Day 10: State Troopers & Long Hauls.

We made the rather long trip from Erie, PA to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. We got pulled over in Pennsylvania by a very sweet state trooper. She knew right away that we were a band, and cared more about what style of music we played and where we were from, rather than the fact we were doing twenty-five miles over the speed limit. She gave us a quick warning and was excited to hear the copy of 'Valance' we gave her. Good cops do still exist, and we have had the opportunity to meet them. We arrived on time, and had enough time to setup and soundcheck. The room was packed with people of all walks and ages, and we found a way to work out a set that grabbed their attention. By the end of the last set, the room was alive. We all feel fortunate that we can get away with delivering an original set of music to a diverse crowd, and have it work. Although cover songs can be a security blanket, we feel they are not essential to staying warm. 

We left around twelve-thirty am, and headed towards Vermont. There is something nostalgic about the views of Philadelphia and New York City from 95 early in the morning. We made it home around ten am, and can officially consider it a successful tour, and one well done. We had a very positive experience, and look forward to visiting each and every place again in the future. Thanks once again to all who made this tour possible. All of our family, friends (old and new), our manager Leah and Jack Tremblay as well as everyone else who keeps our bases covered when we are on the road. 

Lastly, Thanks to all of those that believe in and support our dreams. We have only love for you. 

Keep in touch with us! 

Love,

Waylon Speed
10/21/2012

Safely back in Vermont.

Day 9: Eery Ghost and Dirty Coasts.

Last night was one hell of a night at the Crooked i.  We felt very fortunate to play for a packed room. It really doesn't get any better, and makes everything we do worth every second. We are extremely grateful for the support in new towns. Thanks to everyone in Erie that gave us a warm welcome including the staff, sound, and lighting engineers. You guys kick ass. We stayed at the Avalon Hotel right across from the venue. I swear the place was haunted. I sensed some sort of presence as I laid awake until five. Fortunately, it seemed friendly. 

Below are some photos taken by Leah Konecny at the Crooked i.

We woke up early, and took off for Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Tonight we burn back to Vermont until we pack up again on Thursday. We look forward to The Dogfish Head Brewery but Chitwood said he looks forward to picking up some Budweiser before we get there. It's the last show of the tour. Although we are excited to seal this run up, we are not quite ready to come down yet. I suppose that's just how it goes. See you all tomorrow. 

Love,

Waylon Speed
10/20/2012

Day 8: Radio Transmissions with an Urban Cowboy.

The show last night in Pomeroy, Ohio was a blast. The room sounded great and the people were genuinely supportive. Nested on a side street just across the river from West Virginia, Court Street had a special vibe about it that is only found in these small towns. Again, we added some old songs to the setlist, and reinvented some newer stuff which resulted in a refreshing block of music. We hit the road late and ended up at a seedy hotel with a ground floor smoking room located directly next to a truck stop. Not great, but it did the job.

Noah and Chitwood hit the truckstop early and equipped the van with a new CB antenna and mic. The CB now works as it should and our day has been filled with intermittent radio chatter. We dodged one Ohio State trooper so far, so we already paid for the antenna two times over if you ask me.


We are driving to Erie, PA, and listening to an Ian Mackaye interview while Kelly works on his trucker talk. We look forward to the show tonight. The Crooked i  looks like a great place, and we can't wait to meet everyone. It will be another late one tonight (and we have a nine hour burn to Delaware tomorrow), so we booked a room at the local saloon.

Nothing beats driving east and catching the sunrise.

Although the road can be a little grueling at times, we are extremely grateful for this opportunity and the many to come. Thanks for the continued support. 

Love,

Waylon Speed
10/19/2012

Day 7: Four Alive in Ohio.

We made the quick trip from Pittsburgh to Cleveland, and had the chance to enjoy the day. The weather was impeccable, and we visited one of the biggest vintage clothing shops I have ever seen. After careful consideration, Chitwood purchased a fine pair of gently used Dingo cowboy boots. He would have prefered the snake skin shoes, but they where a tad small. He ruined a pair of jeans polishing these boots, but the end result proved to be worth it.

The Brothers Lounge was an amazing room, with both great sound, staff and
in-house engineer. Surprisingly, the monitor mix was just about perfect right off the line. A rarity indeed. Thanks to Christian and all the warm Ohio welcomes we received. We will definitely see you all again next time around.

I had the chance to double check the integrity of Kelly's guitar in the parking lot before the show. It endured the test nicely due to Creston Lea's irreproachable craftsmanship.

We landed a reasonably decent room a little south of Cleveland last night, and took off early for Pomeroy. The rain is coming down, and the highways seem to have been forgotten about out here. See you all tomorrow.

Love,

Waylon Speed
10/18/2012

Day 6: Adventures of the Steel City Karaoke Man.

We made it into Pittsburgh and scored a nice room overlooking the city. We found an accommodating bar that permitted smoking and offered Karaoke. Kelly decided to participate with a Johnny Cash song. He found out that Karaoke was more awkward and difficult than he imagined. We commend his effort. See for yourself below.

We packed up and left Pittsburgh to begin the two day stint in Ohio. Having spent much of our time in the city since we left, I've noticed more than ever how much the land matters in between each city. It's a chance to breathe before entering another populated situation. Ellis (Kelly's dog) has been keeping steady watch over the van, and Chitwood is blaring Fu Manchu in the front seat with extra dark sunglasses on. All we need to do now is hold fast. See you tomorrow from Columbus, Ohio.

