Last night Fixer did one of three gigs in the massive state known as Texas. We played in Beaumont, TX. Anyone who thinks the news is hyping these hurricanes, think again. We drove through a destruction zone, houses blown in, fences and rooftops caved in, trees down and debris everywhere. I was a little worried that no one would come out to a rock show if they were busy repairing the roof. I was also worried the venue wouldn't be standing. It was called the Outlaw Drinking Club and for good reason. First of all, it's a solid brick bunker with no windows. Reminded me of the movie "From Dusk Til Dawn". Tumbleweed and highway and all rock, metal and country music on the jukebox. We rocked that club and the owners and bartenders were awesome people. There were plenty of southern boobs out all over the bar and the rock n' roll was flowing loud and clear from the stage.
To become a member of the Outlaw Drinking Club one must drink (all in one pint glass): 1 shot of Crown, 1 shots of Jim Beam, 1 shots of Jack, 1 shot of Jager, 12 shakes of Tobasco and a shot of Grenadine. Fixer was warned this is not a light drink and to take it easy, in true Fixer fashion we became legitimate Outlaws. The drink is titled "Lucifer's Sweat" which may have inspired a song in me if not a stunning hangover. You get a thick chain to wear on your belt for being a member. Seeing as I have no ass to begin with the chain would pull my pants down, it's so damn heavy (must be 10 lbs of chain), so in true outlaw fashion I told them to keep it.
The fun didn't stop there. We were 6 hours from Laredo, TX (our next gig) and have the Best Buy in store acoustic today. We decided to make some time and drive a few hours after the show. EVERY hotel was completely sold out because people are living in all the hotels because their homes are destroyed! We went to town after town as the sun started to rise. We're all nursing terrible hangovers and no place to sleep. I woke up to the van parked in a parking lot with the sun baking our sticky, sweaty, aching bodies, all the doors and windows of the van open, feet sticking out of windows like hillbilly hippies, and people arriving with their families to a shopping mall where we parked. I woke the guys after some not so savory glances from concerned moms. I took over driving (which is rare) and we headed south.
Laredo, TX is right on the Mexican border and is not for the faint hearted touring band. It's quite a drive of sunny highway to get here (and don't forget barely sleeping in the parking lot). My left arm is baked from hanging it out the window singing along to the Doobie Brothers with Rev. This place is the real deal: Sunny and beautiful, in the desert, and everyone speaks Spanish.
I just had an incredible steak fajitas with the perfect combination of steak, fresh salsa, cilantro, lime juice, raw onion, poblano pepper, rice and beans....mmmmmm, I took a picture for the food gallery. I was the only white dude in the place (all mexican) so you know it was authentic. That's how I like to travel and experience food and culture. You're not going to get it hanging out in McDonalds. The guys are sleeping, it's sometime in the afternoon. I have to grab my gang and head to Best Buy. The promoter Carlos is super cool and hooked us up with a hotel room to shower the grime and road off of us. I just walked down the street in my Great Britian jeans, studded vest and sunglasses in 100 degree blazing sunshine for that damn fajita (was worth it). I got a few honks from passing cars with the horns up (no tops down...sad face). Now the sun is waning and it's time to Roll (then ROKK!). Stay tuned.
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