just a prairie skid trying to survive.

the fall air

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:54:00 +0000

Oct 17th, 2010

The leaves on the tree’s here in Montreal have all changed colours by now in their cycle of death, falling to the ground where they will decompose even more, freeze when the winter comes, and by the time the ice thaws out next spring will be turned back into soil giving nutrients to new leaves which will be born.
I just got home from my recent adventures a couple days ago, coming back to a Montreal that is getting closer to winter every day now. You can feel, and smell it in the air. The extra layers of clothing, and jackets have been brought out and are being worn in full fashion. Most of this change I was away from home for so I usually took it in while on a flight looking out the window to the forests below. Fun times!
The last Propagandhi “run” (only 3 shows..ha..so more of a nice walk) was as fun as it always is, taking us to Minneapolis where we ate some incredible “cheese” bread, and mock meatball pasta at the incredible Pizza Luce. The show in Minneapolis was at the Triple Rock, which is always a good time due to good people, and good staff. It was Todd’s first time singing, and the bands first time playing certain songs live, which also ruled.
Des Moines, IA was next destination, which didn’t have the strongest turn out in people but was still fun over all. The last of the 3 shows was in Chicago at the Riot Fest to a packed show at the Metro. I personally thought that this was the best show as far as music, vibes, and the overall evening. After this show the “tour” was done so we all had a major hang out that evening and the next morning we saw Beaver leaving to go stay visit his significant other, and Barney left to drive the rental van/ gear back to Winnipeg. The rest of us stayed for a few days to hang in the city, go check out other bands at Riot fest, eat as many times as we could at the amazing Chicago diner, and celebrate Jords 40th.
One of the plans for staying included a trip to an amusement park outside of the city but this ended up falling through due to lack of motivation on all our parts. So another plan was in store.
The last day we were in Chicago was Jord’s actual 40th birthday so something major had to happen. Jord, Deedee, Chris, Eton and I ended up getting hockey tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks first home game since being the Stanley Cup Champions of 2010 while Todd, and Lia took off to do their thing around the city.
This hockey game was not just another hockey game, and our seats were not your typical (cheap) seats at a pro-sports game either. This game was where they would raise the Stanley Cup banner at the arena, which made for a big celebration and show. 2 of our tickets were in row#18, which ended up being very close to the ice, and 3 of our tickets were in row#3 DIRECTLY behind the Blackhawks bench. I mean you couldn’t get any closer unless you were on the team of course. Wild!! What we ended up doing was rotating our seats so each of us could experience the action on the Blackhawks bench. Fun times and staying in Chicago those extra days made it all worth it.
After the Propagandhi adventures were over I found myself flying to Toronto for the day to get things organized for the upcoming Metric tour which started the next day in Cincinnati, OH with Muse.
In the last week Metric did 2 shows (so far) with Muse, and did their own show in Nashville, TN because Muse took a week off so we will meet up with them in a couple more days in Quebec City.
Muse is definitely on the biggest level a band could possibly be. Every night they play inside a huge sports arena to thousands of people (I hear that the next show is 13000 pre sale) and have a major production to compliment this spectacle. There are rising risers-the band starts their set towering over the crowd 35 feet in the air-, crazy lights with lasers, state of the art audio, and video effects. Thus far I have counted 14 semi trucks, and 8 buses to transport this spectacle, and economy around in. Wild stuff! Their crew is massive by itself and then every show they have local crew on top of that. Muse has one person whose sole job is to work their pro-tools rig during the show. Its definitely been eye opening and something neat to witness.
I arrived at home the other day after these 2 recent adventures and will be here sleeping in my own bed, making my daily smoothie, cooking my own food, and doing yoga/ stretching in my room for the couple of days. It’s nice to be home. The air is crisp, and the fall smells that come with this crisp air which include the random smells of fires warming people’s homes are quite nice too.
The night after I arrived home the Bouncing Souls were in Montreal playing with Bad Religion. I had seen the Souls/ BR a week earlier at Riot fest which was fun but also a quick hello due to both of us going our own ways that evening. The tour that the Souls are on right now I was supposed to be on but the dates didn’t line up so I wasn’t able to do it, which is a bummer and up until a couple weeks ago I thought I was going to be in Mexico when the Souls were in Montreal. Mexico was cancelled so I was able to fly home, and hang out with some dear traveling buddies the following night which was a lot of fun. The dudes were even kind/ open enough to let me (attempt to) play a song with them, which I had done before once in the past but I knew I would do better the 2nd time which I did (my opinion..haha). In fact that day before the show I was definitely in my room practicing it all day. Hahaha.
We are all so lucky to be alive. Each of our lives make amazing stories.

the nature of things..?..

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:46:00 +0000

Sept 28, 2010
So I just got back from seeing the one and only David Suzuki speak in front of a packed theater here in Montreal and it was absolutely outstanding. There is nothing more incredible then seeing some one who is a big inspiration to oneself talk deliver an outstanding feature focusing all around life, and the mother of life- the earth.
I remember David Suzuki from seeing his program “The Nature of Things” on CBC when I was a child. Thinking back to those times I don’t think I was truly old enough to understand everything he was talking about in his programs but there was something I would always resonate with. His demeanor, vibe, image, hair, and his voice were all something truly unique. A Canadian icon. So when I read he was speaking in Montreal it was something I would not miss.
David spoke about life for about an hour and it was something else.
Definition:
Life- the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
To sum this up. Everything as we know it.
He first started his speech focusing on about 4 billion years ago when there was no life, and if we were to arrive on earth at the moment we would instantly die without air. So if we were giving air masks then what would be able to see what was next. Water! and how water was formed through gases, and condensation which eventually leads to rivers, and lakes..earth’s veins. Up next was our energy sources and how the sun creates all fuels on this planet in which life wouldn’t be able to survive with out. Fire!
Water, Air, and Fire.
It was pretty funny when he brought up those white hooded freaks whom call themselves the Ku Klux Klan and about life originating from Africa. Haha. Boneheads!!
Other highlights were
-the greek meaning of “eco” which means- “home”, and how “eco”nomics / “eco”logy do not go hand in hand, and one definitely currently triumphs the other.
- the human population in 1927 was 2 billion and now in 2010 we are at around 6.5+ billion. That’s enormous growth which is a major contributing factor to everything that is happening on this planet.
I have gone through periods of major pessimism in the past, and still do sometimes, but I also have seen some people whom I love with all my heart (family and friends)-because they are the most wonderful people Ive come across- give birth to a new life which gives me optimism. The major thing is this new future generation has to be re-connected back to the planet.
This means mud pies and all, grass stains on the pants, playing in the parks until you hear your mum yelling “it’s super time”, building forts out of tree branches, swimming in actual lakes, stepping on bee hives while looking for golf balls in the fields to sell back to the golf course for $.05 a pop, having to take a poop, taking that poop in the fields, and wiping your lil tush with leaves, camping, learning how to build fires, the smell of those actual fires, and on and on we go.
I do write all this but am still a major player in the destruction of the planet which is one of the weirdest things to think about. The other day I had my belongings stolen including my phone, and Ipod so the first thing I did was replace these items. A new Ipod, and I opted for a new Iphone. Yesterday I found myself looking at my new toy/s and getting quite sad thinking about the process which turned these metals, and materials into this material thing. Honestly I know that no matter my thoughts I do need a phone, and honestly no matter which one I chose the process to make this object would be the same.
We have created a weird little world for ourselves but a world which isn’t focused on the actual “world/ planet/ earth”. A world which has been focused on ourselves for to long, and it’s something we all have the power to change but the only way this will happen is if we do take a hard look at our own lives, and the connection we have to this planet.
No individual is perfect in any sense. It’s been 200 000 years since-humans as we know it- started walking this planet and it hasn’t been a perfect ride. We all need a reconnection to the soil, the water, the birds, the bird shit that lands on you as you walk along the street, the air that keep’s us alive every breathe we take, the sun which gives us energy, and the rest of life as we know it.
Who knows? Haha..This is all just personal thoughts that have been recorded for personal use. Im no different then anyone else.

AM!

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:53:00 +0000

Sept 10, 2010

The other night I attended Against Me!, the Flatliners, and Young Livers show in Montreal which was something I was looking forward to for quite sometime as I knew I would be home.

The last time I saw Against Me! (about 6 months ago in Burlington, VT) it was one of the funnest times I have had at a show in years, and I’m talking years. Most shows I attend these days I am usually part of through work which means I have to constrain myself and be responsible to get things done. All the other shows I attend I do attend because I want to, and am sometimes a fan of the band (sometimes not!) but still keep it chilled and constrained.

Not with Against Me!

This past show (as well as the show in Burlington) I was right up front against the barricade singing along as loud as I could, surrounded by an excited sweaty crowd which gave me the biggest grin all night long. Totally amazing, and needed as its something that never happens anymore with me. Bringing the youthfulness out is always a treat.

AM! is an incredible band live, an incredible band recorded, and all incredible fellows. Watching them play, their interactions with each other on stage, and with the crowd is a treat within itself. Truly amazing.

Also that night I had 2 good friends-Dave, and Mike- who I grew up with in California playing in the Young Livers which made the night even better. The last time I saw both Dave, and Mike would have been about 2 years ago but I was so busy that only a “Hey! Hows it going!” could be said. So catching up, and talking about stories when we were all a lot younger was pretty special. Both individuals I respect so much, and have had a big part in my story.

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:52:00 +0000

August 11, 2010
My keeping track (writing/ documenting) of my adventures hasn’t been that great in the last couple months which is a shame as this time period has been filled with so many fun, incredible times. The travels, the music, and the people that I have been surrounded by have made this year so far one of the best.
It’s too late now to write about everything now as it’s long over due but I’ll quickly summarize it all.
In the last 2-3 months I have traveled across North America a couple different times-East to West/ West to East- on tour with Metric, Strike Anywhere (across Canada), and the Bouncing Souls (Warped Tour). I managed to spend a week in Richmond, VA between one of these tours, which was nice seeing old friends, and cruising around the old stomping ground.
After this 9 week adventure I came home, to move into a new house with 2 nice ladies, and went straight to work here in Montreal helping set up festival shows on the Island downtown.
This past weekend I saw myself in Chicago with Metric steering their ship during Lollapalooza, which was fun, busy, and rewarding.
The other day I did find myself thinking about this summer so far, and everything that has happened, the music I have been apart of, the music I have seen, and it all blows my mind. So I figured I’d make a little list to document everything I have directly been apart of, or have been a spectator of...Here it goes.
Metric (tour, and Lollapalooza), Strike Anywhere (tour), the Bouncing Souls (Warped Tour), Alkaline Trio, the All American Rejects (yes! I am an official fan as this band rules as people), Slayer, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Arcade Fire (absolutely an amazing show at Osheaga), Pavement, Sonic Youth, Snoop Dogg (your drummer is sick), Weezer (with Josh Freese on drums!!), an old Richmond pal Tim Barry (always moving), the Gaslight Anthem, Lady Gaga (at Lollapalooza-your show was a little lack luster due to sound which is unfortunate. You aren’t supposed to be able to have a full conversation with someone next to you at a live show), the Strokes, Green Day, Cut Copy, I heard Against Me! in the distance which ruled and was told later by my friend Andrew that it was the best show he ever played-damn I wish I was there, Public Enemy (in Montreal-harshed my mellow as they went on 50 mins late for no reason whatsoever, and hearing stories about a particular crew person-boo!)
My ears thus far have only been given a couple of days rest between all of this so I am thankful for them still be there, thankful for my friends who have afforded me these opportunities, and been there through them all, and thankful for my family who is always interested in these stories.
Music/sound has no borders and is universal. It will be there when you are at your lowest, and it will make your highest even higher. So much sadness, and horror is happening in our world these days but music is one thing that does, and is able to help us all through these day to day struggles.
With this I end with lyrics from the song “Gone” by the Bouncing Souls who have moved me for over half of my life.
It was a cloudy night, or so it looked to me,
I felt so lost,I couldn't say why.
I needed strength to change my mind
but those ghosts stick to me like glue,
hatin’ life, believing I was no good

It was a darkness all my own
a song played on the radio, but it went straight to my heart
I carried it with me until the darkness was gone.
Gone
Gone
Gone
Gone

It was a cloudy night, or so it looked to me,
I felt so lost, I couldn't say why
I built this cloud to live in,
It was a bunch of lies in my mind.
The world wants me to believe it
so I had to change my mind

It was a darkness all my own
a song played on the radio, it went straight to my heart
I carried it with me until the darkness was gone.
Gone
Gone
Gone

I built this cloud I can break it
The world can’t change how I feel
Because I know it’s a lie
My heart is real
Gone
Gone
Gone
Gone
Gone
Gone
Gone

May 21st, 2010
Currently flying to Richmond, Virginia from Chicago where the Metric tour ended last night. This last Metric run was only 5 days with 4 shows so it went by very quick, easy, with 2 very good shows (NYC/ Chicago) and 2 alright shows (Columbus/ Cleveland) but none the less it was a fun run and now I am off to my old stomping ground of RVA before my next adventure starts with the skids in Strike Anywhere.
This last month at home has really been some of the best times I have had thus far while living in Montreal. Don’t get me wrong as the last 3 years in the city has been a blast but definitely this last month has been filled with many good times, and great adcventures. I was able to spend some very quality time with friends and even meet some incredible new friends whom our now part of my story. Welcome to the Jungle!
I am still with-out a place of my own as it would be insane to be paying for a place when I am never home. A big enormous thanks goes out to Philippe, Matt and Kim for putting me up at their places and dealing with me in general. Haha. Truly ya’ll thanks again for the kindness.
Last night I was able to watch a majority of the Habs/ Flyers game #3 which was pretty much a “must win” game for the Habs and with-out fail they came through. It’s definitely hard not being home right now with the springtime, and the current playoff run the Canadiens are making. First time they have gone this far since 93 and the city of Montreal has officially gone bonkers which has been so fun to witness, and be apart of. It’s a feeling a can’t describe and it’s definitely the first time in my life that I have lived in a city as such where “hockey is everything”.
Yes I have lived in other cities with professional sports but quite honestly non of them, or the energy comes remotely close to what takes place in Montreal. Amazing! It’s not everyday you see cop cars driving around with flags of the local hockey team on their cars or these same cops dressed up in full riot gear carrying batons, and shields after the Habs win playoff series. Again I think it’s safe to say this doesn’t happen anywhere else in North America so good on yah Montreal for keeping it alive.
So since I am going to be in RVA these next couple of days so close to Philadelphia I jumped online last night and bought 2 tickets to Game 5 in Philadelphia against the Habs. Can’t wait! Although it won’t be anywhere close to anything like a playoff game in Montreal I think it will still be a hoot and the Habs will need as much energy as they can get in Philly. I plan on wearing my Habs shirt but have already been told by a handful of people to “be careful”. Come on!
I was thinking last night about my recent trip to India and going for a walk at sunrise with a group to the forest behind the Navdanya farm. This forest- like all forests- had it’s own thing going on, and the canopy of the tree’s were very high up due to the type of tree, and because the locals in the area chopping off as much as they could for fire wood. We’ll last week I read a 20 000 word article written by Arundhati Roy (author of The God of Small Things, and many non fictions books dealing with Indian politics, and world politics) where she went into the jungles of India to educate herself, and travel around with a Maoist insurgency rebel group fighting (armed struggle) the Government of India to keep their land.
There are many human, and non human beings living in this world which most of us don’t see or even know about as they aren’t a “consumer” based culture living the life that you, and I know all to well.

May 26th

-Lauren at Ipanema excited to see me, and seeing peoples reactions to seeing me. Her being emotional as it reminds her of Johnny Z’z spirit.
-Johnny Z- impact on an entire community in a city
words not being able to ever explain this anyone not effected. Just words with nothing behind them

Hockey fans-philly/ montreal
Hockey in montreal

July 4, 2010

Americah!..?
Sitting here in St Louis, MO on a off day from the Warped Tour with the Bouncing Souls.
I have been on tour for the last 6.5 weeks with Metric, Strike Anywhere, and now the Souls on the Warped Tour. So much has happened in the last 6.5 weeks but I won’t try to capture it here as it’s something that would have had to been done in that moment. The travels have taken me across North America a few times now, with this last little bit finishing it completing the circle.
So the crazy circus summer camp known more as the Warped Tour is going full swing in it’s 2nd week. Warped Tour is such a crazy tour, and it’s a tour I don’t have many good things to say about, however I also do have a lot of fun while out on the tour.

July 17, 2010
It’s been 9 weeks since I left home for an adventure, which consisted of 3 different tours, and a week visit to Richmond, VA. Over the years I have grown quite frustrated with airports, and airlines however today I must say I am quite excited to be taking part in their operations because in about 1 hour I will officially be back “home”.
My trip started in mid-May when I left for a week tour with Metric taking us from New York across to Chicago. After this leg I hopped on a plane for Richmond, VA to visit with friends before my next leg of travels with my buds in Strike Anywhere.
The Strike Anywhere trip took us across the northern part of the US of EH, into western Canada, then back across Canada back to the east coast. This tour was something I was really looking forward to as I would get to spend some more quality time with some very close friends while traveling across the lands of the north, which is always a lot of fun.
This tour as expected turned out to be a lot of fun but it also did take a little toll on me. Being away from home for already sometime, and looking ahead too what seemed like no end in sight did have an effect on my vibes at times. It’s unfortunate but it is what it is. I did sign up for the entire 9 weeks of adventures and was going to honor those commitments. Now looking back on it, it wasn’t that bad but it is something I would not do again-signing up for so much that is. Ha ha. I say this now.
Anyways the Strike Anywhere tour ended in New York where I was then picked up by the superb human being- K8 is Gr8- to head back to Asbury Park, NJ to prepare for Warped Tour with The Bouncing Souls. Ha. With Strike Anywhere some of us would bring up a few different times “Whoa! You are going on the warped tour right after this tour! That’s insane”. At the moment I did agree with but it was with the Souls so it won’t be to bad.
Well I am very please to say that the 3 weeks of the warped tour with the Souls was a lot of fun. Did I just say that the warped tour was a lot of fun? Yes I did. Ha. The sole reason why this tour was what it was, was because of the Bouncing Souls and their family. Even the 54 hr drive with DJ, Dubs, Pete, and Matt from the right coast to the left coast was a total blast. Ha.
I have now done about 5 or 6 Warped Tours over the last 10 years or so, and has it ever changed. I mean it never was anything special but whatever kept it somewhat okay has since disappeared completely. There is a new era in this hard rock, horrible screaming music thing in which the youth these days are grabbing onto. Bright neon colors, high top nikes, and a sort of heavy music mixed with electronic beats are the flavors of the day.
So in a situation as such on the like-minded folks had to stick together and do their own thing, which we did. Everyday we would set up our own little camp with the Alkaline Trio, and All American Rejects to keep whatever sanity we had left holding on. Fun times.
On this tour I became a new fan of a band I never thought I would come remotely close to liking in a million years. That band is the All American Rejects who were some of the nicest fellows on the entire tour. I swear I never ever thought I would be into a band as such, but hanging out with them everyday, and hearing their music everyday has no made me an official fan, which stokes me out. There is nothing like good ol catchy pop music.

Back from India and back at it again

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:17:00 +0000

March 15, 2010

Well I was home from my trip from India for 4 days and now I am off to Austin, TX for the South-by-South West music festival to begin tour with Metric.

The first week of this tour is quite something. Today we are flying into Austin where we will be for 2 days , then fly to Phoenix, AZ to play a festival with some old tour companions named Flogging Molly, the next day we fly back to Austin, TX where we have a day off and I plan on hanging with some friends whom are also in Austin, then Metric plays with Muse on Friday which I am really excited about. Muse just played the Bell Center in Montreal last week and are now playing a small venue in Austin with Metric. Fun times! And then finally we fly from Austin to Seattle, WA to tour down the West Coast. Non-stop travels!!

Definitely not the most environmentally friendly travels but I didn’t make the plans so am here to go with the flow. Ha.

India was truly one of the best experiences I have had thus far in my short little story. I have been asked a couple of times by friends/ family “How was your trip?” and honestly I can’t find an accurate answer. I answer with “good, great, amazing” and find myself wanting to go into it even deep then these descriptive words but can’t figure out what words to use which would actually convey how incredible the trip was. Plus I truly didn’t see any of India really because of the time on the farm. So when the question is posed I can only answer from that experience which was one of the most educational, hands on experiences I have gone through, and like I said hard to explain.

Coming home was definitely a mission. My body, and brain was awake for a total of 45+ hours (not being able to sleep on flights) going from one side of this rock to another side, and arriving on a completely different schedule. It’s the first time out of any of my travels where my body had a major reaction to the travels. For the 4 days that I was home my brain really didn’t function well at all, I was having the chills/ sweats, and the food that I took in wasn’t welcomed well by my system. Eating the same food (chapatti, rice, dahl and usually a cooked potato/ vegi dish) for a month at the farm with really no raw greens at all did a number. My first meal back home consisted of a fresh ginger/ apple/ lemon juice, a salad/ tofu/ rice bowl which seems like my body would have loved…Wrong.

Oh well.

Then on a completely other spectrum life at home is completely different in every way imaginable then life in India. The moment I landed in NYC I noticed myself checking my phone often for messages/ emails/ texts, and being around my computer I noticed myself on it more then I would like. These gadgets eh? At the farm time really didn’t exist at all but as soon as I landed I noticed my existence started revolving around time, which was quite interesting. Again I was only there for 1 month-no biggie- as there are people who go there for months, and months. Coming home for these people must be a total head fart.

On the farm I ran into some people from the Seed Sovereignty class who had much “Hope” (Brand Hope Inc.) in the future which was quite interesting as I wonder if that’s a good thing or a bad thing due to a false hope. Haha. I am asking myself “Am I coming across super negative right now?” as I don’t want to come across that way. Haha. Really!

I have so much fun in my adventures, have experienced the greatest things, have come across the most incredible people imaginable and I have a certain outlook in life which keeps me living my life a certain way. A fun way! There is no way I would ever be a defeatist and just “give up” as there is only 1 life, and it’s worth living it as best as I/ we can. But I still am not too hopeful.

Okay….This is where I am coming from with the whole “Hope” thing. Today at the Montreal airport going through the new “US Departures” section of the airport was a total head trip -the new full body scanner machines, the rubber gloves, and the swabs all trying to combat an unbeatable “war”. Ha. Then I was sitting on thee ol toilet having myself a lil poop when almost every single time I moved my body the toilet would just automatically flush. Really! Is there a reason the toilet needs to automatically flush 5 times in about 3 mins. Nuts. Come on! Ha. On the TV at the gate the latest images from the “War” in Afghanistan were being shown with more destruction, and more death.

Afghanistan is not to far from India at all and seeing the images of the people, and the infrastructure on the screen looked just like life would look like in India or many other places on this rock. We humans are really just trying to survive, and live our lives the best we can whether in Canada, Afghanistan, India or any other bordered country on this rock.

So what’s the need for war? It’s sick.

India #2

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:09:00 +0000

The Freedom of Neem

Mar 3, 2010

A couple of us the other day came across another Cobra snake. I was walking down the road and Jai Singh was pointing at something which I soon noticed was a Cobra right outside the farm. Jai Singh and Narinda picked up a big rock, and with 1 throw hit the snake on it's head where it soon perished minutes later. Crazy. This snake wasn't as big as the one I saw a couple weeks ago but I guess any Cobra is big. Sucks the sucker lost it's life but the locals did what they had to do so I just watched the whole process unfold.

