Houston, TX. July 5, 2005. Meridian
July 06, 2005 12:19 AM
Hell's Breath Upon Us
Combine all the bands and all the bands shows that played tonight - and none of them can remember a hotter, more suffocating, wrenching night.
Pilotdrift couldn't finish their set because Kelly had to exit the stage with heat exhaustion. We found him throwing up in the shower. It took him several hours to recover.
Weston is still recovering... we almost decided to take him to the hospital. After an hour, he couldn't stop throwing up.
This very, very sold out show was quite the night to remember... There were at least 100 turned away, some said 200 because many just left after they were told it was a sell out. Some stayed and about 20 got to go in. I hated it - because friends/fans were outside, calling me, calling at me from below, "boyd, boyd... the show is sold out, can you get me in?" I was distressed. Our guest list was filled. Sold out shows aren't a problem I'm used to dealing with. It's good... except, I hate for everyoen not to get in.
I have a lot more to say, but - you guys know the drlll; I can't stay awake. I sweated gallons tonight along with everyone of you. mygosh... you couldn't breath in there.
To me, the show was very, very special... perhspas the band's favorite. Surviving it was a major accomplishment.
more tomorrow. thanks!
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*Kim's bit:
As I was packing up merch at the end of the evening, Wade (famous Uncle Wade, Boyd's brother) came and told me that we needed to get Weston to the hospital, that he was outside in the parking lot throwing up and could not stop.
I ran down the stairs to find Weston's tall lumbering body barely able to stand. I immediately told him to sit down. He had thrown up everywhere and was swaying back and forth. He sat down in the side door of the van and I began to pour water over his head and back. I kept washing his face down and trying to get him stable. What a night. We finally got him to a stable situation, then we all piled in to go to a local hotel.
I kept checking on him because he had a migraine now. Next thing I know, Chauntelle, (who was sitting next to me in the van), was dealing with a milder case of dehydration. She had a migraine, and was freezing cold. Sheesh....can we just get them all to a hotel and snuggly in bed?
I just checked on Chauntelle a few minutes ago. I could see a strained look on her face, even in her sleep. I know she is still not feeling well, but it seems that sleep has come over her. Hopefully, a good night's rest for everyone will do the trick.
So much to say, but I too am falling asleep. I wish I could fall asleep, but I am waiting for my laundry so I can put it in the dryer.
I just want to give a heartfelt thankyou to all of you Houstonian's, that inspite of the heat, you made Eisley feel so welcome to be back in Texas, and back in their birth city.
nite~all 
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I wake up and... what do I see? My wife has comandeered my post... and added detail much needed.
Since we're on the topic, I got this email from my brother Wade, who's entire family was at the show. (cousins. many). He sent this to the venue:
[i]"Last night was inexcusable. I was there for the smaller stage show. I got the feeling I was in a slum lord type of establishment. I know things happen - like air conditioners malfunctioning, but you should have given free water and refunded any tickets upon request. You should have put fans to blow air on the stage - I heard your employees at the door had fans. You should refund the merchandise money that you collected from these poor bands that you nearly sent to the hospital - even though these bands displayed the best of professional attitudes throughout the evening. And what was all that noise from the other stage? Inexcusable! Are you guys that desperate? This was a bad experience and I am vocal about it today.
I know that the bands were extremely offended as were the fans. And what bad business - I heard more than a hundred fans were turned away due to a sell out that you had to know was going to happen. Maybe you don't care but in my opinion you should try to do some kind of damage control with the bands at least and if possible with the fans.
Wade DuPree[/b]
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I know Eisley aplogized throughout their set and were worried about the health of fans jammed in the front. Guys, it had to be 115 degree's. More? I tell you, you couldn't breath. Eisley survived Cornerstone Festival in 2002 in 114 degree's - almost passed out; beat red faces, all; But this was worse. Kid's were trying to leave in droves, asking for money back... Eisley fans! - who drove distances to see the band! You have to figure that's the kind of heat where self-preservation comes into your mind. ha ha... anyway, it didn't bother me much, but there were issues throughout the night...
I have to go... haircut, shower, pack, Austin. Not sure how the show is doing ya'll, but fans have been trying to get tickets thru the Parrish's site with no luck. I think it's something like redrivertickets.com ? google it. Anyway, i know there have been at least 200 advanced sales.... Last night there was 280 presale, but the landslide came as walk-up. I dunno about Austin. The last time they played the Parrish, it totally sold out...but, who knows what will happen tonight. Austin loves Eilsey, but... wow, it would be hard to compare to the love they felt from Houston last night. jeeze. Insane. Thanks to everyone who endured. Love you guys.
boyd
ps. I shot video. if i have time, it'll be some good stuff.
New Orleans, LA. July 4th, '05. The Parrish (HOB)
July 04, 2005 12:19 AM
Drive Day
Today most slept in, but regardless, we all checked out at noon, drove to a really nice retail developement in Hoover, Alabama (i think that was it), ate at Panera's, shopped at Ross, drank Ice Chia's, vanilla latte's, hung out talking while others shopped, wasted time, tried to manage the 13 individual needs the best we could - as usual; All before leaving at precisely 4:15pm for New Orleans, LA.
We arrived about 11:30pm as scheduled. I'm too tired to type again.... did most of the drive today. Was up too early. I'm all ready to work but my brain can't handle it. Tough night.
bd
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Hey 'er'ybody! It's 2:30am, my cerebellum is slowly winding into the sponge jungle. I swoon my own anterior medulla in efforts to stay awake.
