Able Baker Fox

In the morning we all had the pleasure of doing some guest vocal work on the new LaSalle record. In our PJ’s, even. That record is going to rule, by the way. We then get all of our borrowed equipment back to its right place and head to the airport.

Even with all of the negative degrees, and excessive inches of snow, I’m looking forward to my next January in Chicago with these dudes. Its tradition now. And we’ll have Garcia’s, and fall asleep watching ZOOLANDER too. You can take that shit to the bank.

- Nathan

Saturday morning. We wake and get ready for the show in the evening. We’re opening tonight for Lucero, and Hot Water Music so we are due at the club around 4 pm. After sound check we enjoy beers and the company of old friends. Its been so long since I’ve seen Hot Water Music, so the nostalgia is thick.

We start our set around 6:30 although I understand the Metro site had the doors listed at 7 pm. Regardless, we had a good set and it really finally felt good. Just when we feel like we’re ready for some shows, we’re done for now.

I sat side stage and enjoyed a good chunk of Lucero’s set. Good band, and nice dudes. The crowd was huge and stinky for Hot Water, and they played like they were in full form. A great set of oldies and classics mixed in with some of the more current Epitaph songs. I miss that band.

After leaving the club and some creative lap sitting we decided that one round of Garcia’s was not enough. Besides, Margarita’s were needed. Back to Ben and Anne’s to fall asleep watching ZOOLANDER again. Its ritual at this point.

- Nathan

After waking up Friday morning we got to take it easy a bit. We took some laid back promo shots, and played in the snowy streets of Chicago. Its not like KC or Michigan snow. White and fluffy. Chicago snow is dirty and has rocks and salt in it. Better for snowballs, for sure.

Avoiding injury, Ben sold an amp to an old friend and we headed out to practice. Non-singing practice so I could rest the pipes. After a few runs through the set we feel more comfortable and decide to roll out. Mike’s wife Katy is headed to Ben and Anne’s place so we get ready for a night of kicking it.

And kick it we did. Anne made chili, and a bunch of people showed up for dinner, drinks, and boardgames. Yeah, we fucking party. It was a rad time. Finally crash out about 3 am.

- Nathan

Thursday a.m. We start rolling out of floor around 9 and decide to hit up some coffee at the Grind, and get to the practice space. After the days practice we’re all starting to feel like we might not embarrass ourselves at the first show tonight at the Beat Kitchen. Maybe we will though.

We started loading up the Element when we realized we had a lot of amps and merch…and not enough room for people. My skinny ass sat on a cupholder to the gig. Jeff and Ben took the bus. They took a bus. To our first show. Classic.

The LP’s showed up in all their colored vinyl glory. They really are beautiful. Big props to Dan for the investment, and big props to Ben for putting his artistic touch all over the record.

It started snowing and didn’t stop for a long time, 11 inches of it. It hurt the turnout at the show a bit, but we kind of cared less about that than the actual performance this night. The songs still aren’t being played natural, but we avoided any major song fall outs and managed to look like we knew what we were doing (didn’t we?). This is also the day that the common cold caught up with my and my voice was all but gone. Figures, right? Good thing we have Friday off to rest and practice up some more.

- Nathan

I don’t know how, or why, we do our January in Chicago. I think Florida, or Texas would be better suited for a winter vacation. But regardless of the weather, we have a good time. Jeff and I flew into Midway on Wednesday the 30th of January. My pilot said “Welcome to Chicago. Its negative 16 degree’s.” Fuck him. He was right!

After catching up with Jeff in the terminal we hopped a train into the city. Hooking up with our friend Mark we waited around for Mike and Trav to pull into town so we could get some grub at Hot Dougs. Char dogs. Bellies full, we decided it was time to meet up with Ben at the practice space.

We’ve got two shows to play this week (Thursday, and Saturday nights), and we’ve never even played and sang these songs at the same time. One year ago from now we spent 3 days writing 11 songs sans vocals, and lyrics, and then mid year 2007 we spent 3.5 days together recording the record. Its about time to figure out if we know how to do this or not.

After setting up the practice space and turning on the mics we battled our way through the set. Rough. Very rough. I was starting to think I should have practiced these songs at home on my own time. The second and third time through the progress had me in better spirits. We decide to call it a night and hit up some Mexican food at Garcia’s. Beers were had. After that back to Ben and Anne’s place for some shut eye.

- Nathan