Day 5: Double Zeros and Unsung Heroes.

On our only day off, we hit the roulette wheel and put $500 down on 00. Long story short, we turned it into a new tour rig. 

It was a good day...plain and simple. Tomorrow, we will throw down even more. What fun is it to stop when your ahead?

After a heated and almost confrontational visit to Uhaul for a new wiring harness for the trailer, we took off for New York City with only brake and turn signal lights, temporary tags and no running lights on the trailer. We did score a new harness that we will have to wire outside of the venue. Considering Chitwood can hot-wire a new car in thirteen minutes, that means he can wire a trailer harness in three.


Farewell to our old Chevy van. You were good to us in every way, piss funnel and all. Kelly slept in it one last time last night making it four consecutive nights in a row. Noah cleaned the trailer while we all stood around him and told him the right way to use a scrub brush.

Until tomorrow... New Jersey, here we come.

Love,

Waylon Speed
8/14/2012

Day 4: Freeway Views and Vacant Pews

The show at The Blue Mermaid was a healthy change from what we are used to doing. We decided to go acoustic. Doing an entire show in this fashion was not only fun, but really helped us examine the songs for what they truly are under a different light. It was a great experience, and we will do it again. Hell, we even did an Elvis cover. Our friends Geoff and Angelina came from Portland for the show, and we had a blast hanging out with them.

This picture below was taken by Jim Lockridge. We ran into Jim and his family in Portsmouth, NH. What a great surprise.

The van is still humming just in the key it should and the new trailer panels we installed before the tour are holding fast.

 The Bukowski continues.

We are off to New York City for a show at Pianos on Tuesday night. We always look forward to going back to Pianos. We will have the opportunity to get more chickens for the van in Chinatown, and hit the tattoo supply store. We also discussed going to Atlantic City to wager all of our earnings thus far. We will keep you posted on the outcome, but we know we can at least double it. See you all soon.

Love,

Waylon Speed
08/13/2012

Day 3: Seacoast Rain and Cowboy Camping

We made the rainy trip from Manchester, VT to Dover, NH without much trouble. The wipers stayed on and we witnessed some great lightning over Dover. We had the chance to play with this great band from Boston called Never Got Caught. The bass player and drummer played in Boston hardcore band Tree. They were all really great guys, and we look forward to inviting them to Vermont for a show sometime soon. We played a great set, and the monitor mixes were impeccable (thanks to Al, a very trusty engineer). It was nice to see the Telecaster that Kelly gave to the Brickhouse hanging nicely over the bar. Next time it will be signed glossies.

We left Dover late and could not find a hotel anywhere in the surrounding area, so we drove to Portland, ME and scored a room at a Travelodge that has obviously seen a heavy flow of many types of people for years on end. The pillows smelled like cologne and we had a handicapped room with a floor level shower. One bed lit up by the lights from a 24 hour Denny's and room for a cot by the lockbox in the corner. Not great, but not too bad either I suppose. Until tomorrow, thanks to everyone who gives a shit about what Waylon Speed is doing. We love every bit of it, and feel fortunate everyday to have this opportunity as well as the support. Without you on the other end of this, we simply couldn't do this.  

Love,

Waylon Speed

08/12/2012

Day 2: Lipstick stained cigarette butts.

We made the trip from Manchester, NH to Manchester, VT. Plenty of Manchester in the past few days. We stopped off in Concord, NH and visited a cowboy store. Noah and Kelly both purchased a pair of cowboy cut Wranglers. The jeans make up in proper fit for what they lack in look. The pictures prove it. Chitwood and Justin went for the default stained sleeveless shirts.  

We made it to the Perfect Wife early and had ample time to setup. It was the one show of the tour we needed a PA and had left our speaker and microphone stands on the dock of the warehouse. Fortunately, the bartender by chance, had exactly that in his car. Nice save. We played a great lengthy set, and pulled out all kinds of old songs, and began road testing the new ones. It felt great and we hope you enjoy the new song, "Walk Your Line". The crowd agrees it might just work out.

We had some of our family come down for the show, and it was really nice to have this group in the same spot at once. We stayed up really late and watched Noah dance to reggae on the porch. Good ole' fashion entertainment if you ask me. We finished out our stay at the "Red Sled Inn" with a dip in the pool this morning. Kelly went right for the cannonball in the shallow end and scraped his tail bone. All while Noah was brushing his beard, Waylon was cleaning the pool and Chitwood was fixing the van window (which must just be afraid of heights).

We are off for the Dover Brickhouse tonight. We love this venue and all the local support Dover offers. As for now, it has stopped raining but the windshield wipers won't turn off and Chitwood is sittin' in the bad smokin' seat.  

Love,

Waylon Speed

08/11/2012

Day 1: The Streets of Ill Repute

We had a great show last night at The Shaskeen in Manchester, NH. It was our first time playing in this interesting town, and we were lucky to land a spot like the Shaskeen. Before the show, we witnessed some very interesting conversation between a man and his grandmother. Check out the video below. We also enjoyed some fancy drinks in the van while listening to Bukowski.

We discussed putting music to "Bluebird" and experimented with a few lines during the show. We look forward to going back there next month. After the show, we ended up getting lost in a seedy neighborhood, and asked a rather cold strumpet for directions. Regardless of the plan, we never seem to encounter a dull moment. All things considered, we had a rather smooth night.

We are off to The Perfect Wife tonight after we visit the local gun shop here in Concord, NH. Like any touring band, a little protection always fits the bill. Gene insists on a Stoeger coach gun, but the rest of insist on a 357. He is a bit short tempered today because he passed out last night before he could get tattooed. His loss I suppose.

Last but not least, we would like to wish our extraordinary manager Leah a very happy birthday today. You truly rock!  Until tomorrow.

Love,

Waylon Speed
8/10/2012

Day 0: Locked and Loaded

Dear All,

We are packed up, fueled up, and loaded down on smokes. We even scored an electric cooler for the "sodas". This will be the first tour in quite awhile that it is just the band traveling in the van. We look forward to spending the next few weeks doing what we love, and meeting new family wherever they may be. Tonight we are in Manchester, New Hampshire at The Shaskeen.

We hope this different view into the travels of Waylon Speed will serve you as both entertainment and a way for us all to travel together in a way. Stay tuned for updates and and a true look down into The Gene Machine's soul. We look forward to seeing you all!

Love,

Waylon Speed
August 9th, 2012

Waylon Speed is on tour. Stay tuned for updates, pictures, videos and other happenings from the road.