LOOM

June 27 - Los Angeles, California

2009-08-04T21:10:00.001-06:00

- Til the Bitter End -

June 26 - Canoga Park, California

2009-08-04T21:08:00.001-06:00

June 25 - Fresno, California

2009-08-04T21:06:00.002-06:00

June 24 - San Francisco, California

2009-08-04T21:01:00.004-06:00

June 23 - Oakland, California

2009-08-04T20:59:00.003-06:00

June 22 - Santa Cruz, California

2009-08-04T20:55:00.002-06:00

June 21 - Berkely, California

2009-08-04T20:52:00.002-06:00

June 19 - Arcata, California

2009-08-04T20:44:00.004-06:00

June 17 - Spokane, WA - The Empyrean

2009-06-22T03:19:00.005-06:00

Skate or Mikey

Corn Rows, Ra cha

June 16 - Spokane, WA - Catarina Winery

2009-06-22T03:15:00.002-06:00

Daisy Berger, the party animal

June 15 - Boise, ID - The Venue

2009-06-22T03:07:00.004-06:00

Crucial Greaser is now undergoing open heart surgery. We are borrowing I Am the Ocean's van. This is how we fit.

Futuristic Bullshit

- The After Party -

- Respectability -

June 11 - Denver, CO

2009-06-22T03:04:00.002-06:00

June 10 - Kansas City, Missouri

2009-06-22T03:00:00.002-06:00

June 9 - Columbus, Missouri

2009-06-15T20:38:00.004-06:00

Host of Hosts and fellow Choilistos!

Ben's Greaser

Breakfast

Mr. Mailman, you diabolic!

June 8 - Mississippi

2009-06-11T21:53:00.005-06:00

June 7 - Miami, Florida - Capsule House

2009-06-11T21:43:00.004-06:00

Where the sidewalk ends

Eddie Money finally got some. MIAMI!!!!

Berger the Destroyer. Don't worry, no worthwhile girls were beheaded during this rampage. This one had it comin and so did the other three not pictured but also destroyed by Dimmu Berger.

-Capsule-

fer flerida

2009-06-11T12:35:00.006-06:00

Dear Florida :

Your rains are insane! Your girls are babes, you've got a lot of surfer dudes, your landscape is gorgeous, and your humidity is awful. Went to your beaches several times. Once at night when we could sneak Daisy in, chase her around, and get her to swim away from the shore with us. Do you have any dog beaches? If so, we probably would have beached even more. Just a thought.

Your locals are super chill....ie. The punks who hung out with Josh and John the night we arrived and ran into us the next day. Also, the random kids who hopped on the bus and hung out with us and told us about their wild hobby of kayak fishing. Those pics of what they caught? No idea! And to learn that we'd been swimming around with flounder and other fish while those huge pelicans dove for them not far from us?! Incredible. Oh, and cannot forget M, the girl who jumped out of the car after a wedding and became my new show buddy, gave me her bracelet and introduced us to other great people. Performed a “show” of her own while the band was playing. Haven't seen ANYTHING like it at a house show. It was a huge tit...i mean, huge hit!

Uncle Ron was a blast, thanks to Emily. Let us crash at his amazing place in what seemed like a tropical wonderland of crazy bugs, lizards everywhere, an endangered turtle, and a pond with frogs, fish, and at one time a sea otter. Hoped for an alligator, but no dice. Listened to Ron's incredible and wild stories of living in Florida in the seventies and eighties. The famous people he'd met, the adventures he'd been on, how Florida was one of the only states thriving economically back then due to the drug biz. (See film “Cocaine Cowboys” for starters). How “the best tasting” turtle steaks used to come from the area until they were outlawed. How they used to kill them. :( (It's disgusting and heart-wrenching). I think Ron's stories are more entertaining than most that I've heard. People like Ron the adventurous and the guy in the grocery store parking lot that bought our CD? The guy that always wished he could have jumped in a bus with a camera and traveled? They really get us. They feel what we're doing; support it wholeheartedly and remind us of how lucky we are. “You get to travel around the entire country. And can afford to! Some people don't even get to leave their neighborhood in say...Brooklyn their whole lives and you guys get to go everywhere!”

