Official Coldplay Tour. Chicago, IL UIC Pavillion 6.9.03
June 16, 2003 06:27 PM
Official Coldplay Tour. Chicago. UIC Pavillion. 6.9.03
I posted a few comments about this show and the surrounding dates on an earlier post but I can't remember now what I said, and...to find out, I'd have to research my postings...and it's late...plus, I'd have to log back onto AOL long distance from this "somewhere-past-Memphis, lo-fi Best Western to find out.
In Chicago, we had 2 friends drive 4 hours from Indianappolis, one friend fly from Tyler, one friend fly from Nashville, 2 friends drive from St. Louis and one friend drive from the suburbs of Chicago to see Eisley. Needless to say, we spent plenty of time hanging out with friends...and there was plenty of social time; one of those nights we were asked to come down for night caps with the Coldplay crew in the lobby; There's an arsenal of memories and conversations and relationships that were built on this tour; I don't have time to go into it. Perhaps later, we can chat on the forum about specifics when we get home. We certainly enjoyed our Coca-Cola night caps and staying up till 3:30am yakking.
Something that stood out to me was when we were watching Coldplay's rehearsal, Chris busted out into his own vocal rendition of TreeTops...but it was weird on purpose. He was playing this electronic keyboard on top of his Make Trade Fair.com upright... Anyway, it was like, "when I was a young girl.....(minor chord progression but same melody) tryin' to find my way above the treeeee-tops...the treeeeeee-tops....the treeeeeee-eeeeeeeee topppssss"...real slow and eerie. Funny. He kept coming back to it after Clocks and others they were doing....even mimicking Stacy's break..."uh-ahhh, ahhh, ahhhhh, ahhhhh, ahh" etc. but in that Chris Martin falsetto. We clapped in a typical round of applause and he seemed stunned we were watching. I think he knew. I think I caught some on video but I might have taped over it by accident. whatever.
The show was great. See pics. A healthy crowd showed up for the opener...fun had by all. I can't speak for the Chicago-ians, but they sounded like they were "amped" by the first band. I'm brain dead. Have to start the post part of this process. Thanks everyone.
btw. We had a slow day of driving...we're in Arkansas now. I worked on gathering the images that appear after all day in the van while Kevin drove. We had dinner with Will and Josiah Holland and Dudley in some town as they were heading to Nashville from Texas and we were heading down. That was a happy reunion. dern. why didn't I videotape them?
You realize i'm going to be back home by early evening tomorrow. That means I'll have to work on this at the house after spending some quality time with my beloved wife and family....then I can brew some fine gourmet vienese roast coffee in my 70's commercial Bunn restaurant coffee machine... after grinding it on my late 30's Art Deco, commercial coffee grinder. mmmm.....
I've learned to appreciate Starbucks out on the road. Most of the midwest gas stations from the North to the South have horrid, weak, burnt, bad tasting, old, terrible, acidic, sick tasting coffee. And that powdered crap they pass off as Cappuccino...omg. That's the worst....
Later, I'll remember things about this trip that I didn't post. I've been posting with little brain waves....it's the best I can do under the circumstances. I'll post cut lines (copy under the images) tomorrow. bd
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15 minutes can make all the difference in the world to an opener. They
packed in by the time Eisley was about 3/4 finished with their set. I figure
many people come in just in time to hear Tree Tops. That's sad.
She has a nice beanie cap on...or what do you call those?
Jon, striking a businesslike pose checks his email for the 2nd time on
the entire tour. Or maybe it was the first.
Looks real junkie and run down from the outside. Inside is nice!
Stacy in the lobby; we're waiting to go out into the city for food.
Only the Hotel knows were to go. Somewhere I have a tape of
us at the Rainforest Cafe...
That's our crazy, creative friend Aaron. He's creatively brilliant, owns
1000's of first release sci-fi novels, Shakespear, collects Tolkein (sp?) and
does slam poetry readings with the most serious roughians in Chicago...is
a total music buff.
A very arty hotel. Studying the lines....
Starbucks was just across the street from the hotel. I got up early that
morning and drank coffee while clicking away on my "Titanium" as I
watched the city whirl past.
...speaking of whisking back, here goes Jon...
It rained and rained......and rained. We all bought umbrellas.
colorful moments.
Stacy brands...
