Kevin Bronson on October 2nd, 2009

2

[Nothing like a little quality time with Steve Albini to end your tour. Following is the final installment of the journal Jonneine Zapata kept while she and her band were on tour with Soulsavers. Miss any? They’re all here.]

Sept. 25

Could not have been happier to get on our way to Toronto (also, I’ve never been), but this was gonna be a little bit of a journey, starting with: We can’t take the van into Canada. When we made the rental reservation over the phone, they said we could. When we picked up the van, for no real good reason, we mention to the gal at the counter handling our order, that we’re taking the van into Canada. She says great, have a ball (what does she care, anyway), but just before we all sign the rental contract, we notice in big bold type: Don’t even think about taking the van into Canada.”  She talks to the boss, and confirms the company just recently made that change and she herself wasn’t even aware of it til now. Decision? Sign and cross that bridge when we get to it. And so, from Boston, we drive to Niagara Falls for a stay-over and venture into Canada the next afternoon. Did we take the van? I don’t recall exactly. … But, the drive to the Falls – magnificent! I love America. I love this country to absolute tears. I’d love it to death, if we could improve a good many things – for instance, when Mendel was in high school in Memphis (and this isn’t all that long ago), the Civil War was referred to as The War of Northern Aggression. Yup, I would change much, but not at all one freckle of green, orange or red marching up the panting trees of Canajoharie, N.Y., in September. I wouldn’t change one New York City smart-ass remark, nor one Texas welcome, nor one burgeoning impermanent Utah snowdrop.”  And when it comes to Monsato Corp., I wouldn’t change it at all, I would end it.

We stopped for a slice (in the aforementioned Canajoharie). Our hostess said she and some members from her church were going on a mission. … Here we are casting demons, and now we got a whole group on a mission otherwise. My last words to her as we departed: “I hope you’re preaching the good God and not the bad one.” … As for our stay-over (in Niagara), it was a semi-disaster of a room in which I’d hardly call it hot water that dripped down the shower head. But it slept five of us for $70 with free wi-fi (so I could e-mail Buzz Bands the overdue diaries ”“ phew!), but naturally, the wi-fi only worked on one part of the building, not ours. We looked extremely out of place at a very cold 2 a.m., computers in hand, responding to e-mails and so forth outside the motel lobby, just 15 feet or so from the street.

The actual Falls itself – awesome! Crossing the border undergoing customs – yawn! Then another fast-food baked potato and side salad while dumbfoundedly observing a most crystal blue Lake Ontario …

Toronto’s Mod Club: Best sound, best crowd and what a vibrant part of town! I will like very much to return ”¦

After the day’s accounts, we gotta pack up right quick and head straight for Chicago. After about a nine-hour drive through two countries and six states, we will get there at 6 .m. That afternoon, we’re scheduled to record a six-song song EP with the very admired Steve Albini.

Sept. 27

Chicago: What fabulous five-way streets, and no one was kidding about the wind. It was Johnny Badway’s very fine idea to record an EP with Albini – and, as usual, he’s spot-on! Albini himself looks quite healthy, is light on his feet, noticeably smart with clean hands and dressed in an excellent work uniform (a blue jumpsuit with his studio emblem on the back). I like the way he speaks, frankly, to the point, but quite tolerable – I’m always cutting the fat, and I like that he does too. I had been warned he was going to be a piece of work – maybe he is or was – but not that I could attest to. He has the most amazing ability to streamline your thoughts into one sentence and keep the session moving. The man is just super-articulate, and a super technical whiz (without being a showoff), and I envied all his engineering capabilities and musical abilities at once. He dissolves all tensions with his easy and accommodating demeanor. We’d like to stay a few weeks here recording, perhaps another time – so we say “we’ll be back,” to which he responded “I”ll be here.”

With an early start tomorrow morning, we’ll be able to wrap up the EP, load the van and make sound check at the Double Door ”“ it’s our last show supporting Soulsavers and I don’t want to miss a thing! Dying to play Chicago, by the way, love this city! And for anyone who cares, I will as happily return to the Double Door, Chicago, as I would to Mod Club, Toronto. After Lanegan thanked us onstage for opening for Soulsavers (we were pretty touched), we’re invited for gourmet take-out on the their bus, and with a heartfelt parting and a slamming busy couple days, we head back to Electrical Audio to get a decent night’s rest, since we are headed home to L.A. tomorrow (30 hours of driving, broken up by a stay over in Colorado). But, as Cohlman is making the great escape (revival groceries in hand) – Rich Machin says in his strong Manchester accent, “Don’t think I don’t know about your revival juice,” and laughs … Busted!

We return home for our month-long residency at Silverlake Lounge – free Mondays at the Silverlake Lounge. Hope to see you there.

In closing, I’d like to graciously thank Buzz Bands for presenting these tour diaries, and most particularly, Jason Reynolds of MySpace Records, without whom none of the past three weeks would have been possible, and I do mean none of it! And a truly big thank-you to all our new friends across the country – thanks for spreading the word.”  Until next time, no time!