Your bands also impressed the hell out of us. Give up...nicest guys and great band! Hooked us up with a super fun house show. And then Capsule did the same for us the next night. Set up a house show for us in Miami and played for the first time since fall. Blew our minds musically. All the bands we played with in Florida rocked. The east coast has been a newfound gem and I really cannot wait to come back. Oh, and Mike's sorry for telling everyone that Orlando Magic beat the Lakers without knowing that the game had gone into overtime. His phone doesn't update quickly enough! Chins up..you guys will kill 'em in Orlando. If Jebus can walk on water in your ocean, you can beat the Lakers.

oh, the terror

2009-06-10T11:12:00.003-06:00

I believe, due to the VERY slight drop in temperature, that we have crossed Florida's border. Aha! Now in Alabama. Florida...ah, Florida. In and out of sticky, sweaty slumber while sludging through this 771 page fiction book I'm reading. “The Terror”....a tale of gore, sickness, and horror among a crew of men searching for the Northwest Passage in the Arctic in the 1800s. (book report?) As I read of packed ice, blizzards, -80 degree weather, severed limbs, gutted bodies, monster attacks, scurvy, cannibalism, and starvation I continue to sweat in this microwave of a bus driving through what feels like hell's armpit. Today has been a beast. Traveling from Miami to Mississippi (18 hr. trip) and all I can do is read and dream continuations of what I have just read. I awake in soaked blur and think of my men. make a mental checklist like those in the book made by Captain Crozier. For a moment I imagine I am trapped in a frozen nightmare with slim chance for survival and mutiny on the horizon. In a moment I am not convinced. It is too hot to imagine I am in the Arctic and grateful for this....this sappy weather. "My men"....they have showed signs of exhaustion. After a day of choiling in the sun and eating little (I have yet to see Finnegan eat AT ALL today), their weariness is apparent. Ryan has taken captain's seat in S.S. Crucial for the first time and is handling our vehicle as would make “Captain Cundick” proud. The remainder of Josh's beer rations have been consumed and his infamous toothache has set in again. The crew's spirits have temporarily been boosted with Ryan's selection of sweet, sweet eighties rock, but I fear that if we do not arrive at our destination soon, the mood may worsen. The overall desire for a shower wells up within me at a frightening rate. While in and out of half-sleep, the bus to me smells of sweaty, musty dirt and hints of vinegar. It's enough to tempt me to change out of my most comfortable dress after three days of “sporting it.” In this kind of weather, it seems justified. I am d-i-s-g-u-s-t-i-n-g. Mosquito bites everywhere and I feel I shall scratch myself to death. Over the past few days we have survived on a diet of spaghett and whatever remaining tinned goods are available. Should the food run out, i think we'll eat John first. He is the bass player after all. There is rumor onboard that if we make it to our show tonight, we shall be fed a vegetarian feast! I look forward to this and can't help but sigh at the thought of tonight's ten hour drive. I want to scream over the murder which just took place in the book. Wow! The non-fiction I'm living with Loom beats the hell out of a seaman's life on the Arctic. Take the heat. Sweat with grace. Think of the fun had in the WARM ocean while in this humid existence. Think of discovering Mississi'p.

