Show Day, Brandon
So here we find ourselves – in Brandon, Manitoba. Yesterday the Hobbit and I spent most of our time working on a few new site refinements that I think everyone is going to enjoy. Nothing significant is going to change, just a bit of a face life – a little plastic surgery, if you will. And while we exhaustingly searched for a photo of a girl stabbing another girl with a broken beer bottle for the header, it just wasn’t to be.
The show here tonight should be interesting. I’m breaking in a new soundman today (Tim has been under the weather of late and was forced to return home) and have a new opening act for the rest of the tour. Unfortunately, Dala was unable to make the rest of the dates due to their inability to travel the distances. They were initially traveling on my bus, but on this leg I have had some close friends sign up to finish the tour with me, so it was a priority that they be given room on the bus instead. To me it seems strange. In the old days we used to drive insane distances, sleeping at night with our legs pinned against the van seat in front of us. In one instance we did that for over twenty shows in a row. The kids these days just have it too cushy.
That said; I have a new web addiction - Hot Chicks With Douchebags. Oh to have the anonymous freedom to run such a wonderfully fun website!
We checked to see if there was a decent DVD retailer here in town yesterday but couldn’t find anything. I’m sure there is, but after a certain amount of time you just give up. I want to get my hands on the last half of the sixth season of The Sopranos, not to mention the third season of Lost. I’m not a massive fan of the show, but it’s good to fall asleep to at night.
Well, only seven days left and then home. Hopefully, by then, I’ll get some time to kick this cold that doesn’t want to seem to leave me alone.
Want to bookmark or share this entry?
This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 6th, 2007 at 3:44 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
GO WHEATKINGS! My old stompin grounds. Brandon, WEST MAN!!!
Just nearby the home of the 1st and the finest - 1Horse Royal Canadian Artillery. Canada’s oldest units - A and B Bty.
The real Gunners.
Oh yes they love me out there…Just mention my name.
I used to date the sales rep for all of Western Manitoba of a certain “Canadian” Beer company. Oh the stories…
I used to routinely break out into Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin On” in the smoking area of the bar Houston’s…..
I got kicked out of that joint a record number of times…I wonder if they still have the bull on bungee cords…that thing was always good to watch girls on…
You talk about hot chicks with douche bags!
This little trip down memory lane just reminded me - I REALLY REALLY LOVE TORONTO.
“a little plastic surgery,”? Too much jet crew party site for you there Princess.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Welcome to Brandon……although I don’t live there, have spent some time as the boyfriend’s from there. It’s not the most hopping place in the world, but it seems to have drawn you! Well worth the drive from the ‘Peg!
November 6th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
No it’s not.
November 6th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Mr. Patrick Pitt, you just made my day! I’m originally from the Brandon area, but I am studying overseas, and I believe you managed to cover every single “highlight” the fine city of Brandon has to offer. Just when a part of me was missing that city, you reminded me of why I left in the first place.
I’ve done the drive from the ‘Peg to Brandon and every time I throw up a little bit in my mouth.
And yes, I believe the bungee bull is still alive and well at Houstons. I’m also pretty sure they would even play a Marvin Gaye song there as well – though sandwiched between the horrendous Nickelback cover band and an N’Sync classic for all the intoxicated girls who “just want to dance and have a good time”.
I hope you have a great show tonight, Matt. I have a few friends going and they are looking very forward to it. I’m sorry I’m missing it.
Cheers!
November 6th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
sundown in the Paris of the prairies.
November 6th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
yea yea!! Man, I gotta see The Hip one of these days.. I’m so excited for tonight!
Matt, if you are doing autographs d’hors a la bus tonight, may I suggest a coat? MAybe several coats?! Its suppose to be cold!
And yea, Patrick, how I love and miss TORONTO,
“Lemme hear ya say TEE-DOT-O!”
November 6th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
I loved the first season of Lost and was addicted every Wednesday at 8. It was exciting and every episode you’d always watch it and say “What the fuck?” at least 5 times. It was a puzzle and everyone had their theories and then something happened over the hiatus. Season 2 and 3 were for shit compared to the first one. I bought the first season but can’t bring myself to pay that much for seasons 2 and 3.