That's Aaron again. We used to all hang out together all hours of the night
here in Tyler...listening to underground music and his electronica; Aaron
totally meshed with the Coldplay crew since he spent years in London and
knows the history of rock music as well as anyone I know.
That's what it looked like to some photographer long ago.
I shot the shot on the wall.
For real, Weston's name was enscribed on one of the many graffiti-laden
walls. Chicago pizza is good....but very different from ours.
This city has these wonderful images...waiting for someone to capture
them. I don't know what they are. I just like the architecture
and graphics.
Relief sculpture...it's everywhere. Amazing. Chicago is nice to walk around
in at night....not too many people. Not so scary. Of course, we traveled as
a horde...a clan...and had that "don't mess with Texas" look.
And the girls were happy. There were Castles.
Chauntelle scored some Willy Wonka bars. For real. They sell them.
I bought one and slowly unwrapped it...hoping....
That's Tim Turley from Tyler. He flew all the way to Chicago to see the
band and hang out. Hi Tim. Thanks.
Where architecture and iconography unite....branding at it's finest.
Our mics and other things had toppled...of course, we were at an steep
angle. Nothing damaged...routine. But after the gig, there were issues with
the Union's assistance, Coldplay's production manager; yikes, it got weird.
And Jon's head and the Fender Bassman head got dropped... Thank God
for Anvil cases. Nothing was damaged.
Walking around in Chicago during the day...going to mall's, eating food,
etc. That's Tim and Carissa with us. I think she flew from Houston.
It looks like Derek is about to harm Chris. But, not. dunno.
This is Ron's gang minus Don who drums and plays strings. Shown are
Ron, Tim (left) and Jason right. These are very genuine people. We had
fun with them.
Friends, Own and Thomas from a band called the Elms - drove from
Indianapolis I think to hang with us. Relationships are important to the
band.
The quintessentially redundant sound check shots....here they are.
Sherri warming up.
Stacy, pink from lights. The show is happening now. The lights
blast her head... always hard to get decent shots.
I think I started out with this one. But..this one is bigger. Maybe you
can find yourself. People were waving. I was a rock star while I was
out there on that stage... well; I was an aging dork, rather;
shooting video so that one day we can prove to people that this tour
actually happened. Anyways, you're all aging...while not all balding.
Blurry, but I like it. Ok? (fine)
awww....
awww...
This is pre-show...sometimes the security guards hassel me...."sir, you
can't have that in here". I flash the lanyard (sp?) and most of them leave
me alone. But occasionally, they are like pit bulls and say I have to have
a media pass. So I say, go talk to Derek Fudge - Coldplay's production
manager. I CAN do this. And they persist...and I say, "Man, you're just..
(ahh!!), you're just trying to bust me! Come ON! please, stop this!...those
are my kids on thatstage, we're on tour with Coldplay and I tape every
show....and this is the freakin' Hollywood Bowl (or, fill in the blank)...
You're ruining the moment! Go talk to your supervisor and leave me
alone!! Once I told a guy..."I am going up to that stage and you'r not
gonna stop me". Gosh. I'm a nice, regular guy, but...I guess I went
ballistic a few times. sheesh...
Sherri... singing.
A "photo-op". Teen People wanted a shot with Eisley and Chris. Just so
you'll know...well, yes; there are major Teen publications covering
the story of Eisley. Don't freak out. It's good; Seventeen, Teen Vogue, Teen People...others; but understand - it's a young band. If you're in rock
music and you're got members like 19 and under, it's a given... They're
going to want the scoop. It might seem way out of scope - considering the
press in Rolling Stone...and Blender is coming out some- time soon; and
Filter; and others... but it's a chance to invade pop culture; for Eisley, it's a
chance to be themselves in a world that isn't used to, well.. .bands like
them; right? I can't be so arrogant as to say they'll raise the standard
in that environment. But, it's just my opinion that the teen, pop/glam/radio
patrons/clones of the world need the levening of Eisley; the creativity,
the non-conformity, the moral manner, the culture of Eisley....ok?..the
music of Eisley. Nobody has to agree. The band is just going to be who-
ever they are...and go wherever it's right; So far, the photoshoots have
been cool. We'll see how the stories turn out. That's what matters. Still...
editors can say whatever they want....no matter if you're a Teen mag or
a Rock zene; We've already witnessed that. And WB publicity folks aren't having to beat the bushes. After SXSW, there was a line at the door of
interested media people. No sell outs here. Time will prove this. At the
moment, there is no radio play to speak of, no hit songs, no hype. The
band is getting ready for their full length with no restraints on songwriting;
management nor label wants anyone to "mess" with it.