June 6 - Melbourne, Florida

2009-06-09T01:58:00.006-06:00

- It all started, as most things do, with a toad -

- The Alex Incident -

- as you can see she didn't give up -

- Then she went and harassed some girls -

- And she still didn't give up. And neither did Give Up -

- Daisy in a the pond in front of Ray's house -

June 5 & 6 - Florida Beaches

2009-06-09T01:20:00.005-06:00

- Leaving our mark in the sky -

- To go with the look, Josh can now walk on water -

- This sign says no buses, no animals and no alcohol. RA CHA!! -

June 3 - Raleigh, Maryland - The Ruckus Bar

2009-06-09T01:12:00.004-06:00

June 2 - Phoenix, Maryland

2009-06-09T01:00:00.005-06:00

- Picnic & floating down a river in Maryland - So so good -

June 1 - College Park, Maryland - House of Awesome

2009-06-04T16:33:00.004-06:00

May 31 - Meadow Brook, Pennsylvania - Cook's House

2009-06-04T16:18:00.005-06:00

- Cook's Awesome House -

- Pittsburgh -

2009-06-03T09:03:00.003-06:00

Dear Abby,
Brooklyn is haunted. Several events occurred on the night of the 27th and 28th that confirmed this; as per the photo which clearly reveals high levels of supernatural activity surrounding us on the stoop outside of the apartment we occupied. The presence of evil-doing spirits....first evident after the hour of 3 A.M. when Jarom was discovered asleep on the couch with strange symbols etched into his arm and forehead. With messages very foreign to the human vernacular. “irol3” ???? Mysterious indeed. Later that night, as we decided to leave the apartment and walk to a park a few blocks away, we experienced a “ghost leeching;” a well-known haunting that involves a spirit or spirits that "leeches" on to a group and follows them for a while despite leaving the haunted ground. It's the only way to explain why all of Brooklyn's residents kept giving us stare downs on our way to the park. I saw no other justifiable reason for the stare downs as i felt we blended in perfectly there. When we finally reached the park Daisy was possesed and immediately began jumping about, biting at sticks; parading herself madly and violently while lunging into the air sporadically. Not to mention the two police cars that were circling the lawn. It wasn't that they were there it was that.... they left! NEVER in Salt Lake had we EVER been watched by the police and then left to our own devices without questioning, accusations or at least a slap on the hand. Surely something evil was afoot. On our way back Daisy was still clearly possessed and was scaring the people we passed. Groups quickly cleared paths for her bearing most frightened expressions. From out of nowhere a man seemed to magically fall from a tree and stumble past Daisy hurriedly. As the night went on, Josh too began to transform; rocking back and forth, drifting off to sleep then randomly jerking awake and engaging himself socially. Often, out of nowhere, a change in his voice and echoing of the same phrase mechanically. “Shut uuuuup Kim.” The spirits seemed to grow violently charged and disruptive. John crashed to the ground repeatedly as if something stole the chair out from under him. He crashed to the ground while standing. Couch pillows flew about the house. Cans, fruits, and a fork or two ricocheted from the ceiling fan continuously. And the next morning, we all awoke to a changed John. Half of his mustache had been removed and many indiscernible marks drawn upon his skin. Brooklyn, most definitely, is haunted when Loom is present. People should know about this which is why I decided to send this letter. Also, we are planning on returning to Brooklyn in the fall. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Kim Loom

Dear Kim Loom,
First of all, I have spoken with the rest of your band and must inform you directly....you are the ONLY member who believes Brooklyn to be haunted. After reviewing with them the events of your letter, I can clearly see where you were misled. To begin, the photograph. Artsy. That is all that it is. Secondly, that thing about Jarom and strange symbols? Years of touring and you're still not used to this? The writing which covered his face can be traced back to a familiar ritual practiced among many, including Ethan, your gracious host. Writing on the first person to pass out with a sharpie is NOT uncommon and is exactly what happened to Jarom. The word “irol3” can also be explained. John Finnegan, in an attempt to spell “i rule,” erred and wrote irol3 due to his current state. And the rest is clearly not a ghost either.... people in Brooklyn looked at a group of white kids strangely while walking around at night? Are you kidding me?! Of course they would look at you strangely. They're the ones who should be worried about ghosts. I mean one or two white kids walking around is usual but eight? Please.... Also the man suddenly falling from a tree. Isn't there a chance he was trying to avoid Daisy and that is all? Indeed. According to Jarom, the stranger merely leaped out of the way and from where you were standing you I guess it looked like he fell from above. To that I can only say, shouldn't have been standing there. The rest too, is obvious. Josh argues that you were quick to accuse. His “rocking back and forth” is not unnatural for him considering how much partying had already been underway. Him telling you to “shut uuuuuup Kim” at random is also not surprising considering his state.... Shit Kim he loves to give you a hard time and he was trashed! Cushions, forks, cans, etc flying about? According to your bands drunken remembrances, Ethan's apartment had a ceiling fan. You were attempting to sleep on the couch and in mid-slumber among total chaos you misinterpreted their “havoc” as ghostly violence. Harmless party aggression among hyperactive boys/men/what have you. And again I must say Kim considering your YEARS of touring I am very suprised at you... I will not share your letter with Brooklyn or talk you out of returning. I merely suggest that you look not for that which is not there. And do not try to sleep again among an ongoing party for there will always be room for misinterpretations.
Sincerely,
Abby
P.S. John's mustache was shaved due to a bet between he and Ethan. He was written on with sharpie as sweet revenge from Jarom for the night previous.
P.P.S. Do not contact me again with such silliness.

May 29 - Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania - Metropolis Cafe

2009-06-01T18:53:00.007-06:00

Bathroom at the Metropolis was well versed

- Pennsylvania car shows are legit -

Pennsylvania doesn't tear down their buildings. They fall down their buildings.

