VAULT : SUMMER TOUR 1999

Here we go! Full of plucky spirit, we pile into our new spiffy van (a remarkable 1989 Chevy conversion job with big, plush chairs—the essence of road comfort), ready to face the rigors of Chicago traffic. Always plan on at least twice as much time as you think before you’re out of the grip of Chicago’s traffic patterns. But we’ve got a CD player and plenty of snacks. 40 minutes later, it’s clear sailing to Iowa.

Just across the border, we pull into the Iowa-80 restaurant and gas station, which bills itself as the "world’s largest truck stop." It may not be true, but we’re not about to argue as this is a palatial two-story trucker’s Mecca—complete with shops, laundry facilities, private shower rooms, a chapel, and even a full-size cinema showing free movies! (The next showing of Lethal Weapon 4 was announced over the booming PA system as we chowed down on some excellent country cookin.) If I were a truck-drivin’ man, I’d be sure to make a pilgrimage to this wonderland of interstate pleasures. One Tip, though: The chicken fried steak is only for the bravest of hearts.

Back on the road, we make the remaining jaunt to Iowa City, a pretty college town home to University of Iowa. We’re playing at Gabe’s, a cool indie rock bar booked by our fellow Ginger Records pal Doug. We originally planned to play our set from the rained out Midsommarfest gig, but soon discover that there are four bands on the bill. On a Monday night! Such is life on the road.

Luckily, we’re second on the bill, which means plenty of time to relax before and after our set. We kick back and chat with Doug, who advises us to "play all your weird songs tonight." Russ and Preston wander down the street into campustown and return with a disturbing little beanie clown who is quickly adopted as our tour mascot. (Eddie dubbed him Rick!)

It’s a pretty good turnout for a Monday night. The first band, Pint Size (from Santa Fe) is loud and thrashy—and virtually melody free. Nonetheless, a small crowd gathers around the stage. Around 11:00, we finally hit the stage. Despite some technical difficulties (Preston has a bad cord), we deliver a slightly ragged but energetic set. Up next, Felix Frump (a four-piece combo from New Jersey) does a rousing Twin Tone influenced bit of twin Marshall guitar pop. Rounding out the evening is Iowa City’s hometown heroes Frodoe, whose keyboardist plays a homemade contraption consisting of a bunch of effects haphazardly tape to his guitar. All in all, a pretty good night of music for a Monday in a college town during summer break. Unfortunately, it’s not a profitable one.

We decide to decline Doug’s offer to crash at his place in favor of a shower and comfortable bed. After negotiating a series of overpriced motels (which are all surprisingly full), we settle on a room that only costs twice as much as we made at our show. Tired but happy, we drift off to the hypnotic sound of professional wrestling.