That's Rock on the left...Chris's personal body guard. He's a real
sweetheart of a guy; just don't mess with Chris and you'll live. Derek and
he are yakking.
That's stoic jon. The road; it does weird things to your head.
Grainy, lo rez. rock.
Stealing Coldplay fans. You have to know how valuable this is... how could
this have happened? It's unheard of. Eisley is just this unknown band from
near-Dallas, Texas. It's a great mystery.
New "Photo-op with Fans" category in every venue from here own out.
Sherri, porcelainesque.
entitled: "blurry, blown out, bad shot of eisley in Chicago."
AH HA!! a shot of Weston. But he's hard to find. There's a layer called
the "front line" masking his beauty. Who wants to see the lurchy goon
anyway? his mom and girlfreind...THAT's who! But, seriously, Weston
is the funniest manboy on the planet. Without him, we would all still be
alive. But we died from laughter many years ago.
Signing and talking with nice people. This is the fun part for the band.
Well, after the fun of doing a show... they will never be rock stars.
Stacy....pinkish/purplish...
Sherri/Jon
Trying to get back stage to help clear the stage of Eisley's debris;
and shoot the crowd with the Sony.
shots from stage...oh, about 40 seconds after they walked off stage.
same thing. Could've made a panarama but I'm tired of that.
Friend, Chris York. Flew from Nashville. A&R for Sparrow. Dad runs Sparrow. Hi Chris. Thanks for coming out.
Stage right Eisleyans.
Oops. a warm up shot is in the wrong place.
glowhead.
midstage shot
So many decent frames. I had to display them.
Signing at the UIC Pavillion.
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That's it for cutlines and images for this show. Thanks for tuning in.
Official Coldplay Tour Red Rocks #2 (continued)
June 15, 2003 06:28 PM
Hi. I have so many images from Red Rocks, I decided to create another post. ( I didn't say good images) Anyway, there were two shows so I think it's a good idea to split it up. I don't want 14.4 modems to choke on a single post.
One of these shows was 20 years to the date that U-2 recorded their infamous live show at
Red Rocks...so I'm told. One of you U-2 buffs might fill us in on that. If it's true, I think it's very cool....more for Coldplay, but also for Eisley.
This was one of the rare shows where everyone was in their seats for the opener. I think it's because the seats are first come, first serve.
Music now being played
Right now, we're on our way home. We just drove through New Jersy and are deep into Pennsylvania. It's a long way back to our country. So far, we've listened to the new Grandaddy record which just came ou ("Sumday"), followed by Pedro the Lion ("Control"), Travis ("Invisible") and now The Doves (?their first full length)....coming up, Kent ("Hagnaesta Hill"), Muse ("Showbiz")...and that's all we have slated for now, but we'll probably do Remy Zero after that.
Happy Fathers Day
I'm having a happy Fathers day...hanging out with most of my wonderful kids; Stacy thanked me for making her. I thought that was the most unique, well framed, meaningful father's day words I've ever heard. They all echoed the same sentiment and laughed at my response - "oh, shucks, it was nothin'...."
Now we're in Maryland and listening to "Phantom Planet". Muse was killer...love that record. Met their producer at Coachella; wants to produce Eisley. gotta go.
Images:
Nice identity. I should have bought a t-shirt.
The 5th was a very decent show...nice that we got a full sound check. It always
helps. There was something special about the Denver crowd - I saw pockets of
people standing up trying to create an encore. Thanks Denver. Hope we can
come back. The promoters from Clear Channel and the head guy from Denver
met the band and said they were very impressed - wanted to have the band
back to Denver. I like the mountains but I don't like driving through them when
they're wet. Can you have us back when it's only sun shinning? Red Rocks was
a rush. Climbing to the top made me feel like I was 18. In my head, I am.
Near the top...looking either north, south, east or west.
Not sure if that's Coldplay warming up. People are starting to straggle in. Oh...
this must be after Eisley's sound check. Yes.
I found myself walking through a doorway so I followed it...maybe it's not a
secret chamber, but if I were a character in a movie, this would be a secret
chamber. The guard didn't stop me.
