11/4 Seattle, WA
The Elysian

The first week of our tour features the "RTP Orchestra" with Val on guitar and vocals, Lucio on guitar and vocals, Pat Mundy on drums, Ari Fellows-Mannion on vocals and shakers, Lawrence Fellows-Mannion on bass. Great first gig. Lucio's friend, Joe Snapp, showed up with all these little pen flashlights emblazoned w/ his insurance company logo. We all had fun distracting people with these handy items. Penelope Houston and Kindess were wonderful. RockrGrl was inspiring. Seattle has a such a good vibe. People go out to see music. There is actually music community here. SF? "Once relevant, now quaint."

11/5 Port Townsend, WA
The Upstage

Shelter from the rain. A too short (I thought we were going on an adventure) ferry ride and a 45min drive from Seattle brings you to this idyllic town. There was a downtown bookstore window display dedicated entirely to Ralph Nader and his message - complete with a life-sized dummy "RepubliCrat" w/ both a Gore and Bush head sticking out of it. Our show raised money for Jumping Mouse - a local children's charity and there was an appreciative crowd on hand including a large, hairy Irish Punk Rock motorcycle man who was quite entertaining and did a mean tango. RTP did two sets with Ari and Rance doing a nice Hoarhound set in betwixt. But that's not all, Ari and Rance kept the place up with an after hours jam session w/ the owners and some locals...

11/8 Portland, OR
Millennium Music

Portland started out a bit bleak. They kids were not exactly rushing for the Ramona the Pest record section. Pat's incessant enthusiasm seems to be saving us all. Jeff Hobbs (violin and horns) and Claudia Viera flew in to join us for the next three shows. We are now a sext

11/9 Portland, OR
The Tonic Lounge

We played well despite the mild turnout. As Pat pointed out, "our conversion ratio was high"- meaning the people that were there very much liked it and bought stuff (thank goodness with gas prices the way they are). Thanks to Carina at CDBaby for bring friends to the show. Again, the cold weather and black clouds are testing us. Our clothes smell like cigarette smoke...I hear they are thinking about banning smoking in bars on Oregon...

11/10 Eugene, OR
Sam Bond's Garage

Finally the weather broke. Portland no longer looked bleak in the 2000 sun (anyone get the reference?). After a killer breakfast at Junior's (try the waffles) we had a nice drive to Eugene. We got write-ups in three Eugene papers - SMALL TOWNS RULE! Sam Bond's has a great new stage. We did two long sets. It took 1/2 the 1st set to get going-it was really cold. Water froze (my goodness)...A good crowd (including our friends Alain, Marty and Jill) was on hand. Alain got up and percussed on Martyr Girl - a septet! Ari & Rance did another fine Hoarhound set. Later, Jeff, Claudia, Lucio & Val got to stay at a motel straight out of a Tom Waits song and, in the morning were greeted by a Mr. GoutFoot. What did he want? He only wanted to know the time. Ari and Rance and Pat stayed with the gracious and recently-relocated (from Berkeley) Marty and Jill, and had waffles and homemade applesauce in the morning. There was a real frost overnight, and all the lawns were silver. You can tell who the locals are - they're the ones walking around in shorts.

11/11 Chehalis, WA
The Matrix Coffeehouse

Kids, this place is great. Rick, Holly and Moon are a wonderful family and they are the reason this place exists. A big warehouse space/cafe with a great stage, sound system, pool table and vibe. Chehalis is 1/2 hour south of Olympia and although it feels like the boonies, it really isn't. Musicians, give them a call, they'll set you up (many of our friends have performed there including Mark Growden, Faun Fables, Brian Kenney Fresno...)!! Thanks to the opening band, Sky Pilot for the snappy NW pop/punk show and for bringing their friends. This was the last night of the "Orchestra" (it's power trio from here on out..) We celebrated by staying up 'till 3:30 am back at Holly & Rick's hidden forest abode playing word and card games. Nobody got stoned. .BTW, It's still way cold.

