On the way to Nashville, Rob and I were trying to show Brent what nu-metal sounded like via the Sirius radio in our car. The channel that came closest featured what I dubbed "highway rock", which had the same "chugga chugga" of nu-metal, but a bit too much twang in the vocals to be considered like, Hed PE or something.
Outside of the Exit/In, there's a wall that dons an impressive list of past performers -- Johnny Cash, Talking Heads, Muddy Waters, Dizzy Gillespie, GWAR -- and to think we were gonna be jumping around on the same stage as them was an awesome feeling. "Awesome" in the true sense of the word, not awesome as in bodacious (even though it is pretty bodacious).
The show was sponsored by Absolut, and when we got into the venue, there was a tower of vodka bottles 15 feet high. So staggering in fact that this is the only picture Brent got of it:
After soundcheck, we decided to get Rob a Twitter. I dubbed him "Rob The Slob" the other night, based on the way he's been eyeing up (but not necessarily pursuing) certain ladies. The goofy lewd shit he's been saying on tour shouldn't go to waste, so please, if you have a Twitter, follow Rob at @RobTheSlob_
Gates, Sam Shacklock and KDSML all did damage. Lively sets from all three -- and holy shit, this Gates kid is only 16! His parents were off to the side rooting on their son, which was nice to see. Hearing his set reminded me just how influential Detroit music is. The beats were oozing elements of Dilla, of Samiyam, of Shigeto. Cheers, homie.
I feel like we had a good performance, but there were certain factors that led to a lukewarm response. Don't get me wrong, a good amount of people getting down, but it's a very helpless feeling to see people walk away from your set mid-song (I'm done here). It was definitely a party last night, and while our production is up to snuff, it paled in comparison to the bass these dudes were equipped with. The bass that tickles your nose hairs and makes you want to throw up it's so loud. Also, parties like last night don't lend themselves to our banter, which is one of the things I like to do on stage. There wasn't really time for us to chit chat, so we rapped, shot confetti and dipped.
After our set, KDSML came out and ended the night with a raucous hour-long set. He played a bunch of stuff during the night, and man, the kids love their dubstep. I'm starting to think the predictability in the structure of dubstep songs is partly why people vibe with it so much -- you know when that drop is gonna hit you, and that familiarity has to feel good. Everyone has their own way of dancing to dubstep, too, so I'm saying: if you get the chance, be a fly on the wall at the next [dubstep artist that I can't name because I don't know any besides the real big ones] show.
After we packed up, we went next door to Cafe Coco, which felt more like a house than a cafe.
The line was moving like molasses in the winter, which is to say we were standing there for a while.
(I'm aware "molasses in winter" isn't a saying.) Worth the wait, though -- their Turkey Rockefeller was so good that I forgot to taste it.
Crashed at Blake's from Full Circle. Seeing Samiyam's record on display made me feel at home. Also, I'm starting to feel that there's a direct correlation between how comfortable someone's house is and how nice the soap in their bathroom smells. BASIL.
...and so it goes. Iced coffee, grub, and then to Knoxville. Preservation Pub tonight!
