Want to save the world and keep live music alive? You can by pledging in support of The Chook Raffle Tour, kicking off in Canada in a few weeks.

Pledge to be receive an exclusive 5-track Live EP recorded on the tour, get private updates and video footage we’ll only be sharing with you, and you can even pledge for my sweaty autographed t-shirt! You’ll help pay for some of our tour flights and part of your well-spent dollars will even go to one of our favourite charities.

To find out what the hell I’m talkin’ about, we’ve got a big explanation on our PledgeMusic website – just click the image above to get there. Download the free track, then click on the band name for all the details about your amazing opportunity to ‘Join the Chook Raffle Tour’!

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

Big day running around Peabody (Boston), looking for bits of equipment for the tour. A little frustrating, but I think we’re nearly there. As mentioned yesterday, I’m messing with a bunch of new pedals, trying to get power supplies that work for all of them in the US, Europe, China and Australia. The US is different to everywhere else, with the 110 volt thing (for most of their power supplies). Anyway, there will be some importing from Hong Kong & some local shipping. Everything should be here soon (fingers crossed).

Back to work,

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

After yesterday’s post, I packed up & made my way back to the apartment from Front Sreet Cafe in Salem. On the way, I stopped in at John’s place, around the corner.

John at Santora’s Cafe

He lives above, & works in, our local diner, Santora Cafe. The food there is fantastic. Anyway, one thing lead to another. There was some jamming, Jager shots & too many beers. It was late when I left. Back at the apartment, Derek was working on a hip-hop song with a mate of his, microphone and stand, wires & notebooks spread about the lounge. He was into it, working with beats all night. I think they finished around 6am.

For some strange reason, we’re both pretty tired today. Been down to Guitar Center again (not a good idea on the weekend – really crowded), and Radioshack, trying to get my guitar rig together. Nearly there, but it’s kinda frustrating. I’d expected to have everything together by today (I’m messing with a bunch of new pedals). We were cabbing between stores, not quite able to get everything we needed. In the end, we gave up, retreating to the apartment.

I’m a bit homesick at the moment. Last year, the first month was the hardest. I’ve got this feeling it might take a little longer to get over this time.

Checkya tomorrow,
Fires out.

Called Mum from Boston late last night, at the peak of the evening. Hi Mum, I’m OK today (a little tired & slight headache – but OK).

The shot below from last weekend in Australia: My Dad and Ronda, at their local football club, with Aussie Rules Football stars, Daniel Hanneberry and Mike Pyke.

Dad and Ronda, champions of the Football cause, frequently organise clinics at local schools and clubs for aspiring youngsters. Dad’s also the coach of a local team & Ronda’s the club secretary. They live in a small country town on the east coast between Sydney and Brisbane, spreading the AFL gospel in Australia’s rugby heartland. The AFL (Australian Football League – based in Melbourne) regularly send star players up to visit Dad & Ronda to help recruit young players to our great game. And a great game it is, indeed – one of the things we miss most when we’re away from home.

And, by way of demonstration for our friends around the world, check the video below. Aussie Rules highlights – Big Marks (catches)…

Sitting in a cafe in Salem, Massachusetts right now. Getting dark out there. Might be time to make my way back to the apartment…

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

I have sworn no t to post when under the infulence – it’s a band RULE. So today (this evening), no post. Not allowed.This is a good thing – apparently I don’t make a lot of sense in this state. But reading this as I typle, it appears I’m not in too bad a nick. May…naahhhh….

tomorrow.

FO

Got out yesterday to Gulu Gulu cafe in Salem and stuck around for the open mic night. It’s a great little place – they’ve got wifi there & we had to get out of the apartment. The vid below is a 1 minute grab showing some of the performers. There’s a guy playing ‘Beeswing’ by Richard Thompson. I thought of Stalk (a great mate of ours – who introduced us to Thompson) & I had to film him.

And guess what, we’re still sitting here on lap-tops again today back in the apartment. We’re finalising the dates for the North American tour and all the media stuff and organisation that goes with it. There’ll be a bunch of news in the next monthly Hose Down (out next week). Plug plug – you can sign up to our mail list to get the Hose Down delivered to your inbox every month (video, pics, TOF news & Max’s food diaries included). Details at the top right of this page.

Checkya tomorrow,
Fires out.

I hope we make it through this tour. Max went out and bought a vile vial of witchcraft potion today. We’re not even officially on the road yet. Is life on the road with me really that bad? I shower nearly every day, or thereabouts, or y’know, whatever – smell isn’t everything…

We spent the night (and some of the day) at Gulu Gulu Cafe, Essex Street, Salem. T’was great to get out – we’ve been cooped up here in the apartment for weeks. And not by choice. The universal rock & roll world champion demon god of rock & roll town has glued us here to do good touring things when the tour starts next month – and he has a mighty fist which he shakes in my direction when I even think of leaving to go out.

They had an open-mic night in the cafe this fine eve. We stuck around for most of it. Got some footage which I’ll post tomorrow.

Checkya then,
Fires out.

Last night Max went down stairs to the drum shop below to hang out & enjoy a small concert. I actually heard the whole thing booming up through the floor here – but had to stay focused on the lap-top & never got down there. Donn Carr hosts the show on the first Monday of every month. Old show tunes & jazz, I could hear them all laughing & singing along…

Kent took this video on Sunday morning – after what we’re now calling ‘The Big One’ the night before. I don’t know how he actually got it together enough to do this – but he did it nonetheless, just in time to leave for the airport. Click the pic below – it’ll take you to the Facebook video.

Tuesday night here in Boston. The weather above zero for the past few days, is now set to freeze again for the rest of the week.

Checkya tomorrow.
Fires out.

OK, so I missed yesterday’s post. It was a slow Sunday after a very big night. One of the crew, not mentioning names here, had himself a mild case of ‘food’ poisoning. He was quite ill as the car pulled out en route to the airport. Myself, I had a slow one & some trouble concentrating.

The crew are now back in Atlanta. We’ll hook up in March for the US tour.

Feeling good today after recovery night’s sleep.

Checkya tomorrow,
Fires out.

The film crew got fired up & went out to reek havoc in Salam last night. The band stayed at the apartment, doing the usual lap-top stare-down. We hit the hay about midnight, fast asleep at 3am when the guys got back in full party mode. I was lying there thinking “If I get up & say hi, there’ll be no escaping the ensuing carnage…”. Amazing how 3 guys can sound like 10. Somehow got back to sleep. Woke this morning, feeling OK. Couple of hours later, the guys started straggling back in, looking expectedly worse for wear after a monster night.

It’s the last night in town for the crew. They fly back to Atlanta tomorrow. The next time we see em, we’ll be on the road. So tonight, we’re all heading out to tie one on in Boston.

The video below: Kent’s video tour blog. There are 3 episodes so far (you can follow his blog on our Facebook page). He shot this vid on Thursday.

Checkya later.
Fires out.