Day 9 – Boise You Romantic Devil You…

So Ed stayed sober in Spokane and got a good night’s sleep for the long drive ahead.  Good call.  His driving threads (consisting of a Las Vegas Jersey and blue bandana) say he’s all business.  We pick up the pieces of our room and load up.  We have a long drive to Boise.  Outside we take a second to assess ourselves.  Tour has been rough.  Mike’s damage count is rising.  He’s got a big cut on his leg, a raspberry on his back, and his left arm is one big bruise.  He’s got a souvenir from each stop.  I guess the gift shops were closed.  I feel fatter, but my clothes are looser so I conclude I’m shrinking.  I hope it’s just me or Jeff’s in trouble.  Manny’s back is still closed for business.  One more day before our day off…

We limp in to Boise 7 hours later.  The show promoter is a nice guy.  Crazy nice.  He gives us a tour, points out the cheapest hotels and their proximity to strip clubs (which we don’t have time to view) and offers to call someone if we need any additional sound equipment. Five minutes later the sound guy out-nices him and then as if Boise is all hopped up on nice pills the door guy out-nices ‘em both!  We do sound check and the locals help out the sound guy.  Drew is loving it.  He proclaims Boise’s theme is tightness!  We have about an hour and a half until the show starts so we head out to the Cabana Inn.  Now at this point, we’re thinking that the Cabana Inn’s theme is in its title.  Nope.  Their theme is less tight.  Like cinderblock walls and a microwave that shoots random sparks less tight.  It’s cool though because even the shadiest parts of Boise seem to be pretty easy going.  If there’s a gang in Boise, I bet they are the called the Best Friends Gang.  We haven’t showered in days so that’s first on the agenda for both ours and Boise’s sake.  Ed drops us off and circles back to park.  He pulls up in front of the venue and up walks a parking cop.  He offers up a $500 fine for parking in too many spaces.  Ed politely declines.  He moves the car instead.  Parking cop pulls in to advise Ed he needs to pay or it’s a fine.  5 chess moves and a failed bribe attempt later the Ed-Sled finds a home.  We get back to the show to see the opening bands because they’re so damn nice it seems like the right thing.  Good thing we did too because they were both great.  Hotel Chelsea has been Jeff’s fave local so far.  Red and Mike are super cool dudes. We’re up next.  Our set goes off.  Tonight it’s on in Boise and for the next 30 minutes we tear it up and they make us feel like we’re at home.  After the show, we split off.  I’m at the merch booth with Ed, Jeff and Manny watch the stage and Mike and Drew chat with the locals and rotate with us.  Despite how our nights usually end, we keep it pretty legit until the show is over.  One kid stands out though.  He walks up to Mike and says his name and asks him if he recognizes him.  Mike remembers the name.  This guy was talking shit to us on Guttermouth’s Facebook when it was announced we were going on tour with them.   Here’s the cool thing though.  Besides the fact that he had the stones to come up to us to remind us of it, he also said we made a fan out of him.  That’s really cool to hear especially on the road in a town that’s never heard us. The Gusto was a great joint. We hang with the owner, Andy, a well dressed PBR rep, and our new buddy Cameron for a bit. We talk Talking Heads and red-heads with dreds for a bit. Great bros.

Boise likes to get their drink on and is generous in buying shots and drinks (again it’s like Denver on “nice-steroids”).  By the end of the night Ed and I are still in good shape, but that’s about it.  I catch up at the hotel room with a quickness thanks to a valentines day bottle of Jameson that was waiting for me at the bar when we got to town (thanks Steph!).  Now this isn’t just the booze talking but I am convinced Jeff is a ninja.  He randomly appears and disappears everywhere we go.  What is he doing?  This thought is confirmed when he starts judo throwing Drew inside the room. I knew it.  Drew is no slouch though and somehow he acquires Mike as his corner man.  Note to self.  Learn to fight when we get back in case Jeff tries to ninja fight me. We raise hands in victory and call it a night…the nicest night.  Boise, you were so good to us. 

Post Script. It’s a great way to stay in shape. -Jeff