11/14 Chico, CA
The Blue Room

We opened for a cool indie act called Karate. Nice trio of guys from Boston, MA. They sort of had a Steely Dan/space rock kind of vibe. First gig as a power trio and we rocked. Lucio had a bigger amp setup and Val had her own amp for her acoustic guitar - true power trio style. The Blue Room is a theater and music collective right next to the CSUC campus. Alot of really good bands have played there. Murder City Devils, Versus, 20 Minute Loop, Ramona the Pest...There was a "woodstock '99" type central valley thrash rock opening act (they were added at the last minute) which RTP followed. Val opening the set by herself with one of her new songs, "Skeleton Woman." Val later commented that she was quite nervous about how she would be received by the mostly young male audience, but they were attentive, receptive and we received much positive feedback. Thank you Chico!

11/15 Reno, NV
Borders Books

We always seem to do well in Reno. This was arguably, subjectively, the best gig of the tour so far. We played 2 solid sets and held an attentive audience all night long. We went off pretty good on a few songs and didn't scare anyone away... This is the third gig where someone had seen us in another city and traveled to see us or told friends about us. It's the little victories that get you through....We stayed at the Hilton casino where Pat hit the poker tables and despite a strong early showing was dealt some bad cards. Lucio's distaste for the casino culture saw him breakdown and consume a double mocha and become a quite a handful. Val has vowed to get an electric guitar.

11/16 San Pedro, CA
Sacred Grounds

Long drive today. 10 hours. Ahh, the I-5 sights - "Cowschwitz" being one of them. This is an enormous feedlot operation in the middle of the Valley - thousands of cows waiting to become 39¢ hamburgers. Of course, we got caught in a classic LA traffic jam, but made it to the gig in time. We played a good set in 'Pedro (despite the "travelin' shakes"). None of us were sure whether or not the crowd was into it, but once again, preconceptions about a crowd proved wrong...Special thanks to John who came to see us. He was one of a small crowd who saw us last time. The Fireants put on an intense show after us and the closer Spidersuit made good showing as well.

11/17 Los Angeles, CA
Mr. T's

Ahhh, the narcotic excitement of LA. Debauched. Raunchy. Infectious. And the weather! Fabulous and not much smog. Sorry Reno, but this was THE killer show. We just rocked. Some really dynamic interplay. The trio setting really gives us some amazing flexibility that way. Mr. T's Bowl is so cool. It's decor is very similar to that of the Stork Club in Oakland, CA. However the difference is that the vibe is better and they've got a walk in crowd. The Highland Park area is a bit dicey, but it's where/near alot of the artists live and is a bit like East Oakland/Fruitvale. This club attracts a diverse crowd. There's a barfly area - some real local color mingling with scenesters, musicians, and local kids. In the middle of the third band's set an amazing breakdance cutting contest broke out (we didn't know breakdancing was still done). These guys were doing some gymnastic shit. The first band was called Ape Killed Ape. They had a film projection of the Planet of the Apes going on while two guys created this crazy din of sounds/words (Val now wants a theremin...) We played after and were well received. The peak of the set was a sick Martyr Girl solo section. The band after us was called Guns, Books and Tools. A very tight, cool power trio with interlocking bass and guitar lines and some nice soloing. Last, a version of Leather Hyman that was called Rodent something...They were piano, acoustic guitar and viola. Very nice melodies, songs and playing. They had this VU element at times but then it also had this Robyn Hitchcock/ Sgt. Peppers thing going on and...well you'll have to see them. We capped off the evening w/ a 2:00 AM breakfast at the Yukon - a surreal late night transvestite scene. We can't wait to come back.

11/18 Fresno, CA
Tokyo Garden

Fresno! We enjoy Fresno. and it's not only because we get to hang out with Brian Kenney (Fresno!) and Felix. People there are nice and are very receptive - no - appreciative, of music that comes through. One couple bought our CD before we even played because they couldn't stay for the show. Thank you! This venue is a Japanese restaurant/karaoke bar. that seems weird, but they have a decent sound system and when the lights go down after dinner, it takes on a more clublike ambiance. We had a good final set of the tour. Halfway through, Lucio finally remembered to tape it. So we have at least half a set on tape with cheers of FRESNO!! to remember the gig by. If you're ever in Fresno make sure you check out the taco stand at Marks and Ashlan. 2 for $1 and none better. We want to keep touring, but home is like a magnet and we are made of metal...