MARK HERE
While we did our minitour a couple of weeks ago we got to stay at our manager's dad's house in Tucson. He doesn't live there, but the pool was all too inviting for boys who were supposed to be resting between long drives.
The song is an oldie that was halfway recorded for the album. What you hear is the demo we did in Houston...ahhhhh, I miss this song.
enjoy the vid!
We had some fun at this event. I must admit that the crowd should have been larger but the vibe was great.
The crowd...
Observing some of the auction items.
One of the perks was the free lattes...
And, alas, a brief hello from the master himself ...
I could never figure out why when celebrity singers sing the Star Spangled Banner they always seem to suck. Every superbowl, every year, every world series, every NBA finals they always lack originality and WOW. Is it that singers are so manufactured today? I need to know...
I'd never seen this video before today, but perhaps its essence seeped into my unknowing subconscious as a kid. The song would never be the same again and NEVER outmatched by anyone, anywhere.
HOLY SH-T this is good! I'm gonna change my undies now.
watch it.
I know politics are a touchy subject for some, so I'm not going to bring an issue that might offend anyone. I think that's why I love this video so much. It pretty much goes after every politician out there and does so with much success. I was seriously cracking up through this whole thing. Enjoy.
MARK HERE (again)
Whilst in Tucson, which was our last night with the Von Iva girls, we decided to take tons of photos to commemorate the all-too-short mini-tour.
In this particular photo, Jillian and I attempted to recreate the awkward, coming-of-age Junior High Prom photo-op.
I think we succeeded. 
Here's to middle-schoolers everywhere....don't ever grow up.
MARK HERE
This morning I was at Coffee Bean with a friend when Sarah Hagan walked in. I mean, I say her name like its recognizable, it's not really, but if you've seen her once you can't forget her. She played the character 'Millie' in the short-lived, critically acclaimed "Freeks and Geeks" TV series. As soon as she came in we were packing up to leave so it was somewhat startling, like I saw an old long lost friend...
Anyhow, she looked good...pretty casual and all...here is a recent pic:
Very different from her innocent and uptight character on the show....Of course the whole episode is just one of the odd perks of living in LA...running into recognizable faces.
I guess that's it. Have a good day. Oh, we played last night...it was fun....sound kinda sucked, the guy doing the monitor mixes onstage was a moron...he was texting on his phone while we're playing....effin idiot.
later!
Business drew me to the Sierra
..
Now why we aren't HUGE in Oakhurst still baffles me.
Any how ... This base of operations allowed for some road tripping. A long and windy road led to a tunnel. 
Once through the tunnel, you get almost instantaneously this view:
Millions of people have come here and I have logged a few visits myself. I still get teary-eyed by the grandeur.
I head back to LA today to rock out at the Key Club with Astra Heights.
It's gonna be a good one!
B
don't you love creative shniz like this?
If you thought our last party was fun....make plans for the 26th!
One photo I really needed to show was the sunrise THROUGH the windshield ...
Can you say BUG city?
Ok so fast forward (after the synchronized swimming session) we went to the club and set up.
After set up we hastily sought some local cuisine. Chicken Mole Tacos? Ok twist our arms!
The little joint also had some great art
The club PLUSH is very very cool. The staff was great and all bands rocked. James' profile helps drive the point home in this shot ...
After the show we prepared to beat a hasty retreat. We were beyond reluctant. Sometimes you have "been there done that" but this was a night that would have been nice for some laid back socializing etc. We felt all warm and fuzzy with Von Iva...
A special thanks to the Tucson Scene blog for helping advance the show. See:
HERE
Awright so next step was a suicidal drive to Denver. We do NOT recommend this but we had a schedule to stick to and we were unable to get a show in between. The Denver (Boulder actually) gig was a "school of rock" type summer camp called "The Power Chord Academy". It was on the BEAUTIFUL campus at Boulder. We played for a group of about 50 youths in a great auditorium and then did a Q&A session afterwards. They were great. The danced and clapped along to almost every song. Blew our minds. When the Q&A period came, they asked all sorts of questions from what kind of guitar pickups I use to how did Mark get his amazing voice. Why does James play his bass so high? Why do you James? Some of the boys would ask stuff like "What's the CRAZIEST thing that you have done on tour" we promptly replied " Next question?".
After this, they played a set of their own and each ensemble had its own sound. This one was basically Sonic Youth at half speed. Very strange and sort of great. Gotta love it! The tall guy in front is Matt. One of the camp leaders. Great guy from San Diego actually. He is helping them set up.
All of this was an early evening event so we had time to kill and went out for dinner with Aunt Alice and family who proved to be the greatest hosts.
Whew!