Love,

Waylon Speed
10/17/2012

Day 5: Whippin' Belts and Elusive Pelts.

The show last night at The Dionysus in Baltimore was a nice change of pace for us. It was refreshing to play a floor show. It has been long overdue, and nothing compares to it. Each one of us grew up playing these types of shows, and we felt right at home. Thanks to Brendan Kerwin for playing a solid acoustic set before. We could not have asked for a better Monday night tour show. We want to thank all the kind people we met in Baltimore, especially those who put us up in their home for three days. I'm sure it wasn't the easiest of things, but really...thank you.

After the show, Noah and Justin Hoekstra taught us the art of using your belt for self defense. I never realized how effective it could be.

We are off to Cleveland today. It feels good to be back in the van and covering some distance although Kelly has a Pandora station that makes me feel like I'm at a skating rink in 1989. Noah has his own back seat and Chitwood is singing all the hits and smoking little cigars. Tobacco sure is a swell vegetable. 

Leah made it to the van for this trip, and we are psyched to have the crew back together. This is how we operate the best. We may be stopping off in Pittsburgh for the evening to take in some of the sights the Steel City has to offer. Talk to you tomorrow from Cleveland. 

Love,

Waylon Speed

10/16/2012

Day 4: I Have Lived, and I Shall Die, Free.

We made the quick trip from Baltimore to Annapolis to play The Whiskey. It was an awesome room, and we played a short but sweet set of music. We look forward to returning in the coming months. Noah made the set list, and the result was a fine array of old songs. It was nice to revisit some of the material that built the bands original foundation. That is something we can never forget.

As for today, the Baltimore rain has decided to overstay it's welcome. I hung out with some Vietnam vets this morning at the local Seven-Eleven, and learned about the history of Baltimore (and other borderline disturbing viewpoints on the neighborhood inter-workings) the old fashion way.

Tonight we play the Dionysus in Baltimore. We are going to attempt to lively up a rainy Monday by any means necessary. We travel to Cleveland, Ohio tomorrow and look forward to hitting yet another new region. Until tomorrow, keep the T's black and the jeans uncomfortably blue. Stay well everyone.

Love,
Waylon Speed
10/15/2012

Day 3: Late night drinks at the Washington Monument

We made our way from our homebase (Baltimore for a few days) to Washington D.C. We arrived on time, and had a blast playing at The Bayou. Despite the fact that the in-house engineer insisted the guitars be at a stage volume that was inaudible, Kelly still managed to knock a few things over, and stand on the kick drum. What rounded the show to a perfect circle was the people that came to support us...and sang every word. We played for you guys last night. Plain and simple. Thanks.

After the show, we decided to do a tour of the Whitehouse and the Washington Monument. To our advantage, it was after normal tourist hours (2:30am) so we had the opportunity to absorb the sights in all their overly protected glory.

Photo by Noah while having a few drinks in the grass (2:48am)

Reverend Chitwood had an adverse reaction when security said he couldn't visit the Whitehouse (2:53am)

Tonight we are at the Whiskey in Annapolis, MD. We have heard great things about this venue, and are itchin' to turn up. See you all tomorrow from Baltimore when play the Dionysus. Stay well everyone, and thanks for sending us good thoughts while we are out on the road. 

Love,
Waylon Speed
10/14/2012

Day 2: Crabs in the Charm City

We had a great time at The Legendary Dobbs in Philly last night, and couldn't thank our friends and family more for coming out and supporting us. We have come to a conclusion that Philly is quickly becoming one of our favorite cities. 

Kelly got tattooed at Philadelphia Eddie's Tattoo shop again, and Justin and Chitwood chased rats around in an alley way. Good clean fun. We drove to our manager Leah's house in Baltimore after the show, and even ran through a road block on the way. What are your options when there is not an alternative route? Fortunately, Noah cleaned the van so well, he was convinced we made it through because our van "looked like a government vehicle". We think he was right on this one. 

Today, we checked out Baltimore and hit up a crab shack where we got a deck seat and indulged on many varieties of seafood. It was an overall nice sunny day in the 'Charm City". Noah even doubled his money on a bet in a taproom called The Green Turtle and ordered a round of firewater shots for everyone including the bar staff. A little overboard but one hell of a kind gesture.


As for now, we are off to Washington D.C. to play The Bayou. We can't wait, and we will keep you all posted on how it went. Thanks for reading, and talk to you all tomorrow.

Love,

Waylon Speed 
10/13/2012

Day 1: Citizen's Band Radio Check

We find ourselves back to day one all over again. We hit the road early this morning in order to make it to Philly for a six o' clock load in. We play and head to Baltimore. One of the highlights of this tour is that we are playing primarily new venues in regions we have yet to truly focus on in detail. From Washington D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and some in between, we look forward to meeting our new friends and showcasing some new material that we have been working on. 

Noah pulled his change together ($100 in change) and purchased a fine PC-68XL Uniden citizen’s band (CB) radio equipped with a Bearcat microphone. Find us on channel 19. While he installed it, Chitter stole three hot dogs and high-tailed it out through the side door. Not a great first stop, but at least the dogs where dressed, and he didn't get caught.

We hope everyone will come visit us on the road if we happen to be near you.  Your presence fuels us up. Keep in touch, and the band thanks all of you for the continued support. Talk to you all tomorrow from Washington D.C. 

Love,

Waylon Speed

10/12/2012