by hapago

Well folks, here CHAKACON and I sit, headed back to Nashville after a crazed weekend out in the Mojave Desert. It was an extremely packed weekend, and I’m glad to be driving home now. Currently writing this thirty miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. We’re shooting for Little Rock tonight and then driving the rest of the way back tomorrow, to pull up in time for BRYAN’s birthday bash and to see the one and only THREE STACKS at the BLUE ROOM–more on that later!

The drive out to Phoenix was great! We stopped off at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo and went to STINKWEEDS RECORDS once we got to Phoenix. Stinkweeds is a sick ass record store with a long and crazy history, I started reading about it in their 35-year anniversary zine earlier today. Next time you are in Phoenix, hit up Stinkweeds for all your music and go to TACOS SAHUARO on N 32nd Street, their pastor tacos were off the fucking rails.

After kicking it all day in Phoenix, the rest of the band landed and Chakacon and I went to pick them up, we all went to grab some food and shoot some puppet footage in the mountains, and then headed over to the show. We got to LUCKY SPARROW TATTOO and instantly it was one of the sickest spots I’ve played at. People ranging 4 years old to 400 years old showed up to the backyard of Lucky Sparrow to see five bands play in the heat of Phoenix, Arizona. SRP, GARNAK, SPUTNIK, and THE ERASED all crushed–it was my first time hearing these bands, they blew my mind to smithereens. Thanks to everyone who made this insanely last second show happen, shoutout DELIVANCRYBABY and LUCKY SPARROW TATTOO, thanks so much y’all.

After the show we said our g’byes and see-you-laters and headed up towards LAS VEGAS. We stayed in KINGMAN, a bit south of the casino hellscape, and woke up the next day and drove the rest. We stopped off at the HOOVER DAM, where Blair says that there are workers buried in the structure, but I’m not sure if I buy that.. can someone fact check this and let me know? twisttopmag@gmail.com

We got to the festival we were playing–PUNK ROCK BOWLING–and set up merch and gear and all that jazz. Now listen, it was hot as FUCK. By this point I was 99% water and was feelin’ alright. It wasn’t til later when shit hit the fan and also vomit in the trash can. After kicking it with DESTROY BOYS and DIE SPITZ for a bit, we had to go and set up and play some ROCK MUSIC.

We set up on stage and began the set, and it was nice to see so many familiar faces in the crowd–this was one of the bigger shows we’ve played, and it was nerve-racking! I looked up and saw BAMA JAY, DEVO OBSESSO, CITRUS, and other friends out there, which made it a lot more fun (and easier on the nerves!). The set went well I think! Most sets I just kind of black out and only focus on Cam and my breathing. My glasses slid off my face at some point as well as five thousands gallons of sweat, so I couldn’t tell what was happening three feet in front of me and beyond. Still! It was really really fun.

After ripping through the set, I hopped off stage and drank some water, changed real fast, and went and sold merch alongside the hero of our times BAMA JAY.

After a lull in merch, I went back to grab some food and passed right by DEVO and went :-0 ! ! ! ! ! I saw them play a few weeks ago at the MOTHER CHURCH back home, and it was a perfect set–they sound amazing and it’s a completely captivating performance. The entirety of the crowd had their ENERGY DOMES atop their head, it was truly one gigantic SPUDFEST.

After hanging out and selling some more merch, we went and saw THE CHATS play–I’ve been a fan of their’s ever since I heard the international smash hit “SMOKO,” and I was really stoked to see them. They sounded really tight, really loud, and damn watching EAMON play bass inspired me to play faster. Had to split out though to go get in line for DEVO.

I made my way up to the top deck of this weird bar/fake grass haven and watched them play to the entire fest, but I started feeling super dehydrated and had to bail during “GO UNDER”, which is only the third song!! Man I was bummed. I went back to the green room and fell asleep, and then made my way back to the hotel to take a cold shower and go to bed. Thanks Cam for getting me back okay and helping navigate the confusing, terrifying world of casino hotels.

Anyways, woke up the next day and felt ten times better. We went and played a pool party on top of a hotel? Still feeling like “how the hell..?” but it was a lot of fun. I accidentally spent $38 on a souvenir cup that had three daiquiris in it! We met THE PINKY RINGS from AUSTIN, TEXAS and hung out with them for a bit, but alas, the inevitable set in: the drive home ! ! !

The band loaded up the van, and CHAKACON and I said our g’byes and split outta town, just to turn around and get the aforementioned G.O.A.T. his left-behind-and-forgotten-about bag (love u cammy!) We looked the 25 hour drive in the face and said “bet”.

Now we’re just outside Albuquerque and trying to get home by tomorrow. It’s about to be a big ass week–a week from today the band heads to EUROPE for our first tour over there! If you have any recos/advice/statements/concerns/truths about Europe, what it’s like to tour, hit me up!