This is Derek Fudge - Coldplay's production manager. I caught a rare shot of
him sound-checking the piano...but he was playing a song. Derek treated us
like Kings and Queens; he doesn't have to...it's not in his job description.
Opening bands, we're told are usually treated like 4th class citizens. In case
Derek ever sees this: Thanks Derek, we love you.
I don't think you always have to see a person's whole head. Besides, look at
the rock. Looks like somebody routed the rock with a giant rock router. God.
You can't really come to Red Rocks without feeling God all around you.
Kevin is fixing the jack on John's vintage P bass.
This should have been on the other page. oh well...
This is the way our lives feel right now. We don't know what's next so we're
just enjoying the rock.
One of the many faces of Chauntelle. She's awesome. Hope you guys get
to meet her.
another blurry, bad, low rez image of Red Rocks from the top. Someday, I'll
compile a movie from all this footage and upload it to the site.
I know it's a lame image, but see how cool the architecture is? Frank Lloyd
Wright could have conceived of this.
Looking to the left.
Close up of man's addition to the rocks. The dressing rooms and halls are
lined with large images of the rock bands that have graced the venue.
This is Eisley's show...the first night - the 5th. It was cold and drizzly...
but not anything like the 6th. More on that later.
This is Chris Costello - our tour manager from NY. She's great.
Eisley's show...This gives you a sense of what it looks like from stage...
or stage right... in front. See the coats and rain coats.
That's Britt - a friend from Denton, TX. We met him through Midlake; Britt
used to mix for those guys. In Vale for the summer.
A sea of blue humanoids. This is Coldplay's show.
We hooked up with Jimmy (shown), Ryan, John and Chris from Dallas. Thanks
for driving so far to see the show, guys.
[img]hhttp://www.eisley.com/laughingcity/images/coldplaytour/singingye llow.jpg[/img]
Chris Martin has become quite the entertainer. His humility comes out at every
show. The rock star in him only peaks through to give him a healthy balance
that people connect with.
Yellow, live, has such an amazingly happy effect on people. The spray of yellow,
blinding light always adds to the song.
We saw Coldplay back at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas 2 years ago as "Yellow" was
just breaking. (fans from the beginning). Their show was static, but beautiful. The
stage antics have only added to their live show...something very authentic and
real about their movement. It's not...."look at me, I'm a cool rock star....watch my
cliché' moves".
Stacy back at the hotel. Random.
Jon, shown here...thumping bass.
Chauntelle has many expressions. The lights were creating a bit of vibe
on this Denver eve.
I know it's a little cheesy, but I was lumbering around back stage when Derek
got a thumbs up from the production crew for Eisley to go on. I shot a little and
ran out the side door to the front so I wouldn't miss Over the Mountains.
They had alcohol for sale and there was a Red Rocks info building...real
touristy up there. The view was amazing.
This is a model of the landscape and facility in case you were interested.
Just another shot from the top right.
Self explanatory. We didn't sell too many shirts. But consider that people
coming to see Coldplay have a limited amount of discretionary income
to spend....a T-shirt and a CD added to the ticket price would be $50 +
bucks. If they bought an Eisley CD....you're getting into more cash outlay.
Oh, and don't forget parking and gas. Did anyone care to know that?
I like information. sorry.
This is Ben - the rep from Make Fair Trade. He's now into rock music because
of this job. A very nice guy....we talked at length about life, politics and the band.
This is a Red Rocks crag.
I have tons of this footage...the girls were getting blown away with an icy,
wet, arctic blast that was knocking down instruments on stage only 15 minutes
earlier. The show got pushed up 30 minutes which cut into the exposure they
had as an opener. Friends got their on time and missed their set. I got email
from people I didn't know who were angry because they came to see Eisley.
Stacy's hair isn't actually yellow-gold. That's just the lighting.
Bad image of peeps sitting below the flanking, mountainous jetty's.
Is this image a repeat? not sure right now.
Sherri singing Tree Tops at Red Rocks.
The bluecrowd. They turn blue. A sea of blue-oids.
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found more shots...these are the last for Red Rocks. I can't tell you why there are so many
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Ben said to me..."I'll go look for your phone and Sherri's coat...I'm from here and can go to the top..." (so I let him and he found it where we'd been sitting)
Brian was completly under the canvas when Eisley started playing. I was
helping some guy untie knotted ropes on ringlets to unveil the front of
house. Some of them were stubborn...and I WAS TRYING to videotape.
