Sleepless Nights

As it got closer to the end of tour I was no more ready to go home than I was during the previous months. It is for that reason, I'm convinced that the series of events during my last 2 days overseas was the universe' way of mentally preparing me for retreating to the US. Normally, at the end of a tour we depart wherever we are as soon as possible. Often this means flying on no sleep and parting ways in a whirlwind so fast that I don't feel like I got to say a proper goodbye to my road family. Last year after playing Hellfest I extended my stay in France a couple days. It worked out so well that I planned ahead to stay in the UK an extra day. I would stay at Bloodstock, have one last hurrah watching 3 Inches of Blood and Lamb of God, then head back to Philadelphia. Or so I thought…

For starters, our hotel was about an hour away from the festival. Not only that, it was an hour away from Birmingham Airport, in the opposite direction. Normally there are shuttles providing transport between festival sites, hotels and airports and it isn't too difficult to hop a ride with another band. But because Bloodstock is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, this was not the case. I reached out to friends playing on Saturday and to the festival organizers for help, but after several days of trying to find a way to get around, it was becoming apparent that I was not going to be able to attend the fest on Saturday and be able to make it to the airport early Sunday morning.

Admitting defeat, I hit the production office so I could get online and look for a place to stay one last night in Birmingham. I found a few spots but had to pack up and get ready for the show before I had time to book a room. I met some cool peeps at this show, unfortunately missed seeing some other friends, and was reunited with the Bloodbound boys. I opted to stay on the bus that night so I could have some extra time to hang out and get some time in with the crew. That backfired on me tho as I was running around until after the crew was asleep, and the snores made it impossible for me to get any zzz's! Ok, my anxiety of not having all my plans finalized may have been cause for some trouble sleeping as well ;)

After a sleepless night we drove to the hotel to pick up the others and say our goodbyes. I had 2 hours to book a room in Birmingham and get some sleep before catching a cab to the train station… so of course I couldn't get online. One hour later, after 3 trips to the lobby, I finally had a room reserved for that night. Determined to get a little rest I plopped into bed - only to be disturbed by a knock on the door not once, but twice during my 60 minute window. So much for sleep!

It was time to jump in a cab and catch the train to Birmingham. At this point I was traveling with all my luggage - 3 months of personal items and all my stage gear adds up to a lot of lugging! I spent half the ride listening to a group of loud English boys boasting about their various drunken adventures - something about hearing this conversation in an English accent just seemed so cliché. The train let me out at the airport and I grabbed just enough cash to get me to the hotel and back, and a little something to eat. I based the amount of course on the fact that booking.com told me the hotel was 3.7 miles from the airport. All I wanted after all was an inexpensive place to stay where I could shower, re-pack my bags and get some sleep, while being as close to the airport as possible.

So that plan was foiled when I was in the taxi and it kept driving and driving. Turned out the hotel was actually 10 miles away and therefor the fare ate up all the money I had just taken out. I entered the lodge and was quickly confused by the lack of a front desk. After poking around I managed to find a guy behind the bar. He gave my my key, remote, and then restarted the internet for me after I checked in and found it not working. After a while I decided to take a walk to a supermarket where I could get some food and take out more cash for the morning cab ride. This of course annoyed me because I was not only spending more money on cabs than I expected but because I was now doubling up on ATM fees (if only their taxis took credit cards!).

After walking back to the hotel I began re-packing and checked my email. I found a note from the airline saying my flight was overbooked. At this point I was set to head home but knowing that people often get compensated very well when this happens, I opened up Skype and gave them a call. They offered me a $600 voucher in exchange for flying the next day on an indirect flight. They would not provide a hotel so I said I'd think about it and call them back. Either way, I was flying to Germany first so I started to look for a place to spend the night in Frankfurt… then the internet went out.

I returned to packing hoping that it would come back up soon. It was at this point I realized that the cash I got on my supermarket walk was gone. Nowhere to be found, must have fallen out of my pocket. Now I was pissed. Between the cab fares and loosing money, I could have stayed at a much nicer place next to the airport. Eventually I headed to the bar to see if someone could do something about the wifi.

So apparently, this place is all the rage on a Saturday night. There was a cover band playing terrible music at a deafening level. Seriously? I just got done touring with a heavy metal band and THIS is killing my ears?? I exchanged screams with the bartender and figured I better ask him now to schedule 6:30 am cab for me. He preferred to just give me the number. Um, no. I explained that I actually needed him to call because I could only use my computer to do so and the internet was down!

