through the music state and back again

MEMPHIS:

i think memphis might have a screw loose. or at least from the narrow view memphis afforded us.
after back-to-back-to-back locations where we got to relax and wander a bit between gigs, the king hen got back into the guerilla-strike routine of this tour's early days. this made our entire experience of tennessee seem like quite the soggy blur.

these kinds of days have developed something of a formula: the companion-bands, the crazy drunks at the bar, the benefactor, the random and surreal variable.

the companion bands in memphis pretty much schooled us with regard to musicianship and professional gear. there is obviously tremendous talent oozing out of air in the hometown of elvis and b.b. king--even in divey little rawk clubs like murphy's. ORGAN THIEF opened the set and blew our minds all over the club. this quartet was easily the best band we've been teamed up with so far, and so much better than those crusty old cover-artists down on beale street.

suitably intimidated, the king hen took the stage and at least kept the house surprisingly crowded and happy and loud for a rainy tuesday night. this would be only a weekend crowd in portland. despite the depths of musical awesomeness that we found ourselves floundering in, everyone was very nice and complimentary. valerie--companion to organ thief's guitar-acrobat brian--took up a collection for us during our set and managed to drum up more than $35 in single dollar bills. we felt like strippers, but grateful nonetheless. later, brian and valerie put is up at their house with very expensive guitars everywhere, and the most amazing 70's funk video on the dvd

the random and the surreal? geeze, where do we begin? was it the scary but happy metal-dude trying to get a homemade roman candle lit off the top his bald head? was it the blind-drunk woman screaming lewd manifestoes out her car window peeling out of the bar parking lot and across the lawn? was it her friend who tried to eat broken glass? was it the strange and disturbing sounds in the night? was it the offer to sleep on someone's ping pong table?

NASHVILLE:

we could have taken brian and valerie up on their offer to make us hash-browns in the morning but the hen had to get back across the length of the state to nashville's 'voted #1 punk club 2 years running': the SPRINGWATER SUPPER CLUB that night.

another racous crowd greeted us at the little dive right across from the giant replica of the athens parthenon. this place and its people were much more your basic hard-rock crowd, a tad scarier and more road-weary looking than in memphis, but ultimately less freaky as well. the back door smelled like vomit and barbeque sauce all-in one, and the men's room was a horror to behold, but--in true punk rock fashion--it was a very friendly and unpretentious vibe.

once again we were the middle band of three--rapidly becoming our favorite spot in the lineup. our colleagues didn't have quite the pro-grade talent that we experienced the night before but they made up for it in other ways. the first band was FOX CULT, all L.A. metal-style with skinny torsos in tanktops, long hair, headbands and eyeliner. the lead guy played a ricky bass like mine but got some amazingly chunky sounds out of the thing and left me feeling extra not-worthy. they had a strut and a sound and an attitude onstage, but were the sweetest and friendliest fellers offstage, all encouragements and compliments. the band after us, the FLASHCUT PINUPS made up for a seeming lack of practice and an un-heard bass (with an 8x10 speaker nonetheless!) with a strangely appealing sound with 2-part vocal girl-harmonies and a woman-drummer who sang and played a full drum kit all while standing up. you don't see that every day.

our benefactor of the night was the amazing marie feldhaus, my step-aunt. we didn't party like rock stars that night, but it was just as well. she had 4 beds for us, and coffee, bagels, bananas, orange juice, and great conversation for us early the next morning. this sweet lady and her entire family are the very definition of southern hospitality. thanks for marrying my dad, edie! we acted like normal people for once and actually hit the road at 8:30, staring a 9.5 hour drive to new orleans in the face, and an early 7pm show.