They were just walking around down below. Easy to find and video
tape them.
He jumps sometimes.
That's another shot at the catering.
It looks like a light from above was cascading down on him. It was.
Will...back there on his kit.
Those lasers are very cool. usually by this time, we're packing up to
head out to the next gig.
Did Ringo really play here? play here? Perhaps the Ringo Starr
All Starr Band?
Kevin is back there. If you look really close, you can find him.
What happens when she gets taller? Already she had to shorten herself.
Sitting down is not cool at this stage. Perhaps when she gets to tour with
a real piano - which is what she wants.
This is their dorky dad. He's a grunt...a roadie. A well kept man.
Signing and hanging out with nice people.
Her tour manager called her "Chatty Kathy". She has a big heart for people.
So, when do we get to come back to Denver?
I wanted to talk to these people, but...felt like a video voyer instead.
Jimmy again.
Too many images from Red Rocks perhaps. It was 2 shows....lots of
activity. Thanks for fumbling through this mediocre colledtion of video
screen captures. Boyd
Official Coldplay Tour 6.13.03 NY Madison Square Garden
June 14, 2003 05:47 AM
Official Coldplay Tour New York City, NY, Madison Square Garden
It's 11:00am here in a hotel in Secaucus, New Jersy. We returned back here from the festivities at 4:00am, but most of us were up till 4:30. The "B" sides are here with us again; it's been amazing.
Certainly you guys know I don't have any images from this show yet. I know there are other shows that I've posted nothing on (yet) that surely deserve equal attention; It's just...everything is just churning around in my head about last night right now; a swirling vortex of emotions about the finale, the end of the tour, reflecting on our goodbyes...ok, a few tears. I just had to post something. (In text books, it's called post expressionism)
I have to make this short. We're supposed to catch a bus back into the city for some regular sightseeing, shopping and...I need to drink some more coffee from one of those downtown deli's again.
Gosh. I don't know where to start. We arrived here in NY Thursday arround 3:00pm after our long drive from some small town near Syracuse. Soon after we arrived, Blender Magazine arrived in a large RV with make up artists, wardrobe, photostylists and photographers. After a few hours of make up, there was a shoot and an interview. I didn't go because...well, I felt that getting something from Red Rocks was paramount. Thus, I missed covering the Blender shot in an old school bus. Anyway, press opportunities are occurring more often...and I can't be everywhere at one time and get any work done.
Yesterday, we popped up at 7:00am after hanging out with Eric Nicholson of Midlake till 3:00am....to be ready to go at 8:30am - for a photoshoot at 9:30am with Teen Vogue. That was fun and lasted right up until we had to be at the veune at 4:00 to yank all our gear out and sound check at 5:00. Everything got pushed back so Eisley didn't even get a line check. (no pressure, right?) I'll give more details about the photoshoot later....maybe.
So, last night's show closed the book on the Official Coldplay Tour with Ron Sexsmith and Eisley. How do I describe the experience? (oh, I have been....on this forum; good) I don't want to get hypy, but just so you guys know, I usually pull back in what I really want to say about these experiences. I purposely omit interesting conversations we have with the Coldplay guys and crew because i don't want it to come off the wrong way or exploit this forum for cheezy, opportunistic promotion.
Having made that public...the Madison Square Garden show proved to be the epic finale Eisley needed to brand themselves into the hearts of not only the Coldplay Team...but curious New Yorkers. Chris and Guy watched the entire show side stage with enthusiasm, the band performed with a kind of confidence I don't think I've seen...and I dunno, it was just a great show....honestly, one of many great shows. The crowd was super enthusiastic during the whole set. 5 songs and the close; The sustain on the last chord of Tree Tops hung on forever as I searched for a response from the crowd. Soon I realized that the clapping had been in the mix for a while as the cresendo finally topped the song ending and the 1/4 full MSG audience unleashed a robust, lingering stream of applause that I believe to was cathartic. Wiping away tears, I pressed to the back stage area to help strike gear.
