Life in the Forest City.

Our time spent in Erie was short lived and the weather would not ease up. We got in a few games of pool at a smoking bar a few doors down from the club. Bright fluorescent lights along with a hanging fog over the bar,  you can see by the photo below that Coors Light was a proud sponsor.

After a great show at The Crooked I, we left Erie and made our way into Ohio. Chitwood was driving and yelled, "four dead in Ohio" as we crossed the border. It was a relatively smooth trip, and we even got a chance to watch the 1984 smash hit Gremlins. Still just as great as it was when we were kids.

We hit Cleveland early setup and took in some of the local sites. The venue, Wilbert's, was located right across the street from the Progressive Field where the Indians and the Yankees were playing. Adding an interesting sports dynamic to the show, our set times where based around the game. Because the game was rained out, we played an earlier set. We had the opportunity to meet John Adams, the famous Indians team supporter known as "Big Chief Boom-Boom". Adams joined us on stage for Livin' with the same drum he has played since 1973. It added a very drum heavy element, and brought the local crowd into a roaring cheer. Unfortunately, a picture didn't come with the experience.

As for now, we are heading towards Indianapolis. Thanks for reading and keep in touch.

Love,

Waylon Speed
4/12/2013

Whippin' the Old Rust Belt.

We got a solid start to the tour yesterday. Chitwood changed the trailer tires and Kelly changed the van oil. I organized the van, oiled the trailer hitch and Noah lined up his sleeping quarters. A comforting start to a tour that will take us through the heart of the Rust Belt. We made it into Rochester a bit early and visited the House of Guitars. Billed as "the worlds largest guitar store", it was lined front to back with any type of guitar or amp you could imagine. Overwhelmingly impressive. We loaded in as the rain came down, organized the new merchandise we recently got in, and watched tutorial videos on how to make leather guitar straps. Kelly may be getting into a new trade, so watch out for a new line of custom Waylon Speed guitar straps. 

The show at The Bug Jar was an overall success. We played with some cool bands and even got a mosh pit going. Good clean fun. For a Tuesday night tour show we really couldn't have asked for more. Afterward, we ended up with a decent room on a first floor close by. I couldn't sleep in the room and retreated to the van where I laid awake until four am listening to Sergei Rachmaninoff. That guys music fucks with me.

We are off to Erie to play The Crooked I tonight. We look forward to playing this venue again. Good people, nice room and good accommodations (smoking permitted in the green room). We even scored a room at the Avalon across the street. That place was probably really awesome in 1985. We'll keep you posted as we continue west.

Love,

Waylon Speed
4/10/13

Thanks for visiting the official Waylon Speed tour chronicles.

We just got off the road, so please click here to visit us on Facebook for all upcoming shows and tours. You can also  visit our website by clicking here.

Meet us back here for another installment coming soon!

Love,

Waylon Speed
2/12/2013 

      

Day 7 & 8: Smoke Rings, Hills, and Overnight Bird Kills

Here is one last update from the road.

Day: 7

We arrived in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and had no trouble finding the venue. The staff at P.J. Kelly's was friendly and we were quickly reminded how important these types of venues are for touring musicians; offering beds, laundry, instruments, showers, etc. All the stuff to keep you feeling normal. They even permitted smoking. 

Chitwood finally decided to reveal his organ skills. Impressive.

Also, here is a short video of us backing Noah up on one of his new solo songs, 'Falling Fast'.

We made some new friends after the show, and Kelly proceded to make some bets. They involved some type of fancy cherry shots, jagermeister and a plastic cup full of cigarette butts. The bartender (Emily) let us light up in the bar. It quickly turned into a full blown smoke ring event. 

Just so it's known...we have all seriously discussed the idea of quitting smoking recently. But until then, blow some damn smoke rings. 

Day: 8

The show last night at The Mountain State Brewery in WV was outstanding. We couldn't have asked for a better show to end the tour. The folks in WV have been very supportive over the past few years. There is something to be said about a crowd that accepts the music for what it is, rather than what it should be. 

Sorry we missed you this time Willy, but will surely see you next time around. Thank you.

Chitwood and I took the first driving shift. After fueling up, we began winding down through the hills of WV, we quickly passed through Maryland and into Pennsylvania. We told stories, drank shitty coffee and listened to all types of music. Unfortunately, we even managed to hit a bird. Although we are uncertain of what type of bird it was, the imprint left on impact gave us a general idea of size. Kelly believed it to be it an owl, although Chitwood insisted it was an elusive albino Canadian Goose.

