...18 years ago...

Woke at 11:30 - very good nights sleep. Washed up - skipped a shower and walked to store - bought film, batteries, Gatorade and Blood's birthday present - tube of red icing - a gift for him and "J"! Hung out back at the house - everyone else woke up and we were out by 2PM or so. Drove to [Route] 95 - to Providence. Stopped to eat at Ed's Diner. - OK food - bought post cards and sent letters and cards. Arrived in Providence at 5 or so.

I went for a walk. Some dudes in a green station wagon wanted to sell me some weed - I declined. I walk up the street then back. A yellow pickup at one intersection passed by. I kept walking. I heard a bang and thought it backfired but I turned around and it had stopped. I think they threw a firecracker at me. I must have looked like a "hippie" or something - black jeans, leather jacket and "Lennon" sunglasses - my hair is kinda long now. So what - I kept walking.

The Living Room was in an old warehouse area that was being slowly up scaled. I suppose the area wasn't a nice as I thought it was.

Back to club 45 minutes later we set up and check. good stage sound - the monitors here at the "Living Room" are great. We then eat in the dressing room. The manager's mom always cooks us a great meal. Hang out. About 100 people show up. Providence has never been a great town for us. I can't decide if we like the punishment or we want to make them listen.

Later on we'd have some really good shows here. We kept coming back and they eventually came to like us. The sound man there was super nice - I think he was named Steve. We also ending up having local opener's 'Neutral Nation' play with us almost every time - a great band. Here's a short history of the Providence club scene.

First band 'Coat of Arms' plays - more agressive than last time - OK. Second band is called 'What Now'. I like them. comprised of 2 members of 'The Noise Indians' who had opened for us last time. They had great instrument sounds and the guitarist/singer had a great voice - reminded me of U2 or something - I liked 'em. We get up and play a great set - stage sound was great - it was real easy to play. Crowd was weird - some liked us and others seemed to want to taunt us. At the end of the set they didn't clap or make noise for an encore so we thought "OK - that's alright - see ya next time." I walked back to the dressing room to get money to buy a beer. I came out of the dressing room - a couple of guys stopped me "Hey - aren't you going to play more?" I said I don't think so - nobody really seemed to want us to. They said "Hey, what's the deal? You gonna be big shots about it?" I said "Wait - you didn't seem to want us to." They said "Do we have to make you! What are you a wimp!" I said "Yeah, and I'm a faggot too!" I walked away - I don't get it - are crowds in Providence that weird? I walked to the bar and ordered a beer. The drummer for 'Rash of Stabbings' and his girlfriend came up and said hello. He was a cool guy. They won a talent search and are supposedly getting signed to Geffen. He liked out set.

Very strange crowd. Not sure what the fellows where going to do to make us play more but I weirded them out. Not sure what happened to 'Rash of Stabbings'. Seems to be a Florida hardcore band by the same name these days.

We called Beth in Boston - OK to stay - we'll drive to "beantown" tonight. Van is loaded. We drive to Boston and get to Beth's. Park and load in. Drink wine until 4AM. Beth wants to party but must go to work. Turn in at 5AM.