The show was one of the best, if not "the" best. In energy and presence and sheer volume, it ranked #1. I suppose that's fitting since NY is on of the 2 music mecca's of the world and...in a way, it really felt like there was an expectation on the band to be able to prove themselves here. People we met all day were saying things like, "wow...are you guys scared? Playing the MSG...oh man...I think I'd poop in my pants". We had to wake Weston up from a deep sleep only 10 minutes before the set. He said the first 2 songs were like a dream...he was trying to figure out where he was. Guy thought it was amusing and expressed how he thought he'd be way more nervous playing this show.
Maybe it isn't so strange that nobody was nervous for this gig; that seems normal right? Opening for Coldplay in Madison Square Garden before a seasoned, musical crowd of New Yorkers after much hype and press in magazines like Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly and many others just a few weeks after the release of your first ep into a market place of critics, industry and radio peeps?
Well, if you ever get to hear the live recording of the show, you'll sence how naturally peaceful and vulnerable they are. That's unique to the band... they just don't have a sence of self preservation when it comes to behaving like rock stars...that's cool with me.
After the show we had to wait inside the venue for a few hours so we could get all our mech and close out the night. Around 2:00am, we all climbed into 3 taxi's and literally rocketed over to the "after show party" at a club called Joe's Pub somewhere deep in the city...I dunno. Once inside, we saw it was packed like vienna sausage. (sardines is cliche')
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hey. people are waking up. I have to get going. try to pick back up on this later. We leave tomorrow on the long trek back toward Texas. I'll have time to work in the van. Meanwhile, I'll post some more tonight. Havent't had time to proof this...or spell check. sorry. bdout
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SINCERE APOLOGIES FOR GETTING SUCKED INTO ALL MANER OF BAND BUSINESS UPON OUR RETURN. I AM WORKING ON MSG RIGHT NOW... WILL TRY TO POST SOME IMAGES SOON. and there's still Toronto to do....ahhHHHHHHhhhh......bd
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UPDATE
I've been combing through the footage as opportunities allowed this afternoon and night. I had heavy demands place on me...a webzine needed images but none that were already on our site. That presented some (good) trouble.... and, I had to go out to eat with my wife...and drop off the band at rehearsal space. btw. Stacy's voice is almost completely gone and we have a show tomorrow night. That's so sad.
Back to NY. Wow. I didn't really realize until after seeing the tapes quite how few people were actually in attendance for their show. It really sounded like maybe 5,000; (I've been getting good at reading things and guessing numbers) But there were huge pockets of chairs where nobody was in...up close and out along the walls. Super sporatic. I'll bet there weren't more than 3,000...not sure. So I was sorta discouraged...but when i realized how few people were making noise, I thought...wow. That's freaking amazing. It's not about how big the crowd anyway...
I'd guess that the band is WAY more nervous about the two local shows here in Texas than they were at MSG. Why? Because at a new venue, who knows you? Nobody....it's just so ominous...almost fake. And what's more, you don't have as much to prove. Nobody expects to be impressed with an opening band....most people don't even show or come expecting to hate opening acts. (well, not me....but) Contrast that with the local scene....all your friends and new fans are there....so naturally, there's all this hype about the band in all the news papers, webzines, yaddah, yahdahh.....
I'm brain dead. have to get to sleep. I'll post a few pics...completely out of order and later fix it all. I have niagra falls shots that should be before these..so....gunite. bd
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You pay a small toll...bunches of lanes feed into 2...you drive
under the water that separates NY from NJ. It's crazy... well,
because...we had to build this man made phenominon ourselves
like we did in Colorado and other places during this tour.
More on this subject at a later date. (Ok. It's later) Look, I know this seems
(to the untrained eye) like a fancy, NY tunnel. But, we created this tunnel
just to get into the city ourselves. Yes. We had to drill through rocks and
steel shanks left over from the old New York (before Octune Metro fell).
Absurd, yes. You laugh, no. But it's all true. Funny? NO. Weston was out
there holding the robotron when the hydrolic to our ZimZim 6500 series
Robo-drill busted; we almost shimmed off one of the robotic arms in the
process. Worse, Weston was thrown into the concentric tooth multcher. I'm
sitting there holding the auto-pole when I see his legs go flying up...and
zoom...in he went. No worry, I saw him quick enough and cut the power.
He was sorta greasy and had some scrapes, but...he was fine. In the end,
we bored completely through, under the water in 18 minutes...and we
celebrated by commemorating our accomplishment with a bit of TILE
graphics that I was able to create from the old Nautilus Empire (600
leagues under; that city block was fried, dude...but it provided some good
ebony chunks for our tile). I'll never forget the look on that security
guard's face when we poked through up on 6th avenue and Cherry Street.
