The Hulk made a special post show appearance at the Exchange in Regina.

Not enough time to write anything coherent… it’s 3 in the morning and we just had a cracker of a Calgary show.

We have to get up in a few hours and drive 800 kms to Regina (our fair queen city that houses our dearest Library Voices!)… i’ll leave you with some of Pat’s documents of the past few days. Sometimes pictures are more exciting than 17 paragraphs of “and then, and then, and then”.

More of Pat’s slice of touring days:

Jasper Park Lodge. Why tease us with only one day, Jim?

Birfday boy and his zombie drinks.

Yukon Blonde in very exciting grande prairie

scruffy lads

Jeff and I are lovers while we are away from our ladies.

Feelin’ it bad

No less than 4 erotica shops beside the venue in Edmonton

Beatles/Elton John post show sing song

   I drive a lot. A lot. One might argue that I do all of the driving.

Necessarily, this gives me the luxury — and great burden — of assisting the branding of the fellas’ tour fill-ups, sleep, and the like. If a highway exit offers, both, an Esso and a Husky, I’ll always turn into the latter; likewise, if a highway exit offers, both, a Holiday Inn Express and a Sandman Inn, I’ll make provision for the former, naturally. When the van requires an oil change and fluid top-up, give me none other than eager young Colton at Mr. Lube in Kamloops, BC. Similarly, when the fellas require coffee, I’ll stop only at Tim Horton’s (obvs!) for their version of fair-trade coffee — after all, handing over a toonie for an extra large coffee is, indeed, a fair trade.

You can imagine, of course, just how much time I have to observe, through the van windshield, the way in which other drivers brand themselves (read: their vehicles). There are the tractor-trailers with their containers emblazoned with ubiquitous slogans like “We take a load off your mind…” and “Never satisfied until you are!” not to mention those idiotic Philburn containers with the life-size caricature of what I can only assume is the company CEO. I get my proverbial fill of Cavaliers with fake bullet-hole stickers on their rotting bumpers, and Playboy logos on rear windows (the automotive equivalent of the barbed-wire tattoo), and cringe at the frosted windows on Eagle Talons as they drive so nimbly in my blind spot for miles at a time. And those magnetic ribbons affixed to every $200 junker and Lincoln Navigator alike? What do they even mean? Are you insinuating that I, in fact, do not support a cure for a given illness by not having one of those things hang off the back of our van? Do you mean to tell me that I do not “Support Our Troops” by not having one of these things? Why do you have these ridiculous stickers? Do some things not go without saying?! I’ll stick with the soldier tattoo on my ribs — that’s dedication.

Have you seen the cars with the Transformers logo stickers on them? To qualify, I believe the stickers depict the logo of the good robots, or — the bad one… ? You know what? I don’t know what they depict exactly because I lost my interest in the Transformers franchise when I was TEN YEARS OLD. When I see these silly stickers on rocker panels, doors and windows, I can’t help but ask myself about just what the car owners’ are trying to imply about their vehicles. Is it implied that your lazy Ford Focus or rusted-out ‘90 Chrysler LeBaron will turn into a heroic robotic hobo, or freedom-fighting middle-aged robotic soccer-mom?

I go on. The guys tell me I do all of the time.

In closing, I’ll leave you with a picture of my beautiful girfriend, dressed as Jughead last Hallowe’en. Forget band members — tour managers, in fact, get all of the hottest chicks.See ya soon, honey!

Love, Jim Cunningham.

Today was a beautiful day for the drive from Canmore to Jasper. The 93 north connects to the two spots and is THE most beautiful drive I have ever done within the Rockies. As you drive through the single lane highway through some of the biggest mountains in the world it feels both like a scene from a sci fi movie and what artic explorers might have stumbled upon.

We stopped 2-3 times during the course of the drive to take in the beauty of the glaciers.

The first stop was a frozen lake louise… where we were in awe of the majestic scene. The entire lake is frozen so we walked out on it and explored.  We then decided to invent a new sport and brought the soccer ball up on the lake and had a kick around. Snow Soccer. 2032 winter olympics. Too fun.

At another particular stop near a frozen lake, Dan and I decided to hike up one of the less snowy mountains as far as we could. It took us an hour to make any headway and it was quickly apparent that we were out of our element. However, the view from up the side of the mountain was amazing though. Even though we couldn’t see straight on account of fatigue.  Afternoon lager, thin mountain air, and general out of shapeness… not a great marriage.

The rest of the drive was full of ice-fields and more illustrious rockies.

