Launching
our rented van onto Route 5, we pass a big, white, gleaming pickup
truck with Nascar stickers and a confederate flag. Moron! You're in
Burbank! We blasted him with some DMX.
By
the time we got up north, dawn was radiating over sleepy Gilroy- "Garlic
Capitol of America" The heady aroma of an "Olive Garden"
grease trap informed us the fields were in blossom. Someone had run
over a skunk in the middle of town- and as we left- They torched a
huge mountain of dung.
Later....
Is it the always Autumn of San Fransisco weather that puts you in
the mood to cuddle? The romance of fisherman's wharf when the men
return from sea? Who can say what crazy mood came over us? Who can
say why bassist Eric Baylies and I considered tying the knot in a
quiet civil ceremony in city hall? But alas, I wanted Thai food at
the reception and he only eats "Ring-Dings" and "HO-HO's".
Much
later.... Smile and put on a show. It's only been 30 sleepless hours
and 4,000 mile since departure. Do you know you can't get a good cup
of coffee in sophisticated San Francisco after dark? We made the mistake
of asking some of our dearest friends in the world to open for us.
We got rewarded with a good ass whoopin. Robert Price and Priya Ray's
eternal "KreaMY Electric Santa" sported a slammin' new rhythm
section-highlighting that as often as Robert rejoices shooting himself
in the foot-he is undeniably America's heir to Jimmy Webb. Following
them, "The Witches of Bullshit"(a.k.a Liqourball) Featuring
Steve McKay(of the Stooges, MC5 and Snakefinger) one of the greatest
pioneers of nowave/punk jazz, Marlon Kassberg and Grady Runyan.(They
used to play with the guitarist from Angelwitch- Angelwitch Motherfucker!!!)
Much,much
later...Merciful sleep at the beautiful family home of our singer,
Ramesh Srinivasan. Slept all night in a big comfy bed and slept all
day under a lemon tree. So glad, and sad, my wife Leslie is returning
to the deep blanket of west coast tranquility. Our pleasant times
as a couple were always here.
Monday-May
23- "The Last in Line"
Pulled
up to "Grandma's House" in Oakland looking for loose, hippy
bitches and to maybe have a rumble. Had to make due with macrobiotic
burritos and the vivacious Priya Ray. I heard Vinnie Paternostro's
maniacal laughter from the back of the van and Daniel Melomedman screaming
the immortal " My GOD! MY ASS!"
Tuesday-May
24
The
band and a bunch of Pakastani cab drivers ate a delicious Indian meal
cooked by Mexicans. Played KFJC. "Swans Remix"
Wednesday-may
25
Cruising
south-The Pacific Coast Highway barely clinging to he suntanned, golden
boob California Hills, pumping Ramesh's Indian classical music and
Wire. Puzzled over which "Yes" album cover Roger Dean sketched
at Carmel. Stretching our legs among sage and jasmine trees. Jasmine
Trees! I love the precise greens of California- jade, copper, lizard,
faded olive, girls' green eyes, bottle green. Surveyed a thousand
dozing elephant seals under the distant, looming lunacy of Hearst
Castle. Someday I'd love to make some basho-like poet's trek along
the coast. Walk from Jet-setty Laguna up to the Chinese watercolors
and shacks of scrounged doors of Monterey. I'd probably turn into
some Harry Parch/Hippy, Living on the beach, making goofy xylophones
out of bamboo.(I guess I already am.)
Thursday-May
26-"You Just Got Lucky"
Dan
asked "Why is my seat wet?" We snoozed by San Diego's stinky
but funny "Dog Beach" and watched the local middle school
girl's surfing team get changed. After the gig, the promoter said
our Mardi-Gras mayhem sounded like "Exuma". Now I really
have to die in poverty in Miami.
Friday-May
27- "Just One Happy Day"
Almost
burned up "The Nymphs" cd, tearing down the freeway from
the gig in Ventura to the gig in L.A. We saw a big, white, gleaming,
pickup truck with Nascar stickers and a Confederate flag.
Saturday-May
28-That song by Nazareth that goes "Starlight,Starbright"
Stayed
at the Hotel California. A beautiful commune organized by John Waters'
nephew. These insane radicals nurture a garden and ride bicycles in
L.A. Hallucinatingly tired - Jay and I got lost driving around Koreatown.
We stopped at a gas station to ask for directions, but balked at the
face down corpse by a pump. Everyone was stepping over her buying
gas and coffee. Nobody saw nothing Gringo. Revisited Watts Towers-
Simon Rodia's epic stalagmite, Sun Ra birthday cake. I t certainly
inspired me to "D Something Big". While the rest of us flew
back to Philly, Ramesh was off to Zanzibar. When he returns, he'll
be living in Jim Morrison's house in Venice Beach. I 'll be sleeping
on the steps waiting for him!!