Sawyer was a great bad guy and then they had to go and ruin him by making him nice and helpful and doing what’s right. Same with Charlie he was so much more interesting when he was a junkie and had all those problems after that he just followed Claire around and was overly helpful.
You can’t go wrong with The Sopranos though. I don’t think that show has ever gotten boring.
November 6th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Lost comes out in December.
I wasn’t all that impressed by the last half of the sixth season of The Sopranos, but that;s my opinion.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I don’t want to go to that site and see one of my friends on there one day.
I wanna go to Dance Cave with the Dala ladies. I always go there.
You’ve been sick since August… are you broken?
November 6th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Hey welcome to Brandon, I am so excited for the show tonight. hope you are feeling well enough tonight to sign some autographs . Paartick As for Hustons I cant recall if there is a bull or soomething like that there the last time I was, but when I was out the smoking doors someone puked up a hotdog, very yucky. I also was confused on which night to go since on day i was bieng hit on by someone who looked like Ron Jeremy and there were cougars as far as the eye could see dancing to Micheal Bolton, and then the next night I was older than anyone by like 10 years and wearing jeans and a tee-shirt was not exposing enough boob or ass to fit in with the crowd.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
I can get you a pic of two chicks stabbing each other with a beer bottle. gimme a couple days.
p.s OMG I have this cough that won’t go away and discoverd Ricola (the lozenges in the huge bag) and they are the echinachea kind). I wake in the night coughing every night. Grad a Ricola and it’s gone for hours and hours.. those things ROCK!!! Last night I took one, fell asleep on my back and woke and it was logged in my throat, disolving away…… Warning when taking Ricola while asleep: Lay on side.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Elle/Ethan:
HAHAHAHAH
Let me say this….as much as -50 degrees, standing in line for the bar sucks - the people are friendly as hell. (Hence the license plates) I even managed a to swindle a few into dating me.
Oh oh, here’s some good trivia - what is an automatic failure for failing to do on the driving test in Manitoba that doesn’t exist in any other province?….It is akin to honking for passing in NS, or no right’s on reds in Quebec, or the pedestrian crossing flashing light in BC.
Oh and Wheatkings, by the Hip, is not about the hockey team.. Go TOO TOO, Craig, and Fehr….I gotta Jersey cuz having a Leaf jersey out there was like wearing a tag that said kick my ass please.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Sucks for Dala and the fans who heard the rave reviews about them and don’t get the chance to see them now (until they can tour these places later on).
If Dale’s a Hobbit, surely he can be stored under the bus?
November 6th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
website rocks. love the douche.
lost sucks. never seen it just hate the concept.
sopranos is awesome. great ending.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Yo MATT!
Just reminding you to tell Brandon, Manitoba about the new album you’re making about Sam’s love for Froddo!!!
(LOL…I just lost it when you brought that up at the Massey Hall show…PLUS, I notice you mention working with a hobbit in this post!)
You’re in for a ride, BRANDON!!! Have a good show tonight, Matt (as if you can have a bad show!).
November 6th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
I’m disappointed to hear Dala was uninvited for the rest of the tour. They were excellent in Vancouver and I was looking forward to seeing them in Kelowna.
Who is the new opening act? A band with a van I’m assuming.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
quit smoking senior matt… the cold will go away a whole lot faster…
oh, check out Pedal Pusher by Laurie Lindeen (Paul Westerberg’s wife) on the trials and tribulations of band road travel. she has a great writing style…
http://www.amazon.com/Petal-Pusher-Rock-Cinderella-Story/dp/0743292324/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-1320164-6863140?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194398456&sr=8-1
can’t wait to check out some of the US shows. my wife and i will plan at least one or two trips out to see you.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
[quote comment="32280"]
Oh oh, here’s some good trivia - what is an automatic failure for failing to do on the driving test in Manitoba that doesn’t exist in any other province?….It is akin to honking for passing in NS, or no right’s on reds in Quebec, or the pedestrian crossing flashing light in BC.