Upon making it to Jasper we decided to try the Jasper Park Lodge. Elk and deer literally roam every inch of the place and it’s got basically every/any amenity you would need (or want for that matter). Beautiful outdoor fire pits, wildlife (Pat was disuaded from a midnight hike on account of cougars), bikes to ride around on, you name it.

(i smell like smoke today. and I kind of like it)

look how silly this animal is… water dripping from it’s face.

We’ve been spoiled with an ENTIRE day off in Canmore AB. And for those of you touring the country out there you know how difficult it can be to come across ‘free’ time.

We were spoiled two days ago by our besty band friends Library Voices who were able to stop in Canmore on their journey home. Having them around is like having family around. How can a band from Halifax and Regina feel like such peas in a pod?

The day off was much needed. Lots of reading, watching movies, eating nice food made by GLen, Brad, and Dan…. and of course drinking lovely coffee. We are approaching zombie status in terms of alertness.

A full dose of kitchen nightmares post hot but soak, and some restringing and playing (imagine that) of my beautiful gibson acoustic guitar – the day was grand.

Now we make our way north in to uncharted territory of Alberta. We’ll navigate there by following the trails of carbon dioxide emissions…. like hansel and gretel following their crumbs.

Here’s some photos from Pat’s amazing collection – because they are more interesting than my prose me thinks!

Happy trails.

John

Exclaim! has been kind of enough to provide us with a forum to preach our confusing brand of tour humour and post photos from our adventures across what seems to me to be the longest country in the world (i choose to ignore russian… no one drives across russia – do they?)

Let the posting begin…

happy trails to you all.

jm

Ping pong in Bryant Park. Swoon!

Oh NYC. You are so lovely.

les boys de canada.

capitan dan

Magnolia Cupcakes. Baker’s dozen, cousin.

Time Square at night time

i have begun a new obsession with Cherry colas!

pre sunday night hijinks

pre sunday night hijinks #2

boys bromancing

way home for the eve

…

convincing the cab drivers to race is fun!

Papaya Dog and drunk boy

Dear USA,

Why don’t you not want Canadians in your fair country so we can spend money in your troubled (allegedly) economy and speak highly of our valued customer experience in said country.  And furthermore so we can write run-on sentences. Why keep us at the border for 2 hours and think of any reason not to let us in therefore making us consider not even bothering with the dog and pony show and perhaps turning around for less oppressive lands?  Is it becomes outsiders scare the living shit out of your or because you are worried we will come away with a genuinely warm and fuzzy feeling about your country thus possibly rendering as a “weak” nation and not prepared to destroy all threats against the mother land?

Well, USA… we don’t really care the reason we are already having the time of our lives in your Empire State. So let me close in quoting a great poet whose prose is emboldened on many kitchsy tourist shirts: I Love NY! We are having the time of our lives here!

Sincerely,

JWD MULLANE, IV

On St  Laurent St in Montreal there is a legendary smoked meat sandwich spot. There is a line up on the side walk outside the door virtually any hour of the day. It was definitely great smoked meat however i would not recommend scarfing one of these sandwiches preceeding any event where you might be performing with the public without lethargy coming out of your ears. Meat drunk. Ew!

Well friends, we’ve come and gone from our home and native lands. These east coast shows have blurred into to one hazy rock n roll memory divided into four pieces by approximately four hours of sleep.

Entering New Brunswick on the way home brought back a rush of nostalgia for fall in New Brunswick. It’s a beautiful province that I took for granted for many years. No more shall I take it – or any of the maritimes – for granted! Let it be known.

It was amazing to be back in the maritimes with our new BFFs Library Voices. We were eager to return the favour of hospitality and great shows they offered up in Saskatchewan. Now just so you all know the straight goods … the beauty of playing with Library Voices is that you HAVE to bring it or you look like a bunch of chumps because they give no less than 367% a night.

The width and breadth of the great plains had became too much to handle for us maritime creatures. The prairie landscape is ridiculously beautiful and the sky huge but the lack of nooks and crannies, frankly, weirds the shit out of me. It was a pleasure to see trees again as we wound through Ontario towards home.

