These memories are bittersweet, aren't they? We keep looking at music through a lens of 'this could make us famous' instead of 'will the music make us happy?' I think of all those indie shows in the late '00's and early '10's often. When they made us think that partying and rock n' roll would lead us all to some kind of wonderland professional music gurus. Those basement shows were drunk on the idea that the time had come. That night was the night to launch a band into an ultimate record deal. But I suppose that for some, it actually was. Taking a leap was hard but not impossible.
SO bittersweet. I remember one specific show at The Ox that you threw. We played... maybe Blackhawks. The energy was real. Hot as fuck. Sweaty. Smoky. Gross. I miss it.
I Got in the Van only once in my life (it was actually either a Yukon or Suburban borrowed from my friend Pat's grandfather, who lived in Abington or thereabouts), and I am trying to recall the precise itinerary without bringing up google maps. Here goes: syracuse -> rochester -> fredonia (basically buffalo, but also maybe not?) -> akron -> cleveland (heights) -> ypsilanti (basically detroit, but maybe not?) -> london, ontario, canada -> pittsburgh -> home.
I was 19 and had met my bandmates in Janet Drive earlier in the year at an art school kids' party. We all seemed to have the same taste in tunes, loved hanging out and watching DVDs together, and wrote about 8 or 9 songs. I glommed onto the band as the young pup--band member #5, a year or so younger than my colleagues. I think they were eager to have another person play git and maybe provide two additional, critical ears in the basement on Redfield Place. I had one multi-effects pedal and could tune to drop-d.
On the "tour," I remember we kept a quote book. Can that still be a thing? I guess the equivalent at this point would be keeping track of riffs, bits, gags, and goofs in the Notes app? Either way, that was how we meme'd back then--reciting the same bits over and over again. Like you said: you either win together or fail together; both sides of the coin need to be documented IMO.
In Rochester, we played to the soundman because the band Boys Night Out, who we were supposed to open for, decided that afternoon to move to a larger venue down the street but didn't tell anyone. I wasn't old enough to drink legally, but I remember sitting at the bar when a dude who definitely had sat backseat in the Mirth Mobile walked by to exclaim, "MARE-SHALLLL," drunkenly pointing at my friend Pat's amplifier. My amp was a Crate, and we drove 90 minutes back to Syracuse that night just to drive back in the same direction to Buffalo-ish the next day.
I remember calling my mom on Mother's Day from Canada outside of a diner/luncheonette on a 3390B Nokia cell phone, wondering just how much that call just cost. I also remember checking my email and probably some forums at the downtown Ann Arbor public library.
Booking even a quick jaunt like this must have been impossible back then. Our drummer Marissa did it all--I think--using email and mp3.com, which was kind of like a proto-proto-Bandcamp. In Pittsburgh, we showed up to a garage/warehouse situation to play a 7-band gig that had been cancelled the week before. Just one of the most deflating feelings, but if you've been In the Van, I guess you know the vibe. At least the route home brought us right through Fredonia, where singer Mark had forgotten his suitcase the week before. Completely unrelated, but I parked my car on the wrong side of the street in Syracuse that night (early morning?) we arrived home and had to overdraw my checking account the next morning to get it back.
When you're 19, I guess you can use a sweatshirt as a bedroll, and you can thumb through the same two issues of FHM and Maxim for a week. A completely different time! Your tale, Dan, dredged up a bunch of memories. One obvious one was seeing Cool Cough Band at KFN in 201? (!!!). A beautiful show, and the first time I met JPM :)
I really only speak to one member of Janet Drive these days, and I imagine that that distance is due not only to time but also that week or so we spent together failing and funning. I'm confident saying, "no hard feelings" at this point in life. I'm also making music with new friends at the moment and enjoying it so much. I don't want to ever get In the Van again and ruin it.
First off, I’ll say that it may be a good idea to compile these replies into a zine like limited run pub. Amazing stuff here my dude.
I would love to read a short book about your experiences in the van. That Syracuse area route sounds like a nice route - I’m sure they shows were fun. Lots of young people giving great energy.
I can’t wait to hear the new tunes my brother. Send them my way when they are ready as you know I would love to get an ear on those bad boys.