Today I was gonna head to Mussorie for the day however yesterday I got myself a major sun burn all over my back. I'd say the worst sun burn I have ever had, but thankfully it's not blistered which would mean trouble. Ha. I am mending it with fresh plants, and aloe vera from the fields.
Yesterday I was in the Chamomille garden by myself listening to my headphones getting into the picking chamomille zone when I thought I would work with my shirt off-give my body some color..Well after a good 1 1/2 hours I put my shirt back on and within a couple hours I could already tell I had way to much sun. Last night, my sleep, and this morning have been definitely pain full but I am still keeping it going.
My trip to Mussorie may take place tomorrow depending on how well I heal today.

There is a tree here named the Neem plant which I have heard mentioned so much while being here.

Neem- In India, the tree is variously known as "Divine Tree," "Heal All," "Nature's Drugstore," "Village Pharmacy" and "Panacea for all diseases." Products made from neem have proven medicinal properties, being anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fertility, and sedative. It is considered a major component in Ayurvedic medicine and is particularly prescribed for skin disease.
Neem branches are also used here as tooth brushes my many.

We watched a documentary the other day named "Bullshit" which follows Vandana Shiva around on hyer talks, and travels, and focuses on the farm itself. In the documentary Dr. Shiva talks about how sacred the Neem tree is to her, as she, and others defeated the European Patent Office-who was trying to patent the tree- in 2005. To her the Neem tree represents "freedom". Ha. The name of the documentary was named "Bullshit" as a couple of years ago Vandana received the "Bullshit award" by a group of Free Trade Enterprisers who think that Vandana's cause for organic farming, and anti- GMO's is "Bullshit". Bullshit however is also used in so many day to day activites in India from building structures, stoves, buring the stuff for heat, and composting as well.

We'll it looks like Canada beat thee ol Americans in the Gold medal game of hockey. From what I have read, and heard it was definitely a game to see. Oh well. I'll be sure to catch the next Olympics-in 4 years!!!!. Ha

The other day we had a group of Japanese come stay on the farm for 2 nights which was nice. The entire group had smiles on their face the entire times, and during the evening we had a bon-fire where most the older Japanese ladies sang songs. During dinner I was sitting beside one of the fellows and he wasked where I was from so once Canada was brought up he asked if I knew who David Suzuki is which I responded "Oh yah!". Turns out this fellow named Keibo Oiwa is really good friends with David and co-wrote a book with him named "The Other Japan". Damn! I was pumped as he was buds with ol Suzuki which stoked me out. Keibo was saying he went to school in Montreal, and was in that area duering the Oka Crisis outside of Montreal. Keibo also mentioned he was really good friends with Ellen Gabriel who was the lead spokeswoman for the Mohawks during the Oka crisis and who know is the head of the Quebec Native Womens Association. He mentioned that he invited Ellen to Japan to speak and it was pretty difficult to get her to Japan as Ellen refused to get a Canadian passport, as she is not part of Canada but the Mohawk Nation. She made it to Japan and spoke at an World Indigenous Event.
This is what has been so cool about this farm as there have been so many interesting, smart people that have come through in the last couple of weeks which I have met, and talked to. All concerned about ecology and all trying to do their part to save what's left.
Talking with Keibo at dinner we started talking about authors, and the worlds great thinkers. Being here at the farm I have realized that most of the people I read are really Western based, as the last couple weeks I have come across names of thinkers from the East who have inspired many. Navdanya as a farm was formed after a model that this Indian thinker named Satish Kumar developed years ago. There has been many mentions of Satish Kumar's name here while in India and he is a "hero" to Keibo so I plan on leaning more about this fellow, and others from the area.

This morning I went for a walk outside of the farm in one of the suround fields. Both Lucy, and Badu (dogs) followed me on this walk which was neat. All 3 of the dogs here on the farm are quite interesting. They all really know the farm, its grounds, and its area (boundaries of the farm). Walking with the 2 this morning in another field they were both just super relaxed, and chilled but I know they knew when we were back on Navdanya propterty that they were back in their territory which they protect. On the farm they are always on guard and yesterday while I was picking Chamomille there was a huge dog fight between the 3 and a stranger dog. The fight took place near Pinkies 6 puppies which she had last week so I am not sure if this other dog was hungry, or just getting to close. Here in India with the dogs you just never know as there are thousands of em-most of them wild.

Wow! I just cheked this website for a festival in San Diego that Metric is playing whom I will be touring with when I get home and this band Far who I love, and saw a handful of times in about 97 are playing too. Yah! It turns out Metric is also playing with Flogging Molly (whom I have toured with) in Tempe, AZ. Fun times await.

Seed Sovereignty

Feb 27, 2010

Haha. I am sitting here in some small internet cafe in the middle of rural India right now watching a live score feed of the Slovakia/ Canada hockey game (currently 3-0 Can) and in a way wish I was home watching the festivities. Haha. Oh well. Rural India it is which isn't bad.

So the last 5-6 days have been just "another day" on the farm but still fun, chilled, and relaxed. In the last 3 days the farm has had a course entitled "Seed Sovereignty, and Seeds of Freedom" with about 50 people total including Dr. Vandana Shiva, Dr. Benny Haerlin from Germany, Dr. Salvatore Ceccarelli from Italy, a lady named Debbie from the Center for Food Safety in the US, a handful of documentary film makers doing thing, and many Indian farmers/ seed savers from the country.

Genetically Engineerewd Organism's (GMO's)/ Genetically Modified (Engineered) Food's are something I first heard about during the WTO protests in 1999 in Seattle where there was a big outcry of such procedures. GMO's refers to the alteration of genetic material and when it comes to food GMO's is taking one trait from one organism and through technology insertionng this trait (gene) into another organism.

At first I think most scientists/ genetic engineers thought that they were doing a good thing as there was much talk (in the world) that GMO's would stop world hungry/ feed the hungry however through much research and just common sense when you actually start messing with the fabric of life you start heading down a treachourous path.

Now I am no expert on India but from what I have gathered ere in India with 1.3 billion people food/ poverty is a major issue. At some point in the 60's (or around then) there was a "Green Revolution" happening in India where the Govenment focus was put into feeding everyone and policies were adapted through loans/ and aid. When a country as such starts accepting loans/ aid from the outside they then have to essentially play by the rules so India has been forced to adopt certain policies some of which include changing their agriculture policices including GMO's. Right now the only GMO crop in India is BT Cotton but there is a current struggle to get BT Brinjal (Eggplant) into the system here.

Another crucial fact that I just heard in these past couple of days is due to the policies adopted which basically strangle small famers/ and make them adopt policies which they normally wouldn't (the use of pesticides/ adopting GMO's) there has been something like 150 000 farmer suicides in a certain area of India where some of these farmers have actually drank the pesticides they have been forced to purchase.

So the last couple of days in the class have been spent talking about GMO's, talking about organic faarming, we were shown how to cross breed plants (naturally) and then yesterday was spent talking about strategies in the struggle against GMO's.
Most of what was discussed in regards to GMO's and their effect on the planet have been things I have heard but everything which was discussed and focused on around India I didn't really have a clue.
It's not every day that I just meet, and talk to scientists from around the planet which was the best part of it. The other morning Daniel, and I were in the back of the compound and had a huge discussion with Salvatore who is from Italy but living in Syria where he is working with farmers in that country and has many experiments/ farms set up in the Middle East (Iran/ Jordan). There was something he was talking to us about which was quite interesting. Ants for example. People see ants in their field and they want to get rid of them when these ants actually help the plants out tremendously in certain areas. DUe to the ants traveling underground, and making tunnels when it rains the water actually is able to travel down these tunnels made from the ants and feed- water the entire plant. If these ants were not there, the water would moisten the top layer of the soil, and never make it down to the root which is where the water is really needed.

There is so much happening in our world and so much that goes un-noticed by the general citizens which is quite disheartening. We all need to stop swimming on the surface and actually take a dive, and go underwater as there is a lot happening which needs attention.
The fabric of life here is being manipulated through computers, and scientists. Our world, and food has survived for thousands of years in it's natural state and is now being destroyed by major corporations (ie-Monsanto).
I remembed years ago reading about a tomtato which has been spliced with a gene from an artic fish to stop it from freezing during frosts. There are certain foods spliced with proteins from nuts which is scary as some people have nut allergies and may eat this modified food which isnt a nut, but has a nut protein in it and have a reaction.
Another scary thing with all of this is it's not out in the open. For example here in India there has just been a law passed that you can receive a fine, and or jail time if you speak out, or label food that is made with GMO's. Most of these laws have been passed, and forced upon due to the parents of these policies namely the WTO (World Trade Organization).
In the US/ Canada there is no law in which GMO food has to be labeled although there has been struggles to get these laws passsed but when your dealing with major corporations/ industries/ and lobbyists in the government the chances of winning are slim. Also most of my familiarity with GMO's came from living in the US and actually just did some internet searching and it looks like there is tons of food in Canada as well which has been altered.

GO ORGANIC!!

...So Canada just beat Slovakia 3-2 in the semi finals, whcih means Canada now faces thee almighty US of A in the gold medal game. Kick some American ass Canada!! HaA!

So I think in the next couple of days I am going to take a day or 2 away from the farm and head up to Mussorie which is a town in the Himalaya's whcih you can see from our farm, and where you can actually see further into the Himalaya range which would be nice. I had planned on going there tomorrow but on Mar 1st there is a holiday named "holy" which I have been told all of the buses will be full. The farm is starting to emoty out, as last week the 2 spainards left, yesterday Daniel left, last night Geeta and her Mum went to DElhi (to return back), and Carrie/ Tunvie took off for a couple of days into the mountains.
My trip is slowly coming to an end as my departure date back home is getting closer and closer. It's gonna be nice to get back home although I don't have an official address (home) and I will only be home for about 5 days before I head to AZ for tour. Another chapter, with some more adventures.

Feb 26, 2010

So I just got online for the first time in a couple of days and the first thing I did was check the Olympic hockey scores. Last time I was online Canada was about to play Russia in where whoever won this game would continue, and who ever lost would pack their bags and head home. My cards were thrown completely behyind Russia (and Sweden) and I am now seeing that both teams are out which means Canada does now have a shot at gold. Damn!.

Nothing like bare hand and a fresh cow loaf!!

Feb 20, 2010

Today I woke up bright and early-6:45AM- to go into the Lecture Hall and do some yoga. The morning temperatures here at the farm have been changing in the last couple days and warming up. The first week or so while being here the mornings have been quite chilly and definitely stopped me from doing yoga as I only have shorts due to leaving my long-johns in Delhi. At home I don't think I would ever wake up at 6:45 unless I absolutely had to..ha..but I must say it's definitely really nice although I am usually sleeping by 9PM so....

A couple of days ago I was doing some yoga which I then followed with some crunches when I hurt my back pretty bad. My back has been pretty tight here since my arrival but the other day it came to a tipping point. It's crazy how much your body, and the way it feels affects your vibe/ mood. For the first couple of hours I was definitely not pumped and kept all my movement to a minimum but then slowly regained my spirits and dealt with the cards I had. May back is still not anywhere being better but it currently feels way better then it did.

Since thee ol spine was injured I haven't done too much work here. Listening to tunes, reading my book, and just taking in life in rural India has been the routine.

Manulo, Daniel, and I went into Dehradun the other day to have a day away from farm life. I must say I always enjoy getting on a local bus, which are usually quite rickety (here at least), loud, dirty and in a completely foreign country (very foreign) non the less. After the bus, we jumped into a bik-ram (a taxi but not a car-taxi...kind of a motorized carriage) and headed to the center clock tower where the main market was.

India is such a populated country it's pretty hard to wrap my head around. There is 1/6 of the population of the entire world in this country and it's something that you can't really escape unless you travel in rural India which is where Navdanya is located.

The main market of Dehradun was jammed pack with people/ shops, horns from bikes/ cars, and a lot of dust/ dirt. We didn't really have a set mission to our trip except to get off the farm for a day, plus we had all discussed having a beer, and buying beer to bring back to the farm. It's quite funny as Manulo had gone into town the day before with his girlfriend Naomi, and Carrie but he said all they really did was shop so when Daniel, and I mentioned we were going into town, and gonna grab a beer Manulo instantly said "Im coming to". We bought our beers, and headed to a park to enjoy the sun and our nice semi cold Fosters. It was nice to go into town, and change the scenery a little bit but I must say that I was looking forward to returning to Navdanya back to the peace and quite.

So 2 nights ago after we had returned from town with 9 beers for everyone else at the farm we ate another wonderful dinner, and then head to our lil hang out spot which is behind the rooms we all sleep in and it's somewhat located behind the main area. A little party had begun, the beers were brought out and most everyone gathered there for a lil hang session before bed time. While we were sitting there Geet (who is a genious, an herbalist, a handyman, and an all around good guy) came over to me, and said "Tomorrow. You will build a bench" as everyone sitting around were just on chairs and the bench that did exist was only 2 bamboo poles.

Yesterday I took on this mission of building a bench, and recruited Daniel, and Manulo as my partners in crime. First we decided the plan of attack on how we were going to build such a bench and I then went to get some tools from Satya (another handy man/ chef extraordinaire/ and another person connected to the local indigenous agriculture from the area) and brought them back to begin the work. Our plan on building the bench needed wood planks to be cut so we tried to do this with the saws provided but all the saws they had were way to fragile for the job. I think all of us thought "this is gonna be a long day" as we tried to saw our way through a plank or 2 which was a very hard thing. Geet then came over, and said "you can use bricks" which instantly changed the plan of attack and made Manulo, Daniel, and my mind ease as we wouldnt have to use these weak saws again. We were then told we could use, wood, bricks, concrete, and or cow dung. Concrete was chosen as Manulo had worked with concrete in the past and would be the one handling this task. We gathered more items and started to build "the bench".

After about 45 mins of digging, laying bricks, running to refill concrete, and laying this concrete Carrie came by and told us we should use cow dung. She had actually told us this earlier saying "Dont use concrete. Concrete is bullshit. Use Cow dung" which I would have been into but concrete was chosen. So when Carrie came by I responded "yes" and took on the cow dung as my mission. I found Gunga (chef/ handy man) so he could help me out making this cow dung and intitally getting the mix right. We grabbed a bucket and I followed him to the back of the farm where the seed bank, and cows find their home.

Gunga went right up to the first cow and picked up the pile of its fresh poop from behind him. This was a definite first and since this was my mission I was going full force ahead so I went over to the next cow, grabbed all of its fresh poop-with bare hands non the less- yah!- and continued taking all of the poop from the cows, and the manure pile. Gunga has a cyst in his arm so he showed me the intial "what to do" and I then proceed to do the rest. After our bucket was filled with cow dung we walked back to kitchen area, put a couple of huge chunks of clay dirt in the bucket as well and then proceed to make a cow dung for our new concrete substance.

All the walls of the buildings here, the stove that our food is cooked on, an oven outside, and most any other structures here are made with cow dung.

Like I just mentioned you take fresh cow poop, clay, add water, and mix together with.....your bare hands. Haha. Manulo, Daniel, and I were all quite amused and they both picked me as the one who would deal with the dung. No problem! Ill handle it! Where is the TV show "Dirtiest Jobs" when you need em. Ha. So I stuck my hand, and arm into the bucket and proceed to mix-well-this cow poop, clay and water until it was all mixed, and ready for laying.

Here we are, laying bricks, and using nothing but cow excrement/ and clay as concrete. Truly Genious!! Part's of the world as such are considered "Developing Countries/ 3rd World Countries, etc etc" which are word's used a description but also this description sometimes is used negatively, and used by some for their own good. The other day I was thinking about the farm, and the term "development" in regards to India. Being here in India, and specifically this farm which is the coolest place I have come across (due to the self sustainability) I think of the term "development" not in the sense of "catching up to the West"...Developing into a country with western structures ....but developing into something that is opposite, and more sustainable then the west. Yes there is the craziest population I have ever come across here in India, and the infastructure is sometimes weak-but by whose standards I guess?- but the population also contributes to this. There is 1/6 of the worlds population here.

So back to the cow poop...a good story always usually contains the mention of poop...So for most of the day yesterday I was picking up, mixing, and spreading this cow dung all over the bricks, laying more bricks, and spreading more dung.

When it was lunch time I did my best to wash off my hands before I consumed my lunch with this once poop covered hands. Haha. Here goes some grossness but hey it is what it is but while I would bring my food closer to my mouth I would get a nice whiff of cow manure. A little addition to this lunch. I figured that my string bracelet wasn't going to get clean and thought this may be the home of the smell so after lunch I cut it off, and went back to making our bench.

The bench was a success, and it's not going to break down any time soon as once the cow dung dries today it will be solid for a long long time.

That's really been the last couple of days. Not to much of anything else but farm life.

I have been here for a week now, and have been having alot of fun with all the locals who live, and work here. I do not know much Hindi-well non except for "Goodnight" which is "Shubha Ratti"/ "Thank you" "Dhanyavad" and am slowly learning some more but I have felt they have all been stoked on me which is fun.

Black King Cobra Snake!!!

Feb 15, 2010

Well it's been 4 days now since I have been living, and working on the Navdanya Biodiversity Conservation Farm and thus far it's been the first time I have experienced life as such, and up to this point in my life it's definitely been one of the coolest experiences in my life.

It's really the first time in my life that I have truly worked with the land-I mean I have spent many hours running in fields, and building forts- with only my 2 hands. When you are working on a farm as such there are no tractors, or huge farm machinery you would find in a big-business-agri-farm. This farm is big, but still small enough to work without mechanical machines. No fuel, no diesel, no engines.

This is also the first time that I have been on a schedule as such and it has been nothing but great. I usually wake around 6:45AM naturally from the coming day light, and the sounds of the birds outside. Breakfast is served around 8:00AM when they ring the bell. Lunch is then served at 1:00PM, dinner is served at 7:00PM and then everyone usually finds themselves in bed between 9-10PM to do it again the next day.

The work on the farm is really nothing but a learning experience. The volunteers here work really when they want to work. Some people work sometimes, and some people don't but everyone does do their part. Like I mentioned the first day there was no work at all. The 2nd day I was here I sifted through rice, and seeds and then weeded a couple gardens.

Yesterday Naoma and myself continued weeding the gardens we had started the prior day. Weeding the garden was quite fun and coming across many different insects non of us had never seen was interesting as well. The mornings are usually really cold-cold enough to see your breath- but once the sun is above the day turns into a cooker. So after some weeding the bell rang, so we headed to the dining hall for lunch where we had a couple of visitors pop in for lunch. Gita had brought up a story about snakes (Cobra's) and I instantly said "Around here. What happens if they bite you?" in which she responded "You die". Haha. So I sat there at the table for a couple of minutes thinking about the weeding we just did and how we were picking up all sorts of things with our bare hands, and we had no clue what was underneath.

After lunch I headed back to the garden which Naoma and I were weeding when all of a sudden I saw a big pure black snake slithering under a walk way due to my presence. HOLY SHIT!! Ha. I didn't freak as there was no immediate danger but I quickly told some of the farmers near me who came over to check it out. The snake had disappeared under the stair case but we did find old skin which the snake was shedding which was good cause after I saw the snake I thought to myself "Wait. This is crazy. We were just talking about it and everyone is gonna think im nuts" haha. It turns out the snake was a Black King Cobra and if they bite you, your body soon becomes paralyzed, and then you go into cardiac arrest and eventually turn into soil-meaning you die!!!. So after the spotting of the snake I, and the rest of us just chilled out in the sun, read, I did some yoga, and waited for dinner.

So the food here has been nothing but incredible but every meal-3 a day- has consisted of white rice, and lots of it. 4 days in plus my time spent in Delhi I am feeling the rice catch up to me which is weird as at home I consume tons of rice, but not 3 times a day. I have been doing yoga here almost daily but laying on my stomach I can really feel the rice, and feel very bloated so from here on out I am going to have very little rice if any at all.

Today I set my alarm for early in the morning as I was going to join Gita in the lecture hall for some early morning yoga but the bed got the best of me. I have been having some really amazing sleeps while at the farm which is intersting as I am sleeping on a cot which my back normally doesnt like but its due to the really cold air, plus the huge blankets that I use to cover me in my sleeping bag and use for a cushion. So I chose to stay in bed for a couple of minutes until the breakfast bell rang. After breakfast, and cleaning up a little I went into the fields with Shella (she works in the seed bank) and spread piles of cow poop/ soil/ compost around the area. Ha. It's not everyday you get to get your hands covered in dirt/ compost which has just come from the bowels of a cow. This is traditional sustainable organic farming and this is what it entails. Afterwards Sheela, Naoma, and I walked through another plot of land recovering all of the roots which turned out to be tumeric root. We removed bags and bags of them which we would then hand over where others would separate the roots- to grow more- and use the rest to make into tumeric. I have used tumeric many times in my cooking and had no clue it was a root type plant from the ginger family. After we had separated the 2 we then cleaned off the roots in the water, and they are still outside drying right now.

This was pretty much the extent of the work today as we have 16 guests from SLOW food university in Italy. Slow food is a non profit organization-member supported- eco-gastronomic organization. So since they are hear there are tons of lectures, and the scientists are here to show them what is being done here on the farm. Another productive yet very relaxed day. I have really enjoyed working with the land, in the dirt, in these elements. This is something which really puts many things into perspective from the way, and what we all eat, to the way this food was produced, and who is really benefitting from all of this.

There is nothing like being the middle of nowhere where really the only sounds are from the farmers, the surrounding farms and the sounds of the birds. I have also noticed personally that my walking here at the farm has been a lot slower then it would be lets say back home. No where to be, and no agenda except farm life. All of the farmers here also are some of the smartest people when it comes to knowing the farm, the food, and the land. It's incredible. Truly. A first time I have ever witnessed a true connection as such. This knowledge has been passed on for generations and generations of "mountain people" as this is what the locals are being at the beginning of the Himalayas. Ha.

Speaking of which the last 3 days now the sky has been perfectly clear and in the distant you can see the beginnings of the Himalayas. It's just the beginning of them so its really only small mountains but just letting your imagination run wild and imagining what lies beyond these hills is quite thrilling.

Alright. It's almost dinner time. OH! On a quick side note about farm life. When you are in India you eat with your hands, your right hand as your left hand is typically used to clean your pooper. Anyways working in the fields, spreading cow shit around, it getting your hands, and nails filthy and then going and eating lunch, and dinner with your semi clean hands is something that.....is farm life!!!...Hahaha. Fun times!!!

Vandana Shiva in the house!!!!!

Feb 13th, 2010

I left Delhi 2 nights ago around mid-night on a night train for Dehradun where I arrived the following morning around 6AM. Before I left Delhi I ate one last meal before my trip and started talking to this Australian couple about our travels, and our lives back home. One thing we talked about was the trains here in India which I had heard so much about and they were telling me their story of waiting 14 hours for a train so I wasn't sure what adventure lay ahead.

I hopped in a Rickshaw, and headed to the train station where my train would depart. With-in 5 mins of my arrival (45 mins before train departure) the train arrived, and I thought to myself "We'll it's here. Will it be on time?" I jumped in, found my sleeper berth and got my things ready for an all night trip. There was a mum, and daughter from Israel plus a dude from Japan in my Berth so we all chatted for about 5 mins until we all hit the sack.

