The World Is Just An Ashtray
It was a somber Friday morning. It rained on the way to the Griffith Morgan House in Pennsauken, NJ. That was wear my girl would be in her final moments of this phase. It poured even heavier on the way home, both internally and externally. But things happen for certain reasons. When I arrived back into Maple Shade, the clouds cleared dramatically and the sun made its way through. I got the message. I will be alright. The house has been different, but I can’t dwell on it anymore. She is gone. She lived a long time, and had a great home. I may have even squeezed 4 or 5 years more of life out of her than she was supposed to have. I was blessed. I felt more for Opus the last few days. He is very happy go lucky with not a bad bone in his body. Unfortunately, he is looking at me for answers to questions he doesn’t know how to ask. The best I can do is keep him preoccupied with fun things and plenty of food. My overall view is to show him that I still love him, and that life moves on. Now if I could get that down at times, I would be a gem.
Passing Through The Hindu Kush Mountain Range
Jack arrived at my house with the Weis beer and a special CD for our Ray Ray. We awaited Rohario’s arrival while Godfather played in the background on repeat. Roger was ancy. He arrived at the homestead with one thought in mind. Partying. But not here. He broke out in a brow sweat staring at us with his keys in his hand. Almost pacing. “You guys ready or what?” I explained that Echolyn wouldn’t be going on till at least midnight. This made him more frustrated. Jack and I decided it would be better to leave and divert any confrontation between us holding Rohario back from the Jungle Juice. We drove to Philly so fast that Echolyn wouldn’t be playing for another week. (I know that is funny) Once we arrived in Philly, Roger tried to find a lot to park in. We found one, but instead of doing what most people do when they arrive somewhere (like getting out of your car and actually going to the venue) we had to sit in his car while he drank his Chocolate milk, Jungle Juice, and lit a cigarette. We couldn’t take it. Jack and I wanted out of the car. I can’t stay in a confined area for too long. I just can’t. I went and hit a MAC machine, Jack hit the street, Roger was close to hitting the pavement. When I came out on to the street from the MAC, Jack was half a block just shaking his head staring at Roger across the street. Roger is an enigma wrapped in a conundrum. It was only 8:30, so we decided to head to the Plow and The Stars. Echolyn was in there at a large table enjoying spirits. As we walked in, the aura of uppity ness in the bar reeked. Big diamonds, Rolexes, married women away from their husbands for cocktails, cigars, arrogant bartenders, snide laughter, and the smell of cheap perfume was in heavy doses as I walked up to the bar. I somehow got caught with 2 older woman singing happy birthday. I used my smooth line like, “you must be happy to be 23…” That will get you far if you say it the right way. I walked back to the tables where the gang was and began to drink. In the midst of Grey Goose revelry, I gave Brett some pointers on eye contact with women. I hope it worked. It was later suggested I should teach a class and hand out pooka beads to my new students. Jack and I where hungry, while Roger kept going outside. We decided to order what Ray was having and delved into Shrimp Roll madness. Ehhh..did nothing for me except keep me from drinking. We then found ourselves under the spell of two women, Lindsay and Shannon. They were two dancing waitresses that made sure all of our drinks will filled to the brim. Along comes Joe Stout who began coaxing them to cross the street to the Khyber at midnight and help me introduce Echolyn. As Ray drank the juice, I was visited by one of our big fans in Stacy Shannon. She brought 2 friends with her to see Echolyn who looked clearly bored. She was the life of my table in the second half of the night as we featured Chad Hutchinson in featured cameo appearances along with Mike Ostrich who we insulted frequently.
