I started writing this from the Grande Albergo Sole hotel in Palermo, Sicily, where I was watching what I think was the movie "You Got Mail," but dubbed in Italian. The day before we drove around 12 hours from Dour, Belgium to Milan and on Sunday morning we got up early and flew to Palermo.
Dour was another big festival scene. We stayed outside of Mons, Belgium in a solitary hotel in the middle of the woods about five minutes from Dour. We arrived at the festival mid-day to see awesome stuff like this box for Anthrax and these ridiculous drums that belong to the Fantomas drummer, Terry Bozzio. My favorite part of the festival was, hands down, getting to see Electrelane play their first 4 songs before I had to leave and play on a different stage. They are one of my favorite bands making music right now and I was so happy to see them play and take a couple photos of them. About half-way through our set I looked over to see all four of them watching us and I was instantly star-struck and nervous to keep playing. We met them after our show and they were super-cute and nice. I have a big schoolboy crush on Mia. Again, I was too nervous to ask King Buzzo of The Melvins/Fantomas for a picture. It's weird to see a lot of the same famous people over and over at these big festivals.
ENTER ENTRANCE
When we got to Milan, our new temporary tour-mate Guy was at the airport and on his way to meet up with us. None of us (other than Devendra) really knew that he was coming along with us to Sicily and to the two shows in Italy, but we were all really pumped to have him with us. His band is called Entrance and his shows were awesome. I had only heard him play once before about 3 years ago and I didn't really remember what it sounded like. His description of himself is pretty fitting; "I'm just a guy and an electric guitar trying to sound like all of Led Zeppelin." He stomps and wears bells and turns his guitar up real loud. Guy, it was nice to have you around and we'll miss you, for sure.
PALERMO, SICILY: BEFORE & AFTER (sorry)
I hadn't known such beauty in landscape before Palermo. The heat was dry and brutal, and with the Mediterranean right there, so close, teasing us to hop in. Sadly we didn't have enough time to go swimming. Thank you so much to Italy and Sicily for warming our hearts and keeping us sweaty and full. There were all kinds of lights in the streets and magics in the air. We arrived at the show scene to find a big open park with a giant light-up tree and a huge stage setup just for us and Entrance. How could all of this be just for us? This blows my mind. Once it got dark and people started showing up it got even better. All kinds of people came to the show; kids, parents, dogs, elders. It was such an awesome community vibe. There was even a vendor selling toys and candy! There was even a dog balloon floating in the crowd!
UPDATE: My friend Nedelle tells me that the lights are only a special presence for the city's patron saint festival that happens every summer. Google tells me that Palermo's patron Saint is Santa Rosalia.
Palermo & Faernza
(17.5 MB - VIDEO MP4)
FAERNZA, ITALY: BEFORE & AFTER
Rome and Faernza were both also super-nice outside shows with the two of us. Unfortunately I left my camera at the hotel and didn't get any photos or movies at the Rome show. Faernza, though. Man! I made a joke about getting an ice cream cone after ever song and then it sort of happened! Well, it happened once. I was served a soy gelato cone right before a song, so I just ate it while playing. Thanks so much to Carlo and Jennifer for taking care of us and being so sweet to us.
In personal news; I lost the darkness, friends. It's gone, all gone. I'm in just a delightful way and I'm going to stay in it for as long as possible.
dear jona, last night i slept on your old mattress in the room where you & khaela recorded poor aim. life is weird! portland is being weird to me but it might just be me. i am going to olympia tomorrow so we'll see if it lifts.
love to you out there,
eryn
hahaha, terry bozzio was hilarious in the zappa "baby snakes" movie. stomping on his double kick with nothing but bikini briefs on or something. totally wacked out drummer, but good sometimes.
I too have seem to have lost the darkness. Thank god for the pills! Travel safe, young champion. All your stuff looks like so much fun! No time for darkness when you're always shedding light on things! Travel safe.
Love,
Joel
Hey Jona
Hoping you have a good time down there.
I'm listening to the "Cripple Crow" album sampler right now and I'm just sitting and wondering: are you playing drums?
Love
Aleksander