & tambo. After dinner, we went back on the air for an hour-and-a-half to talk about where the band came from, what it’s like to be on the road & what people are like in different places around the world.

Midway through the interview, we called Mat Ward (Pledger of the Week) live on air – Mat’s dulcet tones sounding out all over Jersey & the world beyond.

The Bumpskey crew then took us to the Sheraton, put us up for the night there & took us out for breakfast this morning. Not only did we just have one of the great radio experiences of our lives, we’ve also been humbled by the generosity and kindness of the wonderful Jerry and Bumpskey – who run the show.

And now, we’re on our way to Asbury Park, New Jersey (Springsteen territory) for a big show tonight at The Saint.

Video – Without live at Arlene’s Grocery last week:

Checkya tomorrow,
Fires out.

Just after the show at Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, Max recorded this interview for Sounds Australia, last month. We played a couple of shows in Toronto as part of Canadian Music Week. It was great hooking up with a bunch of Aussie touring bands at the festival (and the sharing of tour tales etc).

We’re back out on the road again today, having spent 2 nights in Ithaca (after the Castaway’s show) – and almost having a day off yesterday.

Next stop: Bumpskey Radio Show, Mahwah, New Jersey later this afternoon. We’ve got The Saint, Asbury Park, New Jersey tomorrow night with a lineup of great local bands. We love The Saint, always turns into a crazy night there.

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

We played a show at Castaways in Ithaca, upstate New York, last night. We’re all really sore today, feels like the morning after a football game. We had a great time at the show, most of the audience joining us up on stage for a group shot after the last song.

Mat Ward does it again.

He’s our Pledger Of The Week for the second time on this tour.

That’s Mat with Max after jumping out of a plane in October of last year. We’d just played a festival show 2 hours north west of Brisbane, Australia. The morning after, we all suited up, piled into planes and jumped out at 14,000 feet. We were so pleased to have Mat come with us – a man who’s been supporting our band from its earliest beginnings (even before the Yak Bar). Over the years Mat Ward has been many things to us including our roadie and official photographer. I reckon he’s probably attended about 90% of our Australian shows.

It’s people like Mat who’ve kept us on the road this tour, Pledging for a variety of different tour items including a phone call from the road (we tried last night after Castaways – but got his voice-mail, will have another crack at the call shortly).

A big thanks to you Mr Ward.

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

Played a show at Binghamton U last night. Had a small, but enthusiastic crowd. Hard to pick how big the college shows will be. There was a great crowd in the campus venue (Late Night) while we were loading in. By the time we hit the stage most folks had left, piling into buses on their way down-town. That said, we had a few super cool guys, who’d seen us last time, come back for the show – they bought a bunch of t-shirts and albums. They were also a little disappointed more students hadn’t stayed back to check it out.

Secret Country played after us – one of the best bands we’ve met on tour playing to a near empty room. The first time we saw these guys was at the infamous Maxwell’s in Hoboken, New Jersey, last year. They tore the place apart. Last night, despite circumstances, they cranked out another great fun rock-a-billy/punk set.

Shot above: Loading into the hotel at the end of the night

Then the load out began at 2am – up flights of stairs with mountains of gear, the way we’d come in. Back to the hotel to collapse. Up before check-out this morning & on the road again. Right now we’ve just arrived in Ithaca for the show tonight at Castaways (Upstate New York). Kent’s lap-top took a nasty fall last night so we’re hunting for a computer shop to get it fixed.

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

We’ve had a couple of great nights in a row. It was a long haul to Boston from NYC for the show on Thursday night at Democracy Center. After driving around and around and finally nailing a couple of parks out front (with our gear trailer), we all dug in, set up the PA etc and got the show happening.

Greg kicked off with a great solo acoustic slot. He was also the guy that put the whole thing together – many thanks Greg. Bright Red Reason were next, teenagers pounding out punkin’ tunes. We hit the stage after that and had a blast before Shane Hall and the Ticklebomb Orchestra took the headline slot, capping the night in fine style. This was a classic DIY show & a whole lotta fun for everybody…

Pic above: Ready Set Riot & crew.

Last night we played The L & Gee Club in New London Connecticut. Big Stage, Lights, PA and great, great crowd. Shot some video of the show. Good friends, Ready Set Riot opened the night. We met the guys & their crew last year at a show in Allentown PA. They turned it on big time last night. Rock And Roll Baby Makers we next up. Suicidal Tendencies inspired punk rock, complete with singer in casual sailor’s gear

Around midnight, we hit the stage to one of the best crowds of the tour so far. One of my favourite times of the evening was kicking back, meeting & talking to everybody after the show. We all hung out til the bar closed having a great time.