I woke up around 4:00AM when everyone in my berth was getting off at their stop, and a couple hours later my train finally arrived ON TIME in Dehradun. Funny as it was my first train trip here and it ran as smooth as it could. I jumped in a Rickshaw and headed to Navdanya.

The ride to Navdanya was definitely something else as I was on about 3 hours of sleep, the sun was just coming up, it was extremely cold, and I was a completely new place in India that wasn't a huge city as Delhi. The scenery was also quite nice to see as all I had seen up to this point was a big over populated city but now here in Dehradun which is right where the Himalaya's begin there was tree's, small hills, and plenty of farms outside of the city.

After a very cold 30 min rickshaw ride I arrived at Navdanya which I was super excited about. The rickshaw fellow drove me down the drive way, through a big mango orchard-part of Navdanya- and up to the front gate where I saw no sign of life, but I knew people were here- somewhere. Haha. It was early. It was around 7:00AM. There was someone outside smoking who I walked over to but he didn't speak much english so pointed in another direction which is where I went. I dropped my bags off in the "registration office" and continued searching around the front area for someone. I heard some noise in a room, so I walked into it which ended up being a kitchen where the 3 fellows motioned me to come in which I did. There was no one else around but I was quickly served a plate with chapati bread, and this green dip type substance which was made from coriander leaves, garlic leaves, salt, chili's, and lemon juice. While I was eating everyone else working, volunteering on the farm started showing up for breakfast, and I met Gita who is the head cordinator here.

There is a Spanish couple (Canary Islands), 2 girls from the US, a girl from Korea, a lady from Canada but she left after breakfast for the weekend, and a fellow from Germany here.

Gita who is from California but has been living/ working on the farm for about 6 months brought me into the office, had me fill out some paper work, and then gave me a tour of the farm.

This place is insane. IN SANE!! It's a 20 acre Organic farm which focus's completely on food security, bio-diversity, and conservation. In the front of the property are the dorms, the registration area, the dining hall, the kitchen, the lecture hall, and the library. After getting a tour of this area she took me into the fields which was many, and into the back of the property where the seed bank, the vermicompost- which we went over which we uncovered to check out the cow poop/ worms- the compost, and the cows are.

After my little tour Gita said everyone was going to a temple in a couple of hours for the holiday and that I should go. So I filled up my bucket with some warm water, went into the shower stall and washed off. We all then walked to the main road, waited for the tourist bus and away we went. The holiday was Shivatta (spelling) which is for Lord Shiva and everyone-mostly womyn- were dressed in very brightly colored dresses, shawls, and scarfs. Beautiful! We jumped off the bus and proceed to walk-in the middle of the country- for about 45 mins until we reached the temple. On the walk, while we were walking through the forest a monkey went running by about 10 ft in front of us and then actually tried to attempt to intimidate us. After a little yelling the sucker took off but he did seem like he wanted some trouble. Ha.

After sometime we found the temple which was packed with people wearing very bright colors all waiting in line to pay their respects to Shiva. Again when I say temple it wasn't this huge elaborate temple as one would image because we were literally in the middle of now where. We spent most of the day here taking in the worshipping, and most of us-myself included- joined a all womyns singing, clapping, drumming circle which seemed like it had been going on for hours, and would continue to. After all was said, and done we all hopped in a rickshaw back to Navdanya for the night and to eat dinner.

Okay. NAVDANYA!!!This place is incredible. Absolutely incredible. I really do not know where to begin as there is so much. This place is 100% sustainable. 100% I have actually asked the cooks a couple times "Everything came from this farm? really?" That answer is...."Yes". Yesterday I was walked Gunga (one of the cooks) make Chapati bread and he went into this huge barrel to get some flour which was made from the wheat here on the farm. The 4 cows in the back are used by the farm for milk, and for plowing the field. When the cows decided to poop, that poop is used in the vermicompost, and then also thrown into a huge tank-underground- where water is then added to it so it can ferment over time which then makes bio-gas. The stove that our food is cooked off of uses this bio-gas but there is also a propane tank for the quick stove. All of the water which is used to wash the dishes in the kitchen gets drained outside to a trough which collect in another tank which is then used to water the fields and so on. Now 20 acres doesn't sound big at all as 20 isn't a big number but when you are actually on a 20 acre farm in the very back- or wherever- it's absolutely huge. Big enough to sustain whomever is here volunteering, all of the farmers/ workers which number around 20 plus this farm also supplies schools in Dehradun, and Delhi with food.

Dr. Shiva has an amazing, inspiration, must see example of a self-sustainable farm, and a seed bank to keep this food secure.

This morning this girl Nori, and I went to the back of the farm to the seed bank to help out there. On the concrete deck/ platform we poured out 2 huge sacks of red beans, 2 huge sacks of mixed seeds, and about 4 huge sacks of rice. Big sacks. For the next 3-4 hours we just sat, knelt or whatever position was comfortable and slowly inspected the contents to remove any rocks, plastic, leaves, or anything else which shouldnt be mixed in with the seeds. Unfortunately the 2 big sacks of red beans we poured out got infested with bugs due to the rain this area had a couple days ago whcih made the beans bad. With-in about 4 hours there was literally thousands, and thousands of these bugs crawling all over these beans. It sucked to see so much food/ beans being destroyed as these beans would have lasted me personally (the way I eat beans) probably 1/2 a year. There was that many.

Lunch time came around which was nice as both Nori, and my backs/ bodies were super sore inspecting all of these seeds for the unwanted. There are 3 meals a day which have all been extremely delicious again with everything coming from the farm. You want chamomille tea? You walk outside a get chamomille. This morning Gunga walked outside, cut some lemongrass, threw that sucker in the water, and made me some tea. You feel ill here there is an herbalist-whom I have't met yet- who will mix together something for your aiements. There is also a soil studies building here where the scientists on the farm are doing studies on different soils/ plants. It's the real deal. On the buildings in the front of the compound there are solar panels, and near the front gate there is 4 real big solar panels.

We'll I am going to end this here as I will be at this farm for another couple weeks, and there is going to be many other thoughts/ and words. Oh yah! Ha. Vandana Shiva came to the farm today!! Haha. I didn't talk to her as she was ina conversation while I was walking by to do yoga in the lecture hall but she is returning this weekend as we-the farm- are hosting 16 people from Italy who are involved with SLOW food so they are coming here to view the farm.

Frig this place is everything I expected plus so much more as most of us truly do not think deeply about our food, the environment, and the politics behind both. If we all even had 1 sec to see/ view/ experience a place as such our world be a different place.

Bach, Subash and Gang

Feb 11, 2010

We'll today I woke up with an incredibly sore back, which was expected but I need to try and continue to be on my physical routine although am not sure how often this is going to happen. About a week before I left I didn't have time to go to the gym as I was busy moving out of my damn house, into a storage unit, and now that I am here-without my yoga matt of coure (woulda added that much more weight) I haven't done anything physical and am sleeping on a hard bed too. Booo!. Oh well. Its part of the gig.

I wrote about my cab ride from the Delhi airport into the city and how it was definitely an interesting experience. What I didn't mention and what made it even more interesting was the dude and I were just cruising, and in the middle of nowhere the driver pulls over on some dark street, hops out of the cab, and then some other guy gets in and Im like "What the frig is going on?". Haha. I never really understood what was going on but I made it in one piece.

I have now had my 3rd Chana Masala meal today but threw in a Dahl soup which was incredible and tonight before I head to the train station I am going to have one more Chana Masala. Ha.

I am still amazed with this city although I must say I have only been in a certain part which is the center of the city about a 15 min walk from the main train station. The amount of people just in this little area is like nothing I have ever seen. I wish I could pack up all of my friends/ family and bring them here, or take them here at another time but I wonder who would make it, and who would crack. I know it's not for everyone but on the other hand I think everyone must experience something as such as it's completely different then anything that I/ we have ever experienced in our lives.

Well today has been quite the day indeed. I woke up like I mentioned and had a 3rd meal of Chana Masala although that has since change due to a meal this evening with 2 orders of Chana. Yeah!

After lunch I met some Austrian dude named Bach just hanging out on the street who ended up living in the mountains of Austria where he farmed for a living. The guy lived quite far up in the mountains so only grew potatoes, carrots, beets and other roots vegi's but we had ourselves a good little hang session talking about politics, the world, and the destruction of this world.

Bach was telling me tomorrow in the mountains of the Himalaya's is a huge party/ festival for Shiva which I just looked up and it is the biggest part in Nepal celebrating Lord Shiva....If only I knew I would be there Shiva in party celebrations!!!!!

Bach and I had a little hang session until he took off, and I walked the neighborhood where I am staying until I met someone else named Subash who was from Kashmir. Most people from Indian decent I meet here I must say I keep some sot of guard up as you never know their intentions. Well it seems like ol Subash was an alright dude. We walked down the main bazaar until the end at which time he took me out of this area/ my neighbor which was quite something. This is the first time I have been really away from the hussle of everything although it wasn't much different but then again it was completely different as it wasn't so packed, and everyone wasn't approaching me to sell me something etc etc.

Subash spent all afternoon with me taking me to a completely different neighborhood. I guess homeboy was going to school for english and was also helping poor children learn english, and learn in general. At first he lead me to this carpet/ trinket shop which when I walked in I was bombarded with everyone in the shop trying to sell me a carpet, artwork, painting, or wood carving. Subash and I talked the entire time, and I know he felt my vibe and where I was coming from. So he then lead me to another tricket shop when I asked him "whats going on man?. I am not going to buy anything". So he told me, as he tried to tell me before the first shop which I didn't understand that when he takes me (tourists) to these places he gets a coupon from the business where he can then buy the kids he teaches pens. Now I am not sure exactly what happens with these pens, or if they even happen but I know ol Subash knew I was not going to buy anything in these shops, but I also know that me going in them would get him a coupon of sorts which he would benefit from somehow so I went along with it. He was a good dude. Haha. It was nice to get out of my hood and experience other parts of Delhi. Not as crazy but just as wild.

After cruising around for sometime I came back to my hotel, chilled for a bit until I went back to my lil watering hole (grub hole) and stuffed my face with 2 orders of Chana Masala this time plus 2 King Fisher beers. THe buzz is kicking!! There was a couple that was eating next to me who were eating right next to me last night so we started exchanging words which lead to a cool couple hour hang over dinner, and beers. The dude was from Montreal/ then New Brunswick and his lady was from Australia where both are living now. For the hour or so we talked about politics/ life/ travels around India/ South East Asia and the Olympics. Haha. It's funny how in 2 days the winter olympics are taking place but also how that means nothing to most of the world due to their location (climates, and weather).

Alright. Off to experience the trains of India and where that will take me. Hopefully to Dehradun, then onto NAvdanya Farm and if not im sure ill end up somewhere filled with adventures.

Delhiiiiiii!!! Bring It

Feb 10, 2010

This is going to RUUUUULE!!!!

So I have been in Delhi, India now for about 12 hours and all I can say is "this place is completely wild!!"

I arrived at around 3:30 AM this morning after a 12 hr flight to DOha, Qatar and then a 3.5 hr flight onto Delhi. This trip hadn't hit me until I was walking down through the gate, and down my ramp to board my first flight where the biggest smile took over me with a thought of "here we go!!" Amazing

Qatar Airlines is by far the nicest airline I have flown thus far. It's never nice getting on a long ass flight and finding out that your "requested meal" didn't go through but the attendants really went overboard by giving me a huuuge paltter of fruit and these lil avocado sandwiches, and then the QA entertainment system was top knotch with hundreds and hundreds of movies/ tv shows/ and music to pick from. The first flight-the longest- was only about 60% full so everyone had their own row and I managed to get a couple hours of sleep which is a first for me on flights.
On this flight we flew over Saudia Arabia, Iraq-Fallujah, and directly over Baghdad- which was pretty neat but weird as I looked out the window, saw nothing but clouds, and thought about the current war in Iraq. Up in the air everything seemed normal but thinking about down below and a country being brutally occupied. About 200 miles way from Doha, Qatar I started seeing lights in the distance and once we got closer I realized it was huge oil patches, plants, pipelines all along the coast of the arabian penisula. Kinda weird thinking about that area, the politics, and some of those states-Qatar, and others- being extremely wealthy due to this oil.

After a couple hour layover in Doha borded the next flight onto Delhi where I found myself now. When we landed I started talking to this 40 something year old Indian lady who lives in Philly and she was mentioning to me her Dad who was 80 yrs old was going to pick her up and that he is from old British Colonial times so is very conservative and the first thing she thought he was gonna do was yell at her-again she is 40 +- for the way her hair looked after such a long flight. Ha. She was super nice.
I crossed through customs, I changed some cash, and found a pre-paid cab into the city which was something else. My friend Kriten and Gavin were just in Delhi for Gavin to get stem cell treatment and Kristen had mentioned to me the insanity, and air quality in Delhi. Ha. This is definitely the first thing I notcied and still do. There is a constant haze through the air of dust, and smoke which actually messes with the visibility. The cab ride into the city was interesting as I was a little on guard and still am from scams, and touts. For part of the ride I was thinking to myself "oh no. where the heck am i going" and made sure my cab driver knew that I was alert, and paying attention to what was going on. After sometime we arrived in the Pahar Ganj area where my hotel was located, and the first thing I saw after leaving the cab in the middle of the dark morning street was a big black cow. Haha. I managed to get a room around 6AM , went to sleep and woke up around noon feeling a little crazy to start my day.

The street that I am staying on which was completely dark and empty 12 hours ago is one of the craziest, run down, dirtest streets ever and it RULES! It's the first thing I took in once leaving my room which has brought a smile to my face all day. I walked around this part of the city most of the day with my ears getting blasted every second by horns trying to dodge people, cars, motorcycles, bikes, and rickshaws. After being here for even 12 hours I now think that India is not for everyone. Yes I am in the city and I am sure it gets mellower outside but thus far its been WILD which has been the funnest thing ever. Earlier I was trying to think if the cities in Laos/ Cambodia were crazier but hoenstly I have never seen anything like Delhi which rules.

I have already been taking somewhat advantage of which I think happens to everyone at first but I also know that it wont happen again. I went to the train station to buy a train ticket and some dude was like "no. no. you gotta go here. take this rickshaw" so I did, and went to a travel agent-I coulda walked. It wasn't anything major at all-.50 cents (nothing!)- and once at this agent the guy was saying there are no trains available for a couple days so was trying to sell me a trip to the "golden triangle" of India. He then sent me to another place who were good dudes, and they told me to head back to the train station cause there is a foreigner ticket booth..which there was...and which i was looking for an hour earlier....again it was .50 cents. No biggy. "You wont get me next time people! Youve been warned!"

I bought my ticket to Dehradun where I head tomorrow night on a sleeper train and then I will head to the farm.

Everyone I have talked to when asked "How long are you in India?, and I respond with "only 1 month", respond back "oh..short time" which I agree. I did shorten my trip for work, and have opted to just spend my time on the farm but I will be back for sure and ASAP. Being here for 12 hours I already know this place is out of this world, and I must spend months here which I will. Let the adventures begin!!!!! Yah!!!

Walking around the city today I saw a handful of western tourists traveling around with their little babies being carried by their parents either with wraps, or a back pack. I think it's a pretty cool, and a courageous thing to travel around a city like this with a baby. Another thing I noticed, although I've seen this before traveling, but I am not sure if it's been as intense is the electrical/ phone wires going every which way and hanging extremely low.

Today I saw 2 couples who were on my flight to Delhi, and it's always neat walking by someone as such as you have never met, will never see each other again but were on the same flight, going to the same destination traveling around. Oh tourists!!!

I have managed to get a couple good meals now in the first day of being here which was some delicious Chana Masala, and Roti at this restaurant where they give you pad of paper to write down your order. It's a pretty popular place as it was packed with mostly travelers. For $2 I had a Chana Masala/ 3 Roti's/ some plain RIce and this evening through in a beer for $2 more. Not bad $2 spent.

India Bound

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:54:00 +0000

Feb 7, 2010

I am sitting here on yet another dog (Greyhound) heading to New York to hang with my buddy James this evening, and then catch a flight tomorrow to Doha, Qatar then onto Delhi, India.

The last couple of months I have found myself going a little stir crazy due to no work, the winter conditions keeping me indoors more then usual, and of course my lil brain. There have been numerous times where I have thought to myself "I am not really doing anything" which is a pattern I let myself fall into of course. Obviously there is ton's to do on this little rock that we inhabit but sometimes the motivation gets a little weak when you aren't working, and when it's -20c outside. The last time I actually had some set schedule was the last trip I was on which was in Dec so I figured 2 months was enough and it's time to do something....India is that something.

Now that I am "officially" on my way the adventure that lies ahead is starting to become a reality and is starting to hit me. Ha. People have asked over the last couple of weeks "Are you excited?" and I would answer "Yes" (obviously) but it wasn't something I thought to much about.

So up until yesterday morning-2 days before my departure- I had planned, and bought tickets to go to India for almost 3 months. Originally I was going to land with no set agenda and basically travel around the country evevntually ending up in the north to work on a farm in the Himalayas. I chose to go for 3 months because of not wanting to sit around at home, and no immediate work in the future but I also told myself to leave the option open of returning early if work arose. Well....yesterday morning some work came knocking on my door thanks to my friend Dan. Now I will be in India for 1 month, and return home to become "Production Assistant/ Merch" for a Canadian band named Metric.

So now once I land in Delhi I plan on being there long enough to catch up on sleep, eat some food, and buy a ticket to get out of the big city onto Dehradun where the farm Navdanya is located.

-from the Navdanya website- navdanya.org

Navdanya started as a program of the Research Foundation for science, Technology and Ecology (RFSTE), a participatory research initiative founded by world-renowned scientist and environmentalist Dr. Vandana Shiva, to provide direction and support to environmental activism.
1984 was the year of the Punjab Violence and the Bhopal tragedy. This violence demanded a paradigm shift in the practice of agriculture. Navdanya was born of this search for nonviolent farming, which protects biodiversity, the Earth and our small farmers.

Navdanya means nine crops that represent India's collective source of food security. The main aim of the Navdanya biodiversity conservation programme is to support local farmers, rescue and conserve crops and plants that are being pushed to extinction and make them available through direct marketing.

Navdanya is actively involved in the rejuvenation of indigenous knowledge and culture. It has created awareness on the hazards of genetic engineering, defended people's knowledge from biopiracy and food rights in the face of globalisation.

So this is where I will be spending my "almost" a month in India. It definitely would have been an adventure to travel around the country for 3 months but I also need to work so I can continue with adventures as such.

The bus just crossed into "Fortress America" and I think this may be the first time I have taken the bus across the border since ol Obomba has been named the President. Funny as it's still the same routine at the border with these intimidating lil guards walking around grilling you with questions to keep the "borders secure" The only difference on this cross is usually on the bus they ask you to bring your bags/ belongings with you and this time they didn't. At first I didn't think much of it but a little while later I thought "Hey. With your bags not on you anything could happen to them, or anything can be placed in them"..yah yah! Sounds crazy but if your someone who actually thinks the police, and border guards wouldn't do such a thing you must live in a wonderful lil world.

Anyways....

I booked my trip around a show that happened in Montreal 2 nights ago with some good friends, tour companions, and an old next door neighbor coming into town to do their thang. These fine people were the Cavaliers, Dave Haus (with fellow Dave Walsh), Tim Barry, and Chuck Reagan. The place where the show was booked sold out instantly in advance so the promoters added a 2nd -earlier- show at a small lil bar in Montreal.

The show/s that these individuals played was so much fun. Actually it is definitely safe to say it's probably the funnest show I have been to while living in Montreal and this was due to the company of the night for sure. It was also supposed to be my last night at home due to this current trip so it was exciting to hang with everyone and get words of encouragement however it turned out not to be my last night as I drank way to much and there was no way I was going to sit on a damn bus feeling like shit.

Touring is such an interesting fun adventure. If you have never toured/ or traveled with a group of people for weeks on end then it's something that you would never understand. Being locked in a stinky spaceship with numerous people all doing their own thing but also everyone working for the same thing to accomplish the mission. With this comes many different scenario's that bring a bonding which is indescribable and only the people you share this bonding with know can relate.

This is gonna crack some people up-as it should. ha- but Tim and Chuck have always to me been a perfect example of "men"...Haha. Fuck! I just did say that. Sorry to the 2 Dave's/ and the Cavaliers as you all were there that evening as well and do know what I am talking about, but let's face it, non of us will never come close to this. Ha.

I am not going to go into what I mean by this as I know that most people who read this completely know what Im saying.

Again what an amazing show this was and the feeling one get's when an entire crowd is singing along as loud as they can with the biggest smiles on their faces is something that can't be described or replicated in anyway. It's real.

Oh Oh-bomb-ah

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:40:00 +0000

In 2008 was the first time that most people my age (or there about's) have had someone they actually voted for put into office. In 2000, and 2004 this wasn't the case with bush but in 2008 there are many who voted for Obomba. I have always been interested, surprised, and very scared how easily everyone bought into the spectacle.

From- The Globe and Mail

Konrad Yakabuski
Washington — From Friday's Globe and Mail
Published on Thursday, Jan. 07, 2010 10:33PM EST
Last updated on Thursday, Jan. 07, 2010 10:35PM EST
In Year 1, with their worst memories still so raw, Americans embraced him as the anti-Bush. Must he become, in Year 2, Son of Bush?

Barack Obama, who banned the very use of the term “war on terror” in his administration, now finds himself forced to prove he can wage it as ruthlessly as the predecessor whose legacy he so sought to undo.

“I've come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world,” the President said in Cairo in June. “This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.”

It sounded so promising. But the goodwill overtures – the vow to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, the vow to uphold the legal rights of suspected terrorists, the vow to reject profiling – have become a luxury Mr. Obama can no longer afford to extend.

Most Americans, for a time at least, aren't interested in what the rest of the world thinks. And Mr. Obama knows it.

“It's clear he had been stressing the differences between his administration and the previous administration. Now, for obvious reasons, he's beginning to stress the similarities between his approach and the Bush administration's approach,” remarked James Lee Ray, a Middle East expert at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Perceived as peaceniks, Democratic presidents may be doomed to overcompensate when confronted with threats to U.S. security. That, after all, is how we got the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam and, arguably, a 30,000-troop surge in Afghanistan.

Hence, Mr. Obama's “We are at war” declaration yesterday might have been expected, along with the kind of profiling language that would normally send grassroots Democrats into a fit: “We know that the vast majority of Muslims reject al-Qaeda. But it is clear that al-Qaeda increasingly seeks to recruit individuals without known terrorist affiliations, not just in the Middle East but in Africa and other places, to do their bidding. That's why I've directed my national security team to develop a strategy that addresses the unique challenges posed by lone recruits.”

To be sure, there were a couple of olive branches to the Muslim world. But where, not long ago, they were all Mr. Obama talked about, they had been reduced to niceties yesterday.

Any post-9/11 president confronted with the systemic intelligence failure that led to the Christmas Day terrorist attempt onboard a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight would, for reasons pertaining to both style and substance, have had to take corrective action. But because of who he is – or at least, who Americans think he is – Mr. Obama has been under even greater pressure to do so.

He brought it upon himself with his move, on his second day in office, to announce the closing of Guantanamo Bay within a year. The Cuban prison where the United States has detained real and suspected terrorists without regard for U.S. or international law had come to symbolize the worst of George W. Bush's presidency of errors.

