another terrible song

Sweet Home Alabama

Well we are now almost a full week into our tour. I’m writing this from a Holiday Inn in southern Alabama, not far from the Florida border. The only reason I know that we are close to Florida is because last night we had to drive there to buy some beer. Alcohol is prohibited in this county on Sundays. Thankfully Florida is only 10 minutes away, and just across the State line there was a rather grumpy man who run a drive thru liquor store. Not even Mike’s best Hugh Grant English could make him happy to serve us. I dunno, must be the gators.

The South has been amazing - funnily enough it looks just like I though it would. All sunken houses, and it’s hot. There are bugs everywhere and it all looks a bit run down. I love it.

In Atlanta we had nowhere to stay, but were instantly offered a place to stay by the woman behind the bar at the venue we played. At her house we listened to Dylan bootleg 66 album on vinyl and it sounded amazing.

Another lady turned up to the gig with bags of food and mix tapes for us. The generousity of people around here is stunning.

Yesterday we saw a sign on the highway to the Hank Williams museum. We turned off to find it but it was closed. Still we listened to Hank Williams in the car, and saw the house where he grew up.

Seems like God is in charge around here. I’ve never really been to a place like this before, but I do really like it.

Last night we found a motel with a pool and went swimming as other sun went down. That made us very happy indeed.

The Wave Pictures

The first time I ever heard of the Wave Pictures was when they were backing Jeff Lewis on bass and guitar at the Barfly. I think it must have 2006, Jeff Lewis was supporting Quasi. Jeff Lewis said something about The Wave Pictures having a gig the following week, but I didn’t go.

The first time I saw the Wave Pictures was at the Duke of Uke, supporting Darren Hayman. There must have twenty people in the shop, so it was rammed. David sang a song called “Now You Are Pregnant”. There are a few moments in your life when a song knocks you for six. The line about Johnny Cash and Elvis, the slightly odd song structure, their effortless musicianship. I mean, these guys can really play.  

I’ve never really understood this thing about indie bands not being good at playing instruments. I mean, Jonathan Richman is a wonderful guitar player. The Velvet Underground were/are great - Sterling Morrison was amazing! You know what I mean.

It was so refreshing to see a band that cared so much about the playing and the song itself, rather than how they looked or their own hype or whatever. This made a very big impression on me. Allo Darlin’ recorded our first album where the Wave Pictures did, at Soup Studios. Back then, it was like Sun Studios, and Simon Trought was Sam Phillips. 

Really, what I wanted to say is that the Wave Pictures are one of my favourite ever bands. I’m so excited to be going on tour with them.