Hai
Today marks an important day. After wanting to go to Japan for nearly 20 years, I’m finally here. I’ve admired Japan and it's culture since discovering this place existed. I’ve always thought of Japan as an advanced society that is generally several years beyond anywhere else in the world. I may sound naïve or too envious, but its really the fact I wouldn’t be the same person I am today without this country’s direct and indirect influences.
I have a lot planned this trip and I'm really only skimming the surface of what's here. It won’t exactly be a relaxing experience, probably closer to a fast paced sensory explosion.
To the Weekend
It was day two of the venture. We packed the car, got food and set forward to San Diego to the Che Cafe.
Car troubles.
On the way there I was able to talk them into making a small detour to Stone Brewery and I was more than appreciative that they made the stop. This was actually my first time here, which is weird because I've been to a lot of Stone events, but never the brewery itself. It was awesome to say the least. Along with the brewery and restaurant, there is a huge garden just out the back doors. You could get lost walking around this place. Sadly though, we didn't have much time to spare so we were back on route after a short break here.
Where is Greg Koch?
We arrived to San Diego. Fell to Low played and sounded great. I didn't stick around to see the other bands this time around because I was busy watching my friends steal chocolate bars from the grocery store. Whatever.
On the way back up the 101 we split up and took separate vehicles and stayed at my house for the night. I rode with John.
We came across this unexplained yellow light in the sky. It was roughly 2 miles in diameter. Weird.
Looking Forward
Fell to Low is doing a small weekend tour between San Diego to San Francisco with Betrayed and Praise. I was excited they had room and invited me along for the weekend because I had very little to do otherwise.
Travis tending to his garden.
On the way down we found out our friend Emily, who was also headed our direction, had been hit by a vehicle running from the police. This was the aftermath:
(PT cruisers are dorky anyways.)
Tim.
This was our bedroom for the night, Young Brothers Studios. My lower body had to sleep at a 90 degree angle with my feet up the wall. But there is no room for complaints right now, let alone myself.
House Warming
We drove back from Pomona this morning to have a more 'official' house warming barbecue.
For some reason I got stuck sitting next to the homeless woman.
By the time we got back Jim was over with 20 pounds of smoked meat. He is very serious about his BBQ and dedicated his Saturday night to smoking these bad boys for 14+ hours just for his friends. What a nice guy.
Pulled pork.
Brisket.
Metal weekend rubbed off a little too hard on some of us.
Yes.
Da Boyz.
Morgan Angel
Thanks to John, he got us into Scion Rock Fest in Pomona, CA. John is in Nails. A pretty heavy band that I don't have enough musical aptitude to describe or talk about, but they're good. Very, very good.
We took off from a show in Ventura, CA featuring Dirtworm and Uranium Orchard, two bands I want to make more mention of down the road.
The car ride down was pretty normal, naked crowd surfing in the SUV, etc.
Scion got John us a room.
With little sleep and poor diet, it was time to rock. Several hours later we woke up and drove down to the street to the event. Hung out and checked out Pomona. Came back, checked out the backstage area, filled our tote bags with free beer and snacks, then distributed amongst our friends.
Not to sound like a jerk, but I rarely, if ever, drink shitty beer. But free is free.
Obituary.
Obituary party snacks.
This lady loves party snacks.
Metal girls. <3
These pictures can't really depict just how sloppy the rest of the night became, but I'll leave you with this:
Although I only knew less than half of the bands playing, and couldn't pronounce several of them, it was a great weekend. Thanks John Scion!