And they have detours based on the color of your skin

May 28 - Hamden, Connecticut - The Space

2009-05-29T17:46:00.003-06:00

May 27 - Brooklyn, New York - Hangin Out

2009-05-29T17:32:00.005-06:00

New York City Pigeons

New York Yankees

New York Pizza

- Brooklyn BBQ -

See how he makes the women swoon

Daisy Berger the Vegetarian

May 26 - Manhatten, New York - Lit Lounge

2009-05-29T17:27:00.003-06:00

May 23 - Bunker Hill, Indiana - Jonny's House/Masonic Lodge

2009-05-25T11:18:00.005-06:00

- BROSHIP -

The Irish toasted to things like this?

- Dimmu Berger and her wreath -

May 22 - Cleveland, Ohio - The Happy Dog

2009-05-25T11:12:00.003-06:00

Driving all through the night

Totally effed up on pine sauce!!

Garbage cans can be so much more in Cleveland

May 21 - Chicago, Illinois - The Elbow Room

2009-05-25T11:10:00.002-06:00

May 21 - Fort Madison, Iowa in the morning

2009-05-25T11:01:00.004-06:00

Eddie Money in Iowa, which of course is in Texas

Bernie's treated us well

America's Next Top Model

Handsome Dave - aka: Dancin' Dave

May 20 - Fort Madison, Iowa - Bernie's

2009-05-25T10:52:00.003-06:00

Even the bartenders love us!

Road Dogs

2009-05-22T00:02:00.000-06:00

05/21/2009

After today's band meeting, I am reminded of gratitude and what it feels like to recognize its affect. Mike is buying the bus rather than getting paid back for it thereby giving all of us a chance to actually make money from the band sooner than we ever have thought we could. I remember now that we are doing this with a purpose. What started simply because of passion and enjoyment is now hinting at becoming the ultimate career for us as well. I feel a strong connection towards those who have been a support system. To our salt lake friends...you helped us make more money at home to go towards this tour than we have made at any show on ANY of our tours. You keep my head on straight with continuous calls and texts and updates. Even hearing that Alex Guy was reading our blogs made my entire day. To all our supportive friends outside of Salt Lake....I would need an entire blog to fully express our appreciation. I'll start by just ment5ioning two words....Humboldt County. To family...the list is endless. Jarom's family, Dork's grandpa, John's mom Kathleen. Family accepting of what we're trying to do. I feel good to be realizing that I am in it for the long haul, that we are road dogs until we are satisfied....”Once you taste blood, you can't help but go back for more.” The blood we crave is this life...traveling, social exchange, life on the bus, sweat on the stage. The tarot reading that came to mike and I as I dwelt in my ball of stress just prior to this tour no longer frightens me. “Tears will flow like blood.” I felt my worries were justified; this tour was going to kick our asses; knock us off our feet. Now, after two weeks I'm convinced I was paranoid and scared to accept my decision to leave everything in storage and get the hell out of dodge. Not scared any longer. Balance, patience and unselfishness will keep us sane, tough, and appreciative. This experience I no longer desire to pick apart or to question. Loom will NOT disappoint. Loom will NOT take this for granted. We grow up every damn day while going against the standard definition of “growing up.” Can't help but brag about Salt Lake every single night. I rarely get laughed at anymore after telling people where we're from. Now it's just “How is it out there?” The word is spreading. About the fellow road dogs working their asses off getting Utah out there every year. So completely stoked on this. One night after we finished playing with I Am Ocean, an impressed onlooker said the most complementary thing aloud to another impressed friend: “What do you expect? Salt lake bands. That's what you get from salt lake.”

May 19 - Road to La Fayette and walking around

2009-05-21T19:49:00.003-06:00

Gary, Indiana can fix your computer without touching it. And it's a family business

The longest running flag in the country. Never been pulled down from its post.

Chicago

La Fayettanites don't look like this.

La Fayettanites are superstitious

And they have a huge ding-a-ling outlet.

As well as a self-proclaimed "tobaccanist". I'm pretty sure that's only a word in La Fayette.

The La Fayette Court House

May 19 - La Fayette, Indiana - Skylight Coffeehouse

2009-05-21T19:41:00.004-06:00

- Processing the grease! -

La Crosse, Wisconsin @ The Warehouse & The roads to and from

2009-05-18T20:01:00.005-06:00

Ok? Whatever Semi...

