We came into the week with mixed feelings. We were anxious to get to the West Coast, but we didn’t quite know what to expect. The first show at Kinetic Playground in Chicago was well received. But as each band was being followed around by their own hometown entourage, I don’t think either of the bands really checked out the others set.

No more than 24 hours later, BMA took to the bus leaving a fume-filled van ride for the Young Jesus dudes. It wasn’t until after the St. Louis show that we felt a real connection with the band. We had drinks, razzed each other on camera and off, created nicknames that probably won’t stick but will remain a biproduct of the week, and ended up drinking on the bus and at the hotel. This, and the subsequent morning after hangover, solidified not only the relationships between bands, but also with the crew.

It’s safe to say for both bands that we lucked out with this crew. And speaking for BMA, our camera-man and sound-guy — David and Ryan — we couldn’t have asked for two better dudes. I couldn’t help but think that our first van ride, albeit more cramped and uncomfortable than the bus, is the way a rocknroll band should travel. I loved that bus — we’d sprawl out, have a drink, play some tunes, listen to hilarious stories from Eddie, our driver, and so much more. Our anthem was shouted out many times over: “Vous le vous the bus,” after the amazing Soul Coughing song (Ryan: “As hip-hop as BMA gets”). But there’s something about being in that van, together, barreling down the highway trying to keep up with the bus, listening to full albums way too loud. You don’t know what that something is until you do it. And that’s when you know whether or not you want to be in a band.

So we went onwards trading winning nights with Young Jesus. As a young band, it was incredible to see just how much playing many shows in a short time affected them. Every night was getting better. We had to constantly step up our efforts. We changed our set around and tried to top them every night. Of course, we fell short a couple of those nights, because Young Jesus is a great band. We were happy to share the stage with them.

Gone savage for teenagers with automatic weapons and boundless love;
Gone savage for teenagers who are aesthetically pleasing in other words fly.
Los Angeles beckons the teenagers to come to her on buses;
Los Angeles loves love.
-Soul Coughing, Screenwriter’s Blues

From guitar shootouts and firework wars in the desert, to chicken fried steaks and empty whiskey bottles, the week was a success on every level imaginable. Or course, we can’t let on who won, but for all of us, I think it’s safe to say that the journey was the real challenge. And in the end, it was not only what we looked forward to the most, but also what inevitably made the week so special.

To all of our fans and friends, old and new — and to those of Young Jesus — thank you for your undivided support. You folks are what helped make all of this happen.

Thanks to Adrian and Poya, Kelli and Red Bull, all those with their eyes in camera lenses, all those listening in to drunk band-banter on headphones, to those who schlepped our gear down Route 66, and especially to all of my fellow musicians: Thank you.

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We will keep you all updated on what will become of this project as we hear back.