Just this week, Mr. Obama reiterated his promise to close Gitmo, insisting it has “become a tremendous recruiting tool for al-Qaeda” and “an explicit rationale for the formation of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula,” the Yemen-based faction to which the would-be Christmas Day bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, adhered.

Yet none of Mr. Obama's Year 1 overtures stopped Mr. Abdulmutallab from continuing his journey to the dark side. And as much as closing Gitmo is desirable for a number of reasons, there is little evidence to suggest doing so would lead aspiring terrorists to renounce their ways.

“To say that as long as we have Guantanamo, people will have become more easily radicalized, or that if we close Guantanamo, they will stop being radicalized, is nonsense,” insisted Maki Haberfeld, a terrorism expert at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York. “That really has nothing to do with why people become radicalized.”

For every carrot Mr. Obama waved at the Muslim world, Americans are now demanding he wield an even bigger stick. That was the message of yesterday's speech, where the Gitmo promise was nowhere to be found.

Until yesterday, Mr. Obama had yet to live down his November memorial speech at Fort Hood, the Texas military base where Major Nidal Hasan gunned down 13 active and retired soldiers, in which the President did not once utter the word Muslim. He did not make that mistake yesterday.

Mr. Obama's early eagerness to underscore the differences between his approach to terrorism and that of Mr. Bush has now obliged him to yank the steering wheel in the other direction.

The irony is that, even before the Dec. 25 attempt, there had been a striking continuity between the Obama and Bush administrations in dealing with terrorists and terrorism. Almost all of the worst abuses of the Bush years had been done away with before Mr. Obama took over. Mr. Bush eliminated the use of waterboarding on suspected terrorists and reformed the military commissions before which a few of them faced trial. Mr. Bush also tried some people accused of terrorism in U.S. civil courts. Mr. Obama has promised no more than that. Even Mr. Bush voiced his desire to close Gitmo one day.

It is ironic, too, that someone as nuanced as Mr. Obama actively sought to establish himself as the anti-Bush. In other words, the image he projected of himself was that of a caricature of a caricature.

He risks spending his second year in the Oval Office (over)compensating for that.

Two Thousand and Nine

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:18:00 +0000

Dec 15, 2009

So my touring adventures for 2009 are done, and I am now at home. The last couple trips I haven’t written much and now is the time for me to make a note about the year for myself, and those who like to read about it. Ha. I usually keep it all in order but this time I will start with the most recent and leave with the most distant.

I just ended a tour with the freak show known as Propagandhi. Ha. Together with another bunch of other goofs- Strike Anywhere/ Protest The Hero we journeyed across the lands of the UK/ Ireland. Fun times were had everywhere but funner times were had in Ireland for sure. The UK needs to tighten up on it’s comedy, food, culture, and loosen up a little at its venues. Barricades, and security guards dressed in black with ear pieces are never any fun.

Like I said…….Ireland….you ruled hard! And always do!!

So in 1999 I moved to Santa Cruz from my fathers house in southern California to begin a life of my own. I had come across music-punk- about 5 years ago while leaving middle school. I had always like music but never really “knew” music until that time.

There were times as a child I would sit in the back of our car with my parents having the stereo on and I would air drum with McDonalds straws to the tunes being heard. Ha.

So when I moved to Santa Cruz I ended up selling my car, which my Dad gave me, to travel Europe for a little bit. My Dad wasn’t pumped but I did what I did and went with it. On my adventures in Europe I stayed with my friends Erol, and Nasrin for a good week in…geez I can’t even remember the name now- its near Hamburg. Erol had this Strike Anywhere LP “Chorus of One” which I recorded on cassette and brought with me for the remainder of the trip.
Once back in Santa Cruz I ended up getting a job at Sessions Records, as their promo fellow and also as someone who booked tours for bands. A bunch of friends of mine from southern California named the Missing 23rd had signed with Sessions records so I started booking them tours. I had since bought and owned the Strike Anywhere LP so when it came time to booking a show for the M23 in Virginia I emailed the address on the Strike Anywhere album. After a week or so a reply was made by Garth and an agreement was made to have both the Strike Anywhere, and M23 play together in Virginia.

Months later I received a call from Thomas- Stike Anywhere- to book them a west coast tour, which I did, and ended up going on about half of. Fun times. After getting to know the SA’s for awhile I ended up moving to Richmond, VA to continue our adventures together, and to begin a new chapter.

After a couple of tours Strike Anywhere ended up doing the “Anchors Aweigh” tour with the Bouncing Souls which began my friendship and future adventures with that incredible family.
Before this tour I do remember many drives in the SA van listening to both the Souls, and Propagandhi just imagining us all touring with both bands.

The anchors aweigh tour happened within due time and was incredible and lead to me later on touring with the Bouncing Souls whom I last toured with in Oct. Rad. Rad. Rad!

I have toured with a handful of bands and the 3 most important bands to me from this little list are bands that I have been able to share part of 2009 with.

So 2009 ended with Strike Anywhere, and Propagandhi again touring together for the 2nd time this year. Totally weird. Who would have thought?

About 8 years ago I get a call from Thomas which lead to a special friendship, then another special friendship with the Bouncing Souls, and now another special friendship with Propagadnhi. Life is super wild, and interesting how it all works out.
10 Years ago never would I have thought that I would be able to travel the world with friends and bands I grew up listening to who these friends also play in. Its been a wild a crazy journey and 2009 has been special. So….right on!!

Saturday, Nov 28, 2009

So I am about 2.5 hours into a 6.5 hour flight from Montreal to Paris, and then onto London where I will meet up with the other animals for our next, and last circus of 2009.

This plane for today’s flight is a very older model 747 with no individual TV’s in which makes for quite a boring trip. Get it together Air France! Good money is spent for these flights and in this day and age of competition your loosing due to other airlines currently having state of the art entertainment systems. Oh well only a couple more hours to go.

On a side note is a little annoying sometimes when the person next to you thinks its okay for them to take more then their space. Here I am passively fighting for some more arm room so I don’t feel so cramped but it’s not working. Haha. Also a couple months ago I went to the Dr. to get some pills for flights to relax me and my forgetful butt forget them in my bag below, and I decided to drink a cup of coffee on this flight which isn’t good due to the adrenaline I get during the bumps.

The food thus far was okay- braised tofu dish over rice with green beans, a baguette, salad, a nice glass of red wine, and some fruit as desert.

I am really excited about this next tour of ours for numerous reasons. Sharing the adventures with us is Strike Anywhere who are some really close friends of mine and old buddies from Richmond. This will be the first time out of all my touring where I have shared adventures with the SA boys in the Eastern hemisphere. Pumped!
Last time Propagandhi/ Strike Anywhere toured together it was a blast but I had to remain pretty alert/ responsible due to driving and the responsibilities of taking care of the soldiers. On this tour we will be in a bus which means I don’t have to worry about any driving at all which is a good good thing. Much hanging will be had.
Also it’s going to be quite interesting for our freak show-Propagandhi- as we are sharing a bus with a band/ people we have never met named Protest the Hero. I am sure it will be fine but it’s going to be interesting non-the less. At first upon hearing that this band-PTH- was our main support it was something I have always kind of thought to myself “huh?” as I really don’t find them that good of a band plus I am so close to SA and think that this tour would have been fine without PTH. What can you do? I am sure once we all get into the same spaceship and spend a couple days together all will be well. As long as these new fellows don’t mind the crazy smells, and chaos that comes with us it will run smoothly.

On this trip we will tour most of the UK, and head over to Ireland for a show in Dublin, and Belfast, which will be a first for me. Can’t wait actually and we have a day off in that city as well. I also heard last night of a professional ice hockey team from Belfast and it turns out that they are playing the night of our day off there so I think there will be a group of us going.

After this tour is done I have no plans in the immediate future and need to think of something to do with my time. Treat myself to a possible vacation. I will use this trip to brain storm my next personal destination which could be places such as India, Coast Rica, Belize, or somewhere in south America. Not too long ago I would treat myself with a solo adventure at least once a year and haven’t had one of these in the last couple of years. I’ll admit that in the past going alone has been not that big of a deal. Sure sometimes you get lonely but I have also met some amazing people who I traveled with and those experiences wouldn’t have been what they were if I was traveling with someone. For some reason these days I can tell that I am a little nervous to get up and leave by myself although I have numerous times. Not sure why? Maybe it has something to do with being gone all the time, away from or who knows what. Oh well.

Where is the Love and Compassion?

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:39:00 +0000

Oct 13, 2009

This is truly completely mind blowing.

My friend Ali who I met years ago on the mind numbing Warped Tour is currently going through what I would say is probably the most insane thing she has or ever will go through.

It was 2006 when our paths crossed and still to this day I am thankful for this crossing.
Ali is one of the cutest, sweetest people to walk this planet. Truly. Its why she is my friend and its why all my friends are my friends.

For 2 months straight from 8 in the morning until 10 at night we would seriously be at arms reach watching, and commenting on the circus passing us by. There was 1 particular show when I looked out into the crowd and saw some tool running with a cash box in hand which I recognized as Ali’s. I hopped over my table,, and ran as fast as I could into the huge festival crowd chasing this douche bag down to get Ali’s money back. I did catch the dude, threw him up against a fence, retrieved the loot, and handed him over to the authorities.
Ali didn’t even know the dude had taken her money when I returned but I know she was relieved when it was returned. Poor thing.

Since then Ali has been working for a catering company touring with acts as Nine Inch Nails, Eagles, Blink 182 and many other big time acts who can afford to bring out catering companies. Some health issues un-expectedly overcame Ali on tour a couple months ago and now the poor thing is left with a $43 000 health bill. INSANE!

I can’t believe people have stood for such a crock for so long. Something needs to be done as this is just the most de-humanizing thing imaginable. Your born, you live your life how you choose, you get sick, and you can’t afford to keep yourself healthy so you go in debt or die.

And Obama just won the Nobel Peace Prize. Hahaha.

Anyhoo please check out Ali’s situation and if you can help out with anything please do.

http://thealivattermatter.blogspot.com

End of the Souls

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:43:00 +0000

Oct 10, 2009

So I am sitting here at my fathers house sitting in his living room by myself listening to a brand new Bouncing Souls song named “Like The Sun” and have goose bumps.

I just ended a 2 week tour with the Souls family 3 days ago and am already sitting here thinking about the times, and the memories. Ha. There are some tours when I come home and the last thing that I want to do is listen to the music that I just saw night after night, and think about the tour. Some people call this de-compression which is a suitable word.

This past tour we did of Canada was really a lot fun and I am so fortunate to have been apart of it. The feeling that I get every night the Souls take the stage is something that I can’t explain and something that truly takes me into another world. I may be tired, not feeling the evening due to who knows why but as soon as those 4 dudes take the stage something comes over me which leaves me with a monstrous grin while I sing along to every song.

I don’t like going to deep into my touring lifestyle because I don’t want it to come across to cocky, or elitist, or even annoying but getting to be apart of something special as such by a group of friends who make music which I hold to the highest is something that has changed my life.

This month I will have gotten to share the road with 2 groups of friends whose bands have impacted my life to the fullest. I’ve mentioned this before but I’ll do it again, both the Bouncing Souls, and Propagandhi are bands that I have listened to for the last 15-16 years or so and who are also now good friends. Ha. I can’t think of any other group of people who play music which have had this effect.

Seeing these fellows every night do their thing on stage and how this impacts the people viewing these spectacles is something that is untouchable and is the beauty of live music. It’s an experience that will never be able to be described as it is something that is felt so deeply that it truly takes people into another world for that evening. “Music Saves”

So….ha ha…the Souls tour ended the other night in beautiful Vancouver, BC at the Rickshaw Theater. The last show was a good last show for a tour as such. The venue was packed with very sweaty excited people whom were there for their experience. Last shows of tours are always usually pretty special as everyone knows “this is it” and that this chapter is now over so its usually quite the party. Vancouver was this.

The Boucing Souls are celebrating their 20 year anniversary this year and truly they are still on top of their game. I was talking to my friend Devon the other day while walking in Vancouver after tour and I was mentioning how I am not sure if the Bouncing Souls have even peaked yet. 20 years later their shows are still sold out, people are still loosing their minds, and from personally being apart of their last 4 years (or so) I know that their fan base is still growing because I meet these new comers every night.

Okay now for a quick wrap up of where I left off of the Souls across Canada-driving west bound.

In Winnipeg I got to see my good friends whom I have been sharing adventures with this entire year. Well most of them at least. Beaver and Sammy met me for a good vegan dinner at the legendary Royal Albert, Barney came out to the show to hang, and Jord also showed up to hang out which was all super nice. Unfortunately the stay in Winnipeg wasn’t longer as there was definitely and will always be more hanging to be done there.

Once we were above the great lakes and heading west, both of the trucks seemed to start acting up in the cold mornings and were never the same. It sucked as the trucks weren’t working properly but it also became amusing as every time we let the sit for awhile one or the other just wouldn’t start. This last the remainder of the trip and happened every single day. Thankfully one would always start so we would pull it around wherever we were, and jump the other truck then off we would go.

Regina was a good show but was at a University which usually have weird stale vibes but when your in the middle of the Prairies Canada I guess you just take what you can get.

Next on the list was Edmonton in which we drove to over night after the Regina show due to seeing our bud Dr. Bob who is also known as the “punk rock” dentist. Bob has been so touched by music, and the Souls that a couple years ago he offered some bands free dental work when they came through Edmonton. He is one of the most gracious people I have come across and I know others feel this way too. Bob is a perfect example of what music is, what it does to all of us, and why we live our lives the way we do. So we went for a dental visit in the morning to get our teeth cleaned, check out, someone got fangs (no names mentioned), and a couple of fillings were replaced. Bob and his wife just brought into this world a baby girl whom they named Sarah after “Sarah Saturday” by the Souls so while some were getting worked on the others of us were hanging out with mum and daughter. Fun times.
This show was also super special for me personally as my little brother and my sister in law made the trip down south to hang out and take in the festivities. What made things that much better is I know both of them are big Bouncing Souls fans and this would be their first time getting to see them live. As soon as I saw both of them I knew they were pumped and it would be a special night. I was able to quickly grab some food with them before I had to report to duty.

The crowd at this show was really pumped up. The Starlite Ballroom venue was as packed as it could be with kids were loosing their minds, dancing, and singing along to the in-house music louder then the PA before the Souls came on stage. It was as if a band was really playing. Again something that needs to be witnessed as it will leave your heart pumping with excitement. I would say the Edmonton experience was a top one on this tour.

The raddest part was during the Souls set seeing my little brother jump on stage twice, singing as loud as he could into the air, and into the mic eventually stage diving both times. Honestly this was a special experience and brought this show to a whole other level for me. After the show both Travis, and Olena (bro, and sista in law) came up to me completely drenched in sweat and the energy that was radiating from them both I could tell they just had a night they will never forget. This made me happy and the next day both of them were the talk of the tour. “They ruled so much!”

After Edmonton we played Calgary, Banff and then had a day off to drive through the mountains of BC/ Alberta before we caught a ferry to Vancouver Island-Victoria for a show, and then finally our last show in Vancouver.

That tour, the laughs, the memories is something I will have forever and for that I am thankful.

Next up is the same trip across Canada with Propagandhi which is going to be as equaling exciting. I can’t wait.

souls across canada #1

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:25:00 +0000

Sept 29, 2009

McDermott, Dubs and myself are currently driving in #2 following the White Castle heading west from Wawa, Ont towards Winnipeg, MB. We left Toronto yesterday, drove 12 hours-600 miles, and pulled over in Wawa for a quick snooze. Today we will do another 12 hours or so of driving and then do the remainder to Winnipeg tomorrow morning.

I am out here with the Bouncing Souls on their Canadian tour (w/ Youth Brigade, Saint Alvia, Off With Their Heads) which thus far is ruling hard. Its been about year since I last toured with the Souls so its super fun, and nice to be back in the family, driving in #2, and seeing another Souls show every night.

Usually with the Souls I head down to Jersey for a pre-tour adventures of packing, and organizing however due to our first show being in Montreal. With me living in Montreal it worked out logistically to just meet everyone at the hotel the morning of our first show.
I hopped in #2, gave her some love, and drove on over to the venue.

I have always enjoyed the Souls do their thing by having their own trucks, and being pretty self-sustained so it was actually pretty cool opening up the back of #2, and there everything was for the show to happen.

The venue in which the Souls played is a pretty cool punk bar located in downtown Montreal named Foufs Foufs Electriques. Years ago when I first visited Montreal I remember my friends Eric, Garth, and I going to that place thinking it was a pretty rad place. On some days the place actually has a ½ pipe set up on the 2nd floor for people to skateboard on. Crazy.

The Montreal show was something I had been looking forward to for a long time. First show of tour, the Bouncing Souls, Montreal, the venue it was at, and then I had most of my friends coming out to the show. Fun. The entire night was incredible. Kids were loosing their minds so much so that a couple of times Greg actually said “whoa you all are stoked!” I managed to see a good chunk of the set where there was a lot of rocking to be had and there was a lot of people stage diving. For a first show I would say Montreal was pretty incredible and the sentiment is felt by all.

Next we headed to Ottawa where we played the Opera House which the Souls played last time they came across and Propagandhi has just played there a couple months ago. A venue which has a pretty brutal load in (up stairs) and has very sticky floors. There is a neat little organic market next door so I picked up a couple of tour-vitamin- essentials for the travels.
The Ottawa show was definitely quite opposite of the Motnreal show. At first everything seemed okay and having been there before there was a comfortable/ familiar vibe to the place. Wrong. I know Lisi before the show got completely yelled at by the venue owner possibly for looking for the “backstage” room. Ha! Any venue which is not super hospitable at first always needs to be questioned. If someone is cruising around looking for something you either say “no, yes, or over there”. You do not be a prick to them.
Well then doors were opened and all seemed to be going good until Youth Brigade was on stage. I didn’t see what happened but in between songs Shawn had to say something to the security guards in regards to taking it easy, and relaxing. Youth Brigade finished so up came the Souls to do their thing. At first everything seemed okay again until half way through their set when they abrubtly stopped, and starting looking into the crowd yelling “relax, security chill the fuck out!!” This lasted for a couple minutes with Bryan, Pete, and Greg telling the security to chill out and to let the kid they had just kicked out back in. Then I see Bryan, and Pete both put down their instruments, walk off stage and go confront the security guards. I wasn’t their but supposedly the security guards then became that much more aggressive and got into Bryan/ Pete’s face and literally said “I don’t give the fuck who you are so get back on stage”. From what I hear the security guards went completely crazy on kids, and actually beat some of them up.

Okay…this should never ever happen at shows. NEVER! If you are playing, or doing a show at a venue all parties need to be on the same page, and have a relationship as such. The band did what they had to do by confronting security because no one else did but that shouldn’t have been the case. Everyone always need to be on the same page in these situations, this needs to be known, and this needs to happen before the show even begins. It sucked and it ruined the show. I did manage to get some good Indian though before all of the mayhem.

Net on the list was Guelph, ONT in a smaller venue then the first two named Vinyl. We arrived and there was already “sold out” signs posted which always leaves you thinking “cool!” This venue was super tiny with even a tinier stage so from what DJ was saying he had to take some gear cases to extend the stage. Ha. You have to love the good ol small staged punk shows especially with a band as the Souls. Nothing to crazy about that show except that for some reason the show had to be done at 10 pm sharp. I never get that stuff. Venues who have sold out shows but a strict curfew for a club night afterwards which usually leaves everyone rushing to eventually open their doors to ¼ the amount of people who were just in there. Scratch the curfew, and have a late show because you will make that money you would have with the club night in bar sales at the show. Oh well. Guelph was cool.

London, ONT was next on the list at thee ol Call the Office which is always a good time. A small venue with these weird beams throughout it which sometimes obstructs the view. London is always a pretty fun time as people there seem to get a little over the top wild. I have a few friends in Montreal from London who definitely always bring it one step up. Ha!

The drive above the Great Lakes is a long, very scenic drive which finds you driving for hours upon hours in the middle of nowhere not even seeing another car for 5 + mins or so. Its nice to be in an area as such with nothing but untouched nature however our view point is strictly from the highway. We have passed a couple of mines, big dirt roads, and logging trucks so you never know what is beyond what we are looking at. Most likely there are a couple of huge chunks of clear-cuts, and other industrial developments doing their part in destroying what’s left.

Its going to be pretty cool to arrive in Winnipeg tomorrow where I will get to hang out with some pretty good friends who I also share the traveling adventures with. I know non of them have seen the Souls before, so they are going to come to the show and hang.
And…the Royal Albert/ Mondragon Café which is always a nice vegan treats while in Winnipeg.

the killers- bell center

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:02:00 +0000

This past weekend i was able to catch the KILLERS at the Bell Center in Montreal. What a great band!
I really enjoyed the show but was seated in the back, up in the bleachers so was missing the "umph" of the sound and getting hit hard by the show.
Non the less it was still good but I must say that using confetti, and not re-using it- if that is the case- is lame!

west coast travels

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:04:00 +0000

August 24, 2009

Peter Gabriel- a true genious!!!

So its been sometime since I have sat down and written anything. In the past I have usually just written thoughts, and happenings on the adventures that I find myself on.

Usually tour adventures as I haven’t done many personal travels recently.

I have always tried to shy away from the word “blog” as I wouldn’t consider myself anything as such (a blogger- yeah right!). My writing is really a way to keep my friends and family up to date with my where a bouts and happenings and that is really the extent of it.

I am hitching a ride from New York City back up north on the Greyhound bus today which actually has been out-fitted with wireless internet. Us poor folk like to travel in style eh.
It’s been a little over 2 weeks since I left Montreal to head out west with my friend Helene whom was in California doing a drawing class.

California is a pretty special place when it comes to climates, and geography. Its one of the only places in the world where you can be in the snow and then be at the beach in the same day. I was fortunate enough to grow up, and spend a good 10+ years of my life on the coast of California.

The coast of Cali is really like no other. In the Southern part of the state you have the flat, warm, and sandy Hollywood type beaches and then once you get to around Santa Barbara, CA the geography of the coast changes to a more rocky, cliffy type beach which progresses the farther up the coast you go. Once you reach the San Fran area its some of the prettiest scenery that the mind has seen with hills, cliffs, and Redwood forest working its way right to the water.

On this most recent trip Helene and I made our way to the Academy of Sciences in San Fran. It’s a pretty new complex for that area which is done with as many green technologies as possible. The entire roofing system is green with many different plants, and mosses growing on top and then there are these neat looking bubble vents which air condition the entire complex. No energy used for the air flow in this complex.

Inside the Academy there is an entire Rainforest ecosystem replicated with live birds, and butterflies flying around plus frogs, lizards, fauna, and an albino alligator in displays.
Unfortunately when we were there the Planetarium was closed.
I enjoyed the Academy a lot especially the green design of the building however in Montreal there is the Bio-dome which is actually bigger and has 4 different ecosystems. There is a rainforest exhibit with little monkeys running around plus an arctic, prairie, and Alberta boreal forest ecosystem plus right across the street is the insectarium and botanical gardens.

Next stop on the agenda would be Muir Woods located 10 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. A couple of years ago while traveling through this area with the Bouncing Souls Kate took us on a little field trip and it was something I will never forget. Muir Woods is home to some of the biggest, oldest, most prestine redwood tree’s in the area. Some of these tree’s are 1000’s of years old and are still growing strong. When you enter a forest as such your mind, and body can sense the change in the air, the energy, the beauty and a calming sensation automatically takes over you where life seems to cease. Redwoods are such majestic trees, and so huge however when your up next to one and you rub the bark its some of the softest flakiest bark I’ve touched.

