Posts Tagged ‘desert’

So here is another one of those “against all odds” scenarios.

Against all odds, we made it to joshua tree. We literally put putted our way into California. Reason being, we were broken down in an unknown city, no one was willing to help and we needed to play the festival and be around friends at least.

We drove at mind blowing speeds of 35-55mph, the car kept smoking and we would pull over to give it rest but we needed to get there. Had we not, we would have owed the festival $500. The entire drive (of about 8hrs) I inhaled just smoke from the exhaust. At the end of the drive I felt like I was dying (not to be dramatic or anything, but it was horrible).

We got there, pulled into camp and rehearsed some songs and went to sleep.
Woke up early this morning to do an Interview over the phone with a radio station in Madison to talk about the Steel Bridge Song Fest, and our terrible luck with the van. The DJ and the audience liked what I had to say about the crooks that sold us the thing. Im hoping somehow magically they grow some hearts and help us out.

Then we soundchecked and played an INCREDIBLE set. The crowd was big, responsive, listening to every word I sang. I also had the honor of being able to invite on stage Wally Ingram and Eric McFadden to join us for a few songs. It was amazing. Lots of great great vibes. I also talked to the crowd about the bus company and our luck with the van and had a handful of people with some mechanic information approach us.

Now I am sitting in Wally’s house with Jerry Joseph, sipping some coffee and enjoying the air conditioning (finally). Greg is driving our drummer Matt to the airport in LA and I am trying to wrap my head around our situation.

Here is the breakdown:(of the breakdown)
We contacted a mechanic in town that deals with rebuilding transmitions-30 years of experience. He will need a least 3-4 days to do what needs to be done to the van just by our explanation on the phone. Tomorrow we will take it to him and leave it.
Now, we have 7 days booked solid with gigs, which means, we need to rent a van to get to the California gigs this week. That will be over $1000 easy. Also, rebuilding the transmition will cost a fortune, but we need to get it done. I just don’t know where to begin. How do we get to the gigs? how do we get the fan fixed and back?

Again these stupid corporate companies that claim to be your friend have taken all of our money. We have spent over $1000 already on gas because its running so bad and straining that its just eating up the gas.

It never ends. If anyone has ideas of quick solutions that don’t require money, or any other kind of help, Im so sorry to beg again, but we need you…again.

Wish we could find an energy drink to sponsor us and give us a goofy looking van that works.

Love you guys, we feel totally stranded in the pits of hell but I do feel you out there and I know you’re keeping us in your thoughts, don’t ever think I don’t notice. i will never take you for grated, you are all we have.

much love and tears from the desert,
Lil X.