English Crowds.

In general, I have been really disappointed with the crowds at the shows in England. Note: Scotland, Ireland, Europe are all pretty awesome (Japan, you KNOW we love you the most!). But ENGLAND, man. Man. Tonight, for a crowd of about 400, it was as quiet and unenthusiastic as an insurance convention, except for the kid in the front row who continually yelled, "You suck! I hate you! Zebrahead!!!" Nate dedicated a song to him, which was kinda funny, but we definitely had some anger in our hearts toward him. Confession: I was angry as well. After we played and I was tearing down my cords, pedals, etc, I lashed back at him a little, purposefully loud enough for the others around to hear.

"What are your songs like?" I yell.
"What?"
"Your band, what kind of style is it?"
He feigns to not hear me.
"Is it like Punk, or like Avant-Noise or what? What kind of sound are you going for?"

The others laugh, and his friend even tells me, "Don't listen to him, it was great, man." The mean kid, who actually caught my pic as I threw it while walking offstage (irony of ironies), throws the pic back at me. I give it to his friend, who thanks me. Later on, I go up to talk to him and simply say, "You're being a punk, but I'm not mad at you, and I hope you will grow up from this sooner or later," but I find that he has been kicked out of the show, and so instead just take a second to talk to the kids in the front who enjoyed the show, and thank them for coming.

Still, I feel like I acted out of anger, not justice or love. So, stupid kid, I apologize, although I doubt you will read this. You probably don't even remember the name of our band. =)

Dan

Europe

This tour has been such an interesting experience. We are all tired (somehow -- despite a nice break beforehand), and although we know it is a privilege to be here, to be with bands that are more successful over here than we are, and to see some new cities for the first time, there is still a shadow, it seems, hanging over the whole trip. i honestly would much rather just be at home right now, and have felt that way basically the entire time (with the exception of the 5 days in amsterdam, germany and paris). i miss jaffrey, and i really am anxious to start really working on the new album. it feels like i have had over 30 songs ready to be worked on for months now, but nowhere to go with them. david is a lovesick puppy with a new girlfriend, which isn't a bad thing, but he has been basically out of it all the time.

i sound like i am complaining, probably because i am. i know i am fortunate, and will cherish these experiences for the rest of my life. my prayer, i guess, is that i can keep that in mind and not be distracted by my own trivial wishes. maybe this will make the album better somehow as well. =)

dan.