Stayed at Red Roof Inn, a few minutes from the venue (apologies to Ready Set Riot – we missed the after party – probably some sore heads today there as I write this).

Right now, we’re nearly at Binghamton University, Upstate New York, for a show there tonight & our 2nd time at the College – Awesome. Last time was killer – tonight should be fantastic. Check the Shows page for more details.

Checkya tomorrow,
Fires out.

Playing a show tonight in Boston at The Democracy Center, Cambridge. We’re looking forward to what promises to be a rowdy, intimate show.

Last night we had a show at Arlene’s Grocery in New York City. Owen Pye joined us on stage for Without. Owen toured with us last year & it was awesome catching up again (though, all too briefly). We had a great crowd come out to see us, still on a high today. As mentioned in yesterday’s post (still a little under the weather this morning), we had a great interview with Rock Hard magazine right after the show. It’ll be up on line at some point soon.

Streaming fiasco: Apologies to everybody who logged onto the Arlene’s stream channel, only to find there was no streaming to be found. The sound techs at the venue told us right before the show that they were no longer streaming – but they’ll put some video of the show up on their YouTube channel.

We’re really hitting our tour rhythm now, midway through this US tour. We’re at the point where the kinks are mostly ironed out on and off stage & the days are flowing into one another. Kent’s at the wheel again, driving us through Connecticut on the way to Massachusetts for tonight’s show. Max in the back seat on her lap-top, me in the front on mine…

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

I feel great tonight. We had an awesome show at Arlene’s Grocery in New York City (the most people I’ve seen in the venue). We had an interview right after the show with RockHard Magazine. The questions went around… “Max, what advice would you have for young women in rock?” Answer: sensible. “Kent, what advice do you have for young drummers getting into the music industy”. Answer: sensible.

Me: “What advice would you give to a young lead guitarist?”
Find Yo Sexapeal…

Whilst I don’t condone my own drunken Behaviour, on this I was on point.

Maybe…

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

We’re playing Arlene’s Grocery tonight on Manhattan in New York City.

The Arlene’s show will be streamed live on the web – http://www.livestream.com/arlenesgrocery from 7pm New York time. (9am Thursday – Australia east coast, approx 5am in Europe & 7am in Beijing)

Check the Shows page for more details.

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

China tour dates just announced – on the Shows page – starting April 29 at Dalian Hertz Bar LN.

We spent last night at a hotel in Virginia. It’s about an hour from check out now. Drove all day yesterday from South Carolina. We’re about 4 hours from NYC, for tomorrow night’s show at Arlene’s Grocery.

The weather’s been great for driving the past couple of days. This morning it’s cold and wet out there, more like the northern weather we’re used to here.

Shot above – bleary eyed at Waffle House, somewhere in South Carolina yesterday morning.

We’re planning to stay at a hotel in Jersey City tonight, near Hoboken just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Should make for a reasonably easy trip onto the Island for tomorrow night’s show (Wed). Owen Pye joins us on stage at Arlene’s. Owen toured with us through the US last year & he’ll be guest-bassing during the set.

The Arlene’s show will be streamed live on the web – http://www.livestream.com/arlenesgrocery from 7pm New York time. (9am Thursday – Australia east coast, approx 5am in Europe & 7am in Beijing)

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

We slept in this morning – so we were late checking out of the hotel next to Portmans Music in Savanna, Georgia – where Kent hosted a drum clinic today. The clinic was great. Kent’s a confident teacher who held the audience in the palm of his hand for the 90 minute show, through tales of touring, being a session drummer for famous acts and playing shows in front of huge crowds.

After the clinic we played an acoustic song in the store & filmed it for the next monthly Hose Down email (due out this week). After recording the song, we met a Hula Hoop dancer called Jessica, who proceeded to demonstrate this wonderful skill for us in the parking lot. Maybe she’ll join us on stage when we’re back in Savannah later this year. (That’s her in the pic above)

The shot above: Hanging at Cancun Cafe (Mexican restaurant) near Portman’s Music just after the clinic.

Right now, we’re on the road to New York City, driving through South Carolina (we’ve got some miles ahead of us). Our next show is Arlene’s Grocery on Manhattan Island NYC, this Wednesday at 7pm.

Checkya tomorrow,
Fires out.