Slam Tour Diary: July 4, 1990-Champaign

Hey, Baby! It’s the Fourth of July! Unfortunately, the mood in the band is anything but celebratory, in part because we’re playing in Champaign, Illinois, and because of the holiday (and summer vacation) there’s nothing happening in town. As you can tell from the tour map from a couple of days ago, Champaign is completely out of our way and nobody is happy that we have to go south again before heading to Milwaukee.
It’s the first time we’ve played a gig on Independence Day ever, and now we know why. The 4th is fun when you’re around your friends, but when you’re in a strange town, you definitely feel your outsider status. I’m sure this is not helping my mood and I end up being an asshole to Gary in front of some fans who are talking to us after the set and immediately feel even worse. I skip the after-show party and head back to the motel for an early sleep.
One thing that is definitely helping my mood, however, is having the Sneetches as our openers. They’re nice guys who deserve better than being on this particular tour, and I try to catch at least part of their set every night. Their version of ‘He’s Frank’ always puts a smile on my face but they have lots of great originals too.
A few months later, after I move to San Francisco, I end up working a bunch of shows as their guitar tech and learn to appreciate them even more. When I get a chance to record some songs at Lowdown Studios in SF, I have Daniel, their drummer, do the session.
They are working their way across the midwest with us and then will split with us after Columbus to do their own showcase for the New Music Seminar in NYC. Here’s a song from that show. Tomorrow: Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!