These memories are bittersweet, aren't they? We keep looking at music through a lens of 'this could make us famous' instead of 'will the music make us happy?' I think of all those indie shows in the late '00's and early '10's often. When they made us think that partying and rock n' roll would lead us all to some kind of wonderland professional music gurus. Those basement shows were drunk on the idea that the time had come. That night was the night to launch a band into an ultimate record deal. But I suppose that for some, it actually was. Taking a leap was hard but not impossible.
SO bittersweet. I remember one specific show at The Ox that you threw. We played... maybe Blackhawks. The energy was real. Hot as fuck. Sweaty. Smoky. Gross. I miss it.
I Got in the Van only once in my life (it was actually either a Yukon or Suburban borrowed from my friend Pat's grandfather, who lived in Abington or thereabouts), and I am trying to recall the precise itinerary without bringing up google maps. Here goes: syracuse -> rochester -> fredonia (basically buffalo, but also maybe not?) -> akron -> cleveland (heights) -> ypsilanti (basically detroit, but maybe not?) -> london, ontario, canada -> pittsburgh -> home.
I was 19 and had met my bandmates in Janet Drive earlier in the year at an art school kids' party. We all seemed to have the same taste in tunes, loved hanging out and watching DVDs together, and wrote about 8 or 9 songs. I glommed onto the band as the young pup--band member #5, a year or so younger than my colleagues. I think they were eager to have another person play git and maybe provide two additional, critical ears in the basement on Redfield Place. I had one multi-effects pedal and could tune to drop-d.
On the "tour," I remember we kept a quote book. Can that still be a thing? I guess the equivalent at this point would be keeping track of riffs, bits, gags, and goofs in the Notes app? Either way, that was how we meme'd back then--reciting the same bits over and over again. Like you said: you either win together or fail together; both sides of the coin need to be documented IMO.
In Rochester, we played to the soundman because the band Boys Night Out, who we were supposed to open for, decided that afternoon to move to a larger venue down the street but didn't tell anyone. I wasn't old enough to drink legally, but I remember sitting at the bar when a dude who definitely had sat backseat in the Mirth Mobile walked by to exclaim, "MARE-SHALLLL," drunkenly pointing at my friend Pat's amplifier. My amp was a Crate, and we drove 90 minutes back to Syracuse that night just to drive back in the same direction to Buffalo-ish the next day.
I remember calling my mom on Mother's Day from Canada outside of a diner/luncheonette on a 3390B Nokia cell phone, wondering just how much that call just cost. I also remember checking my email and probably some forums at the downtown Ann Arbor public library.
Booking even a quick jaunt like this must have been impossible back then. Our drummer Marissa did it all--I think--using email and mp3.com, which was kind of like a proto-proto-Bandcamp. In Pittsburgh, we showed up to a garage/warehouse situation to play a 7-band gig that had been cancelled the week before. Just one of the most deflating feelings, but if you've been In the Van, I guess you know the vibe. At least the route home brought us right through Fredonia, where singer Mark had forgotten his suitcase the week before. Completely unrelated, but I parked my car on the wrong side of the street in Syracuse that night (early morning?) we arrived home and had to overdraw my checking account the next morning to get it back.
When you're 19, I guess you can use a sweatshirt as a bedroll, and you can thumb through the same two issues of FHM and Maxim for a week. A completely different time! Your tale, Dan, dredged up a bunch of memories. One obvious one was seeing Cool Cough Band at KFN in 201? (!!!). A beautiful show, and the first time I met JPM :)
I really only speak to one member of Janet Drive these days, and I imagine that that distance is due not only to time but also that week or so we spent together failing and funning. I'm confident saying, "no hard feelings" at this point in life. I'm also making music with new friends at the moment and enjoying it so much. I don't want to ever get In the Van again and ruin it.
First off, I’ll say that it may be a good idea to compile these replies into a zine like limited run pub. Amazing stuff here my dude.
I would love to read a short book about your experiences in the van. That Syracuse area route sounds like a nice route - I’m sure they shows were fun. Lots of young people giving great energy.
I can’t wait to hear the new tunes my brother. Send them my way when they are ready as you know I would love to get an ear on those bad boys.