While we were in the area there was a huge forest fire in the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Fran. Forests naturally are fire resistant and in most cases fires actually help the forests out. What is not natural though is logging, clear cutting which erode the soil, make open space within the forest which actually invite and help fires progress.

After our time in the “city” we made our way to Santa Cruz, CA which was a home of mine for 3+ years. Santa Cruz is located about 70 miles south of San Fran directly on the coast of the Monterey Bay. SC is a place that I am glad to have lived and glad that it was my first time being on my own after leaving papa bear’s den.

The bay area is a pretty unique area when it comes to it climate. It’s in the middle of California on the coast which makes for some of the brightest blue days however once that temperature lowers and mixes with the temperature of the ocean off the coast a thick fog/ ocean haze takes over the surrounding area. You can leave the house in the mid afternoon time with a temperature of 32 C and once evening comes it can drop down to 15 C. In a matter of only a couple hours this drastic change is what makes the bay area “the bay area”/

Santa Cruz is home to one of the most famous surf spots in the surfing world this place is named Steamers Lane and is known for its “right ride”. It’s a wave that comes in hugging the cliffs of the Santa Cruz coast which means you can only go right to avoid ramming into the cliffs to the left.
Before we headed to Steamers Lane we drove along the coastal rode to a beach named Natural Bridges because of the 2 huge rock formations in the water which have their centers carved out making natural bridges due to years off water/ wave erosion. Just inland from this beach is a monarch butterfly migration stop located in a little ravine away from the Ocean and her salty mist. I remember a certain time period when I would grab my bike, strap on my headphones to Strike Anywhere’s- Change is a Sound, ride down to Natural Bridges to check out the butterflies and watch the sunset.
Unfortunately while Helene and I were in this area it did not coincide with the monarch migration so we did not to get the tree’s and branches covered with what would look like leaves but actually be the monarchs. Oh well

and so it goes

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:10:00 +0000

July 20, 2009

Sitting here in the upstairs dressing room part of the Sputnikhalle venue in Munster, Germany where we are playing this evening, and where we spent the day off yesterday.

Thus far we have played 4 shows and now have 6 left until the end of this leg of the tour. I must say that I have enjoyed each and every show as I do for most of them. It’s what you call being a fan. However being directly involved in the show and with these dudes as “the band” sometimes there are certain things in which you look at differently. Since we have been here I have had some thoughts about how involved or not involved some of our Europian “behind the scenes” people are.

So last night we all sat in front of the bus for a couple hours while we watched Barney entertain us all with a drinking game he volunteered to play. The name of this game is called Centurion. The mission of the game is to drink 100 shots of beer in 1 hour 40 mins. 1 shot of beer every minute. You have to sit in the same seat, and not pee or you would be disqualified. If Barney was to pull this off there was a $150 in prize money. At 10:00 PM we started the Centurion festivities . I was the “official” poured which meant every minute for 2 hours I had to pour Barney a shot of beer for him to work his way up to being a Centurion. Out of any of us the only person that I know could pull this off would be Barney and it was something he was definitely into due to the prize. Off days of tour can be pretty fun! At about shot 30 we could all notice a change in Barney and from then on it just went downhill, or uphill which ever you may. Chris documented each shot with his camera and looking back at those pictures is quite something. The first picture Barney just looks like himself but as the shots continue his face/ expressions in the pictures definitely start to change/ melt drastically. At around shot 80 Barney was definitely officially hammered and had mentioned the urination feeling a couple of times. The quotes and one liners coming from him during this entire mission were unbelievable and had most of us almost on the ground laughing. Well a couple of hours later Barney had officially become a Centurion and was for sure feeling this alcohol. At shot 100 it was then offered to him for every 10 more shots he would received 20 Euro’s from Jord so Barney who likes to bet/ gamble chose to keep em coming. He made it to 110 in a definite drunken state and kept it going to 122 until he finally called it quits. Amazing!! Truly something to see, witness, and take in. Watching Barney get up with 10 + beers in hs stomach with out peeing and finally walk away to take a pee was something else as well. This was our day off in Munster, Germany. Centurion!!!!

July, 31, 2009

Sitting here at Dulles Airport after spending a week here in DC with Helene on a layover from my Frankfurt to Montreal flight.

Tour ended last week in Stuttgart, Germany and now Propagandhi is taking 2 months off due to a lil Propagandhi entering this world next month. Our adventures will continue in Oct with a tour of Western Canada/ Northwest US.

Last Monday when I landed here in DC I exited the plane, walked thru customs where I was greeted with a “welcome back” and thought to myself “welcome back to where?”. I guess having a US Passport will get you a welcome home greeting. Aahh. Thanks US of A.

One thing I noticed while I was walking up to customs was outside a couple of border/ customs guards with a couple of German Shepard dog next to this flat trailer storage trailer with separate compartments. The only thing I could really think was this was the dogs kennel and is where these American “soldiers against war/ terrorism” sleep every night.

Now I definitely have many issues with mans domination over animals in which I will go into in a bit but I also thought that both officer and dog were to have a certain bond with one another. Meaning these canines would accompany their masters home after a day of protecting the homeland. I guess not? Thanks for the sniffing and keeping the country clean now back to your trailer.

After being “welcomed” back home I then proceeded to the baggage check which was jam-packed with travelers waiting to retrieve their bags before continuing on. Out of nowhere I see 3 custom/ border guards with a dog come zig zagging thru a huge line of travelers very hurriedly with no word of warning. Each person continued just standing where they were waiting for their bags while these border guards and their dog went about their business of sniffing out every single person in the line. No warning. No discussion. No permission. Everyone including myself were to sit their obediently and let this animal and its handlers invade our space searching for what exactly.

My thoughts other then being completely frustrated with this invasive act were this: What if you have just arrived from a completely foreign land, you don’t know any English, and at some point in your life you have had a horrendous traumatic encounter with a dog? This is highly possible! Trauma is a real thing and when the brain has been affected by something deeply it will do whatever it can to protect itself and its human body.
Now a dog coming to close to someone who possibly has had a horrific experience with an animal as such could potentially cause someone to freak out which would not be good for that person or the dog next to them who has been trained to be aggressive in threatening situations.

The US Border Protection system and really honestly its entire system in general one day needs to be really deeply looked at. There is a very high possibility that it does more harm then good to itself.

Back at it#1

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:17:00 +0000

**ive been slow with this stuff but here is the latest and below some stuff from the past

July 13, 2009

So it’s been sometime now that I have sat down to record some of my adventures, travels, and stories. The last 2 tours that we (Propagandhi for those just arriving) have done have been in North America which means most of my daytime are stuck behind the wheel driving and then upon arrival at the venue I am then consumed with show related work.

It actually seems as of recently that the most time I have to write is actually in an airplane going from one destination to the next. So in normal fashion here I am high above the Atlantic on my way to Frankfurt, Germany to meet the other dudes for a 2 week (10 shows) run of Germany, Hungary, Austria, Netherlands, and France. The only place I have not been on this run is Budapest, Hungary so this I am pretty pumped about and looking at the map today in this airline magazine Budapest is definitely pretty east in Europe which rules.

Oh….they are bringing out the “special meals” which means its time to eat.

I must say that vegan airplane food honestly is really okay stuff and what makes it just a tad better is when the flight attendants bring you your food first. Sorry everyone but we just roll with the punches.

Before today’s flight I thought the airline to Frankfurt was going to be United and wondered how entertaining the entertainment system was going to be. Once I got my boarding pass I realized that the airline was Lufthansa and instantly thought “oh yeah” there is going to be some quality entertainment more so then United.

Wow was I wrong. No individual TV screens which means you are forced to watch (or not) the movie which the airline has chosen which is probably very family friendly. Oh well. Roll with those punches.

It’s pretty wild that I and 200 or so other people are here 35 000 ft in the air flying to another continent. Think about even 60 years ago and what technology offered then and what it offers now. Pretty wild stuff eh.

Last night I watched a documentary on the NFB website named Kahnasatake (spelling?) 270 Years of Resistance. The NFB website is unreal and you can actually watch 95% of the films they have released which is something else. So this documentary was about the Oka stand off which took place in July of 1990 outside of Montreal. The city of Oka had plans to construct a 9 hole golf course over ancient Mohawk burial grounds. In response to this the natives barricaded themselves in their land to fight for what was going to be taken. For the next 3 months there would be a heated standoff between the Mohawk warriors, the Quebec police (SQ), and eventually the Canadian army all over land in which was rightfully native land.
I remember as a child sitting in my downstairs TV room with my Dad watching this unfold on the news. At the time I was only about 10 so didn’t really understand what was happening until years later when I read a book named “the people of the pines” and also viewing a couple of NFB docu’s.

MAY 13, 2009

“Some say that our connection to Orca whales is deeper and goes back further then we could ever understand.” I am currently watching a documentary named “Saving Luna” on a flight from Montreal to Los Angeles.
Luna is a baby Orca that was born to a pod of whales known as the Southern Residents but soon after his birth became an orphan and found himself lost 200 km’s in Nootka Sound in the Vancouver Island Chain.
Orca’s are one of the most socialized creatures on the planet and need that socializing to survive.
The documentary follows 3 years of Luna’s life interacting with boats, people, dogs, and rubber toys in the water. Luna had no family so turned to humans for friendship and family. Throughout the story all humans had one objective in mind which was to keep Luna safe. Some of these groups wanted to offer a “tough love” approach and not pay attention to the whale at all. Another group (Department of Fisheries) wanted to net the whale, try to return him back to his pod, and if this didn’t work into capitivity. And another group (First Nations, Scientists, and just your regular Joe, and Jane) wanted to protect the whale through friendship, love, and companionship. Its such an amazing documentary showing the bond between this whale/ humans, the bureaucracy of governments, and the 3 years of life of this orphaned whale.
The story of Luna ends tragically when he is hit by a tug boats rotor and doesn’t survive.

A must see!!

This little thought and what I am currently watching isn’t going to win me many friends at the moment. Oh well!!!

I am now watching a Coldplay (whom I hope to see live one day) concert on this entertainment system on the plane as we currently are flying over the Grand Canyon.
A couple years ago I did a trip across the US with some of the Bouncing Souls where we were meeting the others on the West Coast. Kate, Matt, DJ, Dubs, and Myself found ourselves arriving and stopping at the Grand Canyon for sunrise and it was one of the coolest things ever. I had never been to the Grand Canyon before so what a better way to take it in all by ourselves, not a person in sight, watching the sunrise over this deeply carved out wonder.

So I am flying to Los Angeles to spend a couple days with my Dad who recently has decided to move back to the Vancouver after him and I moved there in 1992. He has currently hit a point in his life where he needs a change and I have to be in LA to pick up a van in a couple of days to drive to Dallas, TX for tour so it’s all worked out where I can hang out with Dad, and then head off to another tour.

The circus continues!! This next Propagandhi tour starts in Dallas, TX works its way west though Arizona, Nevada, and then up and down the coast of California. Yet again like any of the tours we have done, or are doing this one will certainly have its surprises and good times. Touring the west coast especially California to me is a pretty sweet thing due to it being the place I grew up from 12-22 yrs old and the amazing Mexican food that California has to offer.

May 18, 2009

So we (Philippe and I) have finally made it to Dallas, TX. 1450 miles which took a good 3 long hot dry days in the desert of south west US of A.

I landed in Los Angeles about 6 days ago and spent all my time with my father visiting and keeping him company before his move back to Canada. When it was time for my Dad to hit the sack I would meet up with my friends John, and John to catch up on our happenings, and hang out. Fun times.
John and I were going to go surfing one day but due to the flatness of the ocean and the chilliness we stayed out of the water. Hanging out in So Cal was definitely a lot of fun and nice to be back in the place I called home for a good 10 years of my life.

On Saturday my Dad drove me back into LA so I could pick up our tour vehicle, Philippe from the airport, a trailer, and our backline gear for this run. After we were packed up we searched out a Whole Foods- stocked up on some travel snacks and hit the road.

The first night we made it as far as Phoenix which was nice because it was all night driving. The temperature at 11PM was a full 95F/ 35 C so driving in this heat in the full on day would have been rough on us, and the van plus the temp would have even been higher. Nothing like driving down a highway, not to many cars around, windows down blowing in warm air, a sky full of stars, and music just blaring as we make our way eastward.

The next day we stopped off in Tucson, AZ for some good healthy eats at a place named Loving Spoonfuls which was a full vegan café/ restaurant. For breakfast I had myself a burrito stuffed with potatoes, soy chorizo, scrambled tofu, and beans. Yum. There is nothing like South Western Mexican food and this tour will definitely be top notch when it comes to such.
After eating I grabbed myself an Acai smoothie and continued on through the 104F/ 40C to Pesco, TX where we stayed last night.

Today we did the remainder of the drive to Dallas and are now just sitting here relaxing for the evening. Everyone else flies in tomorrow evening so Philippe and I will run some errands- picking up merch, checking into our Dallas hotel and then head to the airport to pick up the rest of the circus. Pumped!

June 5, 2009

Currently flying from Seattle where I had a layover from Vancouver, BC on my way to Washington DC to go camping with my buddy Helene.
The last couple weeks have been pretty busy with me not finding or setting aside some time to capture some thoughts, and adventures.
Tour ended about 5 days ago and went as well as most of them do.
We started in Dallas, TX for the first of tour, then made our way to Austin, TX for the Chaos in Tejas fest which we were part of with many other punk bands around this planet. Austin is a pretty cool city and with a fest as such you are always going to run into many people you actually know. The day we were there Ted (Leo) was in town playing which was cool because him and I hadn’t seen or talked to each other since the tour I did with him/ them (The Pharmacists). Ted was playing in Austin solo so this meant I wouldn’t get to see the others which was unfortunate but you take what you can get. He ended up coming to the venue where Propagandhi was playing and hung out with us for awhile before his set which was at the same time as Propagandhi but at a different venue. Oh well. The next morning we picked him up so we could all go out and grab a nice vegan brunch before we all went our own ways. The highlights in Austin were hanging out with Ted, and the show Propagandhi played to 700 wild, crazy kids pumped out of their minds.
Next we headed west into Arizona stopping off in Tucson, Phoenix for shows, and then onto Vegas for a show.
The Vegas show was pretty interesting. It was the show of the tour which we were all worried about due to venue changes, permit problems, and PA problems. The show happened which is all you can ask for but it happened after I personally, and some others in our circus actually got into a verbal argument/ conflict with the venue owner who was a total freak. Long story short the venue was basically just a room with 2 speakers and a sound board which could have been a childs toy. The owner claimed the PA was incredibly amazing even while right in front of him it was making the most horrific crackling noises. Oh well. You win some you loose some but it was pretty entertaining afterwards thinking about myself, and some others all having our own interactions/ conflicts with this venue owner.
After the show Todd, Chris, Ethan, and myself ventured over to the Stratosphere so we could ride the rides on top of it. Lets just say I had done one of these rides years ago but it was by far scarier this time and even at that time I told myself I would never do it again. Well I did and I am not sure why. Looking back on it, it was fun but some times certain things are just a little much especially while getting older. Haha. Old Fart I am.
Onto California we went where the show in SLO, San Diego were a little interesting however all the rest and over all California was amazing.

After the tour I headed to my fathers house in Oxnard, CA where I hopped in his car, he hopped in a U-haul truck and in 2 days we drove to Vancouver, BC.

I was in Vancouver for 1 full day before this current trip to Washington DC where this evening Helene, and I will head to the mountains of Virginia for 4 days of camping before I have to head to Pennsylvania to pick up a van/ trailer to drive to Minneapolis to start another leg with the dudes. Go go go.

Yesterday while my Dad and I were driving for some food in Chilliwack, BC I felt my Dad coming to a pretty abrupt stop. I looked ahead and just a couple of meters in front of us I see a mother duck with her 2 ducklings crossing a very busy 2 lane street. I quickly stuck my arm outside my window as far as I could to signal the other lane to stop which the car next to us did very quickly. Phew!! These ducks were naturally doing what they do by walking to a little swamp however they had to cross a man made obstruction (asphalt road) which almost cost them their lives. Totally crazy to come across, be apart of, and then think about. It was pretty amazing. The mother duck was definitely in front of her ducklings, leading the way, but also protecting them and she definitely seemed to be looking directly at traffic in a way of “Hey. STOP!!!” Fortunately my Dad, the people in the lane next to ours were paying attention and stopped or it would have been a fatal crossing and something that I would never want to witness or be apart of.

The Nature of Things?

June 12, 2009

On a train from Washington DC to Lancaster, PA rocking out to the REGULATIONS from thee almighty Sweden where I am heading to pick up a spaceship for Propagandhi’s next space mission here on planet Dearth. After I am suited up and inside this space craft I will then head westward towards Minneapolis, MN where everyone else arrives from Winnipeg for a 9 show tour of the mid-west and then 5 shows in Canada.

This next tour is an adventure I am super pumped on because it’s with some very close friends from Richmond, VA who like to STRIKE ANYWHERE with their rock. Pumped.
Years ago while touring with Strike Anyere I was fortunate enough to do a tour with them, and the Bouncing Souls (before I actually toured with the Souls) which at that time was something we were all so incredibly pumped on due to us being huge fans of the Souls. How rad? Here we are getting to tour with one of our favorite bands.
Fast-forward to today and the same thing holds true however on this run I am with Propagandhi who has Strike Anywhere out as support. Good times lay ahead.

On this tour we are going to have Substance/ Rainforest Action Network out with us on the whole run bringing attention to the tar sands in Alberta. An issue which hits home for me due to being “Alberta born, Prairie raised” and that environment in which I grew up in.
Grande Prairie, Alberta in the 1980’s was not a big place at all compared to where I have lived since. If my memory hole holds true it was a town of around 25000 people which main industries were forestry-lumber-logging/ and oil which is still the case today. Once you were outside of G.P. there was to the east the Prairies of Canada and to the West (1 hour) the beginning of the Rocky Mountains. I grew up in an outdoorsy type setting with forests, hills, mountains, lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, and wildlife. When not in school you could usually find me outside playing with friends, building forts, playing war, playing ice/ or street hockey, playing baseball, and just being outside as much as possible. During holidays my family and I would make the trek from Northern Alberta to South Western British Columbia to visit relatives. At the time there was Highway 40 which made the trip a couple of hours shorter however it was still a dirt road at the time which we would take for about 4 hours or so to the main highway. Driving through the mountains, forests, seeing moose, elk, deer, mountain goats, and bears will have an affect on you especially when you don’t see much of these creatures in these parts today.
It’s a scientific fact that the decline of wildlife in this part of the world is due to logging, and oil.
Alberta is now a major player in the world market due it being home to the 2nd biggest oil deposit in the world which is located in the tar sands and underneath the forests of the province. Seeing how our world has/ is approaching its peak oil production this means that the tar sands in Alberta will be the last thing lubricating the wheels of this earth.

The RAN/Substance people have named our tour “Freedom from Oil- Tar Sands Resistance Tour” which is pretty rad if you ask me. On this tour as all of our tours we will have plenty of organizations/ groups some of them being: speakers from Rainforest Action Network, Canada Haiti Action Network, Indigenous Resistance and support groups, Liberty over Violence, plus some Animal right groups. All in all many different groups but ultimately one cause I would say- enough of the bullshit.

Okay. So tonight is a big night in NHL. Game number 7 in the Stanley Cup finals will unfold between Detroit and Pittsburgh. I am not sure how much of the game I will get to watch due to driving to Minneapolis but I am hoping to catch some of it on the radio while driving through Pennsylvania and there is a good possibility that I’ll pull over to watch the game. My fingers are crossed that the Penguins take the game but they are up against the almighty wall known as Detroit.

The Circus of Propagandhi in Europe- April/ May 2009

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:31:00 +0000

April 17, 2009

Sitting here in our / my (Propagandhi) new home-a bus- for the next 2 weeks while we travel across the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the Czech Republic bringing the kids an ear dose of the heavy thrash.

April 19, 2009

On this tour we have
Chris, Todd, Beaver, Jord
Ethan-stage, Barney-sound, Stern-merch fellow from Germany-old Propagandhi friend, Franklin- our cool German bus driver, and myself.

Just waking up after a good 10 hour sleep which in a way was needed but also due to it’s length and with the time change I still feel like I could use more.
We are here in London, UK today for the 3rd show of this Circus tour. The sky is blue and the sun is out.

This is Propagandhi’s (as they are now) first bus tour which is quite neat. Not really a band that would choose to be in a bus but in the long run logistically with out drives, our 8 (9 with driver) person circus, most of the venues having showers which cuts out day rooms-hotels, and then also just having a coffin-bed to sleep in whenever you want.

On a bus you are definitely around everyone at pretty much all times which means you have to respect everyone else’s space. Not a problem here.

The last 2 shows have been pretty interesting in the least.

The first show was in Sheffield, UK at a place called the Academy which I is a big chain of venues here in the UK. Carling Academy. The venue was big, very professional, and all the staff were super nice.
It was the first day with all of this backline over here so everyone spent a little extra time tweaking their gear and I myself spent some time tweaking some files/ spreadsheets that I will need for this adventure.
We found a vegan café just a walk away from the venue named the Blue Moon Café. Basically in a deli case they had a couple hot items, and a couple cold items in which you just pick the items you want. I had given my dinner money to Chris because I wasn’t sure if I was going to make dinner due to having to have a security meeting with the folks at the Academy Club. Chris got me this sweet potatoe, peanut sauce dish, with cous cous, coleslaw salad, and macaroni salad. All amazing food however the best item was by far the sweet potato dish with peanut sauce. You can never go wrong with peanut sauce.

So the first show went fine until around ½ way point in Propagandhi’s set I see Ethan over at the monitor board look to my direction of the stage, point, and tell something to the in house monitor fellow. I then smell a heavy dose of electrical (fire) smoke and proceed to turn on my flashlight to hunt it down. After a couple seconds I find smoke coming out of what I hear later is a big distro box for the lighting system. No flames just a bunch of smoke which has now caused the entire stage to wreak of fire smoke. The band is playing but is also concerned as they start smelling it as well. The venue manager runs on stage, turns off a fuse box and then all of a sudden this whole distro box gets engulfed in flames all again while the thrash continues. At this time the locals are running on stage with a fire extinguisher and telling me “the band HAS TO STOP NOW” so I catch eyes with Jord and have them stop their song half way in…….to be continued

April 20, 2009

So…the band leaves the stage, security tells the crowd to evacuate the building which the crowd was not pumped on. Glasses started getting thrown so I was told that everyone had to evacuate due to the fire brigade being on its way. I saw that things could potentially get a little out of hand and I was told that once everyone was out of the venue they would be allowed back in so I go onto the mic and tell the 600 people booing that “please evacuate, its not our fault, and once things are safe the show will be continued”.
We were then evacuated ourselves through some back exit to the bus and watched the chaos ensue.

The fire brigade showed up while 600 kids huddled around outside without jackets due to them being inside the coat check waiting to see what would happen.
Propagandhi and the crowd were being fed 2 different stories by many different people.

-once the fire brigade deems it safe the show will go on.
- no the show will not continue.

It was pretty hectic and the freezing people outside were not pumped. So in typical UK drinking fashion the crowd started getting rowdy which caused the entire police force to arrive while windows were getting kicked in, and all of us sat around our bus waiting for a riot to ensue.