Up too early - to beat the fires out. Had to have revisions/changes to the merch insert to WB by the time they arrive at work... only to realize tonight that it was the 4th and a holiday. sheesh.
We left the hotel around 1, arrived at the venue with the red carpet parking spot at 2:00, ate at House of Blues, loaded in at 3:00... blah, blah, blah... I'm tired.
brain shutting down. i imagined myself going to sleep.
The show went pretty ok. I heard fans drove and ffelw from hundreds of miles away. thanks. Sorry the sound was so shrill, unbearable and painful. -Hard time mixing that room. All bands sounded sorta the same.
The promoters/workers said it was a tough night for a show - July 4th. Awkward, but 225 showed up, which surprised me. Besides the painfully loud set and high shrilly tones, it was great.
Long drive tomorrow. up at 6:30am... first to drive. Houston, here we come. goodnight New Orleans. Thankyou. boyd
Birmingham, Alabama. July 3, 2005. Nick's
July 03, 2005 02:00 AM
Night Bizzarro
Oh what a night. Where were we? What just happened? Birmingham - somewhere, near a big concrete freeway overhead... an intersection of many roads, near a neighorhood, but very sketch. The venue is made of wood; there are billions of staples stuck in the facade - evidence of years and years worth of putting posters on their walls. There's a dumpster less than 10 ft. away from the door that reeks to high heaven. Nobody is there when we arrive at 7:30... load in was supposed to be 5:00 according to my advancing, but "it's 4th of July, everyone is on vacation and I have a busy weekend." They wanted us there at 8:00pm!
I said,...."and doors are at 9:00? We have 1 hr. to get 2 bands checked and one to back line... it usually takes us 3 -4 hours; there's no way we're going to be ready to go.. I'm walking a thin line... I don't want to insult the club or the people of the club. The two people we dealt with were super nice. Nick's is a small bar with a stage, a sound system and it's own scene.
My question is: why is Eisley playing 21+ shows.Don't know that much about it. Either way, the show was. too sleepy to focus. goodnight----------
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Let me start over. Despite our being booked at 21+ shows (!@#$!) for way too many nights on this tour, the evening was great. Yahoo came out and did a really good interview at a nearby indie coffee shop (and bought our coffee and pastries)... it was two young guys with great personalities, a director, 2 camera guys, and audio guy and a coordiator (Alison - who's actually from Longview, TX - near us)...
They're doing this thing called 100 Bands, 100 Shows. Their interview with Eisley fell on Birmingham... which is great. But most of the people at the show for Eisley were very confused as to why Eisley would be playing at this small 21+ bar - when most all their college and high school friends couldn't come. They said their were tons of kids who would have been there. There was no food, no hospitality, no bottled water, no meal buy out, no dressing rooms, it was a late, late show for an older crowd... most of the people there thought Eisley was a local band... and thought they were amazing. ha ha. I have video of the place, a little prior to Eisley's set... and their show. I have to find time to put this on line. You guys would love it.
Repeating myself, but... I found great comic relief in the evening. The crowd was very diverse. There were older guys with long, pointy grey beards, women dressed to pick up guys (black, slinky, low-cut halters), tons of bear drinking older guys looking for local chicks.... AND, you guys - Eisley fans. There WERE people there we related to... and again, thanks for coming.
By the way, thank you for the double encore. That was the first on this tour. Of course, the band didn't really have anywhere to go... there was no dressing room... just a side door leading to the mosquito infestation next to the dumpster. ha ha haaaa... But seriously, you guys were great. Thanks for coming. Thanks for understanding.... Honestly, we were really bummed when we heard there were 22 advanced ticket sales. 150 turned out, which made that room look fairly packed.
And YAHOO filmed and tied into the board for audio... first 4 songs, but "My Lovely" was the sacrificial song - to get the sounds dialed in. They recorded Memories, Mr. Pine and The Escaping song. They wanted songs that hadn't been recorded... interesting, indie stuff. I think the songs came off perfect. I was thrilled. Yahoo is really supporting Eisley right now:
They're going to do 5 US promotional, free shows with Eisley as the headliner... we'll get flied out to 5 major markets with crew, the band will play on back lined gear, Yahoo will promote on line and...however, I don't know exactly; And I don't know where and when the shows will be... perhaps August? Not sure. Anyway - probably like LA, NY... others. Not sure. Look for info on that soon.
Woah, thundering in Birmingham. We're leaving today... but later. We'll probably hang out, go get coffee, do stuff... drive to N. O. late. (why hang out with the crazies on Bourbin Street as they get drunk for the 4th when you can chill in a quaint little Southern city and drive after it get's cool?
NICKS.
One fan - a John and his friend Chris said it was the best show ever.... not just Eisley shows; they recanted the infamous shows they'd been at... big ones; John especially said it was his favorite show of all time and that he needed it at this time in his life... the music. I understood.
They planned to cut their set short since the venue pushed back load in till 8:00!! from 5:00 (advanced) Pilotdrift started i think around 10:-00... can't remember. Eisley started after 12:30 I think... They planned not to do an encore... what? for a few people and with such a late show? no way. but it became apparent they'd have to. Even after about half the crowd started filing out the door... once the band came back, most of them did too... After Sea King and Head Against the Sky, they wouldn't leave... So "Blackened Crown" seemed the best solution. It came off great, i think.
Well... gotta go.
boyd