Filling in the blanks...

(If any of this sounds boring, you're only teetering on the cusp of understanding!)

5 July: Headed into Cambridge early after doing laudry and sleeping comfortably for the first time this tour, again thanks to the wonderful Sheffs. Arrived at TT's around 4, and the extremely friendly cleaning fellow let us load in so that we might dick off around Boston and not worry about our equipment. I took the opportunity to show Howrad a wee bit of Boston, skipping through Boston Common, waltzing down Newbury St., then stopping by the MIT Press Bookstore for a good, old-fashioned mind-blowing. The show itself went quite well, with a friendly and appreciative crowd. Opening the show was Elisha Weisner's band, Kahoots, who are opening for The New Year next month in NY and Boston. Chris Brokaw showed up with his lovely, new-ish girlfriend and had his obligatory TT's sit-in, playing drums on a Kahoots song. After the show, Will Schaff and his lady entertained us all with drawings and stories, and then we again headed for Worcester and snoozed even more.

6 July: The show tonight was originally scheduled for Magnetic Field in Red Hook, Brooklyn, but through a series of miscommunications we ended up at a junk shop in Bushwick instead. Maybe 12 people showed up, but three of those were NY Times writers, and a nice story ended up in the Arts section the next day.

7 July: A great day in the city: first lunch with my aunt Susanna, then dinner with my pal Jamie. Show @ Mercury was fabulous, including a good version of "Baby's On Fire".

8 July: In-store @ Sound Fix in Williamsburg, or How mb Went To Williamsburg and, by Miracle of God Himself, Actually Had A Nice Time. Great record store, the show was in a café called Fix behind it. Really appreciative crowd, awesome staff. Afterward, we headed to Philly and had about as shitty an experience as can be had playing rock music. I don't want to even think about it any more, so I won't!

9 July: Private party. What happens in Sterling, VA stays in Sterling, VA. Thanks to the Loves.

10 July: Our hosts took us kayaking down the Potomac. I suck at this, and nearly broke my thumb. Show in DC @ Warehouse Next Door was pretty great, a nice All Ages/DIY place.

11 July: Charlotte, NC. Hung out a bit w/ Austin ex-pat Lee & his bike messenger pals, and had our minds blown by Carla Bozulich & band. Venue was a complete ass-whip, staffed by meatheads and shitheels and total cocks. Spent the first half of the night stabbing my thumb with a sewing needle to drain the blood and fluid, which was far more enjoyable than "working" with the house sound guy. Warrant was scheduled to play the next week, which is fitting. Stayed w/ Thor's in-laws, who were sweet as can be.

At this point, Jonathan flew to NY to play a show with Okkervil River, and the rest of us drove to Denton, then Austin for a show at Emo's (and our last with Court and Spark), then back to Denton for a great show at Secret Headquarter's w/ Chris Flemmons. I remember a good breakfast taco and a bunch of kolaches, and not much else.

The wrap-up: pretty good time. Can't wait for the Mag Elec shows in Sep.