This tour is much different than the last AFE tour...we actually have a bathroom in the same building as our room! There is no running outside in flip-flops to piss in the middle of the night. I missed once... it wasn't good.
The band completed their first few days in Alaska, where they performed for a big air show festival at Eilson Air Base, filled with live music, food, and plenty of F-16 and A-10 fly-bys. They had the next day off for some off-roading Alaskan exploration (photos & video to come). Too poor for white water rafting, the band made an adventure of their own - bear & moose hunting. Bj was convinced that he could punch a moose and run. He was unsuccessful.
After 3 airports, and 20+ hours of flying across the International Date Line, we're now in Okinawa, Japan. It's hot and so humid, it might as well be raining. I think I have asthma.
The band spent yesterday morning at the local AFE radio station, where they gave away a bunch of Jagermeister freebies, CDs, and a chance to drive the band around for a day. Congratulations, Greg! He and his two lovely daughters spent the day giving the band a tour of the island. The band would like to appologize to Greg's wife for stealing her family away for their own selfish reasons. They do thank you!
They play their first show in Japan tonight at Thirsty's (MCAS Futenma), which is actually making me um....thirsty. Over and out.
The Year of the Pig, Part 1
The Magical Journey to Paradise [Part 2] (by Charlie)
The last time I wrote you, the band was just about to rock the ATL audiences at CJ’s Landing….and they did just that. Niki was actually trying to push through a cold that hit soon after the band left their home in Baltimore for the tour. She managed to make it through about 25 minutes of the show before the combination of the smoky bar and smoke machine killed her voice. The band took off the next night (bowing out of the Maxx’s show) for some much needed rest before their full week at Key West’s Margaritaville. Don’t worry, Niki is back 100% now and the band is now into their 4th night at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.
If you’ve never been to Key West, GO! The weather is amazing, the beaches are ok, the bars are open late, and everything is within walking distance. The best part of the island is this – the people. The band has been living above the club for only a few days now, and already, they’ve made friends with the locals. Most of their audiences at the shows are tourists, so they’re making fans from all over the world, but they’re usually gone by the next night… sounds like the perfect relationship, right?! ;) However, I am starting to notice that the ones who are staying on the island for a while, keep coming back to the shows every night. It’s as if the band has already built themselves a Key West following within a matter of days.
Each night, I’m finding that the crowds are increasing and becoming more enthusiastic. The band is as infectious as ever! The nights [To the average Joe, “night” means 6pm-11pm. To the Niki Barr Band (and most of Key West, at that), “night” means the hours between 1am and 6am.] are spent at the bars down the street with local fans/friends. There is drinking, there is dancing, there is… I better keep this G-rated, my friends. You may let your imaginations wander….
There is a local coffee spot called “Bad Ass Coffee” that the band has made their daily hangout. Even the employees are now Niki Barr Band fans. In fact, a couple of the Bad Ass employees joined the band for some drinks after the show. This is the kind of “community” atmosphere I’m talking about. Maybe it’s the laid-back vacation vibe of Key West, maybe it’s the band’s friendly nature, maybe it’s the locals’ friendly nature… either way, this week in Key West is quickly turning into a home away from home for the band, as I see it.
Too bad you’re up there and we’re down here. I should be working for Key West’s tourism council.
Happy Friday!
-Charlie
"The thoughts and comments expressed above have been solely made by Charlie alone and the Niki Barr Band is, therefore, not responsible for any offensive, profane, false, exaggerated, or straight-out dumb-ass comments."
If you’ve never been to Key West, GO! The weather is amazing, the beaches are ok, the bars are open late, and everything is within walking distance. The best part of the island is this – the people. The band has been living above the club for only a few days now, and already, they’ve made friends with the locals. Most of their audiences at the shows are tourists, so they’re making fans from all over the world, but they’re usually gone by the next night… sounds like the perfect relationship, right?! ;) However, I am starting to notice that the ones who are staying on the island for a while, keep coming back to the shows every night. It’s as if the band has already built themselves a Key West following within a matter of days.
Each night, I’m finding that the crowds are increasing and becoming more enthusiastic. The band is as infectious as ever! The nights [To the average Joe, “night” means 6pm-11pm. To the Niki Barr Band (and most of Key West, at that), “night” means the hours between 1am and 6am.] are spent at the bars down the street with local fans/friends. There is drinking, there is dancing, there is… I better keep this G-rated, my friends. You may let your imaginations wander….
There is a local coffee spot called “Bad Ass Coffee” that the band has made their daily hangout. Even the employees are now Niki Barr Band fans. In fact, a couple of the Bad Ass employees joined the band for some drinks after the show. This is the kind of “community” atmosphere I’m talking about. Maybe it’s the laid-back vacation vibe of Key West, maybe it’s the band’s friendly nature, maybe it’s the locals’ friendly nature… either way, this week in Key West is quickly turning into a home away from home for the band, as I see it.
Too bad you’re up there and we’re down here. I should be working for Key West’s tourism council.