Daisy, the real party animal.

- Loom Am The Ocean -

Kim as the Cobra Commander for the first time!!

Sometimes you can hold your liquor but ya can't hold your bladder.

cherry popping daddies

2009-05-18T13:50:00.000-06:00

Josh and John have their millionaire plan established. I would blab on about it but then the brilliant secret would be vulnerable and their ideas stolen. Let me just say I am proud. Their brainstorming and hard studying of a particular subject shall pay off.

Indiana is a gorgeous green as we drive towards Iowa. Rumor has it that tonight's bar will hook it up. We are all hopeful that it is true. So rare that a bar will give a band an....ooh, ah....endless tab. Yesterday, 100% of us were 100% sober..free of alcohol. First time this tour. It is a tour of firsts. Popping the tour cherry in many ways. I feel a list coming on....

Angus and I drove the bus for the first time ON the freeway, both of us taking it through Chicago. I am hoping to acquire a photo ticket (more so the photo than the ticket) of me speeding past toll booths at John's request while he, Josh, and Ryan rock out to Queen. Somehow it WOULD be obvious that Queen was the music being rocked out to. I PROMISE!
John experienced a birthday beyond his wildest dreams...one during which FOR THE FIRST TIME, he continued to forget that it was even his birthday. Thanks to Fernanda's dad's hookup, we all went to Six Flags Great America. First weekday it'd reopened this year and conveniently perfect timing for us.

Daisy ran through a screen door...probably the most destructive thing she has EVER done... unintentionally. After getting out of the bus and seeing a pair of dogs through the screen door, she let herself right on in there. Majestic beast.
Hand washed our clothes. Borrowed a band's kitchen facilities, television, shower and laundry machines. BROKE the washer and had to hand rinse and wash the remaining clothes in their tub. I am reminded of living in an apartment where I couldn't afford hot water and did this daily. Doing it on the road feels better and more justified.
John has been on the phone at nights. On tours of past, his phone is usually the least important object of his desire. Our continual demands for him to get off his phone this time around and hang have changed nothing. We have all learned to live with it.
The bus has been running well. Knock on some mother f'ing wood please.
The bus no longer has a cloaking device to hide us from cops. The outcome of this could have been worse but are still disappointing.

a. In Minneapolis, Minnesota we were woken up with news of a parking ticket.

b. In Lacrosse, Wisconsin we were woken up to the sound of a walkie talkie and a police officer's voice talking to John about how he should drink less and stay on the bus. Refer to previous blog entitled “sleepwalking (again).”

c. On the way to Crowne Point, Indiana we are given an improper signal ticket for pulling over to refer to a map....in the middle of what apparently was an intersection. Hell, it's easy to get lost in the middle of nowhere and even easier to assume that where you stop is unimportant. Fortunately, we'd “cleaned house” prior to that encounter.

d. In the hospital parking lot (the hospital trip being another first for any of us in loom) we were awoken by a police officer and asked to move. Also in Crowne Pointe.

Though not painful, a huge bummer that the cops are beginning to care about the bus more than ever before.

No peeing of the bunk or anywhere else that could result in a confrontation. I'm pretty sure that is a first.
Jarom is booking tour from the road thanks to our newly acquired laptop and is pulling it off extremely well.
We have a photographer with us who is experiencing some firsts of his own (wink, wink) and keeping us all VERY entertained.
And to tie it all up neatly with the first “first” mentioned....During my first driving on the freeway experience, John peed out of the moving bus while passing Chicago.

Consider your cherry popped “trusty old hog tour '09!”

sleepwalking (again)

2009-05-17T10:03:00.000-06:00

WISCONSIN POLICE DEPARTMENT SECTION 5
UNIFORM CITATION OR INFORMATION AND SUMMONS TO APPEAR

NAME: (Last) Finnegan
(First) John
(Middle) Michael

ADDRESS
na (touring bus)

Gender:Male Ethnic Code:W Height:5'10" Weight:135 Eyes:GR Hair:BRO

Picture ID
Yes

ON (DATE) 05/17/2009 MILITARY TIME (FIRST CONTACT): 6:15 a.m.