The fire brigade deemed the venue safe however due to the crowd clashing with the antagonizing entire Sheffield Police force arriving the show was cut off. Boooo!!

First day blues!!!

We proceeded to eventually make our way back into the venue, pack up our gear, and some of us sat up until 3 in the morning watching Pittsburgh play Philly in the NHL playoffs.

So since the “burning down the house” we have played 2 other shows.

The first being in Bristol UK which was quite the punk show indeed.

A venue packed with 500 people (capacity 450) most of which had been drinking quite a bit of alcohol and add to that no barricade. Non of us are fans of barricades during live shows because they definitely contribute to a lack of energy, and interaction.’’

April 21, 2009

Todd and I are sitting in our hotel room here in Cologne watching some weird German television game show. Wild!
The first week of tour has been crazy.
Propagandhi has had a fire at a venue, kids almost rioting outside with the police, 2 security guards run on our stage to brutally tackle some young kid, and last night we had some male during the last song come flying over the barrier, head first but upside down landing brutally on monitor majorly breaking his leg….we are now outside of the UK. Let’s see what happens.

So last night I am sitting side stage during the show and see some dude come flying over the crow, the barricade and land head first with his leg snapping over the monitor.
The band was in the middle of a song, I ran over to the kid, the band stopped playing and I tried to communicate with the dude who was very injured. He couldn’t move his leg, or his toes and was in bad shape. I ran onto stage, grabbed some waters and ran back over to him. Another fellow in the crowd was an over duty paramedic so came running over. This kid was down for the count and this could be bad. Meanwhile there are 300 loud sweaty kids literally crammed against the barricade. I ask the medic if we can move the barricade back to give him, and the injured dude more breathing room. The medic says it was okay and held the body of the dude in case of neck injuries while we moved the barricade back.

The show was over and it definitely brought everyone from pure rock show mode to a very somber deep sad mood.
The room was cleared and the paramedics spent about the next 45 mins working him, cutting his jeans while he yelled in an English accent “those jeans just cost me 60 quid you fucking cunts”, shot him up with morphine and then loaded his mangled leg up and took him away. Before being loaded up Chris, and Todd went out to say hello at the dudes request and then off he went.

We are now in Cologne where we arrived around 3:30 this afternoon to a nice, bright blue, clear day.
Tonight the Montreal Canadiens play game 4 with the Boston Bruins. Boston is up in the series 3-0 so tonight very likely could be Montreal’s last game of the season. Jord, Chris and I are going to be watching the game here in 1 hour (1AM Cologne time) on the computer with an internet feed..

April 25, 2009

Its 3:54 in the morning and we are driving from Munich, Germany where there was a show this evening to Solothurn, Switzerland for a show tomorrow night.
I am the only one awake at the moment so I have my headphones on listening to tunes I haven’t had the chance to listen to because I lost my ipod on the flight over here to Europe. It happens. Ill buy a new one when I get home.

The 2 German shows have been well attended and we have been treated amazing. Both shows drew about 850 kids each and the hospitality here in Germany as always is like no other. When you arrive at a venue there is a feast of breads, spreads, juices, fruits, veggies and chips waiting to get devoured. The local crews at all these places are extremely helpful and into what they are doing.

Back in North America at every venue you arrive at the promoter gives you a buy-out which is money for dinner that evening. Very impersonal and in a way its kind of like “here’s your money. Get out of here”. And then the whole hospitality vibe in North America is quite opposite with plenty of venue people just being completely burned out and pretty rude.

April 25, 2009

Here on a beautiful, very clear blue skied, very warm day in Solothurn, Switzerland.
A neutral country in which at one time the bridges leading into the country could be destroyed if needed during World War 2 to protect itself from invaders.

A couple of us walked into the city center with this girl named Lana from the venue where we are playing tonight named Kofmehl.
Solothurn is a pretty small town hugging a river which originates in Bern, Switzerland from the glaciers in the alps. The city center is a nice little courtyard/ square which is the usual meeting place for the locals in town. There is a huge cathedral which is located in this square that we all went inside to check out.
Cathedrals are such intense structures that you can never truly describe. What’s even more interesting is almost all cathedrals have almost the same feel to them- the air is chilled, moist, and still. The amount of artistry that goes into these structures is also beyond comprehension. The statues, paintings, engravings, marble work, and wood work were all super intricate and must have take years to do.

On our walk back to the venue Todd, Ethan and myself discussed jumping off of one of the bridges into the river in which hugged our walk back. I walked down to the bank to check out the temperature which was no where near anything close to cool. Just upstream from here was the winter melt off from the glaciers so this was very cold, crystal clear water. There was a bridge pretty close to the venue however was actually higher then the bridges we had talked about jumping off of. I was quite nervous but Ethan had decided he would be the first to jump so we went to the bus, got into our undies, grabbed a towel, and headed to the bridge. It’s always pretty scary jumping off of a high structure into the water when you haven’t seen anyone do it before and to be honest there is a good possibility that we were the first ones to jump off this particular bridge. The bridge was built in Oct which would have been winter time here and I don’t think any of the locals are as stupid as we were with the temperature of the water.
Ethan jumped first which was a relief for me but when he surfaced we could tell by his movement, and facial expression that the water was brutally cold. I was next and was pretty nervous about the jump and the impact in this cold water. This thought only lasted about 5 seconds when I just didn’t even think about it and let go. Whoa!! Landing in this water was like landing in a pool filled with needles. The bank of the river was about 35 ft away so I just put every bit of effort I had into my body to get there as quickly as possible. If the distance was twice this it would have been extremely hard with the potential of disaster. Todd jumped after me and has mentioned a couple times that he “thought he was going to die” and “has never experienced anything as cold”.

We all lived and are all pumped on the adventure we chose.
Now its time for another thrash show however this one this evening will be a little quiter then most due to a sound limit at this venue. Propagandhi’s actual stage sound with no sound system as a factor is actually louder then the limit….We will see.

April 29th, 2009

We are just leaving the venue/ squat/ fort we played tonight in Rome. I am sitting in the front lounge of the bus listening to some tunes-Dead Can Dance, and catching up on some solo time.
The last couple of days have been pretty interesting, intense and fun.

It’s pretty crazy being so far away from friends and family during certain situations that you can’t really be apart of or there fore. Currently I have someone special in my life who I try my hardest to keep in touch with and be there for the best I can but it definitely is not in the slightest sense easy. I won’t go deeply into it because these writings are more so I can keep in touch with friend/ family and they can keep track of me. I have a pen, and journal that is better for the personal thoughts then these travel journals of mine.

So we arrived in Roma, Italia yesterday after our drive/ show in Bologna, Italia the night before. As soon as the bus arrived at the hotel yesterday everyone woke up instantly, gathered their belongings, and we all went straight to our rooms to pre pare for our day off. ROME!!!
I have been to Italy now about 4 times however have never been to far South never being to Roma, or Venice where we will be tomorrow.
Exciting!
Edder Vedder “Rise”- amazing

So after we were all showered and prepared for our day Todd, Jord, Beaver, Franklin, Ethan and myself all packed into the hotel shuttle and headed to the city center of Roma.
The architecture (Helene!!) was really something I was pumped on viewing and experiencing.

Our first destination was the Vatican and the St Pietro Basillica. We walked along the main river in the city named River Tevere which was this peculiar nice green colored river but also had a very dirty vibe to it. The colors of the buildings and the river down below had a definite “Rome, Italy” vibe- whatever that means.
Walking up to the St. Pietro Basillica was definitely pretty amazing. A long busy street with lights, and statues stacked along both sides of the street running all the way down to the Cathedral. There in front of us lies the Vatican.
Before we ventured much further we decided to try and find some food to quench our hungry stomachs. Eating food which contains no animal products is amazing, and fun but when you are in the center of a huge tourist spot in the middle of Roma sometimes your choices are very slim. Oh well. What can you do but just keep on keeping on.
We found a place that served just regular tomato slices of pizza which was a jackpot at that moment for us. A couple of warm slices later we were now fueled up for the day ahead of us. We walked to the Basillica, which is definitely an amazing place to see while standing in the middle of the court yard which is a huge circle surrounded my huge white pillars. The home of thee ol lil fellow most refer to as the poop…Oopps I mean the “Pope”..My bad.
Obviously at a place as such there is a lot of security so after screening our bags, and walking through metal detectors “we were in”.
I will never fully be able to describe what the inside of this Cathedral was like. Impossible to even imagine actually. Its bigger then big!
I had a random thought about what the actual capacity of a place as such was and now that I think of my 20 000 estimate I do think it’s probably even double that. Again this isn’t a sports stadium but a cathedral.
The statues, art work, engravings, marble work, tile work, and flooring was something that would have taken days and days to fully examine. Then in different sections of the place they actually have embalmed bodies of dead popes. Nuts!
Honestly I wish I would have known more about what I was looking at, the statues I was viewing, and the place I was walking inside of. Maybe ill read up on it a little now that I have been there. Seeing all of that art work, with a religious twist was pretty neat but also erie and dark as well. That’s the beauty of it I guess?

May 2nd, 2009

The last couple of days of tour have been something else.

I have started so many of my writings with me being on a plane going to my next destination or home as I am now. Flights are flights however I am having a first here today. My friend Bettina is a flight attendant for Swiss Airlines which I happen to be flying today so it worked out that she is on my flight to Montreal. When I checked in and was told I had an “upgrade” and they gave me a new ticket. Thanx Bettina! I am flying 1st class (a first) on an international flight and let me just say its really cool. Actually now that I look at things it seems to be “business class” and not “1st” Hhmm. Strange because honestly this definitely has a 1st class vibe not that I know what that vibe would really mean or business class. The seat in front of me I can’t even touch even when leaning forward trying to. There are some pretty crazy settings for the seat positions which makes for more of a relaxing trip. You have a choice of extending a leg rest, lowering the seat up and down, lowering the back of the seat up and down, and there is even a air bag that you can fill up for lower back support. Damn! Again I am not sure how often or if this will happen again so yes it’s a nice treat and ill take it.

I still need want to capture more of our adventures in Rome and the show we played the following day at the Forte Prenestino squat but that will come soon or not.

Yesterday we played our last show in Prague, Czech Republic which I had never been to in the past and this incredibly beautiful city did not disappoint.
We left Venice right after our show to make the 12 hour drive to the Czech Republic. The promoter Milan in Prague had been in touch with me about our arrival time in the city and getting in touch with him when we are close because he has our hotel-apartment- keys. So I lost my phone in Rome which meant I had no way of making contact with anyone if there wasn’t internet.
While we were getting close to Prague I looked in the tour book to see no number for Milan at all. After some more investigation I came across 2 numbers- 1 for a record store in Prague, and another for the hotel we were supposed to be staying in. Both of these numbers came back faulty and we were getting closer to the city. What adventures lie ahead? Our bus driver was on a tight schedule due to high tailing it back to Germany after dropping us off and the time restrictions that drivers in Europe have while driving their bus. We arrived in Prague around 3PM and had no clue about what was going on, and if this was all just something sketchy that was set up. After more investigation while sitting on a street with the bus parked and everyone just hanging out on the sidewalk for a good hour + we managed to find Milan and head to our hotel which was actually in a completely different spot then what I was told. A “last minute” change. Oh well.

We got the keys and went up to our apartment which turned out to be pretty cool All of us in the same house however there was still rooms for groups to have their own space.
After showering Jord, Barney, Stern, and myself walked across the river to go eat at a place named Veg Food. Quite interesting though was the other dudes-Chris, Todd, Ethan, and Beaver were heading to the same spot but left earlier because I don’t think they were into waiting for everyone to shower. We’ll when we arrived at the restaurant they were not there and ended up not being able to find it. That sucks because we walked straight to the place with not even a question of where it was. Patience is a virtue but I have done the same thing and had the same outcome.

Our show in Prague was an Anti Fascist show for the May Day festivities. For those in the dark about this May 1st is the International Day of the worker however in North America for some reason we have strayed paths and have never recognized this day as the rest of the world. It’s a very historic day in most parts of the world when it comes to the working class, union organizing, anti-fascism and leftist thought.

I have never been that far east in Europe before so this was all a new experience for me and that it was. This fest was the real deal. It was on an Island in the city of Prague and was put on by the Anti- Fascist group in Prague. We had been told that the same day as our fest the Nazi’s in Czech were having their huge gathering 200 km’s away and that there is the potential that things could get interesting/ violent if these boneheads chose to come into the City. We were also informed about the security situation and the pre-cautions that were in store for our event. The Nazi’s were 1 threat and then the Police were another threat as well.
Arriving at the venue yesterday we passed about 8-10 male figures all dressed in black, wearing sunglasses and no part of their actual being showing. These dudes were the “armed” (yes armed) security getting into the Island for the fest to stand guard in case any trouble started between the fascist sectors. This whole situation is something that was pretty neat to witness and experience because honestly back at home this stuff really doesn’t happen and I am not saying I would want it to happen either. Everyone working the show were 1000% down with the cause of fighting fascism and fighting the right wing. It was the offical workers holiday and there at this fest there was a good 200 people working-volunteering- at this fest with cooking, setting up, security, driving around the city to make sure the Nazi’s weren’t on their way, and protecting everyone else at the fest. The main security leader was this tough looking eastern European dude who I talked to for a bit and the dude ruled. He was a a ju-jitsu/ kung fu/ UFC fighter and was ready for anything. Backstage they had an area with tons of steal pipes in case the Island/ Festival was invaded. Most of the security guards were also armed with guns and were all wearing earpieces for communication with each other. Crazyeee!!

It’s so crazy to think there is still a huge Nazi problem in this world but on the other hand I am not surprised due to right wing politics in the past, and currently. Boneheads. Boneheads. Boneheads.

During Propagandhi’s soundcheck in the morning the Police had their helicopter hovering above just checking things out- you know…city money well spent- and I saw a couple of people walking around with this huge meter by meter mirror type board. What this was for was to reflect the sunlight towards the helicopter to block their camera from taking pictures of the people, activities at the fest. I had also heard that before the doors were open there were a couple police officers spotted wearing normal civilian clothes walking around the perimeter taking pictures of people inside the fenced off fest area. Boooo!

This fest was a really amazing experience and everyone involved were truly something else. I guess this years fest did double of what last year did where my Swede buds in the INC played last year. This year there was about 5500 people from what the organizers said when we left and the whole thing was FREE for everyone who came. Everyone worked for free, the stage, the PA system were donated for the day for free, and no Nazi’s showed up which was good however all 5500 of us were prepared. POWER IN NUMBERS.

You know what rules?! When I help everyone out on stage including the show goers up front I try my best to look out for everyone and people realize this and thank me after the show. I like that. I try to do what I can to make everyones show experience fun fun fun. I keep an eye on everyone but honestly most of the times it is these sweaty, smelly, males so I do try and keep my sisters up front a lil extra safe by sking if they are okay. This evening in Roma there was quite a bit of females up front which rules however that soon changed with all the dudes who decided to stage dive, and float. Relax gents!!!!

The Mess We Are In

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:42:00 +0000

So I just did a load in here in Montreal for a band with yet another one of the whackest names ever.

The Devil Wears Prada.

Honestly I can't really think of a better name at the moment and honestly for a band as such there can't really be a better name.

I would think personally if you were in a band that you respected, gave your heart/ soul too, and was a part of your history you would actually sit at that coffee table with your other band mates say a couple minutes longer to come up with a better name.

From what I read on Wikipedia the band is a "Christian "Metal"core band".

This world as we se every single day is an extremely weird weird place.
Christian Metal=Nazi Reggae pretty much sums this all up.

These days in this musical world of our when it comes to a specific type of band/ genre (flouresceent colors) they usually all bring like 4-5 other bands on tour with them. Its like the thing to do or something. Like your band isn't crappy enough you decide to subjugate everyone else with another 4 to 5 other bands. Boring.

And almost every band on tours like such actually go way over board and show up with way to much gear. They are all packed in their nice little cozy buses with their huge trailers, carrying their 4 different guitar amps, their lighting rig, and all the other up to the date gadgets to make their show "something else".
We are talking about children here.

Anyhoo....long story short. Its pathetic and it's usually always the most horrific bands out there doing this.

Then you have the whole money aspect. How can any of these bands even come close to breaking even? Yes you may think its cool to ride in a bus, and bring with you all your fancy lights but honestly at the end of the day you have literally just thrown thousands of dollars down the drain for nothing.

Bye now

Land Down Under 2

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:31:00 +0000

Feb 20, 2009

Melbourne is where you will find us for the next 2 nights playing at the Corner Hotel both of which are sold out. Nice.
It’s always really nice to be in a city playing 2 nights because it means that after the first show number there isn’t really too much to do. Tonight I will wind up some chords, pack up the guitars and leave the rest of the gear in place for an easy day tomorrow.

The last couple of days have been pretty fun with an amazing soundtrack blasting through my ears of singer songwriters such as Peter Gabriel, Jose Gonzalez, Kate Bush, and Sinead O’ Connor. Yowzers!

We played 2 University’s in Newcastle, and Wollongong which are always interesting shows. The show in Newcastle smoked hard but I felt that the show in Wollongong was a little lack luster due to the University- Student Union Hall vibe. Again you can’t win them all and the good thing always is the show wasn’t super horrible at all.

The morning after our Wollongong show this girl named Souli who works for the promoter- Blue Murder took Beaver, Todd, Chris and myself to the beach so we could surf. Hahaha. Souli’s brother is actually a surf instructor and was kind enough to lend us all boards plus a quick lesson. I know all of us had sharks on our minds due to the recent shark attacks here on the east coast of Australia but it was more of a joking matter in the sense of “it’s a good day to die”….As it was. Super blue sky, sun out in full force and the beach. What more can you ask for?

I wasn’t quite sure the night before if I would be up for the morning beach run but I did set my alarm just in case so once that went off I felt okay, got a call from Chris/ Beave and off we went.

I can’t remember the last time I had a chance to swim in the Ocean as we did that day. Souli’s brother wasn’t at the beach yet so we all made our way to the water until he arrived. I definitely thought the water would be warmer as we all did but after a good 2 minutes swimming around it felt amazing and wasn’t that cold at all. The waves were pretty good so we all swam out to the surf, tried to body surf, and just play around in the waves. Getting pummeled and tossed around under water by waves is truly a neat thing however I guess you have to know your limits. These waves weren’t anything to huge and for the most part the ocean floor seemed like nothing but sand so there was no real risk of hitting rocks.

Soon after Souli’s brother arrived so we made our way to the parking lot to grab our boards that we would try and surf on for the remainder of our beach “sesh”. I have only tried surfing a couple times in the past while living in California as a teenager but it wasn’t something I ever picked up. Surfing is a pretty hard/ tiring thing that takes patience so while living in California I actually was really into body-boarding going a couple times a week for years. “Spongers unite!”

It was pretty hard actually getting out to where the real sets were breaking due to the ocean being covered in sea weed that would get bunched up and tangled in your leg leash. It was pretty insane actually trying to get out to the waves but you weren’t going anywhere because you had tons of sea weed tangled around you. Booo!

The first wave I managed to catch I actually stood up for a good 3-5 seconds which was pretty rad. I wasn’t able to catch the actual wave due to the problems expressed above however I caught the white water which was fine.
We all managed to stand up at least once or twice during our “sesh” but Beaver definitely had himself the best ride out of all us. At a certain point I looked behind me and Beaver was standing up, riding a wave that kept going taking him with it. Amazing!! Hang ten bra!!

Our “sesh” had to end shortly afterwards due to meeting the rest of the circus for lunch a at the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple (largest Buddhist temple in Southern hemisphere from what I hear) and then eventually driving to the next show which was in Canberra- last night. Canberra turns out to be the capitol of Australia which I had no clue about. For lunch I had myself a Curry Laksa, and some vegi drum sticks.

The show last night was definitely the “punkest” show of the tour which was pretty rad. The show was located at a community center in Canberra which was basically a hall with no barricade. Finally! All the shows thus far have been amazing but have had barricades which like I have mentioned before definitely holds back some of the energy. There is nothing like a show, with kids going nuts right up in front of your face and I knew for myself I would have a little more work on my hands which is also a plus.
Nothing to crazy happened and the show was a little “tamer” then I thought it would be but I am also comparing it to a lot of other shows with no barricades. With Propagandhi some of the shows are truly completely off the wall insane where others are still crazy but not off the wall.

Land Down Under

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:43:00 +0000

FEB 8TH, 2009

So I am currently sitting on an Airbus 321 where I left Montreal, QC about 1.5 hours ago on my way to Vancouver, BC where we should arrive in about 3.5 hours. It’s a nice day outside with blue skies on both sides of the plane and thus far a pretty smooth flight which I always enjoy. I am sitting towards to rear of the plane just by coincidence which is funny because about 4 weeks ago I was listening to a podcast from Howstuffworks.com entitled “How to Survive a Plane Crash”.

One of the things mentioned in this episode was that you are more likely to survive a plane crash if you are sitting in the back of the plane. A couple of other facts in this episode were
- more likely to be involved in an auto accident then a plane accident.
- chances of being in a plane crash are 1 in 1 million which at that rate you would have to fly every single day for about 1500 years to be guaranteed something as such.
- also when sitting in a plane count the number of rows between you and the emergency exit in case there comes a time which this vehicle is filled with smoke.

Okay I’ll end this here. I am truly not sitting here thinking of a plane crash although there are times on flights when I think of such things. A natural thought for someone as myself who gets nervous every once and awhile on these flights.

I am flying to Vancouver to meet up with my brothers in Propagandhi at which time we will jump on another plane to fly over the mighty Pacific Ocean (yes the whole thing!), land in Auckland, New Zealand, and then board yet another flight with a final destination of Wellington, New Zealand.
Crazyeeeee!

We are heading to New Zealand to play 2 shows and then over to Australia for 9 more shows including about 3-4 days off. I have never been to either NZ or AU ever so as you could imagine this is going to be quite the trip and I know only a couple of the other dudes have been to AU once which was about 10 years ago.

Cities that will be getting their heads rocked like no other will be Wellington/ Auckland-New Zealand, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, New Castle, Wollongong, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth- Australia.

On this adventure we will have:

Jord, Chris, Beave, Todd, Barney, Myself plus in each country we will be with 2 locals acting as Promoter/Tour Manager and Merchandise.

Missing on this run will be the one and only Sammy who usually is head Field Marshall of these operations however he now has himself a contract/ job at a nice little rock venue in Winnipeg, MB named the Royal Albert- which I have been voting for recently in the CBC Best Rock Venue in Canada…Good luck Albert! They have a good little BBQ Tofu Burger and have started making Vegan Cinnamon Donuts so if there is ever a place that should win the Albert is the place.

The last couple weeks back home have been pretty chilled for myself. Literally chilled if we want to talk about the weather as well which is why this trip is going to rule. The average temp that I have seen for the next 2 weeks is about 20c which is nice compared to the -15 to -20c we have gone through back in Montreal. The sunscreen, flip flops, and swim trunks have been packed and are ready for their use in the next couple of days.

Feb 12th, 2009

So we have now been in Aotearoa for 3 days now and I must say New Zealand has a super amazingly chilled vibe.
We arrived in Wellington after a (for myself) 5 hour flight to Vancouver, a 13 hour flight from Vancouver to Auckland, and then finally a 1 hour flight from Auckland, NZ to Wellington, NZ.

Feb 13th, 2009

Brisbane, Australia is the location for our touring circus today where we are playing a venue named Arena this evening. Thus far our time here has been amazing, and I know will continue being amazing however I think most of us are still trying to catch up on some rest which hasn’t come so easy as of late.

