Goes Cube – 2nd ROAD BLOG from their “Tree of Tongues Tour” w/ Exotic Animal Petting Zoo

Goes Cube is on their “Tree of Tongues Tour” with Exotic Animal Petting Zoo. While on tour they will be writing periodic blogs for us. The second on can read after the break!

Written by David Obuchowski of Goes Cube

It’s been a solid start to our tour with Exotic Animal Petting Zoo, but these first three shows have not been without their kinks. (And I don’t mean, the band, though one of the bands we played with did a lot of covers; and I don’t mean sexual fetishes, though one of the friends we stayed with did wake up out of a dead sleep nearly yelling the words: “MOVE YOUR ASS, BITCH!” He claims it was a work-related dream; we’re not buying it.) Our first show was in Denver at Three Kings Tavern. Great place. Denver seems to have a lot of great bars for metal shows. Sadly, one of the local bands (Trees) allegedly broke up right before the show. So the lineup got shuffled around—this was aided by a rumor that the other local also dropped off. They didn’t. But they did show up late. So while we were supposed to play last of four, we ended up playing first of three. It was a great set until the last two songs when something went wrong with my cables or my pedals and the guitar went out. I still don’t know what the hell happened, but I can only hope it doesn’t happen again, as it essentially killed the end of an otherwise great set. Our second date was in Kansas City. Again, the lineup got shuffled around. We were supposed to play fourth of five (the fifth being Psychostick). Instead, we played third at 8:30. That means Exotic played at 7:30. Pretty early. The room was massive. Capacity 800. So while we played for about a hundred people, the room was a seven eighths empty. But the set went great until the end when my guitar strap did not “come off” but flat out sheared into two pieces. So that song was pretty much ruined, as I had to make a decision to either finish the song on one knee, or stay standing up and not play the guitar parts as they should be. I did both—one then the other. Not ideal. Very frustrating because in both cases, these gear problems happened at the height of our energy, when I am “letting go,” which is really when my best performances happen. It’s hard to get to that kind of a mental place every night when the practical side of your brain is screaming at you to pay attention because something is probably going to break. Anyways…our third show last night was in Des Moines at the House of Bricks. Pretty great room with great people. But it being Sunday on a holiday weekend, the two local bands dropped off. So we got our friends, a KC band, Radkey, to open the show. We’ve known the dudes in Radkey a long time: since their drummer (the youngest) was 11, and their guitar player (the oldest) was 15. Now, they are ages 14 – 19. They absolutely killed it. The crowd was as floored as the bands. Our set went great with no major gear troubles. (though their did seem to be something that looked like asbestos raining down on me from the ceiling). Thanks to the kids who came out saw all the bands and picked up merch and hung out after the show. Was a fun night. But looking ahead, we’re looking for some shows where the lineup hasn’t changed. We can’t figure how bands just cancel shit. Not to preach, but if you’re really trying to “do something” with your band, you stay true to your confirmations unless the circumstances are truly unique or extreme. Not, “oh, it’s a holiday weekend, so never mind.” That’s weak. Onward to Chicago where we play Reggie’s (played there with Valient Thorr back in ’08), and we’ll get to see a lot of old friends including the original bass player and co-founder, Matt Frey. Should be a great time. Oh, and by the way, Exotic Animal Petting Zoo are a tremendous band, and pretty funny dudes. In other words, great tourmates.