LOCATION: Lacrosse, WI

THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT IS ACCUSED WITH VIOLATING THE FOLLOWING: TRESPASSING

Defendant, according to testimony, remembered being at this location
(Kyle's house):

Defendant was awoken on couch by local officer at this location:

Accuser does not wish to press charges. "I just want him out of my house!" Quote from Su Li Chin (a.k.a. "Angry Asian" as pictured above.) A ticket will not be issued as there have been previous "incidents" involving defendant being charged with so-called sleepwalking following long days/nights of intoxication. ie. climbing into bed with host and his wife, peeing down the staircase of a friend's home; each while in deep slumber. The intention of this file is to notify autorities via record that violent response is unnecessary if this man is found in the home of a stranger or in bed with unsuspecting persons.

DEFENDANT'S TESTIMONY: "That cop was an asshole. I was trying to sleep, and awoke to him yelling at me and telling me to get up; asking me what the hell i was doing there. I didn't know what i was doing there! I was sleeping on some couch. I don't know how i got there! I saw some asian couple standing in the living room saying they just wanted me out of their house. Why couldn't he be a man and tell me himself!? Pussy. I was taken to the bus and the officer asked me if anyone else was missing. I said that i thought they were all asleep. He was glad, saying he didn't want to have to go tracking down anyone else in my band. Asshole. I was just trying to sleep." (Repeated story several times.)

May 15 - Walking around Minneapolis, MN

2009-05-15T17:20:00.003-06:00

May 14 - Minneapolis, MN - Uptown Bar

2009-05-15T17:10:00.004-06:00

- I am the Ocean -

May 13 - Fargo, ND @ The Red Raven

2009-05-14T16:16:00.006-06:00

Drove all through the night to Fargo and ended up in Minnesota. Which was a little too far.

May 12 - Mandan, ND - "If I ran the zoo" changed my life

2009-05-14T16:05:00.005-06:00

- If I Ran the Zoo -

These guys were legit

hour of reckoning

2009-05-13T12:35:00.000-06:00

Tour “excitement” has awoken me from sleep generally between the hours of 3 and 4 a.m. I shall call this the hour of reckoning....Red Barn show for example; Williston, North Dakota. A party has ensued near the barn, band members have been taken to dinner by the woman who put on the show, and the residents in surrouding trailers seem to have retired. After 3 a.m. in the morning....the strange sensation of rolling backwards. The bus “accidentally” backs down the hill and into what feels like.....a tour van. Air brake problems. Sleeping in Gethsemane's tour van has been hit. Window shattered and some body damage though NOT the body of Brandon who had just barely wished us goodnight and laid down in the seat next to the window. Visions of fists; Shane's fists swinging at all of us wildly, dance about in my mind after hearing his frantic reactions to our beast resting against their baby blue. But no one seriously injured. And no hard feelings. The benefits of running into a friend? Brandon removes small pieces of glass from himself and the van the next day, replaces the hole with cardboard and duct tape and an uncomfortable police report is filed. The cops lecture Mike and Shewall for any violation they may be guilty of. violations completely unrelated to the accident.
Last night in Mandan, North Dakota....party ensues after an incredibly rewarding show at the Eagles lodge. The mid-west and their tendency to spoil our asses! Around 3 a.m. Grandpa Dork decides after a short bar trip and some logical considerations that a 7 a.m. drive to Fargo will work out for all. Sends the memo via text. His decision to retire before the troops do and catch some rest is made. Shortly thereafter, when sleep has finally graced us, a small but influential voice enters the bus; Jeremey the bargaining chip. “We decided to head to Fargo tonight. Join our band. Everyone wants to do it.” A half-asleep Grandpa groans a no and Jeremy exits. Minutes later, a chanting arises in the dark night air. “Ra! cha cha cha-cha cha-cha cha—cha—cha! RA! Cha cha cha-cha CHA-cha CHA—CHA—CHA!” again and again, closer and closer. Hauntingly loud and threatening. The loom/ocean pirate army has come to rape and pillage our hopes of sleep. The marching and shouting comes from a block away and approaches within seconds. Heavily stomping feet mount the bus and proceed up and down the small isle. I picture Taylor and his plastic sword swinging. Visions of fists; my fists flying dance about in my mind. But really.....credit where due....how can such a drunken “army” keep such perfect rhythm? “Let's go to Fargo! Let's go to Fargo!” again and again. The troops are getting precise with their demands. Finally after minutes of ignoring their shouts Mr. Finnegan jumps into the captain's chair and we set sail. With Daisy as his final lasting co-pilot, we awake the next morning around ten. Only to find ourselves in Minnesota, thirty miles past Fargo where the landscape is so bleak, gas stations have no postcards for sale. Rather fishing bait: Crappies, Shiners, Fat Heads, and Medium Suckers. So! We had somehow missed seven or so exits leading to Fargo. I blame it on Daisy? The adorable dog who had tried to bulldoze her head into me hours previous to fit into our two-person on a twin sized bunk. The adorable dog who awoke to tuna puke in her dog bowl that morning. Problem solved....tonight I must stay awake past the hour of reckoning so as to avoid being awaken by “excitement.” Pipe dreams Kim.....pipe dreams. Start your period already.