Once we arrived in Wellington, NZ we all decided that the best course of action wasn’t sleep and was to stay awake the whole day so our bodies would still be some sort of a day time/ night time schedule. The promoter in NZ had arranged for a shuttle van to pick us up and take us to the hotel which was located in the center of Wellington. This hotel was definitely a 5 star hotel which was pretty funny for all of us. I myself have stayed in some pretty nice hotels throughout my touring travels however the Prop boys I know haven’t stayed in many places as such. The reason being is truly there is no need for it. Why stay in a extremely stale posh hotel which charges you for everything including internet when you could stay in a cheaper place, still have 2 beds to sleep on, free continental breakfast, and internet?
Again non of us truly really cared because ultimately a bed is a bed and when you are trying to catch up on sleep you’ll sleep anywhere.

After we were checked in we all headed out to a vegan/ vegi Malaysian food restaurant which was pretty decent. I ordered myself a tofu gado gado.

Once lunch was consumed we took aCable car to the top of some mountain and headed to the Botanical Gardens of Wellington. The fauna here, plus the ecological system here makes for some amazing plants, and trees.
It was cloudy, and raining when we arrived and still is 3 days later as I write. Its actually a nice feel being in a tropical country where its super warm and there is a rain. Since our arrival the temp hasn’t dropped down below 20C and in fact yesterday in Auckland it was record breaking 32C which they haven’t seen since 1872. Crazy!

Botanical gardens are always such amazing places no matter which country they are located in however these particular gardens definitely had a very rainforest, jungle vibe to which I have never seen before. Huge greens leaves with beads of water just resting on top of them. I was walking around and would randomly take my hand, brush it against the leaves, and the water which was pretty neat. We stayed at the gardens for a good couple hours which was a work out in itself due to the terrain here being extremely mountainous so our legs plus our tired bodies made for some heavy breathing.

The road we followed ended up taking us back into the downtown area and at that time all of us were super hungry again which was weird seeing how we all had huge meals 2 hours prior. We found an Indian food place back on Cuba street which was the name of the street the venue was on, plus the Malaysian place we ate at earlier. The Indian place didn’t open for a couple hours so most of us indulged in local Wellington beer before eating.
Later that night I actually ended up going to the beach and getting in the water in the dark of night. The water wasn’t super cold however with the cloud cover, my loopy sleep deprived mind, and the nighttime it was a chilly experience. But…..I did get into the mighty Pacific in New Zealand and that is not something I will get to do that often.

The next day we had our first show on this tour which was at a venue named the San Fran Bathhouse. Propagandhi had never played NZ before so non of us were sure what to expect. First shows can always be interesting especially while traveling long distances.
The venue was packed with stoked kids and all in all I thought the show went well but again it was the first show of a tour.

After Wellington we had a 7AM lobby call the next morning so we could catch our 1 hour flight to Auckland where we played yesterday. After we arrived in Auckland we were picked up by a girl named Lucy who drove us into where first before we went to our hotel we actually drove up a volcano located in the middle of Auckland overlooking the entire city span. Amazing. I guess just in that city alone there are at least 7 different non active volcano’s.
The hotel we stayed at yesterday was definitely more posh then the night before which we were warned about. The promoter in NZ told us “this hotel is where Presidents stay”. Crazy!! Again these places were not our choice and were booked by locals.

Once we were checked in we went to a place named Revel in the downtown area of Auckland and had a nice café style meal. My dish was named “Beans, and Avo” which was 2 different kinds of beans, with a sauce, on top of 2 slices of seeded bread, with avocado.

The show last night was in a bigger venue (named Studio) then the night before however there wasn’t as many people at the show. There was a handful of kids at the show who were there the night before in Wellington which was cool to see. In fact we ran into a couple of the kids actually in the airport waiting to catch their flights to Auckland.

After the show last night we loaded out as quick as we could because we had a lobby call at 6:50AM for a 3.5 hour flight from NZ to Brisbane, AUS where we find ourselves currently.

Feb 15, 2009

“Baby once I thought I knew. Everything I needed to know about you.”-Lonesome Day- Bruce Springsteen.

I must say that thee almighty Bruce Springsteen is truly like no other. Every time I listen to this genius of a man I seriously get goose bumps. Amazing.

So we are in Sydney, AUS this evening at a venue named the Metro which is sold out at 1200. Cool eh!?

We flew here this morning from the Gold Coast, AUS where we played last night. Last nights show thus far was the mellowest show yet. The kids were definitely into it but there was definitely something lacking on their part which ultimately sometimes affects the bands show itself. I thought the show was good but definitely saw that the kids were just there and that was pretty much it.
The Gold Coast seemed like a pretty cool place being located right on the coast. Yesterday it was yet another day with rain but the waves seemed to be pretty good which caused for surfers everywhere.

Feb 15, 2009

Sitting on the balcony on the 20th floor of some high rise hotel in downtown Sydney where we are staying at for the next 2 days on a sort of vacation due to no shows. I woke up still feeling a little groggy which is getting old. The jet lag plus for the last 3-4 days I have been nursing a cold, cough which sucks but it hasn’t truly stopped me from givin’er.

Last nights show was incredible. 1200 kids going nuts and singing as loud as they could sometimes louder then the PA system during certain parts of certain songs. Amazing.

Flying yesterday was pretty crazy. We woke up and left the Gold Coast around 8 AM to stop at an amazing whole foods/ vegan café named the Magic Apple where we had also ate dinner the night before. I had myself a scrambled tofu on sour dough which was okay however I have had much much better. The dinner the night before was definitely quality but the breakfast was lacking just that.

We arrived at the airport 1 hour exactly before our flight but we still had to fuel up the rental vans, and load in 37 pieces of gear, luggage into the airport. Crazy! Never have any of us flown with so much gear/ backline but the promoter here in AUS said this is the way its got to be down. We literally were down to the minute with the lady saying “You’ve got 1 minute to get all this on the belt” so after some running and everyone doing their part we were loaded up, checked through security and on our flight.

When we landed we drove straight to the venue and that’s where I found myself all day. I must say I miss shows with no barricade and miss the work that comes along with it. Every show so far has had a barricade so basically during Prop’s set I just sit on the side of the stage keeping a watchful eye on all the dudes making sure that everything is set with their gear, and nothing goes wrong. At shows with no barricades there is nothing but chaos with kids jumping on stage/ diving off stage, pedals getting stepped on, mic stands falling, chords getting ripped out of pedals the list goes on and on. By the end of nights like these I am usually drenched from head to toe in my and others sweat which is a sign of a true work out. All these shows I haven’t broken a sweat yet so I am patiently waiting for that one show with no barricade.

Last week here in Sydney at the main city beach there was a shark attack with a surfer loosing his hand plus another shark attack the same week on a Navy diver.

Feb 17, 2009

So we are on our 2nd day off and thus far our little holiday from what is already pretty much a holiday has ruled.
Woke up thi morning with what I still think is slight symptoms of jet lag. I went to bed at 2 AM and woke up at 9 AM….7 hours exactly on a day off. I feel like I should just do to the vacation factor I should have slept at least 10 however at the moment I do feel fine.
Once up Todd, Jord and I hung around for awhile checking the internerd, and I caught up on some much needed yoga and then eventually we went out for the day with Barney, and Robbie as well.
We discovered this Thai restaurant yesterday named Peace Harmony which is an amazing vegan Thai joint that has hands down really good food, juices, appetizers at pretty cheap prices which is nice at the moment due to most of our funds running low from higher prices here. After eating Thai we headed towards the Sydney Harbor where we walked around the Opera house, checked out the Sydney Harbor bridge but didn’t walk across it, and then headed to the Botanical Gardens of Sydney.

Gardens are such amazing places whether they are in your backyard, man made exhibits or just in their natural settings. Tree’s and their roots just working their way through the earth and planting themselves firmly into the soil.

We were walking through the greenery when we came across a big group of Cockatoo birds. Beaver had mentioned something yesterday about seeing them so it was something we were all hoping to see today. Beaver slowly made is way super close to one of the birds and ended up feeding it leaves, and grass. Wild. These birds were extremely tame and eventually got a lot tamer. We were sitting there around a group of about 12 of them when all of a sudden 1 just jumps right onto Beavers arm and another onto his head. Wild! Talk about super cool. Barney then was next with the same sort of thing. A cockatoo just out of nowhere comes swooping in and lands right on his shoulder.
I was trying to creep closer and closer to any bird near me to try so I could try to get one of them on my arms. When you lowered your hand most birds would nibble- bite (hard) your hand, and fingers. Their birds were I guess as hard as any bird bite so you had to be careful. Having a full finger in the way of their beaks would be an extremely painful experience. No cockatoo was having my arm so I kept trying when eventually a bird out of nowhere just lands directly on my hat. Within the first 5 seconds of this bird making a temporary home on top of my head the sucker decides to drop a load of its excrement directly onto my shoulder. Haha. Classic! At this time another bird decides to swoop over, land on my arm making for now 2 birds trying to balance on my body. Earlier when Beave, Todd, and Barney each had birds on them these suckers would bite anything they could so the birds that were on me started trying to bite my ear lobes which wouldn’t have felt to good.

After a little while longer chilling with these fellow creatures we made our way over to another little section of the garden where all the trees around were being used as sleeping spots by huge gigantic bats. Definitely the biggest bats any of us had ever seen and they were everywhere. It is safe to say there were hundreds possibly even 1000 of them. Most were hanging in the tree’s sleeping, cleaning themselves, while many more were actually flying around the sky. Rad. Batman! We were all fine with birds randomly swooping down landing on our shoulders but there is no way any of us wanted bats on us. Thankfully non did.

Last night while watching TV here some of us saw a pretty crazy, really deep down disturbing commercial come on. It was as such.
A black screen saying “Have you seen something suspicious or do you suspect suspicious activity?” , and a couple more fearful quotes as such. The next thing to come up was
“If you suspect activity as such please call, and inform the National Security Agency” and left a 1 800 number. I’ve never seen something as such. This was full on the real deal and something that was straight up trying to instill fear into people, and keep on with this whole “Terrorism” situation you here so much about.
Back home yes we have Canadian Forces commercials everywhere including on coaches corner and in the US you have military commercials with the same vibe. Very quick, bright colored, almost video game like simulations of war to attract peoples fragile minds. But I have never seen a commercial as such saying “If so please contact the CIA” or the “NSA” or even “CSIS”.

You can walk through a garden, have wild exotic birds just land on you out of nowhere and then come home to turn on thee tube to be inundated with fear which ultimately boils down to profit. Friggin eh what a crazy mess we have gotten ourselves into.

Let The Games Begin #3 or 4?

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:03:00 +0000

Oct 9th, 2008

I am in Philadelphia at the moment where in 2 days this nut job Sarah Palin will be on hand for the Flyers, NY Rangers game where she will attempt to drop the game opening puck. What a disgrace!!! A complete load of turd this is and the only thing somewhat exciting about it will be the crowd response.

Oct 10th, 2008

Currently sitting in the back sit of this van while Ted is up front driving, and Scott is riding shotgun. A day off from driving-not by choice- which I am living it up. We have an Xbox here in the van soI did attempt to play some Pac-Man but ended up giving up quite quickly instead to surf the web-wireless in the van too- and pay attention to the news on the radio.

Two days ago we played the Black Cat in Washington DC which I have been to a handful of times and is a place I enjoy due to their Vegan Lasagna, Vegan Chocolate/ Peanut Butter Cake, and the Ginger Ale there. For this show I handed a guest list which included the fellows from Fugazi which was funny. Ted is old friends with all of them from his time in DC “back in the day” (haha) and from one of his prior bands Chisel touring with them. James’s brother in fact was the drummer of Fugazi who also produced the Pharmacists latest album “Living with the Living”. I am not someone who gets giddy around people in this little music thing because in fact this music is a small world so most of the time you cross paths with people/ bands that you personally like- and that have been inspirations/ influences. It happens and long story short it happens to those same people too. But yes it was cool that they came to the show and the band actually ended their set by covering an Ignition song “Kiwi Chant” with Alec Mackay doing his vocals. After Ted’s set I did go downstairs to grab some water and Ted introduced me to Ian and Guy-Fugazi who I had actually met years and years ago while helping a friend put on 4 of their shows in California.

The show in DC was also the Pharmacists show yet again. They played an amazing set once again and the fans agree as well from what I can tell by their reaction. Once they were done the temperature in the Black Cat actually seemed to drop and it turns out the reason why it did was because a lot of people left after the Pharmacists played which left Against Me! playing to a half full room.

Last night in Philly we were at the Electric Factory which is a huge room and again there weren’t that many people in it. I think the capacity of the Electrc Factory is around 1500 or so (I’d say) and there was probably 600-700 kids last night. We did get ourselves some Vegan Cheese Steaks from Govinda’s delivered which is always a must in Philly. With my order I added a slice of Pumpkin Cheese cake to enjoy the tastes of the fall/ festive season. My friend Jorge and his lady fried came out last night which is usually the case when I am in town so we had our usual “show hang” which consists of trying to talk over loud music in a venue the whole time while I am working. It sucks because I know some other people I knew wanted to come out and hang with me but our guest list last night was too big so it wasn’t possible. After the show Ted, Scott, and I drove to the Holiday Inn to lay our little heads while the other dudes went separate ways with their lady friends.

Whirly Ball #2

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:10:00 +0000

Oct 4th, 2008

Here at the House of Blues in Orlando, FL or shall I say Disney World Florida where outside the weather is hot, sticky and inside this very stale venue the air conditioning is on full blast and I am in a hoodie.

We arrived here in Orlando earlier this afternoon after a 2 hour drive from St. Petersburg, Florida where this tour played last night at a outdoor venue named Janis Landing. The drive today was definitely quick compared to the last couple of drives so we were all able to sleep in and take it easy this morning. Some went to Starbucks while I myself went to fill my little pot belly with a burrito from a independent burrito joint modeled after Chipotle-McDonalds burrito’s. An indy food joint mondeling themselves after a humungous chain.

Yesterdays show was definitely the best show thus far of the tour (3 days of it). Against Me is from Gainesville, Florida which was only about 2 hours away from St. Petersburg so the kids came out in full force. About 45 mins after doors opened I was wondering how well the show would do because the turn out was low indeed however through out the night things changed and the venue was absolutely packed with crazy Floridians.

The Pharmacists definitely put on a great show and there was one song where Ted actually didn’t play guitar and just went nuts on the mic which added to their intensity. Totally cool. I guess there was some issues with the kids get crushed up front due to boneheads in the crowd not respecting peoples spaces. I missed all of this and what was said but I know the band was definitely super bummed.

All in all though the show was Against Me’s.

I met a couple from Edmonton which was cool and they definitely got a kick out of me being from Grande Prairie and now here I am on tour in Florida. Most people who I come across at shows who are from random parts of Canada definitely get a kick out of me being from G. P. Also last night I was able to have my first Thai Red Curry Tofu dish of the tour which is always nice except I have had way better in other parts. Cant win them all.

So Ted Leo is currently playing here at HOB and the show just seems weird. So stagnant and stale. When it comes to this particular venue we are still 20 miles away from Orlando and in the middle of the whole Disney structure which is completely disgusting. No rock band let alone “punk” band should ever play such a place but when you are on someone else’s tour you have to kind of go with the flow and go where the tour takes you.

Oct 5th

Sitting here in our hotel room with Chris, James and myself watching Saturday Night Live. Ted was with us until about 2 mins again when he bailed to probably go too sleep however someone just knocked on the door. Who is it? Marty has just arrived from an adventure downstairs in the bar so I am sure there will be some stories.

On SNL this evening the musical guest is the Killers who I will say yet again I am definitely a fan of. I back the Killers and will always back them. Sorry ya’ll. What was cool though is once this came up Ted started talking about them and it turns out he backs them too!! Right on. The others I don’t think are too familiar with them yet however by the end of this tour they probably will be.

Something I heard a couple years ago was that when the singer of the Killers got married in Hawaii he flew their entire touring crew out for the wedding with days off. These things stoke me out because there are many o many of bands out there who would ever do things as such #1 because they can’t which is completely understandable but there are many bands that could and don’t. So when a band who can do something as such and actually does this rules for everyone involved.

So with this conversation Ted mentioned a story about Pearl Jam who they just toured with and how the band has an actual profit sharing system set up for their crew which is a cool thing to hear and I guess if you are with them for 6 years you get actual investments in their band/ project- I guess you would call this a collective of sorts…?? Rad

Oct 7, 2008

So I should first and foremost introduce the Pharmacists

Ted Leo, Chris, James, Marty, with Scott moving the dials on the sound board and myself doing some other tasks in between.

Currently we are in Greensboro, North Carolina where we arrived a couple hours ago after a 6 hour drive from Atlanta where we had spent the night after a day off yesterday. The drive was pretty much the same as any other drive although I do remember seeing and passing the most amount of police I have ever seen on the highways. In about 1 hour I swear I visibly saw at least 20 cop cars on the side of the freeway, in the middle median and others who had pulled over vehicles. I couldn’t believe my eyes. What a complete bum out. The police do more harm then good. When you are driving and come across a cop car people instantly hit their brakes and when a cop is hiding some people actually freak out on the highway. Not good for anyone behind the wheel of a moving machine. It turns out that this lady who I have been hearing so much about lately named Sarah Palin was giving a speech in these parts so now it makes sense although there always seems to be WAY TO MANY cops in these area’s. Not NEEDED!!!

So we played Gainesville 2 days ago which was nice because I have actually never been to a show there before which is hard to believe. It’s a place I have only stopped through to eat, and spend the night. My roommate Yannick and friend Phillipe actually flew down for the show to film the show, do interviews with fans, and catch some moments with Tom-Against Me! for video stuff with his new upcoming solo record. A small world eh?

The show in Gville was a benefit for Civic Media Center in the city which is a independent media outlet. The show was at the Common Grounds which I am very familiar with due to the stories from Gville and it was a nice little punk venue. The show was sold out which probably made for a good benefit for the CMC seeing how no one else took any $$....Hence the benefit.

Yesterday we had a day off so drove to Atlanta where we stayed with this nice fellow named Henry who was a friend of the bands. Henry does a zine named Chunklet which seems to be a pretty well known zine however it wa the 1st I heard of it..Hahaha. Henry was a good dude and had 2 crazy ass dogs. The dudes had also planned on doing something named Whirly Ball which I had no clue as to what it was. So after grabbing a bite in which I consumed a nice Black Bean Burger with a nice IPA beer we hopped in the van and drove a little north of Atlanta to the sight of this Whirly Ball.

So Whirly Ball in a game played in a big court with 10 (5 to a team) bumper cars. On each end of the court you have a goal elevated up near the roof (like basket ball) with a target on it. Each player is in a bumper car holding the steering of device of the car with 1 hand while the other hand is holding a sort of paddle, basket, scoop, catching device in which you use to pass, scoop and shoot a wiffle ball into the goal. Totally mind blowing I know but beyond fun. I sit here with a sore body and a mind full of good times. I played every game there was and actually did fairly well. It’s the hockey player in me.

Too Many Factors To Cover

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:33:00 +0000

Oct 1st, 2008-

I’m currently flying from Washington DC to Atlanta to join forces with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists who are supporting Against Me! on a 5 week tour across the troubled country known as the “United” States of America.

I have never met the Ted Leo folks before but know that they are good peeps and know that I will have fun. My good ol friend/ roommate from Richmond Mr. Nathan Plummer (comic genious folks!) has been touring with Ted Leo for the last couple of years and is responsible for this next adventure of mine. Nathan has decided to hit the books, dedicate himself more to school so he hooked me up with this tour which rules. Thanx bud! So I know due to Nathan, his vibes and the people he surrounds himself with I will be in good company.

Oct 2nd. 2008

So I sit here this evening in a bar named Stages in a city, town, weird beach community named Hilton Head, South Carolina which is located about 30 miles Northeast of Savannah, Georgia right on the coast.

Tonight is night #2 for myself on this tour and night #3 for the tour itself. On the TV screens at the bar in this venue are the Vice Presidential debates being played live. No clue what is being said, or for that matter what is even being asked but most likely nothing of any substance whatsoever. On the debate note Canada also tonight had it’s National debates which I missed and wont get to see. I have checked the Globe and Mail sight (not the best source whatsoever but I find myself checking this “news” source daily..weird) and you cant really tell anything from the article so I checked the “comments” section to read what the people are saying. Again doesn’t sound like anything of any substance whatsoever. We are in trouble people!!

Against Me! has just taken the stage and the kids are pumped as they were last night. I missed Against Me! in their “prime” which some would say was years ago however there are also a lot who would say their “prime” is now. I just know that I have heard many o many a stories about their shows “back in the day”. I know many personal friends of mine would tell me stories about when they went to see AM! and these stories always sounded so so amazing however it was something I missed and that’s how it is.
Currently they do have a good live show and I think that is a good thing when presenting live music to the fans. Are they relevant? Not sure. They are however very very sweet people which I have always thought and for that I respect them deeply.

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists on the other hand the last 2 nights have blown me away. This is the 3rd time I have ever seen them and it’s the raddest thing. Yes I think they are relevant very much so and YES I do think they have blown Against Me! away both nights. Again just a personal opinion. Against Me! dudes/ dudettes are some of the sweetest people out there and yes I do like them but I just feel that the Pharmacists have this tour in their hand and that’s a obviously a good thing. It was also pretty funny to watch them this evening while the debates were happening on every television screen in the house. No one cared whatsoever about the screens and people were just drawn into the music which is hard no to be with this band.

Thus far the shows have had a far different turn out then I expected. Tonights show is very ill attended as was last nights show and I am not sure why. I heard last night that the whole Atlanta/ Georgia area has a huge fuel crisis happening which I had no clue about. From what I was told you are only allowed 5 gallons of fuel at $5 a gallon and most gas stations are dry. Crazy!! Again We are in trouble!! It’s happening all around us. So that was definitely a factor last night in regards to the turn out and the reaction but as for tonight I am not sure. Yes we are in a place which seems very small and off the map but I still thought there would be a couple more people here this evening. However everyone is having fun as we all did last night and ultimately this is all the matters.!!

PROPAGANDHI- EUROPE 2008

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:43:00 +0000

Monday, July 28th, 2008

I am sitting here in pretty new airplane over the Atlantic Ocean heading to Frankfurt, Germany where I will meet up with the fellows in the rock group Propagandhi where we all will catch a flight to Helsinki, Finland too begin a Scandinavian/Belgium/German tour. The lighting in the vehicle is a very nice blue/ purple and the entertainment system is a touch screen state of the art system….I guess?

The last 2 months have been extremely go, go, go and I think it is slowly catching up to me. Unfortunately I can not sleep on flights so all my body will have to take this a little more until we finally arrive in Finland later today (or tomorrow shall I say).

In the past 2 months I did a 3 week Canadian tour with my friends in Strike Anywhere from Richmond, VA. I was home in Montreal for a couple days when I then I hitched a ride for 3 days to Philadelphia, PA with my friends The Loved Ones. I got to hang out with these fine folks and manage to watch Snoop Doggy Dog from side stage as well on this trip. Once in the US I headed to DC where I went camping in the Appalachians with my friend Helene before heading up to New Jersey to start the Warped Tour with the Bouncing Souls. The Souls and myself only did 8 shows on the summer circus which was quite enough for sure. The last 2 times doing this tour I have been on the whole thing which is a full 2 months of brutal work, and conditions and these 8 shows sometimes felt like it was 2 months.

