We don't have too much of a problem doing our own sound when we are using our own gear. We do, however, have a problem with having to figure out someone else's system. This is the case here at Bud's. this is a pretty large place. far too big for the small p.a. system we have with us. No choice but to use some of the house gear. but there is no house sound tech. we are all growing tired of this. No one in the club knows where anything is or how it works. DAMMIT!! soundcheck goes way too long. From 6:30-9:30. Michael is throwing things around and cursing constantly. Chris is cutting up cables trying to Micky Mouse some kind of adapter that the bar should have in the first place. Where's Jai? Oh, he's under the stage trying to re-enforce the section under the drum kit so we don't lose Chris during our show! Did I mention it's a rickety, sectional piece of crap that they store outside? Exposed to rain/sun/snow.. Nice. Soundcheck finally complete, we have like an hour to check into the hotel, eat, re-string guitars, shower and relax. Right. Okay, so I'm whining a bit here, but Jesus, we're all working on like 3 hours sleep (again) and just finished a four hour drive from Elkford. Let's see how the show was...69 people present at the first set. Not bad for this tour. Holy Cow, they're under 45! Not intending to offend, it's just a surprise to be playing for people closer to our age. Once again, we are playing to a crowd that claps in the appropriate places! Thanks, we appreciate that. you can't jump around on the stage 'cause it's falling apart and bouncing up and down vibrates the reverb spring in our p.a. This makes a huge scary crash. Lame! Our friends from Fairmont came to see us play (Heather and Joe, thanks guys!) Our merchandise sales are really climbing! Probably 'cause we are all broke and we have to sell stuff to eat. Good incentive!! The second set, (always better 'cause everyone is pissed) is high energy madness. I didn't mention the Spinal Tap first setness. Jai, why don't you plug your bass in BEFORE the song starts. 10 seconds after he finally gets it plugged in, he breaks a string. Total bass playing in the first song- about 30 seconds.

This is the first night we get an encore-worthy crowd. they chanted and clapped for like 5 minutes. It was awesome! Michael was being so crazy at the end of the second encore, that he broke off a screw that holds his strap on to the base of his guitar. He was swinging his Les Paul around by it's strap, punching the poor thing and making horrible loud noises. Kerpow! One toss too many. He threw it onto the guitar stand, held the top of the neck and began kicking the strings. he maxed out the amp's volume and left it there screaming. Jerky! It was a great encore. I think Michael's at the hardware store right now trying to fix it. Good luck, man! We hung out at the bar with the staff, Heather and Joe 'till like 4 am. Might as well, we can never fall asleep 'till dawn anyway. Couple more nights to go. We're pretty homesick. We miss you Victoria!