Tour Guides From Hell: Within the Ruins’ Tim Goergen’s Top Ten Places to Visit in the U.S.
Within the Ruin will release their fourth studio album Phenomena on July 22nd through eOne Music (order here). The album finds the Massachusetts-based band embracing their Sumeriancore roots more than ever before in spite of shifting trends and it’s full of songs that are catchy as hell, exactly what we need in this era of uber-serious tr00 metal! Check out the band’s new song “Gods Amongst Men” below as you read vocalist Tim Goergen’s ten favorite places to visit while touring the U.S., straight from the hyena’s mouth. Catch them on the Summer Slaughter tour this summer; dates here.
10. Walmart Supercenter (Everywhere): This place is a tour essential. It has everything you need from food to clothes to sporting goods. You can also stay in the parking lot over night so you can save money on hotels. If you see a van and trailer in your local Walmart parking lot, it’s most likely a band.
9. The Rave (Milwaukee, WI): Besides being a kick ass venue that always has awesome shows, The Rave has some interesting and creepy history. First, the green rooms were designed by Prince. They are all decorated with tapestries, cool carpets, and mood lighting. Second, the building is haunted, especially the abandoned pool in the basement. I’ve been down there and it’s intense. Our old merch guy got a picture of a ghost once. No joke.
8. World’s Largest Stuff (Anywhere): If you ever have a day off and have some time to kill, Google what world’s largest things are on your route. It makes for good pictures and good laughs. So far we’ve seen the worlds largest axe, wind chimes, golf tee, chair, and bison.
7. The White Rabbit (San Antonio, TX): We’ve called this venue our home away from home since the band’s early touring days. Always an amazing show, good friends, and good memories and it’s fun to see the artwork on the walls change every time we roll through.
6. Illegal Pete’s (Colorado, CO): This is a burrito chains much like Chipotle, but way better and only in Colorado. They have a “starving artist program:” you fill out an application online saying you’re in a touring band and they send a voucher for everyone in the band that gets you one free meal each.
5. In-N-Out Burger: Like you don’t know about this place. Animal style on everything! Makes for a supreme cheat day if you’re dieting.
4. Gyms (Wherever You Can Find Them): It’s important to stay in shape on the road. Whenever Joe [Cocchi; guitar] and I get a chance we hit up the closest gym. It’s also a great way to grab a shower. If we can’t find a gym we’ll break out the prison-style lifting setup in whatever parking lot we may be in, and other bands usually join in.
3. Stone Brewery (Escondido, CA): This place is amazing, and as fans of their beer for a while this is always a treat for us. They have tours, taste-testing, a huge gift shop and an elegant dining area. The food is out of this world and the beer is even better. One of my favorite tour destinations for sure.
2. Las Vegas, NV: Because it’s Vegas, baby.
1. Irving Plaza in NYC: I grew up going to shows at this venue and every time we play there a sense of nostalgia overwhelms me. I feel some of our best/violent shows happen in NYC and that, for me, is a milestone in itself. I’ve been to a lot of places, but there is no place like home.