I don't even know what this is... a building to celebrate the people who live
in the city? A business? A hotel? Art deco-ish. I like.
We're from East Texas. We don't have this kind of architechture.
It's going to bore the dawg out of a New Yorker to see this. But,
the rain dancing on top of the blorby facade...now that's art.
Chris dropped us off at the corner of someplace and somewhere in
something East village for this Teen Vogue photoshoot. There was nice
food, and really cool people. That's our rig driving off. I will build a
section right under this shoot soon. (no really)
ok. Here's one just for fun. But there will be more. I don't want to blow
their cover...or story. Better wait. Close ups only. It's always the same;
make up, hair, wardrobe, shoot. The set and the photographer's eye is
what makes the image happen. I have tons of video from this. I was
bored. Talked to Rick - Flaming Lip's publicist (WB) all morning/aft. off
and on. He came to be with Eisley since he was in NY and could help out.
Nice guy. Somewhere I have an image of him.
This little joint where the shoot took place was called "The Country
Club"...but looked more like an oriental lair. Inside, very ornate, eclectic,
lots of old junk and weird, vintage lighting...antique sofas with gold painted
scrolly trim.
These photos will truely rock. The set was great...like the backdrop was
the outside wall of what I described earlier - which was even cooler than
the inside ....And the band picked this white garb out. It's an astounding
unity...if a few of them like something, they all just go for it and decide it
IS cool.
We spent too long in the Sketcher shoe store across the street. I was
bored. So I called my 2 brothers and other friends from outside the place.
The girls and guys did get some really cool shoes. NO wait, that was
Saturday. We're still looking at Friday - the day of the show. I must have
just passed by this and I was filming.
I might not want to stay there...not sure. But the buildings just look cool.
We took a mini-van cab and crammed ourselves into it to get back to the
venue on time. This is just a shot along the way.
Harder to film Eisley watching Coldplay. Here's a stab at it.
She wore this greyish/metalish looking smock. Is that what you call it?
Like a dress...sorta.
Fooling with in-ear monitors. always.
always.
How can you play at Madison Square Garden and not get a line check?
Even baby bands at the smallest venues in the country get that. But,
it really didn't matter. Everything worked out just fine.
Sherri bathed in purple light...
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I promise; we're not even 1/8th of the way through. I'm getting tired...
loosing time....pale english faces...making layaway plans....thumpin' bass...Zac and Sara....(corrected. I spelled Sarah with an "H". Have you heard any of Ben's live work? How did that crowd harmonize so well on the ahhh's after "..he was not the same after that"....(?) Could he have trained them beforehand? Sounds like a massive choir. oh well... what an amazing artist....ok, going to sleep. it's only 2:39am but...can't hold a thought for over a millisecond at a time... bdout.
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It's Sunday night. I know what it looks like...'ole Boyd gets home, enjoys the good life...and ends up dumping the "NY posting" for a good lawn mowing on a hot June eve while drinking tempid Coca-Cola from an aluminum cup and slapping mosquitoes with his bear hands. (well, I'm a mammal, but I don't have claws); But it's not true. I didn't mow the yard.
I worked up until it was time to leave for Ft. Worth yesterday. We didn't leave the venue until 1:30am and only drug our carcass's home by 3:30am and were in bed by 4:00am. Sidbar: My mom and dad popped themselves in the van with us in favor of attending a rock show rather than a family reunion. (family reunion members banned from this board.) My mom and dad are cool...especially since, in the early 70's, they allowed me and my brothers to jam upstairs in our bedrooms...like,at such loud decibals that it rattled our windows and gave us brain damage. They, of course, love Eisley....and the Beatles, so we played Magical Mystery Tour on the way to Ft. Worth.
But, wull...today, ok...we were busy all day - (we are the music at the Vineyard - our "counter cultural"-strip center, genx church. I'm laughing at the reference to counter culture...that's in my head because a reporter from the Tyler Paper came today with pen and paper - asking about everything...and wanted to know if it was a "counter culture" church) and then went to eat and then we had to go to a funeral. Very sad... So, we came home and slept, since we only had 3 hours of sleep and plus, we needed to get rid of some sadness. Seeing children cry made us cry.
