11.19.06: Culture Room-Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The mother of all shows, that is, not only the last, but with one of the best crowds in the world: South Florida. The finale was probably one of the funniest times I've had on stage (watch the video and you'll see what I mean). We had silly string, half-naked indians, end-of-tour angst, breaking stuff and more breaking stuff. I miss the guys from Jonezetta and The Whigs, and I wish them the best.

11.17.06: State Theatre-Tampa, FL

Exceptional show and quite a surprise. I can't wait to go back for the Fray tour.

11.15.06: The Social-Orlando, FL

The Social is always a special place because it sounds so great in there; well, at least most of the time, but this time, I had major sound issues, which made for a not-so-enjoyable performance.

11.14.06: Martini's-Jacksonville, FL

Not much to say except that we are getting closer to Miami.

11.13.06: off day-Nashville, TN

What can I say? I'm home!

11.12.06: City Hall-Nashville, TN

Our best Nashville show yet. Club of the Sons were exceptional. Plus, I get to sleep in my own bed after the show!

11.11.06: Grimey's-Nashville, TN

This was a special performance since it was the first time (without any rehearsals) that I played my upright for a Mute Math show. I played it on "Chaos" and "Noticed." By the time we got to "Reset," I was worn out. Not playing upright consistently for over three months will show you what a wimp you are. That thing had me for lunch, but at least I was warmed up for the next day when I used it for "Obsolete" at City Hall. That was memorable. I hope one day to tour with the double bass, ¡mi contrabajo míjo! I bought Ron Carter's Green and Yellow on vinyl, too.

11.10.06: The Basement-Columbus, OH

The Decemberists played next door in the big room. I'm not too fond of this venue because it's too small and only about a quarter of the audience can really see the stage. I'd hate to see a show here.

118.06: El Mocambo-Toronto, Ontario

Did the whole MTV thing in Canada, which was quite fun. The show was decent. It was a long day, and I was happy for it to be all over. By the way, I have no idea what a "mocambo" is except that I think it's a place and has to do with Brazil.

11.7.06: Mile End Cultural Center-Montreal, Quebec

While in Montreal, I kept wishing I knew more French, and since this visit, I have started studying. (My father speaks French, and it's part of my hertitage.) I ate at a Chileno/Mexicano place and spoke Spanish instead. At the show, the crowd was so insane, by far the craziest of the entire tour, for reals, no lies, ¡te lo juro! I thought the floor (we were on the 2nd floor) was going to cave in.

11.6.06: Webster Underground-Hartford, CT

Since I dropped the ball, the blogging ball that is, near the end of the fall tour, I decided to write a quick recap of the remainder of the dates. Must I remind the reader that it has been over a month since the tour ended. Most of these will be no longer than a paragraph.

Webster Underground was a crappy little club in the ghetto (it seemed like the Puerto Rican ghetto at that, which of course I have a special place in my heart for) of Hartford. Anyway, we had played here once before with Switchfoot (but in the big room, which was nice.) As usual, the crowd made up for lack of bad sound and lights.

11.4.06: off day-NYC

New York on a day off . . . not to mention, a day off in the city with my wife! What else could I ask for? We had a wonderful, romantic time.

I'm going to live here one day . . .

10.31.06:20th Century Theater-Cincinnati, OH

The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos, Día de los Difuntos or Día de Muertos in Spanish) is an ancient Aztec celebration in memory of deceased ancestors, celebrated on November 1 (All Saints' Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day).

The holiday is especially popular in Mexico, where it is a national holiday, and is celebrated in the Philippines, in Mexican-American communities in the United States, and to a lesser extent in other Latin American countries. It is a public holiday in Brazil, where many Brazilians celebrate it by visiting cemeteries and churches, bringing flowers, lighting candles and praying.

Though the subject matter may be considered morbid from the perspective of some other cultures, Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead joyfully, and though it occurs at the same time as Halloween, All Saints' Day and All Souls Day, the traditional mood is much brighter with emphasis on celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased, and celebrating the continuation of life; the belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life.

11.1.06-BB King's: New York, NY

It was my first time to play in Times Square, and it felt surreal to see our name up on the marquee, down in the middle of it all.

Down in the bowels of the city, Darren and I catch the subway.

10.26.06-Zydeco: Birmingham, AL

Finally, the day came for Club of the Sons to join us for some gigs. It was like seeing family after a long period of separation, a family that blows your mind with its musicality and creativity at that.

Their show was everything and more of what I anticipated. I can't wait for Club of the Sons to record an album and start touring. They are one of a kind, and a must-see live.

10.24.06-40 Watt Club:Athens, GA

10.20.06-Starr Hill:Charlottesville, VA

What is in the water around here?


This was by far the most insane crowd on this tour:

Sometimes the Sky's Too Bright by: Dylan Thomas

Sometimes the sky's too bright, Or has too many clouds or birds, And far away's too sharp a sun To nourish thinking of him. Why is my hand too blunt To cut in front of me My horrid images for me, Of over-fruitful smiles, The weightless touching of the lip I wish to know I cannot lift, but can, The creature with the angel's face Who tells me hurt, And sees my body go Down into misery? No stopping. Put the smile Where tears have come to dry. The angel's hurt is left; His telling burns. Sometimes a woman's heart has salt, Or too much blood; I tear her breast, And see the blood is mine, Flowing from her, but mine, And then I think Perhaps the sky's too bright; And watch my hand, But do not follow it, And feel the pain it gives, But do not ache.

10.19.06-The Norva:Norfolk, VA

Got up at 4:30a.m. in Nashville;
Flew to Baltimore;
Two hour lay over,
Flew to Norfolk;
Waited in airport two hours;
Friend Jess picked me up (thanks)!
Went to venue and was happy to find a ping-pong and foozeball table in dressing room . . .

Took pictures of my bandmates and them of me:

10.15.06-Stubb's:Austin, TX

Looking back on this night in Austin, I immediately think about the history that I've been cordially brought into, namely that of La Zona Rosa. I took this picture of Ruben Blades in our dressing room, and was humbled to be part of this legacy; that is, the legacy of playing some venues with significant history, such as Cain's in Tulsa, Knitting Factory in NYC, etc.

As the rest of the Texas shows, it was a special night because a good number of friends and family came to see us, especially people from the valley. For example, I was surprised to see David Ramirez, a friend I grew up playing music with and someone I haven't seen in over two years. So, it's nice to encounter such people in midst of tour. These things bring even more meaning to me as we constantly make our way around the country. Thanks.

10.14.06-Numbers:Houston, TX

Another great Texas show, but with too much destruction at the end . . . bass amps fell and so did people . . . Darren wore a bass drum on his head at the end of the show.

Thanks to Homer Rios from the RGV for bringing some tasty Mexican food from back home. Plus, it was cool to hang out with another homeboy Steve Salinas, with whom I ate some Mediterranean and talked about music, life, and old times.

Pictured below is Robert from Jonezetta. They blew it up that night in H-Town.