Elephant Stone – CRAZY TOUR STORIES

In this Crazy Tour Stories segment, Rishi Dhir of the alternative rock band, Elephant Stone, talks about one of their crazy moments from touring. You can check out the feature, after the break.

Complimentary Breakfast

I spent my 20s doing some very DIY touring across North America with my old band in some very dodgy Dodge Rams (RIP). Now pushing 38 (or is it 39?), I’m amazed my body managed to survive all those late nights, long drives and lack of sleep. One of these marathon drives was a non-stop trek from Los Angeles all the back to Montreal in 60 hours without any money or food. How did we make it home you may ask? Well, where there’s a will, there’s a way…

We started out Monday morning for West Hollywood with no money or food. Not sure if this sill works, but when paying for gas at the pump in the early aughts, the gas stations would not check credit card limit or balance. So, with an overly maxed out Visa, I paid for the fuel all the home on my personal credit card. So, that solved the gas issue… Food was a little different matter.

Keep in mind that we were two drivers driving on rotation and with very little/non-existent sleep. So, by early Wednesday morning, we were looking pretty worse for wear. A few months earlier when stopped in Calgary due to a broken exhaust pipe (or was it our transmission? It’s all a blur really…) we were starving and there were no restaurants open that early (7am). Across the street, however, was a Holiday Inn with a massive sign proclaiming “COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST.” Complimentary you say? How could I resist? My drummer and I walked in, greeted the hotel concierge with a smile and stuffed our faces. With happy bellies, we returned to the van and hit the road with a brand new exhaust pipe.

This time was a little different. I spotted a Ramada Inn with the “COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST” sign. Waking the rest of the band up (this was around 8am) I told them my plan. We parked near room 117. “If anyone asks, we’re in room 117.”

Walking in, luckily, there was no one at the counter. So, we proceeded to the cafeteria and ate like kings: stale bagels, fruit loops, rotten fruit, cold watery coffee… we struck gold!!!!!!

My keyboard player needed to do #2. “If anyone asks, tell them you’re in room 117 and that you forgot your key!” I warned him. Returning a few minutes later, he mentioned that he ran into the hotel receptionist and when questioned he did as I said. Relieved, we continued our feast. None too soon, however, in walked said receptionist, “Good morning, gentlemen! My I see your room keys please?” Avoiding eye contact, we all replied in unison “I left it in the room.” The game was over. He nodded an “Uhuh” and walk away. Returning 1 minute later he informed us “I’ve done call the police. They’ll be here in two minutes; you better not be.” Sheepishly, we quickly exited this fine hotel (our guitarist continuing to eat Fruit Loops on his way out) and never looked back. We arrived home Thursday morning after 60 hours of traveling. “Tired” would not even come close to describing how I felt. I don’t think I said a word to my girlfriend (now wife)… I just collapsed and slept until Friday…

At the time, the band said they felt “dirty” for what we’d done. Secretly, I felt proud of what we’d done. The touring life is far from glamorous… you take what you can, when you can. It may sound terrible, but my motto for touring is “Take what you can, when you can.” So, if there’s a lesson to be learned her, it’s never take the complimentary breakfast for granted.

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