Show Day -
Overcast
We all overslept. Dave R. and I spent Friday afternoon driving all over the place buying our van - an 84 Ford Clubwagon - I had to work until 3PM. After we picked up the title, got insurance and tags, picked up the thing - it was 8:30 - to studio until 2:30AM. Only got 5 rough mixes. Still a few overdubs to do when we get back March 17th.
At the end of the previous tour posted here, we spent the Fall of 1985 playing shows and getting ready to record our second record 'Eat Your Paisley'. There was a two week tour of the snowy frozen midwest in December 1985 that I did not formally document. My memory is that we left sunny Philadelphia for Iowa only to run into the worst blizzard in 20 years. As we entered the state (Iowa) the interstate was a sheet of ice and we decided to pull into a motel. Good thing because an hour or so later the highway was closed. The motel filled up to the point that the staff actually began allowing people to camp out around the indoor pool on the deck chairs. We had rented an early mini van from a small outfit out in the country near where Rod and Joe's parents lived. They had the best deal on mileage. We didn't tell them that we'd be putting about 3000 plus miles on it in two weeks. I remember lots and lots of snow that tour. This tour marks the first trip with our new (used) van - a blue Ford with "Hospital Ambulance Service, Inc." painted on the side.
Then we drove to Hilltown and Sellersville to drop Laser off [Dave R.'s car] and pick up his clothes. Said goodbye to mom and dad - showed them the van. To 44th street at 4:30-5AM to bed. I couldn't stay up to finish cover. Jackie will have Teddie finish it at the DP Monday. We left Philly at 1PM. Didn't even get goodbyes to a bunch of people. To Pittsburgh - show at The Decade club.
The album cover would be for 'Eat Your Paisley'. We were still recording and doing overdubs and would not finish it until we returned from this trip.
Arrived at 6:45 and unload. Humongous sound man. Set up and go to WPTS radio interview. Loads of fun. Back to club and sound check. Fine - not great but OK. Eat at Rax restaurant - OK food - poor Chilli. Back to club. It's full already! Up to dressing room. We have to do 2 hour long sets! Make sets and go on at 10:45. Play until 11:30. My snare broke on the second song. I'll fix it on the break. Repair. Second set at 12:45 - play until 1:20. encore to 1:30. Sell T-Shirts. Leave club - $250. Stay with Gary Baun - friend of Paul S. and Dave B. He's been on our mailing list for awhile. To bed about 3:30.
Here's a history of The Decade club including a mention of a 300 pound sound man buried beneath the stage. WPTS is on the air.
Posted by Dean at February 1, 1986 10:52 PM
Another postcard from Dean, this one handmade and sent during the 'blizzard' tour he mentions in his comment. Written in Minneapolis on Dec. 4, 1985, mailed in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Dec. 9.
Card face is Dean's illustration of a large bottle wrapped in a lumpy bag, with caption: "BAG'O'WINE - Rodney discovered this strange custom in Des Moines, Iowa. So far, we have found no evidence anywhere else. Note that this is the 5 Gallon Type."
Dean's text:
"Yo Dude, Here in snow covered Minneapolis, Minn -- No sign of Prince but it may take a snow blower to find him. Play an all ages and bar show tomorrow at the 7th St. Entry Club -- Havin' a swell time. Later, Dean"