[/quote]
It’s been a while since you were in La Belle Province! ;-) They allow right on red now.. EXCEPT on the island of Montreal.. Go figure.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
aw, man I spent a weekend in Brandon once for work…it was NOT fun…but there’s good food and good people at least:)
November 6th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
[quote comment="32280"]
Oh and Wheatkings, by the Hip, is not about the hockey team.. [/quote]
Yes, I know it’s about David Milgaard. But when you mentioned “Wheat Kings” the natural reaction for me was to start singing it because I love that song. :)
Oh and I’ve been under a rock apparently.
Have never seen: Lost
Sopranos
Grey’s Anatomy
Etc.
(but I love hockey)
November 6th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Oh Brandon… City of my birth… Where my parents met and such… Home of the Royal Canadian Winter Fair.
Wish I was there :(. Stupid no car… Stupid four hours… Stupid Chemistry test tomorrow :(.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
[quote comment="32277"]I can get you a pic of two chicks stabbing each other with a beer bottle. gimme a couple days.
p.s OMG I have this cough that won’t go away and discoverd Ricola (the lozenges in the huge bag) and they are the echinachea kind). I wake in the night coughing every night. Grad a Ricola and it’s gone for hours and hours.. those things ROCK!!! Last night I took one, fell asleep on my back and woke and it was logged in my throat, disolving away…… Warning when taking Ricola while asleep: Lay on side.[/quote]
I am glad you are still with us!! Sorry.. I did have to laugh at that!!
November 6th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Houstons? I lived in Brandon…umm…2000. Or 2001. I don’t remember a bungee bull…
then again…I don’t remember which year I lived there…so… :)
I remember the cougars though. Jesus. The worst (or best, depending) was the Dauphin music festival. Scarier than any small town in Saskabush I ever stumbled through by far.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
hey Matt, i know this is kinda off topic, but have you heard of the Festival of Guns, its a four day rock concert Vancouver, in like the next week or so, and it showcases all these amazing local punk and indie rock bands. i think they have something like that in ontario and alberta too
November 6th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
HBO’s “The Wire”…. If you haven’t watched that Matt, I highly recommend you giving it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
No way!?!?!?
Pit is from Brandon? I’ve been reading Raymi and Fil’s blog for 2 years now and never knew. Here I am thinking I’m the only person in the world from boring ass Brandon. For some reason I’m finding this way to mind blowing.
Come back to Brandon from time to time and tell others, we have almost zero concerts, especially good ones. Tell some friends too, we’re dying out here.
Crocus or Massey Pit?
November 6th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Lost season 3 isn’t out yet, man. Next time you’re in Toronto though, you give me a shout and I’ll see if I can fulfill all your Blockbuster Video needs.
On a different note, I just got back from seeing Ani DiFranco this evening. You should seriously do a co-headlining tour with her, that girl can rock.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Only 7 days of the tour left? So I really have been waiting forever for you to finally get to Grande Prairie, it doesn’t just feel like it haha.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Just got back from the show here in Brandon. AWESOME!!!!! Avalanche was amazing and Load Me Up was awesome, first time I’ve heard it acoustic. NLX was a decent opening act, I really enjoyed her. I must apologize for my peers who had to shout out “We’re Canadian!” during your lecture on Ms. Rice etc.. They should know that anything the U.S. does basically affects us and therefore we should be in touch with their current events. I believe he was the guy who came in wearing a Motley Crue shirt and looked the part too. Great show, I had been waiting to see you since Underdogs was released and always could never make it, but not this time. Well worth the wait!!!
By the way, did you check Wal-Mart for the Sopranos season 6 part 2? I’m pretty sure I saw it there in abundance.
P.S. I was going to wait around to see if I could get my copy of Underdogs signed but the galpal wanted to go home. I don’t believe she’s in it for the money but time will tell…
November 6th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Matt:
Holy crap. Wonderful show. From you to the lighting, my husband and I were so impressed. You were absolutely hilarious. I know it was bitchin cold out, but thanks for signing autographs and taking photos. This was the best show I’ve see yet. You are so friggin’ awesome.
So friggin’ awesome.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Wicked good performance you put on such a great live show, your voice is amazing. Thank you for taking the time after the show to sign and meet people it was awesome to finally meet you. Hope you weren’t too wierded out by our naked bus crack, but hey it was kinda funny. Hope the rest of your tour is great have fun at the church maybe wear garlic or something that might protect you.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Oo! Oo!