I was now stewing back in my room. All I wanted to do was get some sleep but I still needed to figure out what was happening with my flight and where I could stay. This place was now not cheap, close to the airport, or allowing me to get the rest I wanted. I needed to get online to sort out my trip and check into my flight. After several trips to the bar I grabbed my computer to sit in there, holding my ears, to attempt to get some wifi. It took a while, but eventually I was able to get some stuff done, but there was no way I could call the airline back with all the noise. I would just have to talk to them when I got to the airport.

So morning came and I gathered my things and went to check out. I should have known that would be too easy… There was a door between the rooms and the bar, and it was locked. How the hell do I even get out of the building??!! After some investigating I found a door to a deck area and made it to the outside that way. Of course, there I waited and just as I feared, no cab showed up. GGGGRRRRRR!!!! I banged on the door but no one answered. My only hope was to wander the halls with my computer and try skyping the hotel. Whew! Someone picked up and after getting cut off 4 or 5 times I managed to get across "I need a taxi!".

After stopping at yet another ATM, I reached the airport where they told me I had a seat all the way to Philadelphia. I didn't trust it was true since I had to switch planes in Germany and my second flight was with another airline - the one who said it was overbooked. I also hoped it wasn't true cause at this point I wanted the voucher. In the end I did fly all the way home, only after running thru Frankfurt to catch my connection which was already boarding before I stepped off the first plane. 

I was done for when I reached PHL. I had been trying to get a message to my bat girl Susanna during my travels but had no idea if any of them went thru. All I had to call with was the last bit of a pre-paid Dutch sim card. Thankfully, I made the call and had just enough credit to let her know "I'm here!" before getting cut off. The last thing I felt like was one more cab ride, and 20 minutes later, I could't have been happier to see a friendly face :)

So that is how I ended tho tour. I was going to spare you all the details but a lot of people asked me what went wrong in the UK. My 3 months is Europe were awesome. I worked with amazing people and was thrilled with my solo excursions. Now it's back to life in Philly. This is the first time I am returning from tour and not going back to my old job. I'm returning with a new outlook and a new venture into freelance design. I'm anxious to get into the studio and work on my own artwork, and of course see all the peeps I've been missing!

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I'm realizing I barely took any pictures of my 

peeps on the road :( so here is a ad one, of a 

good guy - Matt Thompson!

Bloodstock set us up in a hotel that used 
to be a church.

The queen may have slept here, but I didn't!

A blurry shot of Henrik and Patrik of Bloodbound.

Sébastien Blaize - guitars, drums, and microwaves!

Birmingham's Best

When my off time in Amsterdam was over I met up with the crew and shuttled off to Tilburg to play the 013. We've played there twice before but the town looked much different from what I remembered. Apparently it wasn't just me - there is a new area right around the club full of bars and restaurants.  Its a cool spot to grab some dinner, go see a show, and continue the party afterward. We were all rejuvenated after the break and glad to be playing again. I tend to like the club shows better. Each one is different but there is just something about the energy a crowd brings when they are crammed inside to see you. So that day I woke up, took in a run, saw some familiar faces at our meet-n-greet, had a blast playing the show, then hung with the guys and friends for one of the last party nights of the tour. All in all, a great day!

After Tilburg there was just one more stop - Bloodstock in the UK. The day before the show was ours to spend in Birmingham. I'd never been there before so you know I was eager to check it out. I stopped in Brew Dog Brewery's bar - I've seen a couple of their beers in Philly and I am a fan of their graphic design. *Design nerd alert!* What can I say? I've seen their IPAs in my home town, but I that's too much hops for me. In this case it's the label I love! I did enjoy trying the "Fake Lager" tho :)

Matt suggested we leave there and go around the corner to a "proper pub". We stepped into The Crown. It did indeed have the feel of a true English pub. Nothing special - a few locals, a friendly bartender, and decent priced pints… That is, until Matt struck up conversation with the barmaid who assumed we were there because we heard it was were Ozzy played his first show.

