Hi Gang,
Lot's of news (good and bad).
Bad........
Our internet connection crashed for two days, so I haven't been able to update you.
Our tour manager/soundman was fired in Chicago.
We now have a new tour manager and are using in-house soundmen from now on.
That could be interesting.
Also, our lead guitarist left the band, a scheduled departure as he is touring with his own band in the UK. It's bad news for me though, as I think he was the glue that held the rhythm section together with our front line.
The morning after out Chicago show, I woke with a sharp pain in my right wrist.
We had a day off, so I tried to take it easy, but by late evening it was just as painful as when I first experienced it.
I bought Ibuprofen.
Yesterday we had a show in Newport, Kentucky. It's across the river from Cincinnatti.
It's a nice place, lot's of old buildings, nice restaurants and a great view of Cinci.
My wrist was hurting, so you've guessed it, Karl wanted to do a lengthy soundcheck to practice his new role as guitarist.
After that our promoter drove me to a Walgreens and I picked up an ice pack and a wrist brace.
I played the show with the wrist brace on. I held back on some of the louder sections and cut out some of my faster, flamboyant fills.
My wrist was more painful by the end of the show, but I got through it without too much compromise.
Of course, we have two more shows without a day off.
Better news.......
I slept with my wrist brace on last night and this morning my wrist feels a little better. I'm sure after another soundcheck and the House Of Blues show, I'll be back at square one though. I really need a week off. No chance of that.
I've no idea if drumming is to blame. I haven't properly played for 15 years.
I was hand washing some t-shirts after the Chicago gig and may have strained a muscle wringing them out. I felt fine after the Chicago show. I always warm myself up at least a half hour before each show and I am concious not to tense up while playing the shows.
However, one of the reasons I was annoyed at Karl's lack of interest in rehearsing (as described in an earlier diary) was because I knew I needed maximum playing time before we hit the road proper.
Good news......
Our new tour manager knows his job and is super efficient.
On our day off in Chicago I visited Steve Maxwell at his drum store.
It was located in a magnificent old building downtown.
Steve stocks premium gear. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but I got to play a lot of stuff I'd heard about, but never seen before.
Some old K's and A's. Some Spizzichino cymbals. More Craviotto snares and one of the first Craviotto (solid shell) drum kits.
Everything sounded great. Luckily for my wallet, none of the cymbals exactly suited my playing style. The Crav kit was awesome, but $6,200. So I wont be hurrying into that purchase.
Cleveland Rocks, seeing Felix tonight (hopefully)!