Matt, December 11 is when you’re going to be able to get season 3 of Lost. I know this, because I’m a geek. Ball buster of a season finaly too. :P
OK, back to what everybody else posted…
November 6th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
That sucks that Dala has decided to pull out. They’re marvelous performers and quite lovely ladies to talk with. Enjoy the rest of the trip, and I hope it’s a safe ride back home.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
I heard from some friends back in my hometown that the show tonight was awesome. Looking forward to seeing you in Regina tomorrow!
If you stop in Brandon on your next tour and are still in search of a DVD retailer, try the locally owned We-R-Video on Victoria and 23rd.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:15 am
[quote comment="32262"]sundown in the Paris of the prairies.[/quote]
when the tragically hip sing that, they’re referring to Saskatoon.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:52 am
I’m driving from Van to Banff so put on a good show in Banff, then you can rest ;) If you want to escape immediately after we are in fact driving straight from Banff to Gastown in a van, you would have door to door service and the company of weird photographers if you came with us.
Who on earth is the opening act?
November 7th, 2007 at 2:43 am
that’s too bad about Dala, they were pretty neat but my favourite opening act still to this day of your’s was Mobile… :)
hope the show went well for you Matt & that you get better soon! Only a while left till you see your boys!
November 7th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Sean - I’m back in Brandon in 2.5 weeks for a wedding. And I was in Shilo really - posted - for 3.5 years. On and off between deployments and courses and domestic operations. So trim it down to 2 years total.
Still I knew it well.
It had an okay boxing club run by Roddy Batson downtown on 7th was it?
I lived like a warrior monk out there as I was the only single officer. That place is not Toronto.
Meet a girl in the bar in Brandon, talk about it at the barber shop in shilo, go to Dauphin and somebody heard you had loose lips and you’re fucked.
Lesson learned.
Bunster if you can’t do it in Montreal and Montreal is still in the province and you were to take your driving test in montreal and make a right on red you’d fail.
I go to Quebec annually. Usually twice to Montreal and then maybe I hit Quebec City or Rivier de Loup. Beautiful spots.
Anyways - In Manitoba you must, MUST triple tap your brake before parallel parking or you will fail your driving test. It’s considered the same as failing to signal.
I would’ve known this if I had actually read the manual. Bloody hell, Ontario non-federally compliant graduated licensing bullshit.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:50 am
The Hot chicks with douche bags web site is really funny but they should call it Fake boobs with Douche bags…these girls are nasty ! Some are hot but they wear more makeup than Boy George !
By the way…does anyone know that douche means shower in french ??
November 7th, 2007 at 8:04 am
”Dala was unable to make the rest of the dates due to their inability to travel the distances. They were initially traveling on my bus, but on this leg I have had some close friends sign up to finish the tour with me, so it was a priority that they be given room on the bus instead. To me it seems strange. In the old days we used to drive insane distances, sleeping at night with our legs pinned against the van seat in front of us. In one instance we did that for over twenty shows in a row. The kids these days just have it too cushy. ”
confusing paragraph. your saying they couldnt travel distances? didnt they just go across canada with you…. if they really got kicked off because you want to have some friends on the tour that sucks royal…and is verrrry unprofessional. I hate seeing an opening band lose a chance at good exposure….especially if they thought they were going to get it and then had that taken away…..for drinking buddies? I guess its your call because its your tour. it just seems very unfair….and then to call them cushy? as if an opening band can afford to rent a car and drive all over the country. Everyone knows an opening band barely breaks even. I only heard them say positive things about you on stage, I hope you would do the same in return.
