Today the winter tour weather finally caught up to us. It’s been snowing all night and we have Vail pass waiting for us. The boys take an early morning Cuze to ease the nerves. Manny takes an early morning trip to booze town and I take to writing a will. We’re all on edge about the drive except Ed. He’s out front stretching and pep-talking the sled. He’s all killer and no filler today. I buy him a Dr. Pepper as a token of good will, but he waves it off. Carbonation is bad for his wheel hand. We’re off and I lay down in the back seat. Now I would love to spin a yarn about the treacherous journey that ensued, but in all seriousness, Ed crushed the driving today. He literally whipped us up and down the mountain more efficiently than the plows. I know because we passed them. When we got to the bottom, we noticed that we were one of the last to get through before they shut it down for about 45 minutes. Thanks Ed. We owe you buddy. Sheriously.
Side story, I cracked the mystery of Jeff the ninja. As it turns out, his disappearing act almost always results in him taking a shower. He’s the most hygienic guy I’ve ever met. If this band thing fails, he has a bright future as one of those people that have sushi served off of them. Really. He’s that clean. He’s racked up more showers than we have miles. We get to the hotel and it’s amazing…mountain town lobbies have a theme of wood and huge fireplaces, Mike, Jeff, and Ed head to the outdoor pool for a roll in the snow, and a game of sea creature charades. (Jeff’s not a very good shark at all, seeing as he has to plug his nose and close his eyes to swim). Mike and Drew also have a sweet lil’ surprise waiting at the front desk! Thanks to Tala and Kenz for braving the storm. Surprises are few and far between and greatly appreciated.
Back to the venue, the Sandbar in Vail is a cool place. It has a high stage and a higher sort of dance podium off to the left. We get there earlier than any show so far on the tour. It’s weird how much waiting we do. We wait all day in the car, then we wait until load in. Then we set up and wait for doors. If the venue is a restaurant, someone waits on us. Then we wait to play and so on and so forth.
Tonight’s show is extra “waity” because it’s a late start and there are only 3 bands, but the show is worth it and the Sandbar really took care of us. We hit the stage around 11pm. The stage is really big and about 3 feet off the ground. I have to be honest, I think we translate a little better on smaller stages. I like that uncomfortable feeling of being tangled up with each other and the audience, but this tour has been a new experience and with it comes new adventures. We have so much room on this stage that I actually lose where Mike is multiple times. I lost Jeff once too, but I assumed he snuck off for a mid-show shower. I’ve been eyeballing that dance podium too. Fuck it. First time I jump up there no problem. I’m feeling good. Last song of the night is Light’s Out. Fitting title. There’s a long pause at the end and then it comes back with a powerful ending. I decide I can get up on the podium and then make a run back on stage for one last chaotic hurrah. Pause goes good. Time for the last run where my height does me dirty. I run and leap off the podium directly the fuck into a speaker hanging from the ceiling. Somehow I manage a sort of three point landing (inside joke for Francis) and Mike comes over to pick me up and assess the damage. I’m guessing I’m bleeding and the look on his face makes me thankful this is the last song of the set. Talk about Light’s Out. Also, big thank you to Drew’s wife Kenz for closing up my wound.
Post show, I’m pretty much down for the count, which is a shame because there’s a lot of booze to be dealt with in Vail. We have a bunch of leftover beers and somewhere in Breck, we acquired a bottle of Evan Williams so big I think it came with wheels. The rest of the guys pick me up and party the night away with the Guttermouth guys who have not only been mentors in touring but have also become friends that will far outlast this tour.
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