Sin City!

After a quick stop at IHop and Target to pick up some black Dickies (it seems I remembered everything for this trip except my pants) we head back through the desert and on to the valley of sin. Another long 5 hour drive through the desert on one and two lane highways, cursing every other driver's inability to grok that the temporarily opened left lane is intended for passing. The playlist for today included more Phantom Four, The Satan's Pilgrims' latest, The Vanduras (great road album!), Grant Green, Morissey, Hot Snakes and Rush. The only noteworthy event from the drive included our vehicle inspection at Hoover Dam where our inspecting officer was waxing pathetic in his eager anticipation of that evening's long awaited Marilyn Manson show. Interesting gent.

Fast forward to our arrival in Vegas proper and to our digs at the Residence Inn. We actually scored pretty hard here with a studio apartment-like room equipped w/ a full kitchen, living room, etc. Perfect place to decompress. You know you've reached a certain rung on the "old" scale when you arrive in Vegas and all you really want to do is watch the Discovery channel on the hotel idiot box. We're pleasantly surprised to hear that we'll be going on at midnight after fearing a potential 3am start time. So with merch box in hand, we head out to our car and unknowingly surprised a startled gentleman who reflexively whipped around in what I beleive was a Shotokan Karate Horse stance with fist clenched. Yikes. Altercation averted.

Upon arriving at the Double Down, we are greeted by the club's doorman who proceeds to give me an envelope containing the following: Our pay for the night, drink chips (tickets in the real world), and stickers. This is actually worth noting. Getting paid up front prior to playing and not having to stick around wondering where the night's pay is coming from is HUGE!! Kudos to the Double Down. Now that's my kind of club! We were also greeted by a couple of interesting folks who proceeded to tell us of their tour victories/fiascos while traveling the country in a punk band. One word: Wow.

There were supposed to be 5 bands playing, but it had thankfully widdled down to three. The first band, The Yeller Bellies was a very good rockabilly meets Deliverance-influenced redneckery band. Great and very tasty guitar playing coupled with stand up base, wash board and mandolin. Very impressive! We went on second and played a 45 minute set to a very appreciative and welcoming crowd. We definitely played a bit better due to the increased energy in the room, although I had to switch to my strat for the last three songs due to severe hand cramping. Arghhh! Thee Swank Bastards closed out the night and put on a mesmerizing show with the sultry hula hoop ballet from from the lovely Szandora. Pure poetry! The highlight of the set for me was definitely the 10 minute Black Sabbath Opus including: Black Sabbath, Fairies Wear Boots and Electric Funeral. In the sack by 3 am. Not bad. Tomorrow: The L.B.C.