anyways I saw them at 5 of your shows. and every time they were incredible and their music complimented yours perfectly in making a fantastic show. Definately a fan. Im glad they werent given the boot until after my shows. Matt, I love your music, but it doesnt mean im not going to voice my opinion. After all, thats what this sites about ;)
November 7th, 2007 at 8:39 am
[quote comment="32322"][quote comment="32262"]sundown in the Paris of the prairies.[/quote]
when the tragically hip sing that, they’re referring to Saskatoon.[/quote]
yes, I understand that…there was reference made to “Wheat Kings” (hockey) and I immediately connect it to that song, as it’s one of my favorites. Thanks for the clarification though, if I weren’t such a huge Hip fan, I might not have known that. :)
November 7th, 2007 at 10:00 am
dala was great…. had the chance to talk to the grrls in sudbury and toronto…. very nice and cute :)
hope the rest of your tour goes well matt… cant wait to see dates for the band
November 7th, 2007 at 11:14 am
The opening act for the rest of the tour is “NLX”. Girl from Hamilton, very good and as she put it, her “songs are about vengeance”. My girlfriend and I enjoyed her.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Sometimes you get the elevator, sometimes you get the shaft.
:)
Shit happens. I’m sure Dala will survive. They performed well. Good duo.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
“confusing paragraph. your saying they couldnt travel distances? didnt they just go across canada with you…. if they really got kicked off because you want to have some friends on the tour that sucks royal…”
I was thinking the same thing…But there’s always two sides to a storey. Maybe the girls were told their spot on the bus wasn’t permamnent to begin with.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
thanks for clarifying Ryan M… look forward to seeing for myself
November 7th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
i lived in b-town all last yr and finished school!…..ohhh brandon…..what a place…second biggest city in manitoba….you knooow!…but i wont say im not glad to be back in van city for good!…..brandon is cool and all, but not if you have a choice!…sounds like the show was rad as usual!….i wish there was something as cool last yr in brandon as a matt good show!, i think hedley was there once….haha!…and classified came to the roadhouse one night…..and ofcourse the winter fair is a big deal!….then there is wheatkings, bobcats, and son of a beach!…..for a small town its not bad though!
hope the rest of the tour goes well
peace out!
November 7th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Wheat Kings are the hockey team from Brandon
I know the guy’s from Saskatchewan but I always thought of it like being in jail and reading the sports section and having to pick a random team to cheer for.
I still got my old Wheat Kings jersey too.
__
So you’re the one running Hot Chicks w/ Douchebags?? That’s funny.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Torrents my friend, Torrents…
November 8th, 2007 at 6:21 am
I hope the tour has been awesome for ya, Matt. It has been for us!
November 8th, 2007 at 9:48 am
The opening act for the rest of the tour is my good friend NLX (a.k.a. Natasha Alexandra). She is a lovely and talented singer/songwriter from Hamilton who is living in Toronto and NYC (and drives between the two practically weekly!) For Matt’s tour she flew to Winnipeg and rented a car to drive herself. As an overbearing, mother-bear friend I’m worried about her driving so many hours, playing, and selling her CD’s! She scoffs at me for this worrying, however.
Natasha recently opened for David Usher on his cross-Canada tour (her first time on the prairies!), and co-wrote a song on his new album. As a big music fan, I wanted to tag along with Natasha as she just spent some time in Woodstock, NY recording some of her songs with Tony Levin and Jerry Marrotta (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, and a zillion other bands).
You can find out more about her and hear her music at:
http://www.nlxmusic.com
She’ll be blogging while on tour at:
http://www.myspace.com/natashaalexandra
I had hoped to join her on this tour, as I’m a prairie girl (Calgary, Edmonton, Swift Current, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, but mostly MOOSE JAW), but it was too short of notice. I’m a psychiatric pharmacist (one of ten Board Certified in Canada), and would love to talk to Matt about his recent experiences and meds. I spend a lot of time talking to people about their psychiatric meds, how to negotiate with their docs about their meds, etc, and it really helps when high profile people like Matt speak out about their experiences. I think his drawings on flickr are amazing. Matt - do you read all posts? We must chat someday, eh?
So if you’re going to one of the remaining shows, please do make sure to get their in time to see NLX! Very powerful voice and songs.
Cheers,
Wende
November 8th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Oh my god, that douchebag site is hilarious. Thanks for exposing me to that. lol..
And Lost is the absolute shit. I don’t watch TV really, but Lost I’ve watched religiously since it came on..
And I wish you’d tour the US, man! I’ve been wanting to see a show of your’s forever! Just, not a lot of money, etc.. So sad.
Keep it up, tho. Much love!