Another State Of The Union: Arizona punk rock tour.
In my ongoing series comparing states to my home state of California while touring with my punk band we come to Arizona. First show in Tempe, it's all Arizona State there. The show went great and I learned from one attendee that Arizona has relaxed its gun carrying laws to the point where you don't need a permit for a concealed weapon. You just need a clean record and stay out of trouble. That's freedom. In this day and age, seeing relaxed gun laws restores my faith in the U.S. a bit. Arizona has cheap drinks too; always has. I used to buy a mixed drink for 60 cents at the Stumble Inn here when this band first started and I was 19. And it was legal. And it was a good drink! Arrgghh!!!
I asked the promoter if he has problems booking bands because of the immigration controversy. He said he gets a few hems and haws but he's only had one band tell him they refuse to play in the state. That would be a great bunch of guys in a band called Rise Against. Their loss. Must be nice to be so young and stupid and get away with it. They really are great guys too. Maybe we picked up some of their lost cash at our merch table. Who knows? The promoter also lamented that other states are in the process of enacting similar laws but no one's punishing them.
For such a racist state there sure was a rainbow of cultures on the golf course the next day at ASU. Haven't they heard? They're not welcome here. I was going to tell them but they wouldn't let me on the course because of the color of my jeans. I had a nice bloody mary in the clubhouse where the bartender didn't judge me.
Next performance was the historic Congress Hotel in Tucson. This is a Western museum piece right across from a train station that would make Gary Cooper nervous. People here love telling me how nice it is to live in Arizona. I never really stick around long enough to doubt them but it all looks like good times to me.
Tonight: San Francisco, tomorrow Anaheim.
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Re: Another State Of The Union: Arizona punk rock tour.
What venue are you playing in San Francisco?
Re: Another State Of The Union: Arizona punk rock tour.
Wait a minute...I forgot that I have mad Google skills. Slims. Good venue...I once saw Jeremy Enigk of Sunny Day Real Estate play there.
Oct '10
Re: Another State Of The Union: Arizona punk rock tour.
For such a racist state there sure was a rainbow of cultures on the golf course the next day at ASU. Haven't they heard? They're not welcome here. I was going to tell them but they wouldn't let me on the course because of the color of my jeans.
I know there's a truce currently in place when the current mayor of Sacramento (who once threatened to boycott the state of Arizona in May over SB 1070) visited Phoenix this month during the Suns Blazers game.
Jul '10
Re: Another State Of The Union: Arizona punk rock tour.
Wait, John, you mean to tell me a California official postured in public for a little cheap grace?
My faith in humanity is shaken!!
Here's hoping the Vandals have a good show, and survive San Francisco. I saw the Dickies play live in Anaheim about ten years ago, it was a great show.
Re: Another State Of The Union: Arizona punk rock tour.
Evidently L.A ended their boycott long enough to order the "best tazers money can buy;" law enforcement innovation only possible in a state like AZ.
I forgot to mention my interesting interaction with the Native Americans in AZ. They look like Hispanics (according to me, and Sharon Engle) but after a while you realize, wow, I'm talking to a Native American. That doesn't happen in Southern California. Why? Where are all the Tongva bars?