Los Angeles Saturday 22 April 2006

"TV Party" this afternoon. We are at the recording studio of some ex-stone temple helmet to play 2 songs for the Henry Rollins TV Show! Bored! Could have had a nice day in Hollywood, instead of in the dark confines of a warehouse. Hank is excited though....he especially flew back from New York this morning to meet his favourite band.

Eugene, Oregon.....friends, that is a weird town, filled with weird people. Crack addicts mingled freely outside the venue with the punks and deadheads. Inside, it felt like a meeting of the local youth club with the Betty Ford Clinic. Kids pogoed at the front, and the Vietnam Vet acid heads did their weird 1960s trippy, zoned out cosmic shakes. The town is kinda detached from civilisation....not near enough Portland or Seattle to pick up their cool vibe; just stuck in that weird Pacific Northwest belt.....a perfect place for cool bands to come out of. Think "The Thrones" from Olympia, "Nirvana" from washington, "The Melvins" etc etc. Dino easily played the worst set of the tour....Patrick was a wee bit sauced. Top entertainment for those watching though. The end of the tour is nigh.

San Francisco...2 nights at the American Music hall. Lovely....get to sleep in a bed in a hotel! And not on the bus! The Phoenix Hotel is where the Sex Pistols stayed after their last ever show....ever get the feeling you been cheated...and all that. "Comets On Fire" are openers and they are fantastic. Cycled through San Francisco, and hit Haight-Ashbury where I ended up at Amoeba records!!!! Oh dear! 2 hours later, and the wallet feels a wee bit empty.

Los Angeles....2 nights at the Troubador. Rock central. Totally sold out. The stars were out last night....apparently. I only recognized the drummer from The Shite Wipes (...White Stripes). I couldn't tell a top actor from the valet at the car park. Some hoary old rocker introduced the band last night.....he just rambled on and on. Who the hell was he? Get off ya old fart! Met many old friends....I love the fact I get the chance to meet up with them by travelling to their neck of the woods. Tonight is the last show. Tomorrow home. I can't wait.

I must make special mention of the football team I coach when I am at home....Saenden C1.They won their last game of the season today and became champions for the first time. I am so pissed off I missed out on the celebrations today. But Yoke and Arun were present for me and Arun handed them the cup and flowers. Well done boys....I am so proud of you! (www.saenden.nl)