Our first maritime show was in Glen, Daniel and Pat’s homeland of PEI. This was our first time playing Hunter’s Alehouse. we were joined by our label mates Milks and Rectangles who were both cute and rock gods (even though don’t know it yet). In typical PEI fashion this Wednesday night show finished at about 230am and featured bar tenders throwing the house lights on full blast during our last two songs and the requisite fist fight outside the venue at load out. That’s old hat now. We brought it and it was great to see our PEI friends who were great to all the bands. As always it was a pleasure to look up at Ronny Nicholson in the audience cheering on his son Glen. There is something now oddly comforting/nerve wracking about our parents being the audience. Memories of minor hockey. Dan’s wonderful mother Carolyn put the whole band up at her house in the country. The stars were out with a clarity I hadn’t seen since going camping with my Alison this summer. We finally drift off to bed after consuming whatever food was put in front of us.

Another early morning following a late night. A quick stop a Lenhart’s Coffee in Charlottetown – the best coffee place on the island – and we are off again back across the beautiful Confed bridge. In Fredericton we make our first of two visits to Swiss Chalet where the food is brought out faster than you can close your menus. It’s become a bit of an addiction on this tour – I have no idea how, maybe because we missed out on Thanksgiving with our families. Sitting in Swiss Chalet provides an unexplainable comfort.

After the Freddy show… we roll out to legendary Prospect Inn frequented by late night rock n rollers and swingers clubs. The very act of opening the door to the room unlocks the spirits of 40 years of questionable hotel guests. The bed spreads – if you can call them that – are stained with blood and so worn they reveal holes. And without fail the front desk puts bands in the same 2-3 rooms that have been abused for centuries it seems. Tonight I will sleep in my sleeping bag on top of the bed. I can’t bring myself to go the distance but I must acknowledge ol Jim who wraps himself up tight in the forsaken linen.

Now it’s off to Moncton to see my parents and their crazy cats Monica and Hilary. Thank god the drive is only 2 hours because we are starting to hit one of those proverbial walls. Today Jim is busy taking care of our van and all the other logistics involved with getting us to the USA. We figure any reason to deny us entry into the states and those border folks will exercise extreme predjudice. Hell Alison and I could scarcely get in on our last road trip down the east coast – I am curious to how this rag tag crew will fair at the border. Any ideas?

It’s always a pleasure to play the Paramount and see Derek Robichaud behind the sound desk. Moncton has a way of feeling dead any hour after the 9-5 rush wraps up. Tonight is no different. I am bit skeptical about the show but by the time Library Voices takes the stage we are all crammed in like sardines. There is no better way to do a show. The show tonight is amazing. It’s great to see mom , dad and sis in the audience and so many familiar and friendly faces. It culminates in a rousing version of Midnight oil’s “Beds are burning” by an In-Flight Safety and Library Voices super group. We are still searching for a group name. We will be taking submissions. Following the show we cram /jam most of the In-Flights and half of Library voices at the Mullane residence where we proceed to make and eat about 13 turkey sandwiches chased by grade 7 sized glasses of milk. This is what happens when a bunch turkey deprived people miss thanksgiving. It’s disturbing.

Halifax ahoy. We are all feeling the pull of home. Jospehine (mom) fills us up with heavy duty round of pancakes and sends us on our way. Arriving in Halifax is surreal. We are feeling the pull of home none of us can jump out of the van fast enough once we stop. I spend a short time at home trying to reacquaint myself with home and not weird my girlfriend because of my 1000-yard stare. Any musician who tours has an incredibly understanding partner at home that we have a habit of putting through the ringer.

This will be our first headlining show at the Seahorse in three years. We’re excited about this. Library Voices are in awe of Halifax and we are hoping it delivers for them like Regina did for us. We’ve brought our fancy light maestro Brent into the venue and it’s looking beautiful on stage. The milks play to a really great crowd and as Library Voices are getting ready to we find out the show is sold out which is good in some ways bad in other because friends aren’t able to get in. This seahorse show was pure joy. Such a fun time. The audience is amazing and we pull out our encore collabo on “Beds are Burning”

… some of it is on youtube here… enjoy: Beds are Burning by ifs and lv

Another 4:30am sleep but tomorrow we rest in our own beds. Sunday we catch up on 30 rock, Entourage and get our Larry David fix. At this point of the tour I am craving Halifax’s Pete’s Froutique and Hungry Chili in Halifax which is my elixir to good health. Alison and I were able to sneak a meal in at the Hungry Chili on this day off – they delectable mix of veggies and spices has a way of invigorating a tired soul. Oh and we discovered this amazing Bubble Tea shop in the south end of Halifax. I just love a bubble tea! It’s great to be home even if for just a day. Lord knows how I’ll be able to drag my corpse out of bed tomorrow. Onwards good soldiers.