Birthday Suits of Minneapolis/St. Paul are touring this great land. They are writing a pretty great tour diary which will be available here as they go along.. Days 1-3 are below their itinerary.. If you haven’t heard them they are a drums and guitar duo who play real fast and real loud. (Mp3 available below)
Day 1
We were driving on I-39 and just passed Normal/Bloomington, IL where FHtB grow up. We were on the way to St. Louis for our first show of this tour. We decided to stop and get gas just outside of Normal/Bloomington. WGF was driving and somehow he picked this small and old gas station called Fast Stop. I myself like America big truck gas stations such as TA, Flying J, Pilot, and Love. I didn’t know what WGF was thinking. I’m pretty sure he didn’t know what he was thinking either. I told myself, it’s a okay. I should be Go Green, Support Local, Support Independent Stores, and Eat Pigs type a guy.
Their gas pump didn’t have a pay outside credit card thing. Somehow, premium unleaded was cheaper than regular unleaded. I got premium gas and went to inside. They didn’t have much drink selection. I got a cup of coffee who knows how long it has been sitting there. Again, I didn’t have much choice. When I was about to pay, this old lady front of me was buying a lottery ticket. I just remembered that it’s always someone from small towns win. I got one too and started to think about what kind of car I would get if I win.
I’m very responsible guy and went a restroom before we left. It always sucks on the tour when you have 6 hours drive day and someone in a band have to go to pee an hour later stopping a gas station. Their restroom was a really tiny and narrow. They had a sink, pee toilet in middle, then poop toilet on the end. I peed and turned around. I hit my shoulder on a paper towel box. The room was that small. I washed my hand and got paper towel from the box attacked me earlier. They had a trash box right front of poop toilet. It was very classic bathroom and the poop toilet didn’t have a door. I made sure there was no one using it and something caught my eye. It was a big brown poop floating in the toilet water.
Before this incident if someone mentions Normal/Bloomington, I would say that’s where FHtB is from. Now I’d say “Oh the big brown poop.” I thank WGF for picking this gas station.
Day 2
“Hey…. Ummm… Do you mind if we stop at next exit? I really have to pee.” I told WGF it was fine but I wasn’t really fine. We just stopped a gas station about 45 minutes ago. I was thinking how can I kill this guy? Then I saw a sign saying “Stop Killing, My Children, Stop Abortion.” It had Jesus picture in middle. It was WGF’s lucky day. He was saved by Jesus, no killing today. But “My Children”? I wonder how many children he has. He must love making babies.
When we got at the venue in Memphis, we found out Reatards, Cheap Time, and two other bands were playing across the street. When we finished load in, two of the Reatards came in, Ryan and Jay. We’ve known Ryan for while and went to say hi. We introduced and said hi to Jay too. He said “we’ve met before, I think it was in Dallas.” I was a little surprised. He was actually nice to us. I was even more surprised he remembered about Dallas.
About 7 or so years ago, Sweet J.A.P. played w/ Riverboat Gamblers, and Jay’s old band Lost Sounds. I clearly remember this cause Lost Sounds was my top 5 they’re dicks and I don’t wanna play w/ them never again list since then. They were big babies and had really bad rock star attitude. We all played next day in Austin and they were acting like they’ve never met us before. After that I’ve never bought Lost Sounds records.
A few years later, B.S. played with Alicja’s new band River City Tanlines who was also in Lost Sounds. I changed my mind a little. She was really nice and we’ve liked her since. Still I wasn’t for Jay. When Jay Reatards record came out, everyone told me how great it was but I didn’t care. I avoided for a while but I finally got a copy. I didn’t wanna admit but I liked it a lot. Now I’ve met him again and he was really cool guy. I might have to change my opinion about him.We played w/ Alicja’s other band, Mouth Rocket. They were really good. She told me they don’t play that often. If you have a chance to see them, I highly recommend or get their LP.
Day 3
Today was the first show playing with Peelander-Z. We were planning our own tour then we found out Peelander-Z was touring in the same route at the same time. We decided to meet them in New Orleans and tour together. We’ve played with them many times and we are like a family.
We’ve played in New Orleans once before. The venue was a bit out of the main part of the City. We came here with another Japanese band, Gito Gito Hustler. We stayed at their Japanese friends place and had Japanese meal they made for us.
This time, the venue One Eyed Jacks was in French Quarter. All their employs were super nice and super smiley. It was a bit odd but for sure it was one of the nicest venue stuff we’ve met. They had the happiest sound guy ever too.
For dinner, we had Jambalaya. After loaded in, I walked around a little with Peelander Yellow. I finally got to see the New Orleans you would see on the TV and/or pictures.
Birthday Suits – It’s About Time (mp3 courtesy of weekly mixtape)