Make Me Sway
We come up to the front door, and our problems began early. The idiot, you know the typical ‘I think I own the place’ bouncer states clearly to us that we aren’t on the list. He wouldn’t even let Ostrich in who is helping the band. Nonetheless, he went from being an arrogant cock to looking like a complete douche bag when Andrew goes, uhh…dude, Tom’s name is right on the paper you are holding....as are his ticket winners. I actually saw this toolbag blush. Dude, you’re a bouncer at the Khyber. Why don’t you make yourself useful and clean the puke up off the bathroom floor. You aren’t a partner of this bar or anything, so get over yourself. After walking into the mystical Khyber, we started with a round of Yeungers. I began clearing a path for Echolyn and Mike to quickly get their gear on stage and do their soundcheck. Within minutes they were ready. Paul was in shambles. He’d caught a stomach virus from his kids and apparently was having a difficult time trying to pretend he was normal. So, I kept bottled water in heavy doses on the stage. I ran up and got the band some brews and headed back to my spot. Roger was teetering. ROCK AND ROLL BABY. Their stage presence, despite the size and compression was incredible. This was their first performance at The Khyber. And this also marked the first time in 15 years I would be introducing the band. I have hosted shows with Finneus Gauge, Always Almost, had them in teh studio over the years...never got the chance to introduce Echolyn. This was big. Being a fan since the mid ninties....this was special. The venue was great in a dirty kinda way. I have seen some awesome space rock shows there in the past, but this was great. They then went into Georgia Pine from the new album The End Is Beautiful. Another great, tight song, but the thing that was annoying me was the photographer standing right in front of me and Jack. We tried to be patient but I could see Jack was starting to get annoyed. He couldn’t go to the show at the NJPROGHOUSE because of the fact he was in Florida that Sunday. Now I know why Ray vanishes when he is on stage. He crouches down. Ray is my height, maybe shorter. It all made sense now. During Georgia Pine, Rohario tried diligently to grab his Soda, but with the lights and strobes flashing, he couldn’t focus. I turned for a second to look at Jack and saw him cracking up watching Roger being fooled by how close the cup actually was. The band then broke into the live staple track from As The World titled The Cheese Stands Alone. This was another moment I was happy to see Tom Hyatt back. The song is faster, tighter, and Ray is way more animated. In the final chorus by the way I listened to hear if Brett would still do that KLING KLING KLING KLING on the guitar right before they go into the words Staaaand On My Own... He did :)

No More Wishin' You Away
Stacy Shannon, one of our loyal listeners in Jersey was in absolute heaven with Echolyn. This is a good feeling when you turn someone onto a band they never heard of, and a year later they are drooling to see them live. Great feeling. You have done your job. I started having fun when the jolt of 7/29/05 hit. The title cut, The End Is Beautiful. I was able to keep feelings in check during this version...and it did keep things in perspective. Part one of the test was followed by 25 minutes of Mei, part two of the test. As I listened, I was the only one in the room. I became oblivious...it was Summer 2002 again. As the song came to a close, it was May, 2006. The tape of life keeps rolling. As do I. And that's one reel I can't slow down or rewind. I think I am about 7 minutes from the end of the song at this point within me. I'm tired. I can't wish you away anymore. It's pointless.....you've been gone with all heavy blue miles crushed. After a huge ovation, Echolyn went into The Arc of Descent (Dancing in a Motel Just West of Lincoln). I could feel that Brett was really into this one. Heart and soul. It was just him on stage. The band then went into the classic title cut from As The World. Tight as always and right on. Great stuff. At the end of the song, the went into their chatter amidst themselves which I was told later by Jack that Ray's words included me and Roger and the Jungle Juice. Sweet! What an honor. Roger went to lift both arms up to cheer "YEAH" and took the guy out next to him. Oh....how I loved these days.
You Don't Have To Go Home, But You Cant Stay Here
We left the Khyber, thanked Andrew, looked for Roger, and Jack didn't even get to finish his beer. We headed back to the car with one thought in mind. Food. Jack insisted on giving directions and lost the bet in being quiet from Olde City to the bridge. As Roger learned what gears make us go forward, we headed towards the beloved Ben Franklin and made our way to the Golden Dawn Diner on Route 38. That was where I met Kristina our waitres. Whoa. Sweet. Jack ordered his Bacon and Eggs and was thoroughly dissapointed with the Bacon. Roger just ate in delight as always. I could have been a pile of poop. He would have shovled it in and smiled. Kristina was unfortunately taken, but told me if she was single she'd ask me to wait till she got done at 7 a.m. Well...at least it's a start.

I walked out....into....another..... (pauses)