A Day off

So here i am in the dead heat of Phoenix, Arizona with a little time off to update you on all the fun and frolics of the past couple of shows. When we last spoke we were So. Cal on a day off so next day we were off to the Viejas Arena for a show which we filmed for Yahoo! Live! which im sure will be aired in the next couple of weeks or so. I did find some interesting pictures backstage at this one. Apparently bands no longer get a dressing room......just put them here and let them wait for showtime



Also, i was left wondering where this door led to really.


Anywho, next up we were off to Las Vegas for the bands biggest hometown show to date at the Mandalay Bay arena. The show went well for the most part except when 2 people were apparently having a fight in the audience.


Also tonight we had the pleasure of the having the fantastic "Phoenix" opening the show




After the show we had a party on the rooftop of the Hotel in the foundation room which has a great view of the Vegas Strip.



After a couple of days off we were off to Sacramento for a show at the Arco Arena which def had some of the most interesting dancing ever seen to the music played before the show......wish i could have seen him during the show





After a day off in Portland and a trip to see Modest Mouse at the Crystal Ballroom which i didn't hang around for more than 5 songs as it was a little dull. Next day we were at the Memorial Coliseum where the band re-introduced "Andy" to the setlist for the first time in quite a while. Backstage, the stage manger has a collection of bobble heads figures on display inside the stage door.



We found one that looked just like Brian Karscig from our opening act "Nervous Wreckords"



Next up we were off to Boise, Idaho. Apparently, Idaho is the potato state but even so i was a little surprised to see a store selling gift wrapped potatos.


The audience here at the Quest arena were in great voice throughout the show. Next stop on the tour was the E-Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.






Check out the guitar left in the dressing room for the band to autograph. Apparently is being auctioned for local charity.



Anyone know what the deal is with this van outside the venue???







This show ended up being possibly the most eventful show of the tour and had a first in my career.
The first time i ever had to tell the band to get off the stage.



What happened was that one of the spotlights above the band developed a problem with one of its safety points and while there was no immediate danger to anyone. If we hadn't dealt with it as soon as possible it could have become a problem and i take no chances when it comes to safety so unfortunately i had to make the decision to take the band off the stage to have the problem sorted out. This is not something that is taken lightly but had to done, so i'm sorry to anyone who felt they were inconvenienced by this but it was definitely necessary. Thanks to one of my lighting Techs Darren for sorting the problem quickly and safely. Check out his "Gig Hero" ribbon we made him wear for the rest of the night.




Anyway, once the band came back out on stage they changed the setlist up a little to get the momentum going again and i think it worked.

Also tonight we had a special guest. Ted Sablay. Ted was the bands extra live musician for the whole of the Sams Town tour and also had some engineering credits on the new album, before he left to go to medical school and he now resides in Salt lake. So since he was coming to see the show, the band figured it would be fun to have him play on stage for a song.