For Those Still Standing: Episode 8

We're happy to bring you the eighth column from Mike Hale. Mike just packed up all his belongings and headed out on the road with no plans to return. In today's episode, Mike talks about an interesting show with Ninja Gun.You can click Read More to read For Those Still Standing.

The bold letters on the side of our van reads "First United Methodist Church", of Valdosta Ga. of course. It’s probably a shocker for folks to see the five of us come falling out of an old church van; it's pretty obvious we're not a church group. Though it is kind of amazing to me how quick people are to offer help or a little extra kindness when they think you are affiliated with the church. Actually, it kinda pisses me off a little. It's stupid to think that we might be better human beings because we might be in a church van, or, well an ex-church van ya know? But we are in the South. It's Ninja Gun's van, they bought it cuz it was a great deal, and it's funny as shit, considering how obviously un-church type we all are.

I've just started my next tour. Now that In The Red has wrapped up a month around the country. I'm off and running solo, and traveling with my good friends and label mates Ninja Gun. This is their third tour in support of their Suburban Home release Restless Rubes. They've been a band for about seven years and this one was their second full-length. Although my new record Lives Like Mine isn't officially out for another couple of weeks (but available for free download), we've teamed up for this nearly six week tour around the country. I really couldn't be more excited.

We're four shows in with another five weeks to go and thus far Tampa has been my favorite. Hands down. Some shows come and go and all have moments that will never be forgotten, but this particular night in Tampa will be one I never forget. I didn't think that there was a single house in the state of Florida that had an actual basement. But our Tampa friends have one, quite the perfect basement for house shows… weird because it's a basement in Florida… but fucking awesome. Of course the cops came. Cuz that’s how house shows go when the neighbors are shitty! So as always they want to take Johnny to jail if we don't stop making too much noise. Law and order every time… that's us I reckon.

I'm playing acoustic so it didn't affect me all so much but I was really bummed when the news came that Ninja Gun wouldn't be able to play tonight. They are one of the best bands I know and I love watching them play live. Front man Coody wasn't about to let the show stop. We moved out of the basement and everyone gathered on the front yard where Coody played a strong forty-minute acoustic set in front of that old Methodist van. We tried to get it on video so it could be shared but it was just too dark.

I love when shit like that comes together! A house full of people waiting to see a rock show that ends up shut down. No one cared, everyone was just as happy to stand outside in the night in the Florida air clapping and singing along to an acoustic Ninja Gun performance, filled with sarcasm, covers, and quick wit that is a staple of any Ninja Gun Show.

I know that I've been out of Florida for a few years. But wasn't aware that such an impressive gathering of friends would have been there. To my surprise there were more open arms than I had expected. I know that the Transitions Art Gallery and Skate Park had been taking huge steps to give everyone a community place to gather for rock shows and of course Kiss of Death Records is a local fixture there so, well I guess I wasn't surprised, I just didn't expect it. What a great night.

So it’s off to Richmond we've got the night off tonight and super excited about being back in Virginia for Wednesday’s show. We've got a long journey ahead. One that I'm sure will go way too fast. Hopefully in one of the weeks to come I'll be able to get some video footage of Ninja Gun up with this column, maybe serenading the cops on another stop. But if any of you have the opportunity to come to one of the shows I promise you will not be disappointed- they are a band you can expect greatness from.

4/15/2009 Richmond, VA @ Mojo’s
4/16/2009 Philadelphia, PA @ The Kyhber
4/17/2009 Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes
4/20/2009 Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East
4/21/2009 Montreal, Quebec @ Absynthe
4/22/2009 Ottawa, ON @ El Mocambo
4/24/2009 Torotno, Ontario @ El Mocambo
4/25/2009 Toledo, OH @ Frankie’s Downstairs
4/27/2009 Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
5/1/2009 Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Music Hall
5/2/2009 Colorado Springs, CO @ Triple Nickel Tavern
5/3/2009 Denver, CO @ 3 Kings Tavern Buy Tickets
5/4/2009 Salt Lake City, UT @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge
5/6/2009 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
5/7/2009 Portland, Or @ Satyricon
5/8/2009 San Fransisco, CA @ Thee Parkside
5/9/2009 Los Angelos, CA @ Blue Star
5/10/2009 San Diego, CA @ O’Connels
5/11/2009 Pheonix, AZ @ Modified Arts
5/13/2009 San Antonio, TX @ Rock Bottom
5/14/2009 Austin, TX @ Emo’s
5/15/2009 Houston, TX @ Walters on Washington
5/16/2009 Dallas, TX @ The Prophet Bar
Contact Mike by email at: mikehalemusic (at) gmail (dot) com.