continued……




March 28

I can’t be certain but I believe we went to Cracker Barrel to eat. It wouldn’t have been my choice. I’ve never been a fan of the CB but i’m nobody to consider when it comes to a group decision on food. At least not on this particular trip.

Exene asked if I was up to drive and my response was, “I think so but…” and right before I was able to explain that I was feeling a little weird and slightly drowsy from the cold meds I took early this morning,  she interrupted with, “….I don’t want you to think so”.

Hmm. Well then, I guess my answer would be, “Fuck no. I’m hopped up on cold medicine at the moment and would prefer not to kill the 3 of us on the way to New Orleans”.

Better?

 

We got into New Orleans in a little less than 6 hours. On the way, Exene asked me where I would be staying and, because I wasn’t informed before the tour that I would need to make my own lodging arrangements (the initial plan was to travel together in an RV with a driver and sleep in it), I told her that I really had no clue.

Now, at this point, it had become painfully clear to me that Exene and I weren’t exactly bonding. She wasn’t being particularly friendly and at times, she even straight-up ignored me when I’d say or ask her something. I can’t say that she was mean to me but her disinterest in my part on this tour seemed obvious and it was becoming troublesome to my psyche. This shit is difficult enough as it is. It doesn’t any additional shittiness.

Maybe it’s cuz she was not feeling well. Or maybe she’s just so burned out and completely over this touring life, especially after her recent week-long SXSW run, that she doesn’t even realize how she comes off. But whatever it is, it seems rude and uncalled for and I am starting to feel that maybe, this was a really big mistake. I refuse to accept any responsibility for this behavior of hers towards me. I’ve been nothing but friendly, quiet, considerate and respectful and talkative only when I have sensed she was in the mood. Despite my seemingly boorish and rude online antics at times, I can get along with ANYBODY and am quick to adapt to my surroundings.  And i’m not just being super-sensitive and feeling sorry for myself either. I have been touring for about 30 years myself and I get how all this works. I have refrained from bitching about the little things that could potentially get under my skin - the standoff-ishness, the smoking, the loud radio and lack of basic consideration and kindness.

This bullshit is NOT me. No fucking way.

Once in N.O., we went straight to the hotel which sits in the French Quarter, just a few blocks from the venue, One Eyed Jacks. I’m forgetting the name of the hotel at the moment but it’s clean, charming and not nearly as expensive as the one in SA was. This hotel wanted $90 from me for a room for the night but I just couldn’t justify paying that, not at such an early point in the tour. I quietly began brainstorming on what my options might be.

First, I posted on Facebook, asking if there was anybody on my friend list who lived in New Orleans and who might be able to put me up for 1 or 2 nights. I got offers to stay at people’s houses just about everywhere else but not New Orleans.

Next, I pondered sleeping in Exene’s car. I even mentioned the idea to her and she laughed and said, “you don’t really want to sleep in my car, do you?”.

Of course, I didn’t.

Eventually, I ended up going with this simple idea: I’d hang out with Exene and Raven in their room until show time, hope that we all got a long well and later, after the gig, i’d just follow them back to the hotel room and disappear somewhere down on the floor and just stay out of their hair for the night.

I was a desperate man.





I volunteered to walk up the few blocks to the club by myself and check in with the manager, for both Exene and I. The staff people I met at One Eyed Jacks were some of the nicest people I have ever met at a nightclub and after I got show/set time info, our drink tickets and wristbands, I asked where the nearest coffeehouse was and 2 of the dudes working there (sound guy and bartender) said they’d escort me to one that they preferred, an independently-owned cafe called CC’s Community Coffee House, on Decatur Street. Along the way, I got amazing walking tour of a small part of the French Quarter. It was really lovely and I just appreciated the hospitality these 2 complete strangers were showing me here in a city that has had it’s share of rough and tumble times in the last few years. Once again, I feel terrible for not remembering the names of people I should be remembering.

I walked back to the hotel, feeling refreshed and in a really great mood. Exene, Raven, a couple of Exene’s friends - Skwirl and Elroy - and I walked to the venue. There was a nice-sized crowd hanging out and everybody seemed to be in good moods.

Various people came up to say ‘hi’, including Penelope Houston (of the great Avengers) who was visiting N.O. with her boyfriend and had accidentally heard about Exene and I playing here and decided to come to the gig.

The show got started pretty late. There were no openers so I kick-started it all off. Once again, the stage setup and sound was perfect and I had a great time singing, playing and telling my tales. Just a great, solid set. Penelope came up and complimented me on my voice and songwriting and, I don’t think it showed but I was thrilled beyond belief to hear her - yet another longtime punk rock “hero” - say these kind things.

Exene had a great set, as well. New Orleans is an X town and you could tell that she was pumped to be here and performing for the adoring crowd. N.O. loves X and Exene and she was loving them back.



Afterwards,  a bunch of us hopped into a cab and drove a few blocks to a little dive-y punk rock/hipster bar called The Saint. Exene had been invited to play an after-hours set by Skwirl who tends bar there and I guess when Skwirl found out I was touring with Exene, she invited me to play too.  Sounds good to me!

The place was full of crusty punkers and funky fixie enthusiasts and everyone perked up the second we walked through the doors. I tuned up and went on first and had a roaringly amazing time. The crowd were super enthusiastic, especially when I played my tore-up solo renditions of my band’s Young ‘Til I Die and our beloved (and adopted) 99 Red Balloons.

I had taken it upon myself to invite Penelope (I assume Exene probably did as well) to come play some tunes and after my set, she got up and did a song on her autoharp that I thought was pretty kick ass.

Exene rocked through a nice set too and even did a solo version of The World’s A Mess (It’s In My Kiss) by X. Everyone but me drank and smoked and by the time we got back in the car and headed back to the hotel, it was well after 3 am.

I quickly grabbed floor space and conversed with Raven, Skwirl and Elroy. Exene too but she quickly balled up on her bed and dozed off.  It appeared that I would not be sleeping in a car or the hallway for the night. I laid down a spare sheet, grabbed the table cloth off the corner table for a blanket and, after a quick visit to the Internet, fell asleep with ringing ears and, for whatever reason, The Avengers’ ‘American In Me’ in my brain.

to be continued…..