Day 7. We’re making our way, slowly, toward Raleigh, from Black Mountain. It appears, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that our van( or rather many of its parts) has conspired against us and our efforts to make it to places on time, or even make it at all. It started with sticky brakes, that only seem to stick when you REALLY need them to stop. Next, a strange noise from underneath quickly turned into transmission failure. The troubles haven’t stopped there, as just today, our driver’s side rear wheel nearly fell of while we were traveling through steep and winding Blueridge Mountain roads. A cautionary note from weary travelers: Quick service is only worth it when the service you receive is as good as service that would have taken longer. For instance, it is great when a mechanic can get your vehicle in and out in one day, so you can make it from Knoxville to Black Mountain for a gig that night. However, if the same mechanic fails to reattach the wheel he took off properly….well, you can see where this is going. One might assume we are driving a piece of junk around, from state to state. Well…….our piece of junk has a t.v., window shades, and limo lighting….there are naturally going to be trade-offs in these situations. All in all, band morale is perfectly in tact…if not strengthened by the ridiculous events of the past week.
Things we have learned on the road:
1. Maryland State Troopers DO NOT know what a “terrorist” looks like. They DO, however, know what a “stranger” looks like. It is for that very reason that EVERYONE who is a “stranger”, might also be a “terrorist” and should be treated accordingly.
2. It is VERY important, when trying to reach the venue that you are running late to, that you call the CORRECT number, rather than redialing the incorrect one…..many times…….over the course of several hours.
3. Giving a girl your CD does not mean she will take you home with her that night.
4. We have, collectively, discovered a fondness for hookah bars….and crazy Egyptian dance music.
5. It is always better to be a little late and arrive safely and without speeding tickets….
6. Falafil should not be eaten for more than two meals in a row….
7. It is imperative that you feed the meters in New York…a stitch in time saves nine, if you will.

Well…….that’s it for now. Stay tuned for more from TAF!

Hi folks,

We are down in Knoxville killin’ time so I thought that I would say a few words about our journey thus far.
We started out our tour on a two-day bender in the big apple. The Rockwood was our first stop (located on Allen St); it is a great place to see a show. I am always amazed at the talent in NYC. But to our surprise we realized that we left a very important piece of equipment at home….Erik’s guitar! What a way to start out the tour. However, with the help of our manager we were able to pull some strings and get a great deal on a new guitar. So now Erik is also rocking a custom shop telecaster.
The next day we performed for “Billboard Underground”, it was a live interview and a performance. Look for us on the website: www.billboard.com/ in about three weeks. BTW, do you all remember “the grind” on MTV; well the woman who hosted our show on Billboard was the same host for The Grind…. After that we performed at the Living Room, another excellent venue located on Ludlow Street in the lower east side of Manhattan. What a great room for a show. BTW, if you like Bill Frisell or other amazing telecaster players check out this guy: Jim Campilongo you can find him on the web at www.jimcampilong.com you will be amazed! Also another act that I was impressed with was a group called Pete & J. Check them out!
Next we traveled to Philadelphia to play The Word Café Live, we opened for Zok, an Australian band. That was fun, after which we promptly went home to the hotel (I think we were all in bed by 1:00, which is early when you are on the road) in order to make our 8 hour journey to Norfolk VA to play the Tap House, a very cool venue. You know The Amity Front and the bar are going to get along well when we walk into the bar and they feed us well, drink us well and on top of that play Wilco and Uncle Tupelo on the house system. As part of our 8 hr journey to Norfolk we need to make a detour Charlottesville, VA to pick up another instrument. Last year when we were on tour we left Lyon’s Saxophone at the Gravity Lounge. After a full year of playing phone tag with the venue Lyon was able to get through to them and we were able to pick up his instrument!! Very cool. But if we keep going at this rate I don’t think I will be able to find space in the van for all the instruments we keep acquiring.
After the Tap House gig we drove straight through the night, another 8 hr drive, to get to Knoxville, TN where we played The Blue Plate Special on WDVX http://www.wdvx.com/. I think that you can download the show at their website. That same night we played Barleys Tap Room. Another excellent venue with good beer and very friendly people, they also make a mean pie! Check them out online at http://www.barleystaproom.com/.

So that takes us to today, and here we are hanging out in TN while we get our van worked on and prepare to head to Black Mountain, NC to play at the Town Pump.

Hopefully see you out some time soon.
Take care,
Much love and respect,
The Amity Front

check it. http://www.wdvx.com/programs/blueplate.html

were happy to be playing the fabled Blue Plate Special while were in town for our first time in Knoxville. You can listen online to a special live with audience performance at NOON sharp.

We are also at Barleys Taproom for a Thursday evening gig.
http://www.barleystaproom.com/knoxville/

What’s up people!

Here we are cruising down the New Jersey Turnpike on our way to our gig tonight at the World Cafe Live in Philly. (Call me old fashioned, but I still can’t get over the fact that we got wireless in the van!) Anyway, we’ll be out on the road for more than two weeks, and as you can see from our schedule, we are keeping busy. Just played two gigs in NYC, one at the Rockwood on Sunday night and then last night at the Living Room. We had fun and got a warm reception from the crowds, despite an unexpected hickup in our plans. Erik realized right before we took the stage on Sunday that he left one of his guitars at home. So, after a little bit (ok.. maybe more than a little bit) of flipping out, we made it work and got through the set. By the time we took the stage last night we had crafted a set that flowed well without too much instrument juggling. The result was that we had lots of fun playing and enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere of the Living Room. We were psyched that a representative from a label that has been interested in us was there and enjoyed the show. Oh, and we saw Michael Showalter walking on the street which was kinda cool. Overall, a good night. If you saw us, thanks for coming, and if we’re coming to your town, we hope you can catch our show. Thanks for coming by,

peace,

TAF