Saratoga Mountian Winery To the Greek

 One of the most beautiful venues I've ever seen.  We woke up on top of a mountain, literally, and had to take a golf cart ride up and down to the bus all day.  No complaints because they were on spot with the rides and it was fun. 

 Maybe a wack pack, but to fully understand you'd have to see what else was in here.  I am catching up with this so now it's seem reminiscent but, thank goodness I had the help I did. 

The Lookout

Not very good house vendors.  They didn't really want to work and when I questioned them running out of items they said customers could just go to the website.  blah. 

Awesome Ladies

 Finally, after the first couple of nights I get to watch some of the show.  At the behest of leaving the merch in mediocre hands (not my choice) at least I get to see the show. 

DEVO

 After Saratoga, we head straight to LA.  Routing was kind of funny on this one, but who can really complain when you are just moving on a bus every night.  This is the reality of "counting in".  Lay it out and count.  The Greek did an awesome job of getting everything issued and we tackled them with "adds" all night.  That is shop talk. 

 Thank you Omar for all of your help through out these crazy shows.  I have to say I'm sorry that I didn't get a picture with my AZ folks that came to the show - Renee, Justin, Ashely, Dennis,....  To be fair.. they thought the show was at the Hollywood bowl and went to the wrong venue first.  Funny only cause they made it after going there first. 

 Fancy catering backstage at the Greek.  Although I took my dinner to go, and never had time to actually eat it, I still appreciate the preparation . 

 Nice to run into old friends when you least expect it.  Brandice, was running the jumbo-tron all night.  She is an old flame of one of they guys in the husbands band US Bombs.  Looking on at the meet and greet after show.   Always a good time! 

Ridgefield (Portland) to SF

Rock and Roll Catering

Merch World

Devo Sound Check

The Reality

Hans - Lights

Rod.  This is how he feels about the movie Apollo 13.  Touched.  FOH Sound.

Bus pulling into SF

View from the bus window

So this was an interesting curve ball.  As we are driving up to the hotel, we notice hundreds of people in line for something.  I'm trying to guess where they are going and it turns out, right into our hotel for a DJ pool party.  That kind that sound like the bass is throwing up.  When all you want is to sit by the pool and rest, this is a disappointing turnout. 

Band Hotel Tag

They are corrupting my pool experience.

Say Cheese!

Dinner with Halsy at the House of NanKing.  I love you!

Fancy tea.  I call it a flower. 

Chateau Ste Michelle

The first show was at the Chateau Ste Michelle winery in Woodinville, WA, just outside of Seattle about 30 minutes.  In the words of my venue contact "this is a classy place".  While it was classy, I do believe having a couple of people walking some of the merchandise items would have been a nice addition.  To be fair, it was absolutely gorgeous with lovely fish ponds of Rainbow Trout.  I am kicking myself I didn't get any fish pond pictures, but then again, busy, busy, busy.  We have dived into the Whip it to Shreds tour full force and it looks like things will be coming together quite nicely.  That being said...there is a ton of stuff to sort through!

 To back it up just a bit, the night before I found out that Against Me! was playing down the street from my hotel.  As tired as I was, it was a 4 minute walk and I f-ing love that band.  So I mustered up the strength to make it down the street after fantastic dinner with my Easy Partners family (Cathy and Dave).  It was at the El Corazon which is not very big, and when full, quite hot.  It was indeed sold out, so I sat next to the door for a bit because you can still hear the show perfectly.  And it sounded great!  I asked to see the merchandise if I left some collateral and the door guy was kind enough to oblige.  After prying my way through sweaty bodies, I made it to the table only to find a shirt I wanted to buy, and no one to sell it.  I figured the merch person must be doing double duty with some stage stuff and reluctantly made my way back outside.  Sweating.  The door guy was nice enough to let me go back in anyway (free!) as long as I checked my camera.  They couldn't allow any "real cameras".  Super fancy of me with my Canon Rebel T3.  Well I checked it and again, no charge (I am loving this place tonight!) I still stood next to the door as this place was so darn hot.  What a great band.

I spy Agnostic Front on the wall

The heart of venue.  Right above where they take your money... or not!

Crew Bus

Pan Pacific

 First Hotel of the Tour - The Pan Pacific - Seattle
Loved it!  I rate all hotels, primarily, by their bathrooms. This one was fantastic.  Huge tub the opened into the room with separate steam shower.  I am inspired for the future remodel. 

 On the way to the gig - essential stops:

• Home Depot
• Office Depot
• Bank

We will still forget something and need something else that we didn't think of.  

Chateau Ste Michelle entrance

 Getting right to work, I was very lucky to have so much help this first day.  Beth is a savior. Always.  I owe her a shirt for sure.  Omar's company Swag Merch represents Devo and was there so helpful!  What a nice dude.  He just got engaged too.  These two people are both in love, not with each other. You can just tell they ooze happiness.  Nice to be around.

 Cathy and Dave.  Easy Partners dynamic duo and the best people I have ever had to opportunity to work for.  I am so lucky they were here to help me get everything in order.  I could not have done this without them.  Literally, it's their company.  And they rock.

Devo and some guy. Photo cred: Beth

 I was so busy that I didn't have time to even see any of the actually shows.  So I asked Beth if she would take my camera and get some photos.  Bless her heart.  This is what she took.  I think she was scared because people thought she was the press with the "real camera".

Hot Air Balloon? Photo cred: Beth

Stage Before

Stage After

FOH Before

FOH After

Thanks Beth!  Love you!