Day 61: Isla Vista surprise show

After playing a nice little frat show in Isla Vista, home of UCSB, last Friday night, we decided to stay the weekend and book a show, guerrilla style, for Saturday night. Usually, booking a show last minute is a really bad idea. Bound by the tireless old phrase, you kind of know, walking into it, that your failure to plan means that you have planned to fail. But this is Isla Vista, and as far as we knew, anything could happen.

We split into teams of two and scourged Del Playa like music missionaries. We met all kinds of people: friendly, unimpressed, hot, drunk, and 'yeah, man!' Many of them told us to go to Marley House (as in Bob Marley), so Al and Spence marched in and propositioned them. The roommates were hesitant at first, because they had just thrown a huge party there the night before. But after some confident persistence, and the missionary glow, they gave in to the spontenaity of the idea. At 5:00 pm, we had a show booked to start at 10:00 pm. Everyone went to work, setting the stage, lugging equipment, and connecting connectors. Someone even made a facebook event quickly, which, by the time the music started, had over 150 people confirmed (possibly due to its picture of two lesbians making out, we were not aware of this). We started to play right as the usual crowd filled the street. But by 11pm, a sea of hundreds spread through the yards and in the street. The drunkenness made the people move in waves as we all shared the happy feeling of being part of something that no one knew would happen.

Day 58: NAMU story (100th Post!)

Happy 100th post. Present: this video.

How to NAMU with Elizabethan Report from Matt Wright on Vimeo.

Much love to Matt Wright and his face for this video he did of us. We hope you enjoy it. Do you have a friend you want to introduce ER to? This video might be a good way to do it. Click the link above and then 'share.'

If you like what Matt did, hire him to do your videos. He's a breeze to work with. mwwright@bresnan.net or (307) 840-1994.

Day 57: Greek Thigh

Not sure if this guy is for real, but those edits are for real, and so is that thigh! Listen for his rant on people with bad / no Greek accent.

A tidbit from my life. I was an army soldier on the set of Cold Case today. I marched in a 1940's era brigade, threw off my hat in exasperation when a plane blew up, pretended to busy myself amongst an assortment of military aircraft, and drank a lot of Gatorade. I also received a round of applause from the crew (along with the other background extras, of course, but it was me they loved, really.)

Day 56: Bank Dance

Still no ER vids, though last steps are being taken.

I like this one. It's got mischief and maturity. Enjoy.

Day 55: Soul Train

No ER videos yet. So many good dancers here, though. Press play!

I think their outfits are part of why they're dancing so well. It's just not as fun or cool in relaxed-fit apparel.

P.S. What the heck is this blog Ayaya Cupboard all about? I have no idea, but the kid repeatedly photographed is cute and might make a wonderfully high maintenance component of a relationship someday.

Day 54: Video week

Since none of our upcoming videos are done, I'm going to give you one worthwhile video every day until ours are done. Here's one from The Bees, a british band that goes by Band of Bees in the US due to Bees already having been taken here.

Listening Man

New idea: band recital. We've decided to put one on every Thursday night. It means we each have to write one song during the week so we'll have something to play for each other. And no one is invited. That means we can all write as poorly as we want.

Day 51: Gazpacho de fruta

Do you ever have trouble starting something you actually like doing? It doesn't make sense, does it? Why would we hesitate at the beginning of something potentially wonderful? Think of all the moments people find themselves hesitating in. Asking someone on a first date. Bungee jumping. Receiving a complement. Getting up on the dance floor.

Are we just savoring the beginning? Are we not ready to start? Or maybe we won't truly enjoy our favorite things to the maximum coefficient of enjoyment unless we delay them significantly.

I was having trouble writing today until I bought this container of fruit from a stand on the corner just off the 2 freeway.

Look at that thang. It's a bunch of fruit spears drenched in hot sauce and lime. People sell these off the side of the road in L.A. I had no idea what they were, really.

Even though the idea of hot sauce and fruit is senseless to me, I dived right in. I didn't think twice. It was obvious that, no matter what, I was going to have an awesome afternoon with this $5 cartrige in the shotgun. No need to wear my undies backwards today.

Why can't I have that kind of impulse when bigger things come up? Why do I have to convince myself that such and such a project will be really fun? Why do I doubt for one minute that I will have a good ole time jumping off of a bridge with a cord connected to my ankles?

Which brings me to dancing.

It's been said a million times before. PEOPLE DON'T DANCE NO MORE! The hesitation has gotten out of hand. When are we gonna get over it? I know there's always gonna be that one dude in a crowd that truly doesn't like the sensation of his body wangin' about. But you know everyone else would love to be dancing, grinning and feeling welcome into the personal space of dozens of other souls at the struggle.

I don't know when it's going to be cool to dance again in this world, but I see it happening at ER shows. When 42 year old Karen Jones gets down at 4:30 in the afternoon at The Oasis in Taft, California, you know there's hope in this world. And when Davey and Holly Hawkins drive all the way from (801) to shake it in people's faces at The Cinema Bar in Culver City, you know the dream's got a chance.

You can help make a difference. Donate two steps and your milk (or chocolate) shake the next time we're in town. You can find a show on facebook or myspace. Let's do what our bodies were built to do. Know that you have the full support of four dudes in L.A.

Day 48: rehearsal

In a hurry to go play ultimate frisbee, we recorded our practice. Here's a little container of bbq sauce for all you chicken nuggets.

clip

Let's make a song out of it, and then lie down in the grass, stomach down, and I promise you that the lawn mowers won't eat the shirts from our backs.

I had a dream last night that I was getting interested in a girl who knew she was going to die in one day. What does that mean?

Day 47: How did we get into the forties?

Back from Bakersfield, we're back in the saddle. Got $2 in my WaMu account. Good thing that's not my only account!

Does a small town make people nice, or do nice people just make their way to small towns? Chicken / egg? Or are they just seem nicer because they're not as busy? I'm not sure, but the end result is worth any of the above listed means. It put smiles on our faces and sent us home at 2 am last night feeling satisfied. Even the gas station lady who complained of kids putting "s*** all over my walls" eventually helped us find a good ole' bathroom in town so we could get on our way.

And here are some moments:

Our charming new friends.

Today, we will cut our teeth on some new songs. New video coming this week. Also, I'm going to be on the Price is Right soon. Everyone send good vibes so we can get some new furniture for our place.

Day 40: Why not?

Found this gem whilst looking for life in some other blogs.



What's the best thing that could happen to you today? You decide! For me, it would probably be writing a song that makes people feel really good. I also have one of the best things I could hope for, which is being reunited with both my brothers for the first time in two years. If you ever want to love your siblings, spend two years away from them. And just as I'm seeing a brother I haven't seen in a long time, I'm missing ER and my new home in LA. Isn't life grand? It's set up to evoke these emotions.

I'll paint you a picture of us right now. Chandler, my fair minded, brown haired, serious brother, is tinkering on the piano. Colin, my tall, skinny and silly brother, is mowing the lawn in the muggy weather. Chicago is green and sunny right now. Lalopalooza just ended over the weekend. Hip concert goers were highlighted in the Trib. Our star hockey player beat up his cab driver in Buffalo Saturday night. I stepped in dog poo during my morning jog.

I realize this all seems to have very little to do with ER. But I figure you would hear about this in some form down the line anyway. If we write a chart topping song sometime, you won't say that my stepping in dog poo this morning didn't influence it.

ER reunited on Thursday. Lots of LA shows in August, pick one, it's probably free.