WHAT??!! We had no idea! The GM took us upstairs to see where it all happened (only after promising to be careful and not sue if anything happened, we are American after all). The old room was completely run down. Nothing had happened up there for years, except some duct work installation for the heat on the lower lever. A thick layer of dust covered the broken floor boards and tables strewn about. It was pretty much the coolest thing ever. Old gig posters are still on the walls, and the small stage intact. The manager was ashamed that nothing had been done to preserve the place. Matt kept telling him they should fix it up as a tribute and collect the tourist dollars. They probably should - but I am so grateful I got to see it before that ever happens. What a totally random, incredible treat!

Back at the hotel we were joined by Brian Slagel, CEO of Metal Blade Records and all around nice guy. We excitedly talked about future plans for the band and bussed away from Birmingham amped up for the last show of the tour.

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Not the craziest building in Birmingham, 

but pretty unique indeed.

View of the stage, now obstructed by some pesky ducts.

We were officially on an Ozzy kick - 

had to go find the star next.

Will Work for Metal

When doing graphic design work, it's always a treat when I get a project that I especially enjoy. I recently spoke with guitarist Bob Ballinger about creating a new logo for his band Power Theory. The band has been going through some changes and it was the perfect time to improve the look as well. The timing was great for me too. Being surrounded by metal bands provides the perfect atmosphere for creating a new metal design. Now that the logo is done I'm looking forward to getting back home and meeting Bob face to face! Check them out online for tour dates as well as new album news coming soon.

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Power Theory

Power Theory on Facebook

Hang Time in Amsterdam

After Metal Days we had some time before we were due to play Tilburg so I took one last opportunity to do some traveling on my own. I had only been to Amsterdam once for an evening so it immediately popped into mind as a place to spend some time. I used couchsurfing.com to find a place to stay my first few nights. My host wound up being an awesome, really interesting guy named Cleverson. This Brazilian born, 9 year Amsterdam resident looks like a pretty extreme guy. Big, muscular build, waist-long dreds, stretched ears, and tattoos on his face… this look doesn't phase me but it makes me laugh to think that many people would be suspicious of a man with his appearance. Meanwhile, this animal-loving vegetarian, doesn't drink, smoke, do any drugs, keeps a tidy apartment, and was in the midst of purchasing some investment real estate while I was there. I can't help but love when people squash stereotypes. Cleverson was a generous host and great company, telling me his tales of world travel. His roommate Bruno was also very nice, but the real treat was getting to hang with his Rottweiler, Jimmy :)

3 days in, I left West Amsterdam and headed to my next residence up north by the docks. Amsterdam is a busy city and Gay Pride was bringing even more people into town, so I found my second place to stay through airbnb.com. This place had a very different atmosphere - a modern apartment in a very quiet neighborhood. My host Ken was also a friendly guy who worked from home helping companies out with their branding and collateral. From this location I could easily hop the tram downtown, and even better, borrow a bike and cruise around the city. I visited the Rijks Museum, and while there was a slew of super impressive work, looking at all the classical artwork reminded me that I'm really more interested in contemporary art. Unfortunately I never made it to the Stedelijk Museum, but I did wander into quite a few galleries and saw some really cool work along the way.

One thing I did not expect to do during my visit was go to the beach. There was one exceptionally hot day while I was at Ken's, and lucky for me, a Bjilburg Beach was just a tram ride away. It was no Catalunya, but it was pretty cool to find a spot so close to the city to enjoy the water. It was really more of a lake, and the water only got about 2 feet deep, but it was a beach! People came from all over to claim their spot on the sand - even tho it was a bit like dirt. It made me smile when I imagined the same place but in Philly - tattoos and PBRs as far as the eye could see - and I'd probably be having an awesome time there with my friends :)

The best part of going to Amsterdam tho was reconnecting with an old friend. David German, "the Knife", now "the Germ" played drums for Shadows Fall back in 2000 when they supported King Diamond on the US House of God tour. It's been 12 years since I last saw Dave when I went to Brooklyn to watch his final show with the Shads. Through the wonders of Facebook, I found him last year living in Amsterdam, married to a lovely lady named Lana and playing in a punk/reggee band, Jaya the Cat. After all this time it was SO great to be reminded why it was so much fun touring together years ago - I forgot how funny that fool is! I had a blast getting reacquainted, hanging with his better half, and tearing up Amsterdam with the Jaya guys. Can't wait to see you again!

My favorite section of the Rijks Museum was the 
Asian Collection

Random Amsterdam park alligators!

I was super lucky to spend a night cruising the canals 
with Amsterdam friends!

Shore decor is a bit different here than in Jersey!

Sun!