But I've been working on the images...for the last 2 hours. Sorry. Not trying to turn this into a diary; and I know it's not like the whole world is waiting on a few silly pictures of our trip to NY. I just want to follow through and get this finished; that's all. I'll probably stay up late tonight...really late. bd
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OK. here's the next batch. I still have to go back and scoop up some of the band at Niagra Falls...and perhaps some more live shots at MSG. THERE
ARE CUT LINES BELOW EACH OF THE PREVIOUSLY POSTED SO YOU'LL
HAVE A CLUE WHAT THE IMAGE IS ABOUT. Note: I will find some more shots of the lives show for sure...but, isn't that getting kinda boring? Are
the slice of life shots and landscapes boring you? I can cut them out. There
are no rules here.
-------------------
After the show, crew members were knocking on the dressing room
door and asking for CD's. One guy said, can I have 2? My niece is in
the right demographic. I think I forgot it later.
Rare sighting.
Little sister Christie drinks Arizona tea...
There were peeps in the hall. (no lunatics) Sherri is doing something to
little brother's arm (Collin). Also, the guy in the background...can't
remember his name, but one of these guys was there with his wife...from
Boston to see Eisley. He's playing their stuff on an "adventure club" type
format. (like the Edge here in Dallas) cool. Nice guy.
We were all just standing around. Somewhere...can't remember if it was
here, we saw Mike Myers (sp?) and David Bowie...just passing through. I
don't know why. Probably Coldplay fans. Who isn't these days?
Telling Ron goodbye. sniff, sniff...
no clue.
Matt, making sure we're connected....probably yakking with
K-Thor (Matt is Johnny's guitar tech.)
Talking to someone in the dressing room.
Where were they? Did anyone at the show find them?
Caroline...does make up and stuff...came to the show; also...that's
Jeremy B from the board on the left. Also, flew in for the show.
Remember the story from my journal? (somewhere) We grabbed 3 cabs
and shot off at 50mph far away from MSG to "Joes Pub" for some after
tour party. It was dark outside...and a bit spooky. We walked up the stairs,
flashed our badges and went inside. omg. It was so loud. See Will (CP
drummer) in the corner playing the tunes. And packed. You could only
achieve movement by pushing through with force. Anyway, we didn't want
to stay, so we just made the rounds and told everyone goodbye.
There were some great conversations - especially with Guy. (CP Bass
player) He yakked at me for 15 minutes solid about how much he loved
touring with Eisley..and, well all kinds of flowery stuff along the same lines
that he also repeated to the band...for about 30 minutes. These are just
just some of the pics of conversations happening in that madness. He had
watched their entire set from side-stage at MSG that night...and, well, was
very enthusiastic...anyway; we've said it before, and will probably say it
again....but those Coldplay guys are some of the most humble, genuine
guys on the planet. They treated us like guests and freinds...behaved like
gentlemen. Very consistent.
Outside....back in the dark. That's Darin Harmon from Nettwerk. Darin does
all kinds of stuff the the band... and was with Dave when they flew in on
that infamous, historic day - friday Nov. 21, 2002 to see Eisley for the first
time at The Door. (one week after the North Texas New Music Festival
where...well, that's an old story too)
K-Thor and Eric of Midlake. (unselfish plug... midlake.net)
We're trying to get everyone together after being wisked back to MSG
where our van is parked outside unattended. It's 3:00am and we're
shot. I like that cap she wears.
Of course, we had to gore through another passageway to get outside
of NY because we couldn't find our other entry. Not sure how this truck
managed to get in front of our powertools, hydrolics, and dual drill
sequencers. It's so noisy in these underwater chambers when the you're
drilling; grease and rocks and roots and old burnt pieces of metal are
flying everywhere before you slap the tile up. That takes the longest. It's
hot until you get the vents routed to topside. This tunnel took us only 14.7
minutes to build...
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I will perhaps document our departure and a bit of our trip home. There is still much work to be done on this NY post...entire chunks are missing. I think. Thanks for tuning in - whoever you are. bd
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I worked on gathering more NY shots today...found some great ones....but, this radio thing in the morning and all the coordination for the two shows this weekend kept me way busy today. I WILL do this.
Did you guys see this on the eisleyblog? Just in case you haven't been over there - Sinead's post from the UK:
http://www.eisley.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1425