We made it safely back to Vermont. We are very lucky to have this band and the families to support it. One more big thank you to all that make it possible for us to deliver our original work throughout this country. 

Love,

Waylon Speed

02/10/2013

Day 6: New Locks, Clear Skies & Busted Cots

We left Roanoke and headed for Asheville. It was a rather rainy drive, and we made the trip in a little over four hours. We ended up getting a cheap room at the same place we got the last tour through Asheville. The LAB on Lexington Ave. was a great sounding room, and we made some new friends from a band called Pick Your Switch. Check them out if you get a chance. We got a board recording and will share it very soon. It was nice to see some old friends, and want to thank them for making the trip. As any band knows, that is how weekday tour shows are made possible. We made it back to the hotel fairly early and listened to the set and assembled our beds. We travel with military cots, and they serve us well. They are truly a bed away from home although one of them is on it's way out. Noah claims to know the ultimate technique to setting them up but still manages to struggle getting the last brace in. Good old fashion entertainment.

We left early and stopped for a new lock for the trailer. This thing is serious, and one might need to physically remove the entire door to gain access.  We just broke through the clouds in Tennessee and are heading towards West Virginia. We love being down here, and look forward to playing yet another new venue for us tonight. 

We bought a few six packs for the cooler before we left, and this is what remains. They might indeed be the coldest beers to date.

We hope all the folks up north dealing with the storm are safe and sound. We miss you all. Let's talk again from WV tomorrow.

Love,
Waylon Speed
2/08/2013 

Day 5: Roanoke and Runnin'

Greetings from Virginia (and the van). While in Pennsylvania, we met for dinner with friends at an old local haunt called The Scarlet D. A place which has harnessed music since the 70's, and one that some of our family was part of throughout those years. We noticed a "Pickin' Party" on their schedule. We ended up meeting the players, and Kelly played Poncho and Lefty with the band. We then all hopped up and played three songs acoustically. Instrumentation: acoustic, electric, bass and harmonica. It was a blast and we enjoyed playing for a different type of crowd in a rural setting.

We departed from Pennsylvania and headed south to Virginia. The south is beautiful, and it's always a pleasant experience for us. As it got warmer the farther we drove, I started to once again notice the increasing number of billboards suggesting rather easy routes to salvation. We even stopped at a truck stop with a chrome shop attached. Everything from fancy semi-truck add ons to airbrushed pictures of horses. We got into Roanoke a little early, and got a Ramada Inn that was probably at it's prime in 1995. Chitwood and I rebuilt one of my tattoo machines, and Noah and Kelly discussed the importance of a smoking room (which it was).

The show at Martin's was fantastic. The staff was very kind and Tony (the sound engineer) was a friend we had met years back at a festival. Small world. It was a long set, so we had the opportunity to play through many old songs including This City from the first album by request. We cleaned the dust off other old songs including, Stump,  Leave Me Blue and Drivin' Fast. We had a ton of fun. For our first time in Roanoke, the crowd was very kind. We met a couple from Vermont and they made us feel right at home. We are very grateful for all the support. Reverend Chitwood even pulled out his old Harmony that hasn't seen daylight in a few months. It sounded damn good. Noah switched over to merchandise after the show, and the rest of us loaded the trailer.

We are off to Asheville, and look forward to playing The Lab which is a new venue for us there. Stay well everyone, and we'll talk to you tomorrow. 

Here is a shot of the dash of our van. Bukowski and ARTnews? What happened to the stack of Hustlers from the old van? 



Love,
Waylon Speed

2/07/2013

Day 4: Pennsylvania Retreat and Beyond

The show at The Legendary Dobbs in Philly was yet another great turnout, and once again reminds us that Philly has become a home away from home for us. Our family offers unconditional support, and for that we are always grateful. Kelly's Creston survived yet another free fall as we ended the set. Impressive.  The new songs are feeling great, and we are definitely collecting some great recordings and live footage from this tour. It will be available in the coming week.  

After the show, we made our way to our Uncle Bill's in New Jersey and smoked our minds with cigarettes and stories that he was telling. It was great to catch up with family. It's uncommon for us to all be in the same room. Much gratitude. 

We then drove to central Pennsylvania (where Noah, Chitwood and I grew up) to attend a service for a family member. Considering the circumstances, spirits were high, and we again saw many familiar faces. It has been an inspiring stop to say the least. 

We are off to play Martin's in Roanoke, VA. We are looking forward to flying south and giving it all we got. Keep in touch and look for live stuff coming soon!

New Boots equal new moves!

Love,

Waylon Speed

2/05/2013