This past Saturday, we had another memorable show at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA. We’ve played there a few times now, and the shows only seem to get better. Among the improvements this time around was the fact that we were actually on a stage as opposed to standing at crowd level… Not only does that mean we can actually see the whole crowd (further than the first couple rows of people), but it also protects us from any stumbling, drunken but well-meaning students crashing into us while playing. That’s a genuine concern, too, considering one time I had a Margarita spilled on my pedals and another time I almost lost a tooth when an inebriated partygoer plowed into my microphone while I was singing.

Here’s a blurry iPhone photo of Dave and the view from the stage taken by Johannes:

We were playing at the college’s annual “Wild Wild West” party, complete with folks dressed like cowboys (and cowgirls), crushed peanut shells on the ground, and a mechanical bull. Dave took a ride and tamed the beast, all while looking far too sexy.

We always have to give props to the Mudd kids who are always very enthusiastic, welcoming and friendly to us. As much as we enjoy their hospitality, we started forgoing the “couch crashing” and have been driving home the night of the shows after a little mingling. This particular time, I got myself a flat tire when we left at around 3am (maybe someone thought we sucked and slashed it). After a long night, unloading all the gear from my car to get to the spare wasn’t the most enjoyable thing to be doing at that time, but Phil, Steve (our manager) and I switched the tires out without a hitch. Well OK, there may have been a hitch or two. But we emerged victorious and made it home just before sunrise. We rewarded ourselves with some macho nachos from Del Taco, one of the only options for food at all hours of the night.

Here is the set we played that night:

SET 1:
Turn the Other Way
Movin’ Out/Jingle Bells
Put It Off
All The Good Ways
Heads or Tails
Like a Fool
Ohio
Runnin’ Down a Dream
Stuck Around
Run My Spirit Down
Don’t Want the Story
Futures
Hysteria

SET 2:
All Of This
Tie You Down
Message in a Bottle
Heaven is Close
Let Go
Santeria
Interview
Left to Dry
Is This Love
Day Tripper
Slow Down
Everlong
While We’re Young

E: This World

–Evan

We are so excited to have our song “Like a Fool” in Rock Band 2! Since November 4th (the RB 20 free DLC release) there has been some great feedback from all the players who were kind enough to post our song and write comments on YouTube. There were some colorful comments worth reading.

Here’s what Like a Fool looks like in the game:

We’re looking forward to releasing “Like a Fool” and 9 of its brother tracks on our newest album, “The Sad Thing is, We Like it Here.” Johannes is wading around in the final mixes currently, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. Each version of the songs sound closer to perfection. Just for a timeline: it’s been almost a year in the making. We’ve been through a lot of readjustment as a band, settling in LA, finding our venues, finding our musical identity, and getting to know each other better. I can’t say too much about the album just now, but I will tell you that the process of making it has made us a stronger and better band. I’m proud of the work we’ve done… I’m bursting with anticipation to have everyone hear it.

For the immediate time being, enjoy this video that made me laugh more than that time I saw my dad face-plant in the driveway. This dude Harry Hey reharmonized segments of John McCain and Sarah Palin’s speeches. It’s genius.

always love
-Phil