July 27th, 2009
Photo by Todd Westphal
We go to this place called Old West for breakfast in Denton, TX which was soo good. The drive to Austin is going to be a long one so I decide to experiment and drink a “Drank” for the first time so I could relax and go to sleep. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. The only problem with Drank is that the can is so big that after you drink it and it starts to take effect, you have to piss so bad and the pressure is unrelenting that it’s almost impossible to relax, especially if you can’t piss right away. However, when that shit starts to hit you, all you want to do is stretch your legs and zonk out. And that’s exactly what I did. We had about a 4 hour ride and I was up for the half hour I had to pee. Woke up on the highway driving into Austin and I immediately felt like I’m back at South by Southwest. We pull up to Emo’s and step out. Austin is so hot today! Emo’s is a legendary venue in Austin. There are three separated rooms/sections of this venue with stages. Tonight there are acts playing in all 3 including us. I’ve played in two of them previously and tonight we are in the room I’ve never played. We unload and there is a consensus among us for Stubbs BBQ, which is probably the best BBQ in Austin that I know of besides Iron Works. We each get an assortment of meats and everything from ribs to sweet potatoes. Some fans came in as we were eating dessert and we signed some things for them. I was happy to see them and say hello, even with a mouth full of apple pie and ice cream. They were excited and I think we all caught that vibe from them. We take it back to Emo’s, soundcheck and while we wait Sean is playing Zeppelin riffs. I could probably sit and listen to it for hours. Everything sounds good and we are taken to our backstage area that is up a metal staircase that looks like it could be a fire escape. It leads through a small alleyway above the venue to our greenroom. It reminds me of a treehouse. Our greenroom is small and ridden with stickers and writing on the wall of those who have been here in the past. It’s approaching showtime and we are visited by some members of The Bronx, who are friends with Chauncey. Chauncey did some shots with them and heads down to the room to set up. I followed and walked through the crowd. We had a great time playing. The crowd was awesome. When I’m finished I’m drenched and I towel off. Came back down at the end of Cage’s set and everyone is drinking and enjoying the post show experience. The people here are super nice. After everyone clears out we go outside, pack up, and there are still people from the show hanging around as well as crowds of bar hoppers galivanting through the streets. Austin is officially crackin’ on a Saturday night. Anywhere else you would think there was some kind of street fair or a holiday but this is Austin, TX where It’s all about music, partying, and drinking, We have a long drive ahead of us and we are all wound up, jokes courtesy of Cage, providing a little comedy relief at Todd’s expense. So funny. We stop at a place called Buc-cees. I don’t know why but that name is funny to me so I took a picture. Maybe I’m delerious. Finally…La Quinta. 4:30AM ZZZZzzzzZZZ
Cheers to Stubbs
I told you at Emo’s you had “1 hour until 6th street closes,” but noooo your label had you sausagefests leaving for your next venue
I saw the remaining tour lineup too..gees. Playing continuous sets night after night after night, isn’t that constant strain on the vocal chords?
Well come back to Austin soon, they loved every minute of Yak Ballz and Cage.