NEURAXIS TOUR BLOG #2: VOCALIST ALEXANDRE LEBLANC ON THE TRAVAILS OF BORDER CROSSING, CLEVELAND, AND DRINKING TOO MANY MUDSLIDES
We loved Neuraxis’ 2008 release, The Thin Line Between, so much that the opportunity to have the band do an exclusive tour blog for MetalSucks was too good an opportunity to pass up. Below, check out vocalist Alexandre Leblanc’s entry; you can read guitarist Rob Milley’s entry here. Enjoy!
January 28th
We left Montreal on Wednesday morning (6am). Four hours later, at the border, even with passports, work visas and a full inventory of our merch and instruments, we get pulled over. After waiting for another three hours, they tell us we need a broker (like we’re a 18-wheeler) to pass our shirts through the border and that the fees coulld go up to $900 for not even $2000 worth of merch. Even after we tell them the shirts were printed in the states (they’re left over from the Faceless tour), we have to turn around and rent a locker to store the merch for the month. After finally passing the border (where they almost pulled us over again???), we head out to Cleveland in a snow storm. Arrived at 3 pm, where our bass player for the tour (Derek Engmann from Unmerciful, Cast the Stone, and many more) was waiting for us at an hotel room near the airport where he landed earlier. Scheduled time of arrival: 6pm. Actual time of arrival: 3am.
Cleveland, January 29th
After picking up merch at Jakkprint/Indie Merch Store (where we got a full tour’s supply from a super cool dude named Kevin), we arrived at Peabody’s to meet with all the other bands. Knowing almost everybody already, the get-along was easy. Later we unleashed our first set of the tour… to a cold reaction… again. I have to say that Cleveland was our only bad set, reaction-wise, on the Faceless tour. Apparently it was the soundman’s fault last time but now… I don’t know… OUCH!!!
Whatever, after the set, we got to drink with our friends and chill in the ‘’green room.’’
Quote of the day: ’’I think Cleveland is not working for us…’’
Des Moines, February 1st
After having more problems for a few days (Beneath’s trailer broke down, Plasma’s gear and merch, etc…), we all got to Des Moines, where we played in front of almost 200 fans who skipped Superbowl for metal and moshing that night. It was an early show, but the bar stayed opened for a late Bluegrass evening with a live band who even showed my guys a couple of banjo tips before the show. We were “chilling’’ outside with some of the musicians and a hippie stoner girl who was selling smoking accessories (???). Having slept only 2-3 hours the night before, without a meal that night, I started drinking $2 “mudslides,” the first one offered by Derek. By the third one, I was drunk… literally. I guess sleep and food deprivation was catching on. We laughed so much at everything and nothing that my ribs hurted the next day… Happy times!!!
Quote of the day: …too drunk to remember.
Topeka, February 2nd (day-off)
We drove to James King’s house (Unmerciful’s drummer), one of Derek’s best friendS and bandmate, For some jamming action (this guy deserves to be named king). Afterwards, we went to Spanky’s, a super cool sports bar where James and Derek both work when they are not on tour. We got treated like kings (word abuse here) with nachos, wings, burgers, onion rings, about 12 pitchers and random rounds of shots.We only left tips and a shirt for the cook (best deal in the world). Yes… we got drunk again. In the process, we got to meet Andy (Diskreet’s drummer), Justin Payne (Unmerciful’s guitar player) and other super cool friends of Derek. Lets just say that waking up at 7 am to go to Denver the next day was really painful.
Quote of the day: ’’We totally raped that place…Wha-Bam!!!!’’
-AL
