Peter and I had agreed to go get some exercise in the park after rehearsal, so around 1 we jogged to a little park next to a church around the corner from the hotel. The park had minimal activity; a couple older cats sitting on benches staring off into the distance, young kids smoking butts, laughing, conspiring no doubt. (Clenches fist and squints eyes and mutters "damn kids" in his best Scooby Doo villain voice) Before I left Phoenix, my trainer put a 30 minute body weight routine together that focuses on core, but hits upper and lower body as well. We were both cooked by 1:30 and hobbled back to the hotel to meet Jeff for lunch at 2. And hold on, lets give credit where credit is due here, people... Did you hear what I just said?! I exercised on tour! I think this is a first. I brought exercise clothes and running shoes with me from AMERICA and I've ALREADY used them. I mean, come on, I'm impressed.
We had scoped a couple Doner joints the day previous and Jeff had picked a favorite, so we crossed the main square and continued down one of the main streets in town lined with retail shops and restaurants. I will be frank with y'all; I wasn't blown away with this Doner. Now, hear me out, I've had a couple of these in my lifetime and it was just a little plain. The bread was the best part; warm and slightly crispy but soft and a little chewy. The bread was banging, it was the insides that lacked something to be desired. It was just Doner meat, chopped ice berg lettuce, tomato slices, and yogurt sauce which lacked flavor. Jeff, bless him, brought a bag of Frank's Red Hot packets which basically saved the day. It took a fairly lame Doner and made it something special, man. Thanks Frank's! We started talking about how we should be sponsored by Frank's and make a video from Doner joints all over Germany where we have the cats behind the counter taste the sauce and film their reaction and start the hashtag #franksredhotambassador. I think some of that plan is slightly ambitious, but the hashtag? That's just a money idea. Does anyone know a higher up at Frank's? Does anyone know Frank?? Anyone? Bueller?
The weather was perfect Spring weather. Cloudy with intermittent sun so we decided to take advantage and make for good sleep with a tall beer. The square was busy for a Tuesday afternoon. It must be school vacation or something. We definitely weren't the only ones with this idea. The little cafe (where we had dinner the night before) was doing some business when we rolled up. Back at the hotel by 330 just in time for a nap.
Out the door at 5:15 for the 10 minute walk up the hill to Radio Fips which is an Internet radio station that has been a supporter of mine for years. The lounge where we usually play was in the middle of a remodel so the new location for the live show/live streaming was in the basement of a church on the old American army base on the hill. Many of the old buildings were still standing (barracks and hangar) and are now being used for office space and other private businesses. The church, which was planned for demolition but ultimately left standing because many fought against it, is now a sort of cultural center that puts on events throughout the year. It was nice to see the Fips crew; friends of ours now for years. Actually, Radio Fips was The Sweet Remains Trio first gig in April 2013. Good friends and long time supporters.
The show, which was live streamed at radiofips.de, was good. We did a 60 minute set to 25 beautiful Germans that by all accounts went well. My German felt really rusty for some reason. I forgot all the stories that I usually tell and the words just weren't coming back to me. That was slightly frustrating. At some point, I just decided to speak in English and play music. The incomparable Steffen Schenk who organizes and books all the live music for this series interviewed us a couple times throughout the hour and we were able to promote our upcoming shows. After the set, we sold CDs and rapped with the locals. It was a good night. A solid first night of the tour. Back at the hotel by midnight and after a quick powwow in Peters room (he scored a double room, while Jeff and I have more *cough* modest rooms) I hit the hay. Radio Fips will be streaming the show again. I think Sunday and Monday at least. Check out the radiofips.de website and if you are feeling adventurous, click "horen" ("listen"). You might catch me saying "fuck" on air... Whatever, it's Internet radio... I do what I want.
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