chrisg's Tour Diary

After a day off in Wrexham, Wales, where we successfully answered more than half of the questions correctly at a pub quiz, we made our way to Manchester for a show. On the way, we stopped into Chester to get some breakfast and check email. Chester is an old town founded by the Romans, and it has this big ancient wall that I told was meant to keep the welsh out of england. There are lots of tudor buildings in the town center, or centre as they call it here. Our tour van is much taller this year than the one we used last year, which has been a very limiting in terms of finding places to park. We circle around town until we found a lot next to this store called Iceland. As the name might suggest, they sell frozen food. In order to get an hour's free parking, we were required to purchase 5 pounds worth of stuff, so we loaded up on water and chewing gum. Once caffeine was fully coarsing through our systems, we headed off to Manchester.

Our venue for the night was called the Night and Day. It's in a neat area of downtown Manchester that's filled with record shops and vintage clothes. And cheap indian food, to which we are guided by our friend Mike and his friend Tara. The club itself is really nice, with a good sound system and nice sound guys. I, of course, proceed to immediately make a fool out of myself by letting a pint glass fall off my table and shatter, which the deathrock bartendress begrudgingly sweeps up.

The bill for the night has expanded to five bands, which is crazy for a Monday. At the last minute, we are also made the headlining act, but since we are borrowing equipment there is little room to argue. At least the last slot in Britain starts at 11:30, not 1am.

The guitarist from another band Laeka, whose guitar amp Dan borrows for soundcheck, leaves early, but luckily Dan is able to get an amp from the band before us Reemer. We have everything almost ready to go on stage, and then the bassist from Laeka, whose amp I was borrowing, says he has to leave. Great. Thankfully, Reemer comes through with that as well (thanks, reemer!).

Set-wise, we played a short but great set. I think we finally reached "tour lock-in" tonight, meaning that the songs have all tightened up and there are no surprises. That's one of the best parts of tour, I think. It's like forced practice for three weeks, which definitely has its benefits.

At the end of the show, I'm surprised by a visit from a friend that I haven't seen in years. Marie visited Berkeley once to see my friend Holly, who had spent the previous year in York, and introduced me to the English wonder the "chip buddy". I sit with her and her husband, talking about music stuff and catching up until we have to go. Didn't get a chance to eat a chip buddy, but hopefully will be able to find one when we come back through town.