From: Noodles
February 8, 2001
Bordeaux, France
I was going to begin this entry with a
story involving a skinny dipping episode with the Lunachicks, reiterating just
how blind I am and how I sometimes miss out on things that most people get to
see, but Higgins said it sounded like I was "perving out." I may indeed have a
perverted side, but I'm not sure that its something I should share with all of
you. I think that if I were truly perverted, I would have found a way to keep my
goddamn glasses on! Anyway, you don't get to hear that story, and its all
Higgins' fault.
What you do get to hear about is what I tragically failed to make any mention
of in my last entry, namely our support bands on this tour. First of all, AFI
are with us for the whole European tour. On the opening night in Glasgow, they
fucking blew me away! I've only seen them one other time since Jade has joined
the band. That was in Hawaii almost a year and a half ago. Since then these guys
have grown by leaps and bounds. They are more powerful than ever! I can't
believe that they are able to keep the music together so tightly while running,
leaping, and bouncing all over the stage like that. They mix up their set really
well too, playing some older faster stuff as well as some of their slower, more
dramatic, newer stuff. I love this band now more than ever, and judging from the
audience responses they've been getting, so do all of you.
In the U.K. we were also joined by two bands that we've played with in the
past and continue to enjoy. These are Caffeine and "A." Caffeine are a power
trio who play punk-pop similar to what you hear coming out of California. Lots
of energy and great hooks. "A" are a bit more "Alternative", but have good deal
of energy and none of the gloominess that I associate with that term. These guys
also have a lot of hooks, as well as some great schtick. I especially loved when
they busted out the Van Halen covers. Both bands are from the U.K. so, if you
live there, check them out. We've played with a lot of cool local bands on this
tour, and another one I want to mention are The Donots from Germany. We played
with them the other day in Munich, and they rocked! You've got to give it up for
any band that's got the balls to close their set with Twisted Sister's "We're
Not Gonna Take It." And they pull it off with great aplomb.
I did manage to snowboard last Sunday near Innsbruck, Austria. What a great
day! The skies were blue and there was some fresh snow from the night before.
Ron and Fitzjoy were with me, as well as some of our local friends. I only got
two hours of sleep the night before because I was up all night on the bus
drinking beer with Dexter and Higgins. I somehow had the energy to pull off some
great runs that day. It was my birthday that day and, except for maybe being at
home with my family, I can't think of a better way to have spent it.
Last night we played our biggest headlining show ever in Paris. All I can say
about it is "WOW!" I don't think we've ever had an audience like the one last
night. We've done some smaller shows where literally everyone is out of their
seats, jumping around and singing along, but for that to happen in a venue of
this size... It was just un-fucking-believable! I can't tell you all just how
stoked we are to be playing in front of the audiences we've had on this tour. We
keep expecting our career to be over any day, when in fact things keep getting
better for us. Our performances feel stronger too, both as individuals and as a
unit. For all of this we owe you guys, our audience, a huge debt of appreciation
and gratitude. I'm only sorry that we couldn't play "Beheaded" for all of you
who requested it. Aw Darn, now I'm getting all mushy!
The only trouble I've had this whole tour happened when I mistook the hotel
lobby fountain for a swimming pool in Cologne. I had just left a bunch of our
friends and colleagues in the bar after our show there, when I decided that a
swim might be refreshing. Our hotel was right on the river, which I thought
looked inviting, but, after thoughts of Jeff Buckley gave me pause, I opted for
the fountain. At first the hotel staff was less than pleased, informing me that
this was "not proper hotel guest behavior," but then, upon realizing that I was
less of a trouble maker than I was an idiot, they brought me a dry, warm robe
and some more beer. I thought that was very nice of them.
Tonight we play here in Bordeaux for the first time ever. Its always fun
playing someplace new and we are excited about it. We have only four shows left
on this tour before we go home for a short break, and then we are off to
Australia. I'll let you all know how the rest of the tour goes when I get home.
Until then, take good care of yourselves, and each other!
Later,
Noodles
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