So It has been since before we left sept 3rd that i have updated anyone
on the world of Bend Sinister. Joseph was posting some video blogs until
he left his camera accessories and charger in brooklyn, but eitherway I
will give you all an update! We played 5 shows across canada on our way
out to a Festival in Quebec city Oct 11th, and we played each show with
the Hamilton band THE REASON. These guys were great fun and we
certainly bro'd down on the long trek across. It was also great to be on
the road with our new bass player Alex Bodman who did remarkably well
right off the bat. After the west shows we pulled a classic 30h straight
drive, saskatoon to montreal, to get to a festival show in QC.
Afterwards we set up shop in montreal for the weekend to visit friends
before we heading to ontario for a week of shows in and around toronto.
We met up with the Zolas and Will Currie for these shows, and as I write
this I realize it already feels like it was ages ago.. After a quick
jaunt to New York to play the Brooklyn Bowl, an amazing venue in a
bowling ally in brooklyn, we spent the next week in toronto, 6 hours a
day in the studio, working on demos for a new record. We managed to
record 10 songs, some of which we are playing live already, and the hope
is to record upon our return to Vancouver.
On sept 28th we met up in St. Catherines for the 1st of around 25 shows
across canada with Reginas LIBRARY VOICES and PEI's THE PAPER LIONS. It
took a few shows for everyone to get to know each other, but after that
the tour has been one of the funnest and best we've ever done. Since
Sept 28th, we only had 2 days off (until now in regina) but they weren't
really days off but rather a 20 h drive from Sackville to Sault Ste.
Marie. It was great to head out to the maritimes though as the people
there were super receptive and we had loads of fun with the Plions and
their friends and family. I believe we even got Rob from PL evicted
after the band arrived at his house after the show to celebrate his
girlfriends birthday! I think they sorted it out though, after all whats
wrong with having a little piano sing along at 4 in the morning anyway?
After the maritimes we drove straight to montreal to try to have time
for Thanksgiving dinner with Naben our old guitarist. 1 hour out from
montreal though the van broke down on the side of the road. We got it
towed to the nearest Canadian Tire in drummonsville, but neither the tow
truck driver or a single person in the store spoke english so it was a
difficult thing. They initially said we'd have to stay in town til
tuesday to get it fixed which meant we'd miss thanksgiving, our SAULT
STE MARIE show, and maybe barely make it driving straight to THUNDER
BAY. but luckily after we all fell as sleep in the waiting room for 4
hours with no where to go, they felt sorry for us and took a look. The
battery was dead, which they charged but couldn't find anything wrong
otherwise. We didn't care though, and got out of there just in time to
make it to Montreal for 7pm dinner!
The next week was a nightmare of van troubles. We were fine til Winnipeg
but after driving thru night from Thunderbay to make a breakfast TV
appearance, the van died again just as we got into town. I was able to
roll it to a nearby service station and we charged up the battery again.
The problem seemed to be getting worse though, and even though we
purchased a battery charger which we'd use when we started to see the
levels go down, 30m from Regina the next day, the van died again with no
where to plug in the charger on the side of the road. It was dana's
birthday though so we all decided to just party with a few beers in the
pitch black van on the side of the transcanada until the tow truck
arrived, and luckily he towed us right to show in regina at the
Exchange. We had barely got the van off the flat bed before we had to
hit the stage. Finally on saturday we had only a 3 hour drive to
saskatoon so we took the van in to get fixed and a shop which we hadn't
had the time to do previously. They quickly tossed in a new alternator
and we set off at 5pm for saskatoon, 450$ poorer. An hour into the drive
though, the van once again died and we luckily were able to shift some
stuff around, share gear, and van pool to saskatoon with Paper Lions who
picked us up on the side of the road. The following day we didn't have
time to deal with the van either so we just stayed with the Paper Lions
and rolled into Moose Jaw for our show there.
Finally with 2 blessed days off in Regina I was able to borrow a car
from Mike the drummer of the Library Voices, and drive out to the van on
the highway and sort out getting it brought back to the mechanic who
was suppose to fix it in the first place. The good news is that they
finally found the shorted wires that caused the alternator not to charge
our battery, and knock on wood, the van is fixed for now. So tonight we
are playing an unadvertised Regina show for fun, and within the week
will be back in Vancouver!
Our show there is the last show of the tour
on Oct 29th at the Pitt Pub, then dana is going to throw a huge goodbye
after party for all the bands! The irony is that even though we've had
more problems then ever this tour, the shows themselves have across the
board been more packed, well received and better then ever. I cannot
speak highly enough about touring with bands from different areas of
this mass country of ours, so if you are looking at booking some dates
in the future, look up some bands in the east coast or opposite end of
where you are, cause you'll be helping each other out and have some
serious good times!
Thats all for now everyone, but i will post a bunch of photos when we get home.
Much love
Dan