Happy Friday!
-Charlie
"The thoughts and comments expressed above have been solely made by Charlie alone and the Niki Barr Band is, therefore, not responsible for any offensive, profane, false, exaggerated, or straight-out dumb-ass comments."
The Magical Journey to Paradise [Part 1] (by Charlie)
Since this is the Niki Barr Band's first official southeast tour, they've decided to bring me on as their personal journalist... YOU may call me Charlie.
The band has already spent a grueling 15 hours cooped up in the van and the only thing that keeps them sane is a 10 in. TV strapped to a pink rubbermaid tub, with a play station attachment and a volume knob that maxes at level 2. So, they're forced to read subtitles. Though I don't have the heart to tell them, the van already wreaks of greasy hair, beer sweat, and deli meat (which has been their bread and butter for the past couple of days). I don't know if I'm ready to even imagine what kinds of smells will be permeating throughout by the 2nd week. I'll fill you in as it develops and strengthens.
They've now arrived at CJ's Landing in Atlanta, GA. They're finally eating a half-way decent meal of bar finger food (a break from the turkey and provolone). This is their idea of a real club (so, Scott & BJ say). It's...umm...dark, and smells like booze and every cigarette known to man. This is it...this is what the band "lives for"! The night begins with The Pennies around 9:30, then the band takes the stage around 10:30 and finally, the show finishes out with Colourslide. Looking around, I don't really know what to expect of this evening, but I hear it's a "late crowd" from the owner, Jack....nice guy-ish.
Tomorrow, it's a noon show at a 20-band event about 45 minutes from here and then rest and relaxation at Scott's parents' house.
As the official Niki Barr Band tour journalist, I'll be keeping you all close to their lives on the road, bringing you every detail you never wanted to know about the band.
Until next time...
-Charlie
"The thoughts and comments expressed above have been solely made by Charlie alone and the Niki Barr Band is, therefore, not responsible for any offensive, profane, false, exaggerated, or straight-out dumb-ass comments."
The band has already spent a grueling 15 hours cooped up in the van and the only thing that keeps them sane is a 10 in. TV strapped to a pink rubbermaid tub, with a play station attachment and a volume knob that maxes at level 2. So, they're forced to read subtitles. Though I don't have the heart to tell them, the van already wreaks of greasy hair, beer sweat, and deli meat (which has been their bread and butter for the past couple of days). I don't know if I'm ready to even imagine what kinds of smells will be permeating throughout by the 2nd week. I'll fill you in as it develops and strengthens.
They've now arrived at CJ's Landing in Atlanta, GA. They're finally eating a half-way decent meal of bar finger food (a break from the turkey and provolone). This is their idea of a real club (so, Scott & BJ say). It's...umm...dark, and smells like booze and every cigarette known to man. This is it...this is what the band "lives for"! The night begins with The Pennies around 9:30, then the band takes the stage around 10:30 and finally, the show finishes out with Colourslide. Looking around, I don't really know what to expect of this evening, but I hear it's a "late crowd" from the owner, Jack....nice guy-ish.
Tomorrow, it's a noon show at a 20-band event about 45 minutes from here and then rest and relaxation at Scott's parents' house.
As the official Niki Barr Band tour journalist, I'll be keeping you all close to their lives on the road, bringing you every detail you never wanted to know about the band.
Until next time...
-Charlie
"The thoughts and comments expressed above have been solely made by Charlie alone and the Niki Barr Band is, therefore, not responsible for any offensive, profane, false, exaggerated, or straight-out dumb-ass comments."
Boston, MA
So, the guys were complaining that I don't update the journal, so I'm going to take care of that right now! We're up in Boston (staying with a friend of mine) and we just finished taping a live performance for the Comcast Network. It was our first time performing for millions of viewers and we want to thank everyone at Comcast! We were treated incredibly well and it couldn't have run more smoothly. That's definitely the highlight of my year, so far. I'll be posting photos and a clip from the show very soon, so be on the lookout!
We're heading down to a radio station south of Boston today, but we're going to make a stop in Salem (yes...even rockstars like to be tourists!) on the way. Then, it's off to the big apple for a HUGE show with Style Over Substance. Then, we're just going to spend the rest of the weekend enjoying NYC and catching up with friends.
I think that pretty much outlines our week so far.
Definitely check back soon for the footage from our Comcast taping!!
We're heading down to a radio station south of Boston today, but we're going to make a stop in Salem (yes...even rockstars like to be tourists!) on the way. Then, it's off to the big apple for a HUGE show with Style Over Substance. Then, we're just going to spend the rest of the weekend enjoying NYC and catching up with friends.
I think that pretty much outlines our week so far.
Definitely check back soon for the footage from our Comcast taping!!
Woohoo! It's a new site!
I figured since is was 2006 and not 2005, I should have a new site not an 'old' site. So, here it is. I'm hoping to make this site more interactive and cooler than the old one cuz it's cool to be cool. So, keep coming back for more fun, booze, and hookers...yum.
