On the Road is a feature on Punks in Vegas where Vegas musicians give us an inside look into touring life. Today’s entry comes from Vegas emo band Alaska, who is currently in the midst of a fall tour. Here’s Alaska frontman Joel Kirschenbaum:
10/23 Springfield, IL
Day 30: We showed up late to the show but there was a ton of kids there. We played and there were some kids singing along which felt aight. Our Lady is the best/maybe only militant stoner band around and they brought the dank jams for sure. After the show we went and got stuff to make quesadillas. It was delicious. Played some MTG and watched some of the new Trailer Park Boys, what a life?
http://ourlady.bandcamp.com (grunge brand new)
http://loomingband.bandcamp.com (dark pop)
10/24 Springfield, IL
Day 31: Holy cow. We woke up and drank a bunch of orange juice and set off to find a beautiful park. We met up with Tim and Molli at a gas station and then followed them to a real pretty place. We spent all day hiking around and making friends and laying under trees. It was the most fun shit ever. We listened to Lavender Town and the Pokemon Tower songs as we partied beneath a glowing clocktower. It was a beautiful day (like that U2 song). We ended up going to our friend Hannah’s cool rooftop apartment and she got us a bunch of pizza. We went back to Kyle’s place and ate “ice cream” and watched Trailer Park Boys. Truly healthy healing day with the energies.
10/25 Rockford, IL
Day 32: Halffff timeeee we showed up at the library where the show was being held and met up with the boi Warren Franklin. He organized the show as a part of Rockford’s record store day. Our bud Paul got us to hop on it super tight getting to jam with Warren and Joie De Vivre of CYLS fame. The show was great and the people working the event were super nice. We got pie and sandwiches. We headed out to Milwaukee and arrived to some delicious spaghetti. Ayeee.
https://joiedevivreband.bandcamp.com (fake emo strength)
http://warrenfranklin.bandcamp.com (quirky sad beach boy)
10/26 Milwaukee, WI
Day 33: Woke up to french toast. We went to Scarn Manor from threat level midnight in the hoodest of hoods. Hung out with Lume and Justin G of legendary Alta fame. Real boys keeping it real real. The gig was in the basement and it was dirty, so were we, so whatever. I broke the Christmas lights mid-arm swing its this rock star thing I do. Lume was sick. We went back to the same apartment we stayed at the night before. The girl made us shepherd’s pie.
http://lume.bandcamp.com (nirvana with bigger amps)
http://alta.bandcamp.com (alaska cover band)
10/27 Mineapolis, MN
Day 34: Tour is mostly driving dude. Showed up in Mineapolis. Another basement show channeling those pretty rad Midwest vibes. I love Deano. All the bands were great. Internet Dating was like old Tiny Moving Parts which is $$$. With Iowa In Between was like Saosin meets La Dispute. Victor Shores was like Snowing but strong boy not weak boy. I broke my guitar by ripping the strings off and throwing it on the ground. Oopz. We went and sang karaoke and ate pizza! Woo!
http://internetdatingmn.bandcamp.com (twinkie pop)
http://withiowainbetween.bandcamp.com (pre 9/11 screamo)
http://victorshores.bandcamp.com (party emo)
10/28 Mankato, MN
Day 35: Mall of America! Went on a log chute! Home is where your Nickelodeon Adventure Land is. Went to Mankato, it was cold as shit. We played in the basement of this storefront. A poet and a cool metalcore band opened. With Iowa In Between played again also. Good hangs. Weird but good. Glad to be collecting homies instead of being home.
10/29 Grand Rapids, MI
Day 36: Drove 15 hours! Wayyyyy rad halloween basement show! I dressed as a juggalo! Nick was a skeleton! Tyler was a juggalo! Cody was a football player! Zach was a black metal guy! Running Shoes and Odd Dates! Best bands! Strawgunned some beers! Holy shit was this some shit! Fell in love with everyone! Friends! Brand New cover song…
https://odddates.bandcamp.com (mathy shit luck cover)
http://runningshoes666.bandcamp.com (strawpedo emo)
10/30 Lansing, MI
Day 37: Another rad halloween gig! I dressed as a black metal guy. Was really fun also. So many bbs. Fucking summer punx played a Weezer cover set! Dude! It was the best thing ever! They were better than Weezer for real!! They jammed those deep cut bangers from Maladroit, Blue and Pinkerton. Check out summer punx like shitttt. Everyone got drunk or whatever. Off we go.
http://summerpunx.bandcamp.com (joyce manor w/out the last two shitty albums)
10/31 Akron, OH
Day 38: Helloween day 3. We slept in the van, it was aight. Jug of Sangria at 3am. Went to Akron. Did an interview with the Weekly about being drunk for 64 days. I donned once more the power of the jugg. The two bands that were supposed to open didn’t. The touring bands started which was chill. There was a bunch of boys and girls partying and yeah mad fun shit. Citycop, the sweetest band of cuties around, did a Headstrong cover and this is how I remind them. The show was dope and then we all just partied into the night. There were no trick or treaters but there was a bunch of twenty somethings throwing a big ‘ol cone around. Sometimes you grow up in weird ways. Sometimes you drink yourself to sleep on the floor of someone’s grandma’s old house. Sometimes lifes aight.
http://citycop.bandcamp.com (studs shreddin)
Check back soon for more of Joel’s tales from the road.
Alaska photo by Hunter Wallace. Tour photos by Joel Kirschenbaum.
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