TORNADO WARNING

Okay interweb, it's been too long. Fun updates will be posted this weekend. We played Memphis tonight, and while it was humid as ever, we had fun. My bass amp is not acting right and it kinda bugs me during our sets, but this weekend I might have time to get under the hood and see whats up with it. We had a dressing room trailer at the Beale Street Fest. They even decorated it with posters from Sun Studios, AND had really cool Sun Studios t-shirts waiting for us. So stoked. For the uninitiated, Sun was the starting place  for cats like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and others. U2 also recorded there during their Rattle and Hum cycle. We had a funny meet and greet autograph sesh after our set. Oh, but while walking off stage I ran into Fred Durst. He was a nice dude. We talked about the films he's directed. After the show we were en route to Dallas, but got caught in bad weather and had to avoid multiple tornados. We even hid out at a Wal Mart in the middle of Arkansas to avoid the rain. Now were shacked up in a Super 8 motel wishing we could make it to Dallas tomorrow. Looks like we'll head straight to St. Louis instead. Which is good, cuz I don't feel like being a storm-chaser again anytime soon.

There Was An Indian In The Corner Trying On My Clothes

We played Tulsa, OK last night. Started off the afternoon w/ a trip to the radio station to perform "Animal" on the air. Very nice peeps there. It was my first time playing the new Gretsch bass. We then went to the Brady Theater to do a "meet & greet" w/ some fans. This was also the first date that Mute Math were on the bill, so it was cool to meet them and chat. Cool dudes for sure. The theater was built in the 1920's and is said to be haunted??? We went exploring thru some of the walkways upstairs and it was kind of a trip. Our set was a blast. Since we've been getting radio play, there were some good sing-a-longs. We also filmed some of our show for MTV.

30 STM guitars

Mute Math performing

Random building I liked in downtown Tulsa, across from our hotel.

I Passed The Headliner On The Street Today

Today was a 15 hour driving day. Which means lots of headphone time in the van. I listened to James Brown, Mute Math, The Jayhawks, and a big shout for Jenny Lewis's "Rises Up with Fists". The bass line had me locked in. Also some Stooges and Johnny Cash. Tyler edited together some flipcam footage. That is looking awesome. We ate at a classic supper house in BFE New Mexico. Great bean burritos!!!!

The highlight of the day for me was when we stopped in Albuquerque. One of my BFF's Brian "Chili Dawg" Isakson and Miles met us at the Whole Foods near their house. Miles is 4 and was excited to tell me he watched our band on the computer, then asked where the rest of the band was. After meeting Tyler, he kept wanting to know more about the band. "Where does Tyler live?".  I love Miles. Brian is nice too I guess. ha ha. Brian is the best because he keeps in touch no matter what. I am not so good at that on my end. Because he's consistent, we've always stayed in touch. It was a real treat to see them today. Congrats to them (and Kelli and Otis) for their new baby brother, Charlie.

Today we played for KFMA DAY, a radio festival in Tucson, AZ. It was tons of fun. Switchfoot, Silversun Pickups, and MUSE were highlights for me. As for our set, we had a great response for being the baby band on the bill. It was good to look out in the crowd and see NEON TREES shirts and to see people singing along. We met lots of new fans during a meet and greet. I'm always flattered that people would wait in line to meet us or get an autograph. With the festivals, you also get the gnarly people. The sweaty drunk peeps that have no idea of personal space. ha ha. or how about the kids that feel like they might be bothering us for an autograph: "no guys, go away. stop making me feel like a big deal for 3 minutes."

The sea of people during Silversun Pickups tasty set!

"1983 is calling... back to you - it's coming on back to me!"

T-Bone Glenn checking out the Silversun set. The drummer was on fire. Great stuff for sure!

Baby Man and the Tour Diet

Baby Con is slowly becoming vegan due to his diet restrictions to help him control his seizures. He can't have any dairy, eggs, or chicken and turkey. However, I don't want him to be the only one doing this in our family. While being in Neon Trees, I've become great friends with Tyler, who has been eating a vegan diet for 8 years now. He's been a good example of healthier eating, and so I am trying it out. So over the next 5 weeks, I am cutting out dairy, by-products, and meats from my diet. It's gonna be a fun, and healthy 5 weeks. Tonight we had veggie fajitas w/ grilled mushroom and zucchini w/ habanero sauce. It was tasty! So, we'll see how this all goes.

Henderson and Laaaaaaaaaas Vegas

The first show was in Las Vegas last night. It was a blast!. We were rushed to the stage to start a few minutes early. It was very similar to the hit and run style of shows I grew up playing in Las Vegas. Except the Elks Lodge was The Pearl, and there were 2500 people there. The stage was big, which allowed us some room to stretch. And I was able to really crank my amp since the room was big.  We saw lots of old friends and family, and also met 30 Seconds to Mars. They are all nice guys, and Jared Leto made a fun entrance when revealed to Tyler that they both have bleach blonde mohawks. Em and I were comp'd a suite at the Palms, which we found out is normally priced at $2000 per night. You can see the view we had from our balcony. And the back road we'd take to go from backstage back to the room. And I loved seeing this road case that once belonged to a legend!

Your Time Is Gonna Come

Ummmm.... is this thing on? Is this really the sound of my voice? SO, I've been threatening to create a blog for many moons. So I'm finally doing it: a place to discuss the music I listen to and life on the road with my band Neon Trees. I had a blog once w/ my lovely bride, but it's safe to say she has taken it over. Love you honey, you are my daily cool!!!