Woke up on another floor and then took a walk to town with Miles to get coffee at a cool little (surprising large) shop in town. Cool and cloudy and breezy, it felt good after being in the stuffy apartment. We all got showers, and then headed out for Morro Bay.
 |
| Coffee shop, $7 caramel apple danish! |
 |
| Where we stayed in Benicia from behind. |
As the road to the 1 (or 101, as always, can't remember, don't know) was closed due to landslides, we had to take the less exciting drive inland. Pretty uneventful, stopped for Subway for a 6" Italian sub.
More frickin' Neil Young on the drive. Granted, we only have so many CDs, but we definitely have more than Neil Young. But, I'm not driving, so I'm not running the audio. Plus, I have earbuds, so more podcasts for me.
We made to Morro Bay, which is just a few minutes south of where we were a few days ago, in Cayucos. MB's defining feature, to me, least, is the giant rock just off the shore. Like Jurassic Park size rock. It's really prehistoric and cool. And then just next to it is an old nuclear plant with three tall smokestacks pointing into the sky.
 |
| Uniquely named Morro Rock, I'm told. |
I loaded my stuff and took a walk down to the water and got a closer look at the rock. Took some IG videos and then headed back to the Siren, where we were playing. When we left last week for the tour, I brought Peter's American Fender Jazz bass as a backup to my bass. I've sort of regretted bringing it as it's one more piece of gear we need to move around. I decided to play it last night to sort of justify its existence.
 |
| Simon getting dialed in. |
The J has a TSA rated hard case and the case itself is really nice, crushed electric blue interior. The bass itself is quite nice, with gold hardware, a light rosewood neck and nice rounded frets. Shaun had played it at the Belltown Yacht Club a few weeks ago and it was a little grimy, so I got some cleaner and wiped it off and played it at sound check. I busted out the pedal as well for tuning/muting capabilities, so we were all good there.
 |
| The J. |
During the Bogeys sound check, we got drink AND food tickets, which was a delight. Though I'm being paid, I'm also using it to supplement some of the stuff at home. I had to pay Haley's first and last month's rent for her place, so things are getting a little tight. My unemployment is late going in this week, so despite having enough to cover things, I'm not used to having our funds drop below a certain number. I wasn't looking forward to buying dinner, but the Siren provided, so that was excellent. Pork belly tacos for me, and they were quite tasty.
 |
| The Bogeys from outside; I was on the phone with Haley. |
 |
| Pork belly tacos, so goooood. |
The Bogeys got up there, and they may have been the friendliest band I've met in a long time. They all got up and introduced themselves to us. Daniel on drums, Scott on guitar, AJ on vocals and guitar, and Nathan from yesterday, on bass. They did a surf/jam/rock thing and it was pretty cool. AJ was a young skinny kid that wore a toque the whole time; don't know how he could do it, but he did, despite the hot lights on stage.
 |
| Scott, Daniel, AJ (in white), Nathan (L-R). |
After they finished, we jumped on and did the same set as we did in Oakland. I played pretty well, but not as well as Oakland. Sound on stage sounded great, and though I'd rather play THE HOG, the Jazz performed admirably. When I'd play on the bridge pickup, guess what? It sounded like a Jazz. I think it could use some setup; the sustain was a little lacking, but overall, it felt good, and the nice thin Jazz neck was a delight to wrap my hand around.
We ended our set and finished tearing down. Simon and I sat off the stage and AJ approached and said he had a place for us to stay! He was staying at a friend's house and was willing to put us up there, where he had 3 bedrooms and a couch. Incredible! We jumped in the van and followed AJ to his place up in the hills in Arroyo Grande.
I was excited to sleep in a quiet room, but ended up on the couch in the living room. But before that, I hung out with the crew for a bit, had my first (and only) alcoholic beverage on the trip so far, prepared thoughtfully by AJ (only featuring 3/4 shot of vodka). It was tasty enough and no side effects. We all engaged in some conversation, and then it was time for bed for me (around 2am). In went the earplugs, the eye mask (in this case, a bandana I brought along), and that was that.
Quick notes:
- Even though I totally overpacked, I sort of wish I brought a light jacket. All these coastal towns are chilly and breezy and though I have a hoodie, I'm thinking of having Alison bring me a light jacket of Todd's when she comes to LA tonight.
- Kip really was good. Super nice too. He's touring with a group in August called "Prog-ject" which is a bunch of prog dudes traveling the country for 3 months. He'll be at the Triple Door then, but I doubt I'll go. That said, he really went out of his way to make us sound good.
Kip and me. - Every time I come to California, I ask myself, "could I/we live here?" I like it enough, and there are beautiful parts that would be cool to be a part of. Just being able to walk from Ryan's apartment in Benicia to a coffee shop within 5 minutes was really neat. I've only ever lived in two places, and neither place allowed any sort of walkability to anything.
- Hoping Peter pays me today. He's been paying every other day, every two shows, but after Oakland and Morro Bay, no payment yet. I'm guessing he'll Venmo after tonight's show, which we think will be decently attended.
- Still having fun, but definitely missing the routine of home. Can't wait to get back next week!
- Robb texted me the other day. There's a big show happening on Saturday, 7/8, where Cass will be playing with Love Battery. Stag, the headliner, has to back out for medical reasons and they asked PITO to play. Unfortunately, I can't do it so we're not doing it. :( Next time, I hope!!