Warped Tour is a extremely whack tour to begin with but this year was totally bonkers. You had huge pop-artists on this tour who had their own security guards and entourages with them at all time. You had one artist who would clear the womens bathroom before her set so she could do her make up. Bonkers!!! Out of about 100 bands I only liked 3 of them. The Bronx, Against Me!, and the wonderful and always amazing Bouncing Souls.
Thanx always!!!

Warped ended about 3 days ago when I then flew home for 12 hours to wash clothes, wash the parking lots out of my body, before driving to Toronto-yesterday- for a Propagandhi show before our actual adventures “over the pond”.

This next tour seems like it is going to be completely INSANE!! Places we are visiting on this run are Finland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, and Germany. I am pumped because it’s another visit to Scandinavia for me. A first to Norway!! Propagandhi hasn’t played Sweden in about 13 years from what Jord was saying last night and have never played Finland and possibly Norway either though I am not sure.

Last night’s show in Toronto was totally off the wall. It was a sold out show-1000 cap- at the Phoenix which is a bigger venue in the city. I knew the kids were going to loose their minds as they always do with this band from what I have seen from my last tour plus the few times I had seen them in the past. Since their touring is very seldom it makes for extremely special events and the whole thing is basically a spectacle of sorts.
This tour it seems is always going to be special because the set list from what I heard last night #1 RULED!!!! and #2 had about 4 new tight jams for everyone to take in. This is a band who takes their musicianship extremely extremely serious. Yes they do not tour that often- and who could blame them- so while at home they practice around 3-5 times a week, have been doing this for years and you can tell from their tunes (new and old). Practice makes perfect.

These days bands have the routine they stick too. Record a record, tour on this record for a good year and a half and then record another record, repeat repeat repeat until either everyone is burned out or the fans are over it. All good things come to an end always!!
There are some who can definitely pull it together and do this very very well but for the most part this isn’t the norm.

And then again on the other side of it you have bands who do not tour that much and don’t put out records that often and nowadays there shows aren’t what they used to be. So…..it just all depends… On what? I’m not sure.

WEDNESDAY- JULY 30, 2008- HELSINKI- FINLAND

So today I met Saku Koivu the captain of the one and only Montreal Canadiens!!!
Rad!!!

I went to the downstairs of our hotel to get a password for the internet and as I was walking inside the lobby I see Saku just sitting there. As soon as I saw him I knew it was him so I said “right on man!!. I’m from Montreal” and then we started talking for awhile about the Habs last year, how they are looking this year, who we may still get on our team and when training camp starts. He mentioned he was at the hotel because the Finnish National team was having a meeting. That means if this was the case tere was a lot more NHL players in the hotel but I didn’t see any of them. He asked what I was doing in Finland and I mentioned I was on tour with a band playing in town tonight and Turku tomorrow. It turns out his home town is Turk, Finland and he will be there tomorrow night. So he told me to put him on the guest list “plus a few guys” and he may show. YEEHAAW!!! After I mentioned I would put him on the list I asked for a signature and that was that.

I went up stairs and went straight to Chris and Beave’s room due to my giddiness and knowing they have the same giddiness. As soon as word came out that Koivu was in the building and the rest of the National team Chris seriously LEAPED out of bed and said “WHERE WHERE!!!? NO WAY!!!”
Classic!!!

Okay so we arrived in here in Helsinki yesterday afternoon after a long couple hours of plane rides and layovers. Flying into Helsinki ruled hard. I have been here once before but came by ferry which also rules but seeing the landscape, and the coast from the air is definitely amazing. Once we flew over Germany the flight path took us over the Baltic Sea towards the coast of I would say Eastern Sweden and then onto Finland. The coast of Finland is so absolutely beautiful with tons and tons of waterways, inlets with tons and tons of Islands everywhere. It’s really special. ITS FINLAND!!

We landed, gathered our gear and were picked up by a fellow named Janne who took us to the hotel. There wasn’t any sort of a border whatsoever which was funny to witness. We walked through 2 automatic doors to the main lobby of the airport and all joked “well that was the border”

Most of us were completely delirious with jet lag and exhaustion but all our stomachs were empty so after we dropped our bags off we headed our to a Nepalese restaurant to eat some pretty good food before heading back to the hotel to call it a night.

This morning I woke up from a knock from Chris who informed Todd and I that there was a really good breakfast downstairs that is worth checking out. I felt pretty weird-jet lag- but figured I needed to get up and get used to it. Walking into the banquet hall for breakfast was definitely interesting and crazy. Usually most hotels free breakfast are beyond basic and there is just a couple people eating. Well not here in Helsinki. The hall was filled with every seat taken-about 100 people id say- and there was about 4 buffet stations plus counters filled with stuff most of which non of us could eat but it was still amazing. There was tons and tons of fruit which we all piled onto our plates and a nice berry salad which was had native(Scandinavia) Lingonberries with strawberries.

After eating I went back up to my room where I did some yoga due to a sore back from the travels and exhaustion. I met up with Jord/ Sam where we cruised the streets of Helsinki, and ate before we had to head to the venue. I like Helsinki and I love Scandinavia!!. Always have. We stopped into a café and had ourselves and afternoon Finnish beer before heading back to the hotel.

Now I find myself at the venue where the doors are open and kids are filtering in.
Tonight’s show is going to rule hard as they all will. Propagandhi has never played in Finland before so it’s going to be a special night.

I must say their new songs completely destroy and I would say are the most technical to date which is insane too think about seeing how this band is already crazy technical.

Friday- August 1, 2008- in and airplane heading to Norway

Currently we are flying from Helsinki, Finland to Oslo, Norway where we then hop on another plane to Trondheim, Norway located on the west coast of Norway about half way up country. From there we will then hop in a van to drive 2 hours south for a fest this evening where we play at midnight. Other bands on this fest are bands such as Sons & Daughters/ Blondie/ and Lee Scratch Perry however due to our travels today and tomorrow I don’t think we will catch any of them which is fine. On our flight today is Blonde Redhead who are doing the same shows as us so we all talked in the security line about where we were heading, them, and about our shows.

We have played 2 shows (Helsinki, and Turku- Finland) so far on this adventure with more to come.
Helsinki’s show was at a venue named Tavastia’s Klubi which was around the corner from our hotel. A nice venue with a capacity of 450 or so I’d say. From what Barney said the venue had an incredible PA system which he was pumped on which ultimately pumps everyone up due to good sound. The show was sold out and was part of some festival however I am not sure of its name. This particular day there was 4 bands and 2 stages in the venue so while one band was playing downstairs a band would be setting up their stage upstairs and rotate like such. The show was sold out and the kids were pumped. It’s a lot of fun doing stage for this band and getting to see the show up close and the kids loosing their minds. The show went off without a hitch and everyone was content for their first show in Finland. After the show a couple of us joined Barney in his room for a coulple beers and laughs.

Yesterday Todd and I slept in right until check out so I am assuming that was the jet lag kicking in. We headed down stairs where Janne picked us up to drive to Turku, Finland the birthplace of Saku Koivu and Toskala (don’t know how to spell homeboys first name). On the drive we pulled over at a gas station to relief ourselves and they had vegan ice cream bars/ cones. RIGHT ON!! In the middle of Finland at some random gas station we could get a nice little treat on a nice sunny day.

We arrived in Turku where the venue manager greeted us and was a very nice fellow. The venue yesterday was also called Klubi and was the same situation as the night before with it being a festival with bands downstairs and upstairs. After we loaded in and soundchecked we all headed out to an Indian food joint to eat some dinner before the nights events. Some people went back to the hotel before heading to the venue for a quick nap while I cruised back to the venue to watch things go down. The band that played before us was a band named The Unseen who are from Boston and who I am somewhat familiar with. I have never ever heard them really but my friend Matt did play with them on a tour a couple years ago. They were nice dudes but not really my thing.

After they were done and the stage was clear we set up our gear and waited for the band downstairs to finish before we could start. The venue was packed with people waiting patiently for Propagandhi to take the stage. We used some of the backline that we brought with us from Helsinki and some of the backline that was at the venue.

I/ or non of us are fans of barricades at venues just due to them being pretty weird and “separating”. Last nights venue had a barricade however it wasn’t anything huge and was only about 1.5 ft from the stage plus was at peoples mid sections. I do think the show would have been the exact same vibe even if had the barricade not been in place and it definitely cut back on people getting on stage. When there are people jumping on stage from all directions sometimes it gets a little crazy.

Last nights show was a very hot show. The stage floor within the first couple songs become pretty damp/ slippery so much that Todd ditched his shoes/ socks and ended up putting towels under both feet to rock out. A sight too see! It looked as if he was mopping the stage floor. Later on in the set a beach ball came flying on the stage as one did in Helsinki however last night right after the ball an actual rubber raft came flying over the crowd and found its way on stage. A rubber dingy!!!! Funniest thing ever. So Chris hopped in it and played a song while standing inside this inflatable boat. Too funny. Towards the end of the set Beaves guitar started acting up so I ran over to try diagnose the problem the best I could. We couldn’t figure out the problem so we ditched all the patching and went straight into the amp which made things a little better but not how they should have been. Thankfully it was at the end of the set so nothing crucial was lost. After the show we checked things out and we are pretty sure it was the amp so fingers crossed.

We are now descending to Oslo, Norway!!! YEAH!!!

August 4, 2008- flying from Copenhagen, Denmark to Brussels, Belgium

The last couple of days have been pretty interesting with some crazy travels, 2 moose spottings in Norway and many sleepless hours. About 48 of no sleep at all. Fortunately yesterday was the first real day off of tour and today is a day off as well except for our flight from Denmark to Brussels.

We woke up in Finland a couple days ago around 9 AM to drive 2 hours from Turku to Helsinki to catch a 12:30 flight which took us from Finland, through Oslo, and then onto Trondheim, Norway which we arrived in the late afternoon. From there we jumped in a van and drove about 2 hours to Medal, Norway where we were playing a festival with Lee Scratch Perry, Blondie and some others.

When we arrived in Medal we went straight to the hotel due to the “hideous” travels ahead with no sleep in sight. The hotel in Medal was absolutely amazing. I’ll do my best to describe what I can. There were 3 different log cabins on the grounds which had probably 5 separate hotel rooms in them. Each cabin had grass, greenery, moss and even a tree growing on top and out of the roof. A very very outdoorsy feel it was. There was a huge herb garden on the ground’s which I think is used in the kitchen of the place. This hotel was literally in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the mountains. I think it was being used by the fest for all the bands. There was no time to sleep so wee killed a couple hours of rest by eating some pasta which the cook made for us, hanging outside trying out stilts that were there too be used, and playing badminton. The funniest thing ever was seeing Barney walk on these stilts while Chris and himself tried to have fight each other while on this wooden legs. The lady who ran the place was super nice and brought us out a huge bowl of strawberries and sugar while we waited to get picked up so we could head to the fest grounds.

A van arrived to pick us up and it had been decided to bring all our belongings with us because from the fest we would head straight to the airport instead of coming 30 mins back to the hotel which was in the opposite direction making. The drive then would be the 2 hours from Trondheim to Medal not 2.5 hours from out hotel. On the way back to the venue site Todd spotted 1 moose which I managed to catch after hearing “Moose!” and then within 5 mins I hear Todd again yell “Moose, Moose, Moose” and there was another wonderful beast of the north. In NORWAY non the less!!!

Once at the fest grounds we unloaded, and Barney and I headed to our stage to take a look at everything.

This fest was a first for Propagandhi. It is not too often where you will find these dudes playing an outdoor fest which has huge barricades which separate the crowd/ band and on a huge stage. But seeing how there was no corporate sponsors they had agreed to play such fest.
On this show we didn’t have any sort of a real set up or sound check. Once the band before was done we had 1 hour to set up our stage/ dial in everything/ and do a quick line change. All went smoothly and Propagandhi went on at midnight as soon as Lee Scratch Perry was done “jamming”. Kids were pumped but the energy was definitely separated due to the barricade however it made my job a lil easier at that moment due to no kids on the stage and seeing how tired I/ we were I was okay with it.

After the set which was good considering our tiredness and only a line check we waited until 2:30AM to get picked up and drive back to Trondheim where we had a 6 AM flight to Oslo, onto Stockholm and then hop in a van for 6 hours to drive to Lund, Sweden.
Pheeewwyy!! Crazy travels.

The trip from Medal to Trondheim was in this Ford van mini which only had room for 6 not 7 people which we are. So seeing how late/ or early it was and how completely insane we all felt with no sleep at that time I volunteered to sit on the floor so we could just get to the airport. This sucked big time and was definitely not comfortable but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. If it was more then 2 hours I probably would not have done this.

A couple days before these adventures took place the band had a meeting to decided quite what to do with all the travels. When the tour was first booked we had another fest in Sweden booked which got cancelled therefore this made all the travels completely crazy due to re-bookings of shows. The band voted for “hideous”.

We eventually arrived in Lund, Svergie (Sweden) around 6:30PM after being awake since 9AM the morning before.
The venue we played in Lund was a really nice place as they have all been but this particular show had only been booked a couple days before hand so we all knew the place wouldn’t be packed and considering everyone’s energy level I would say that it wasn’t a bad thing. We set up our stage, the band sound checked and then we were fed a nice home cooked vegan meal of chili, bread, and rice. It’s always a nice thing over here in Europe being cooked food with love from the kids at the venues.

The show in Lund turned out to be okay. My friend Robert made it out which was nice to see him and hang out. Robert and I toured together a couple years ago with the (I)NC. In fact on that tour years ago I went and bought Propagandhi’s latest album the day it came out and Robert and I one night listened to it in the back of the bus. Funny!
This show the band wasn’t stoked on their gear at all. I know Chris’s amp was just a total pile from what he was saying and he wasn’t able to get the right sound out of it from the first song. You could tell during the set that this all was an issue so with this plus the lack of sleep I know the band has had WAY WAY better shows. But again from being a fan I didn’t think the show was horrible at all and went off okay under all the strain/ stress.

After the show was done we all headed to the hotel where everyone was planning on having their first sleep in almost 2 days. I was on my 2nd wind as well as most others so Sam, Chris, Jord, Barney, and myself actually went out to some left wing bookstore which was having a “party” after the show. It wasn’t much of a party besides being a sausage party with about 15 dudes who some were pretty intense in your face type people. They did give us free beer so we hung out for awhile and just watched everything go down. It was definitely a little weird due to some of the people.

After hanging there for awhile we all cruised back to get that much needed sleep.

The next day which would have been yesterday we were supposed to have a show in Copenhagen, Denmark however that show was cancelled days ago so a group of kids somewhere else in Denmark were trying to put together a show. We ended up pulling the plug on this show because the promoters were not able to get us the right gear to pull off such a last minute show.
Jord on his drum set uses 3 rack toms plus a floor tom while Beave, and Chris have specific amps they like but still play on many others. For this show the promoters were only able to get a drum kit with 1 rack tom plus a floor tom. The dudes mentioned maybe they could play a “comedy” set however the type of songs these fellows play and the technicality of them there would be no way for Jord to pull this off. He mentioned he would not know how to play most songs with such a kit and therefore it wouldn’t even be funny so with that, plus our lack of sleep they decided to cancel the date that was already cancelled.

Canceling the show yesterday gave us 2 days off in a row- today being a travel day.

August 7, 2008- Bochum, Germany @ the Matrix

So we are on the last leg of the tour with 2 shows played and 3 more left. We were picked up at the airport by our driver/ now tour mate Thomas who is from the Czech Republic. We drove to Antwerp, Belgium where we had rooms booked for all of us for the next 2 nights. We got checked in and all went out too look for some food after a day of flying/ driving. The part of town we were staying in seemed like the suburbs and there was nothing at all to eat. Most of the gang settled for these vegie wraps from a donor place and I ended up searching out a falafel due to the vibe of the donor place which I wasn’t feeling. Turns out the donor place from what everyone said wasn’t that good however my falafel wasn’t super great either but I’m glad I made that choice.
After eating we all hung out on some patio and had beers in celebration of Barney’s 46 (I think..if not 45) birthday which was nice and fun. Our night was spent outside drinking Belgium beer’s in celebration of a good fellow’s day of birth.

The next day we had a show in Temse, Belgium which was about 25 mins away from our hotel. The venue was a sort of a community center and was really really nice as are most of the venues of this sort in these parts. This particular venue had a huge computer room (about 6 computers), a game room, hammocks everywhere outside, and a nice kitchen where we were cooked an incredible meal later in the evening of pastas, salads, garlic spreads, chili, and even desert after the show for Barney’s birthday….A vegan cake!!
Temse’s show was completely haywire. The kids lost their minds and their were bodies flying in every which direction on stage. It was nuts. I am still bruised and battered from the evenings events and my clothes are still damp. It was so hot I had to ditch everything but the shorts and shoes that night which is something I don’t do often if at all. Little me baring my hunk of a body. Aaahahahaha. Also for that nights show Chris had a bad cable which needed to be switched and Jord’s drums had to be taped down due to them moving. It is a very interesting thing being drenched, in a very humid venue, with dampness everywhere trying to tape things down in the middle of the set. Let’s just say under these circumstances nothing works. The band destroyed it this evening and the kids helped them out with their energy. It was funny after the show seeing the floor of the club covered in sweat, mud, and broken glasses/ bottles.

Yesterday we played in Trier, Germany which was quite different then the Belgium show. The venue (the Exhaus) was another sort of community center which was super nice and HUGE. However the crowd last night was super duper chilled out and not very energetic at all. As soon as the dudes walked on stage people just stood there and didn’t say a word. It was quite weird in fact. It made my night a little easier compared to the chaotic night before which was okay but I wouldn’t trade that in for anything. This band deserves and needs craziness every night to be honest. And last night due to their being none the show wasn’t what it should have been and you could tell even from the dudes set. Earlier in the day though it was quite fun due to a rad soccer game Chris, Barney, Thomas and I played (Chris and I on a team- we lost) inside the venue in the gym. Super hot work out but much fun. We had tried to go swimming at the pool across the street but they were closing when we arrived so we opted for a hot work out instead.

The GA's, TB, and the Souls

noreply@blogger.com (keebler) — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:24:00 +0000

May 7, 2008

I have been home for a couple days now after the 2nd run of the “An Evening With The Bouncing Souls” shows. This last run was only 1 week long and went by fairly quickly. I didn’t do any writing this run due to being fairly busy driving and working. Fargo to New Jersey with 1 week of shows means a lot of over night driving, and early mornings which means no time to write.

This second run was
The Gaslight Anthem
Tim Barry
The Bouncing Souls

I just read a review of the show we played in Brooklyn and it brought back the evening of memories so I have decided to write a lil something something.
The Souls I have said many many times and will say many more times straight up rule. They are straight up the best but I am also able to say this about a couple other bands that take me out on their adventures. This is about the Souls so that’s what I’ll concentrate on.

We all flew into Minneapolis to pick up the trucks and head to Fargo where we would play the first show of the run. This evening there was a big hockey game on between the Flyers and the Habs and everyone knew I was super pumped on this so once we got our luggage we hauled ass to Fargo to catch the last 2 periods of the game. No one else in the gang really cares about hockey but this evening they were all pumped to go out, drink, and watch the game with me…..Habs lost and ended up loosing the entire series….

The next day we played in Moorhead, MN at the University there. The show was held in a huge gymnasium that ended up having only about 400 kids in it I would say. Again we were in the middle of nowhere and college shows are always weird to begin with. There were seriously more cops at this show, and around the venue then I have seen in most major cities. Totally weird. This was the first time I had seen GA however it was also in a huge empty room so I didn’t give them my full attention because I knew there would be more shows, and a real show vibe.

The next day we played Minneapolis where Tim Barry was meeting up with us which we were all excited about. I was pumped due to him being a friend/ old neighbor from Richmond and getting to spend a lot of time with him on the road. Also I was looking forward to it for Tim because I knew this would be a good thing/ experience for him during these times/ emotions for him.

I wont go fully into because he actually reads these writings. About 2 months ago Tim found his best friend hanging from a tree. His name was Travis Connor and was also a friend of mine too from thee ol RVA. I had talked to Tim a couple times since our loss but very short emails wishing him well. After Travis’s passing Tim left Richmond to clear his head and cruised down to North Carolina where then his best friend there passed a couple weeks later while Tim was there. Emotions I don’t think many people will ever experience.
So hearing about this tour and knowing Tim was going to be with us really stoked me out because I knew it would be a good thing for him and all of us.

The show in Minneapolis was at the one and only Triple Rock Social Club which is run by the fellows in the almighty Dillinger Four. The Triple Rock rules the house in so many ways. A club run by punks, who have made it an amazing place for bands to play, and the kids to hang. Minneapolis is also amazing due to their food situation. Pizza Luce and the Triple Rock both have the most amazing food ever. Pizza Luce I usually get mock duck pasta with cheese bread and at the Triple Rock I always get their mock meat loaf, mashed potates and gravy. WHOA!!! A must for any visitor to the Twin Cities.
The show this evening was amazing as was expected and it was the first show for Tim on this tour. Right away you could tell he was super super nervous and he had even mentioned to me that “this was the most social I (he) had been in 2 months”. So this show was the ice breaker for him and he did well.
The GA’s also played an amazing set as they always did.

Next we head to Chicago, onto Pittsburgh, thru Brooklyn and finally ended in a parking lot at Giant Stadium for Bamboozle Fest.

Brooklyn was the raddest show ever as I knew it would be. We played a venue named Europa which is very very small place. The cap is 550 but it seems like only 250 people could fit in there. The load in sucks because its all upstairs and the stair case is super duper small so there was definitely a couple cases which were pretty rough to get up.

GA opened the show and played another great set.
Tim Barry played after them like he did every night and had a great set himself. Hearing kids singing along as loud as he was to his songs was great and always is not matter who is playing.
The Souls then came on to a very excited crowd. Kids were already loosing it for GA and TB and now the main event. Whoa!!! I sell merch for the Souls so every night I get too see and talk too wild and crazy kids who are beyond pumped. It’s super amazing because I am on the same page as them so know exactly what they are feeling. It’s such a treat to witness this every night and this night was exactly that. The Habs were playing a do or die game that night so I had my Habs shirt on and had people all night coming up to the table letting me know the score of the game which ruled. Habs lost but it didn’t impact my night whatsoever. The Souls destroyed the place and left smiles on all our faces.

0. Hopeless Romantic
0. Say Anything
0. That Song
0. Cracked
0. -----
0. Lean on Sheena (Avoid One Thing cover)
0. The Something Special
0. Kid
0. The Freaks, Nerds, & Romantics
0. ?
0. Headlights Ditch
0. -----
0. Joe Lies (When He Cries)
0. I Like Your Mom (downbeat version)
0. -----
0. Good Lookin' Out (Sick of It All ukelele cover)
0. -----
0. Hybrid Moments (Misfits ballad cover)
0. -----
0. Gone (mostly acoustic)
0. -----
0. Argyle
0. No Security
0. -----
0. East Coast Fuck You! (karaoke)
0. -----
0. The Ballad of Johnny X
0. -----
0. Midnight Mile
0. -----
0. Quick Check Girl (request)
0. Private Radio
0. Sing Along Forever
0. True Believers
0. -----
0. Encore:
0. Kids and Heroes
0. -----
Night on Earth (Greg's acoustic accompaniment)