Red Chuck

Ghassan's

A must stop if you ever find yourself in Greensboro, NC — 2501 High Point Rd. Amazing steak and cheese subs. The cheese is so subtle its subconscious. Plus they add a touch of oil and vinegar so you're not overwhelmed by greasy steakness. Its gotta to be the most healthy steak sandwich in the world. Maddenly delicious. Also check out the hummus pita. I'm not a huge hummus fan but theirs is superior. Their falafel is hard shelled, which is different but good nonetheless. What else... oh yeah, hand traced Beatles flyers above the door, 10 years + in business, 3 locations. The place is blessed! Who do I pray to for frachisees?

Ham + Vampires = Sammy Hagar

So its been a couple days since a post because of some weirdness with our provider. As Billy Pilgrim would say, so it goes. Now that I'm up and running again, I am surprised to see that no one at SpinSouth has reported on the recent Boondogs show in Alexandria. Ahem. So here goes.

Once again, the "No Practice Before Gig" maxim is proving effective for the Boondogs. Call it potluck rock. Don't set the menu and see what the guests bring. That being the plan, everyone shared sonic delicacies Saturday night. There was sonorous bowed bass and there was tasty snare and fill. Even Julian got in on the act, scat singing on "I Don't Belong".

Then "Lil' Scat Man" Julian attempted his first stage dive. Momma, Dadda, and Godfather all dropped their instruments and ran to thwart Julian's attempt to lower himself off the stage. Momma helped him down and excused herself and "Lil' Scat Man" for a couple songs.

Disaster averted, the promoter asked us to tack a few more songs on to our set. After "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" and "Same to Me", Indy made it back to the spotlight for "Jennifer Rice, Artist".

Everyone involved in the Alexandria Music Project (AMP) rocked. The promoter was friendly, laid back, and gracious. The sound crew was astounding. Peter, the soundman, seemed genuinely pleased when Jason asked him not to close mic the drum kit. Also, and a big plus for this, they mounted the mains on separate risers instead of on the stage itself. Smart, very smart. So best of luck to AMP. I hope that they continue to thrive, that each festival gets bigger and better, and that we get to play someday for them again.

So after load out, some Lea's Ham Sandwiches (thank you again AMP), and Holiday Inn check in, the men of the Boondogs headed into downtown Alex. While strolling down 3rd St, four local teen vampires appeared. Two of them had identical brand new black Jack Daniel's T-Shirts. One looked like Marilyn Manson except that he had shaved his teeth into fangs. All wore dark baggy jeans and spiked jewelry. So Isaac, of course, casually challenged them to a fight. I think his exact words were, "so... ya'll wanna fight?" An overly enthusiastic "Yeah" was lisped by the tallest vampire. To which Isaac politely rescinded. So once again, disaster was averted. And while walking away, Isaac was reprimanded severly by his chicken ass bandmates.

Since downtown Alex is bar free, the rest of the evening was spent in JJs at the Holiday Inn. Dominoes pizza and wings were ordered and many bad jukebox decisions were made. JJs was happenin' and so was our Saturday night in Alexandria, LA.

Sunday morning, Isaac and I hit the road at 7:30. We were making great time northward. Our great time was clocking in at 73mph in a 55. We got zapped on a lonely stretch of 29N about 5 miles short of the AR border. My first ticket since high school. There goes a clean record. I am truly disappointed in myself. The officer was straight out of central casting — big belly, sheriff's hat, and toothpick. I think he might have been an extra in Thunderball. To add insult to injury, "I Can't Drive 55" came on the radio as we were pulling away. WTF. And, wow, what a horrible song that is. Why Sammy...

Why?

Over There

Thinking of moving abroad? I like the city of Vancouver's mission statement. I also hear its a great town for trying out that new sushi diet. Unfortunately the weather can be a little unpredictable. To add insult to injury, those crazy canucks are now saying this to yanks making a run for the border.
That leaves Melbourne. Horrible shortages there these days. Also the weather ain't so great. (BTW Adam, you ever try setting up IP banning on ye olde blog, buddy boy?) And as for eats there's this to consider. Zoinks.
I guess its best to stay put.

*Flight map courtesy the Sendai Airport website.

Going Back to NOLA

Last time I was in New Orleans, me and the boys had us a real good time.