The Land of Milk and Honey....

...... apparently does not have much access to the internet, or cellphone service, but I can't say that I am complaining about that. With out delving into the pages of minutia that has transpired over the last few days i will illustrate the high points.

It was a long drive through rural Colorado out of Keystone, there was no highway to get us from there to Jackson, WY. The gig the night before was off the friggen hook, the little place was shakin and we played till they pulled the plug. Even then they did it regretfully. We packed up slowly and beat our way to the upstairs apartment. The next night 500 miles later in Jackson started slow. The place is a restaruant at the base of the Snow King ski area right in downtown Jacksonby 6pm it was filled with typical pastel shirt restaurant goers. We ate, checked into the hotel and enjoyed the sunset. Back at the club they had brought in a very nice PA and we move tables out of the way for the band. After a very mild reception to our first set, the place started to fill up. By 11pm it was PACKED



and we were helping to move it off it's foundation. People were pushing forward into the band's area in a scene only duplicated in a Brazilian soccer game. We had to move pedals, monitors and the guitar rack out of the way of the increasing crowd. It was a barn burner for sure. We walked out of there dead tired, with the possibility of returning through there on the way back.

The next two days were off days. Being just moments south of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone we worked them well into our schedule and route. We camped with friends two nights in the Tetons, did some day hiking, and even swam in the icy waters during a rainstorm in the shadow of the mountains. We ate like kings and howled like wolves at the giant white moon. Yesterday we rolled through Yellowstone in an obscene "Cliff Notes" fashion in a race to Missoula for the show. We saw Old Faithful, the mudpots and the painters pools, foxes, mule deer, bison, and bald eagles. Like I said obscenely short, but enough to want to come back and explore.

Missoula happens to be one of my favorite places on the continent. I wish the planets would align and I could live there. We rolled in through an insane thunderstorm, passing evergreen lined mountains. The gig was at the Elks Lodge downtown. Perhaps one of the funkier rooms I have been in. It was straight 1970's time warp: velvet wallpaper, dark oak slat room deviders, mirrors, chrome pendant lights, wood beams, funky. It was a tough night, a Tuesday, with only 3 place in town and two of them with bands, we had some competition but otherwise a modest turnout. We didnt hold back those that came got the full experience. The sound was good, the accoustics nice, and the hospitality perfect. Our hotel was right next door and we were right downtown close to everything. Every one that was there was REALLY into it and it helped pump the band up. It was an honor for me to play in that town, I have a great admiration for it, the funky culture, the active people, the setting, vibrancy, the little to no evidence of pop culture.

This morning we walked around downtown, they have and event each week in the summer called "Out To Lunch" where local restaurants set up in the park by the river, people turn out en masse listen to live music and enjoy the cool summer weather. They do the same thing for dinner on Thursday nights. I tramped the town, shopping and recalling past memories from the last few years, the rest of the guys went their separate ways to do the same.

We head back down the road to Bozeman tonight to play a place that usually has punk and rockabilly acts. I am looking forward to it, I havent been to that town yet and I am excited. Then it is back again past Missoula to Whitefish and on to Glacier.

Elks Lodge

Missoula MT
7/22/08
Motels and Highways
Downfall
Broken Rules
Sweet Freedom
Gotta Serve Somebody
Runaway Train
New Speedway Boogie
Deadline
California Eyes
Play Now Play Later
Long Haul
Soul Screamin'
Livin on the Open Road