Road Weary Yet Bringing It On

Oh my, we are all so tired- this tour has been our longest yet, and for the first time ever I can say, wow, actually a bit too long! Not that we’re not having a great time- we are- and in fact, nearly every place we’ve been playing on this tour, especially here in Germany, has been incredible! In Belgium and Holland it was great to see old friends everywhere, and here in Germany we’re making new friends, and meeting some truly cool folks. Yet I have to say, at 3 o’clock in the morning, and after a month away from home, that I am beat!

We played a wonderful little restaurant/bar in Hamburg a few nights ago called BeLaMi, and had a swinging time. Then last night, we played again in Hamburg, in a different neighborhood, at a fantastic venue called Music Star, where they filmed us for local TV. We all looked like rock stars, so well lit! and the sound, thr crowd, everything was truly kickin’. We’ve already been invited back to play their yearly summer festival in June of 2011. Wolfgang and I shook on it even, with witnesses!

And tonight, we played an incredible old seafaring type bar- based on the shipping in Hamburg, but the bar is actually in Dresden- called Rosis Umusierlokal. What a GREAT place! The owner is a good man- the type of person you hope to meet in this world when on the road- and his staff is excellent. They fed us well- I send out a big ‘Hell Yeah!’ for schnitzel- and really put on a great party/show/event. The bar reminds me of places I’ve been in Alaska- especially the Alaskan Bar in Juneau- same wallpaper, same seafaring everything, same feel. Markus, you have a great thing going there, and we look forward to coming back and doing it again for a hell of a lot more folks- let’s put our heads together and make that happen, new friend and all.

Well, we’re down to 4 more shows, then home… I can hear the kitties now, can taste the al pastor, can feeeel my bed. But until then, we play three sets in Witten at the Hapa Haole tomorrow, three sets in Solingen at the Cobra Canteen, and then a night of revelry at the Rattlesnake Saloon in Munich with friends Lazy Boys from Dresden. We’re gonna have some fun there!! And last but certainly not least, we close out our tour with the Walldorf Weekender, playing with many notables- how exciting! Jorge and I send huge thanks to Andi Widder for helping us set all this up. And a large hug to Wolfgang for already offering to bring us back next year. And… Gert for yet another super tour and a safe landing with Surfing Airlines once again. We love you guys!

Last thing to report- at our pit stop for lunch en route to Dresden today, the boys dined at the American Embassy (Mikky D’s) and on our way past the exit, there were two young gents in full Bavarian gear hitchhiking somewhere… we couldn’t stop to find out what the heck that was all about. Now the boys are thoroughly enjoying being vetted by the locals, Adam can’t reach the bottom of his glass before it is refilled. Should be an interesting drive tomorrow!

Off to bed, to sleep with my honey. We’re so tired we’re even growling at each other but we know it’s episodic and tour-related. And even there, we learn as we go.

So here’s to having a better time than I expected in Germany- I’m so happy about that- and to hitting it Austin-style our last 4 nights here! Oh and Rosie, have a great tour in the Sprinter- you need a van like that! Until the next time all, you know what to do- bring it on!! RD