I just got some film back from our february-march tour. BONUS!

Imagine this…

You just played a show in a foreign country in a city where they speak mostly French. You load out your gear and you and your band are looking forward to a night of sleep. You drive a few hours outside of town and find a cheap hotel to crash in. It’s probably about 3:00 am at this point and you just want to go to sleep. You go inside to get the lobby, only to be greeted by an annoyingly smug older gentleman who doesn’t really care about his job and may or may not be drunk.

After paying, he tells you that your room is Room 123 and hands you a key. You get back into the van and drive to where the room is, everyone gets files out of the vehicle leisurely while you go to the room to unlock it. You slip the key card into the slot and the green light blinks so you turn the door handle, swing the door open about 3 inches, but something is preventing the door from opening. You hear a woman scream like she is about to get murdered. It is terrifying. A few seconds later your realize that the chain slider lock is preventing the door from opening so you immediately shut it and run back into the van expecting to be shot.

It turns out the older gentleman who works the graveyard shift in the lobby of the EconoLodge in Cornwall, Ontario has problems remembering which rooms have guests staying in them. He also didn’t seemed phased at all when I told him about what happened. Responding with, “Well that doesn’t happen a lot. Let me get you another room.”

I am just glad that who ever was in that room put the chain lock on, or else she would have been very rudely awoken by 6 dazed young men and might have shot us in self defense. Anyway, lady, who ever you are and if you are reading this, I appogize for the neglect of the EconoLodge and am sorry for startling you in your sleep. From this experience, I have learned to knock on my hotel room door before opening it no matter what from now on. Thanks for understanding.

-Patrick

Here’s a photo of us visiting the Vagrant Records offices

The complete Silver Storms is on the Philebrity Player for your listening pleasure.

The record we bring to you today on The Philebrity Player is one that’s near and dear to our hearts, to be sure. The A-Sides‘ Silver Storms, presented here in full three weeks before its release, has been alive for us so long only in the realm of hand-burned CD-R that we’ve worn grooves into it; never mind that it marks a huge achievement for the group and that the A-Sides’ signing to the Vagrant label represents one of the biggest signings of a Philly band in years. No, Silver Storms is eminiently listenable, doing things that you didn’t think bands were really supposed to do anymore: Namely, sound big. (more…)

The Relax Inn - Near Nashville, Tennessee

So you want to have a good nights rest near Nashville? Why don’t you try relaxin’ at the Relax Inn! Just drive past all those “fancy” hotels like the best western and econo lodge and you’ll find a real gem nestled in darkness. Do you like strange furniture that looks like it was stolen from your grandmothers attic? Do you want boring fluffy towels or “rustic” towels that have weathered the storms of life? This place has CHARACTER. And who needs a continental breakfast? Just sneak over to the best western next door…if the proprietor asks you what room you were staying in make sure you say the number of one that actually exists. We learned that lesson the hard way.

The Guest Lodge - Tuscalusa, Alabama

Looking to meet some colorful locals of Tuscalusa? Look no further than the Guest Lodge! Located conviently minutes from route 59, the Guest Lodge offers a free clogged sink and continental raisin bran.

This is a favorite “spot” to the people of Tuscalusa, many of them even call the Guest Lodge their home! Want to bring your football shaped novelty bar-b-q grille? NO PROBLEM! Just park that sucker outside your room and you are ready to party. Tuscalusa style.

Overall Rating: TWO THUMBS UP!