May 11 - Williston, ND - The Red Barn

2009-05-13T11:03:00.004-06:00

Mike changing the choil filters

The Red Barn

Larry the Pony. Sketchy.

May 10 - Yellowstone Perk - Billings, Montana

2009-05-12T18:40:00.005-06:00

When the Crucial leaks green we put green back in her.

Clough!

Welcome

2009-05-11T17:01:00.002-06:00

Sunday, 05/10/09
Awoke to the sound of the parking of the bus and a needy stomach. The demand was evident. Projectile vomiting of lovely purple and spinach dip. Last night's wine mixture obviously a bad choice. Tacky glass with roses in them, sappy cards, and lacy ugliness adorned the shelves of the gas station entry way leading to my puking haven. Happy mother's day. Couple hours of sleep, intake of water, and another puke session. May I now recommend coca-cola for those who may find themselves also afflicted with the wine flu. Driving, driving, and overheating. A rip in the radiator hose. Our mother's intestines were vulnerable and bleeding of radiator fluid. Poor crucial on mother's day. An hour and a half of surgery by mike and josh with Incision here, yank there, clamping of the hose and ra cha! Celebration. Then......the bottle of gin met mark. The intimacy of their short lived relationship made me want to gag. Such affection. Such complete intake of the warm gin......straight gin, mind you. No dry love here. Time passed. Their interaction continued then.....“This is a good thing guys don't worry.” Bowed at the top front of the bus, poised over the top of the steps and with rock hand in the air, the transparent and sherbet explosion flowed freely. A waterfall of accomplishment. “i achieved my goal. I went into it wanting to puke.” Day three, third puke of the day. Welcome to tour. Welcome to Montana home of mothers with mullets and kids who hate where they live.

May 9 - Pocatello, Idaho

2009-05-11T11:03:00.004-06:00

2009-05-10T19:23:00.000-06:00

MEMO Saturday 05/09/09
TO: joshua devenport (microsoft paint guru and laminate designer)
FROM: kim pack (loom secretary)
SUBJECT: tour laminate
Joshua,
After several drunken nights of witty banter and humorous exchanges to influence us, the band has officially decided on a “proper” title for this stretch of tour on the year of our lord 2009. please change the title from “Loom and Ocean awesome tour, great job!” to “Trusty old hog tour '09.” I will attempt to briefly explain the reasonings for this change. Your gut instinct was spot on as you originally came up with the very title. Due to the joke once dropped (I hesitate to mention the names of those involved), “trusty old hog” has always provided a good belly aching giggle. It can be used in reference to most any scenario. ie. “My courier always delivers my memos on time. What a trusty old hog she is!” or, on a more personal level in relation to the band, “Crucial Greaser! Trusty old hog! Neil, Michael, Dan, and Will...the genius force behind Crucial's (the bus's) hours of repairs....TRUSTY OLD HOGS!” I need not remind you also of the continual use of the term as reference to water jugs as trusty old hogs whether used for the drinking of water or disposal of urine. As you can see, the possibilities are endless and due to recent events the phrase is extremely applicable. So, you may now officially retire the previous laminate of “get your duck sick” and welcome the new “trusty old hog!” I would offer you other programs that could be of assistance, but am fully aware of your “attachment” to the paint program. I look forward to your artistic ingenuity and expect a rough draft of your ideas on my bunk in no less than 24 hours from the time you receive this memo from my.....you guessed it......trusty old hog.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Pack

The Crucial Greaser

2009-05-10T12:21:00.011-06:00

The Crucial Greaser

Bunks

Booking the Tour as we go

Trusty Old Water Hog

Functionality over Fashion

Collecting Grease

April 1 - West Coast Tour kickoff show @ The Woodshed

2009-04-16T18:33:00.002-06:00