the past two weeks

The night after The Dutchess and The Duke show our good friends This Town Needs Guns were in town to play The Beat Kitchen.

hanging on my front porch

being tourists

We had an amazing time playing with these dudes last year in England and I was so excited to see them play again.

It was their first time on tour in America, in fact it was most of their first time's over here period, and I was more than happy to play tour guide when they came to visit at the end of May to kick off their tour.

They came back through to finish the tour here and it was an incredible night. The show was sold out, supporting band Native fucking killed it, Stuart stage dove for the first time ever as an adult, and some kid totally nailed Elk.

I think this video really sums up the whole night. Fucking magical.

Also this month Bobby and I saw some awesome bands separately - I went to see EYEHATEGOD at the Empty Bottle which was totally face melting and surprisingly hilarious for a bunch of old junkies. Bobby went to see JEFF and the brotherhood also at the Empty Bottle and came home and said "That was the best thing I had ever seen, it was so good I had to leave" - I think he was just really hungry but still he really fucking loved it and I'm bummed I missed it. He also saw Woven Bones which totally ruled.
Last night while Bobby was seeing our friend Mirah at Linocln Hall, I was at the Empty Bottle..again...to see Head of Skulls my favourite skull related band and Sweet Cobra. It was a totally amazing night.

Also this month Bobby and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary - awwwwwwwwe

Best.Show.Ever

I really wish I did this blog update immediately after seeing The Dutchess and The Duke so it would have been fresh in my memory. Instead it's a week later and I'm trying to write this before I run out to see more awesome people play awesome music.

I also wish that I brought both a video camera and a regular camera to capture every moment of the fucked up debauchery that took place that night.
Instead I've stolen photos off facebook from Michelle Lighthiser and some youtube footage from Erika Samuels.

Highlights for me include:
-breaking into laughter when Kimberly and Jesse look at each other
-singing guitar sounds when Kim didn't know how to play the part
-Rich having to join the band
-Matt Holland just jumping on stage and playing the drum
-whistling
-starting a song several times because they couldn't play it and then just saying Fuck It and played it anyways
-singing on top of the bar
-Matt and I both jumping on stage and singing I Am Just a Ghost
-the coy hellos to Jeanine
-seeing a band as drunk as possible having as much fun as possible

This was by far the most amazing show I've ever seen at the Empty Bottle and will probably remain in my memory as one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. I should note that BEST does not mean - in any way - good. It was, as Jesse put it, a totally fucked up punk show.

This photo is from the beginning of the night - you can tell because Jesse is still playing the tambourine and isn't hiding behind the amps.

the show was doomed from the start - the day that they were leaving Seattle to come to Chicago, to kick off their tour with The New Pornographers, I saw Jesse's status update on facebook saying 'see you in a month Seattle'

Then an hour later another update
'I just got 5 stitches'

minutes later another update

this time a photo of Jesse with a gigantic bandage around his finger

So with a day before the show in Chicago Oscar had to learn all the songs on guitar, Kim had to learn different parts and Jared who usually plays keyboard was now playing the drum/tambourine. Luckily Melissa still just played bass.

this is where the night really took a turn towards super awesome - about 2/3 into they announce the next song would take place 'over there' and pointed all the way across the room to the end of the bar where the piano, that no one ever touches, lives.
Being the huge nerd that I am I jumped up and joined Melissa to sing along while Jesse and Kim got up on the bar - I'm so happy there is youtube of this. It's really amazing.

Jesse up on the bar - photo taken from my shitty little phone



Watch these - they are awesome.
If you can find more from the night watch those too - every song was fucking terribly perfect.

Shame That Tune

The best game show has just been invited - and on Friday I got to be the first contestant EVER!!!

photo stolen off Facebook
Abraham and Brian the sexy hosts of
Shame That Tune
A live comedy game show featuring diaries, interviews, and spontaneously-composed songs!

photo by Joe Mohan
Bobby, Matt and Joe came to cheer me on as I stood on stage and read shameful journal entries

photo by Bobby
Third place went to Dan the Fan who was selected from the live studio audience to get up and share a hilarious story about going to see Alice Cooper and having his dad come get him from a party when he failed to go home that night

photo by Bobby
Second place went to Alex White of White Mystery
She read from her tour diary from when she was 18 - my favourite part involved friend of a friend Jungle Cat

photo by me and a self timer
(not true)
WINNER!!!
Who won was determined by audience applause and it was a really tight finish but I came out on top somehow. I must find youtube footage of the Devo song about 9 year old Elisse because it was way too hilarious to describe accurately.
I won a CUPCAKE!!!
But then it turns out I also won a real prize - $40 to Laurie's Planet of Sound
Fucking AWESOME!!!

photo by Bobby whilst riding a bike
After it was over we all rode bikes to Whole Foods to eat dinner and watch the strippers show up to work at VIPs

photo by Bobby - so dangerous
On our way home!

photo by Joe Mohan stolen off Facebook which is why Matt Holland is tagged - haha
Porch hangs - I love summer and I love Chicago!!!

The Tallest Man on Earth

is in not very tall at all

this is a terrible photo I took with my phone from about a week ago at Lincoln Hall. Our friend Baptiste was in town with The Tallest Man on Earth and we went to go see our friend but surprisingly saw one of the best shows of 2010 so far.
Not pictured was the opening band Nathaniel Rateliff who I fucking loved and also happened to be a bunch of the nicest people as well.

What a pleasant surprise :)