8.18.07 - Johnson City, TN

In the van and driving by 9:15 am. Left sleepy Somerset behind on our way to the mountains of Tennessee. The tires chewed up plenty of road as we wove our way East across Kentucky. With nothing but time to kill we crossed state lines and made it to David Crockett’s birthplace. We walked into the visitor’s center right as some noted Crockett historian was giving an annual presentation on the life and times of Tennessee’s most famous congressman. Two little numbnuts gingers in full buckskin suits slammed the goddamned door a hundred times as the sweaty professor and historian animatedly carried on. Quite entertaining.

Back in the van and back on the road. We made our way deeper into the black heart of the TN mountains. We wound around and around , climbing higher and higher to the top of Buffalo Mountain State Park. Why they called it ‘Buffalo’ Mountain I have no idea, as I saw two black bear cubs rummaging for food while preparing our feast of rice and fresh tomatoes. The Captain scrambled to the van to grab his hockey stick; I donned by trusty Gerber in case mom was near by. The doctor just laughed. With all of David Crockett’s Bear hunting stories fresh in my mind I didn’t want to chance it. We finished eating.

Back on the road.

We arrived at the Hideaway with an early all-ages show in full-swing. Bunches of cookie monster axe-wielding guitar heroes posturing in feigned emotional frenzy. I’ll have a tall can of beer please. Back to the van to wait for the nonsense to clear out.

We loaded in around 11:00pm. We played first, and it felt good.

Next was Angels of Meth. First time we ever played with those guys. I recorded their album, and I’ve seen ‘em a bunch, but never gotten to actually play with them. They were loud, tight and rocking. It’s heavy, groove oriented stoner metal with licks and chops out the wazzoo from a bunch of scary looking men. Appropriate that they should close the night. We loaded out and then helped them load out. The Reverend Jim grabbed me by the head and kissed me right on the lips. I ran to our van as quickly as I could, squirted hand sanitizer all over my face and then set my skin on fire. No idea if those efforts were enough to kill his germs, but so far, so good.

We fired up the engine and headed out of town. Made it into North Carolina around 3:00am and pulled into the first rest stop we could find. Nestled snuggly in the foothills of Big Butt Mountain we drifted off to sleep.

- Mike