Gringo Star – TOUR TIPS

In this Tour Tips segment, the indie rock band, Gringo Star, give you their tips for being on tour. You can check out the feature, after the break.

1. Soldiers, change your socks often. Just as if you were Forest Gump during the Vietnam War you are gonna need to change your socks regularly. When you are at home you can give your feet a rest by going barefoot, but on the road, you tend to wear shoes all of the time, which makes for some smelly dude feet. This can’t fully be conquered without proper bathing, however by changing socks often you can greatly reduce the suffering your fellow band mates are subjected to.

2- Always have a jar of peanut butter in a bag (preferably a brown grocery bag) with some bread and maybe some fruit. That way, when you get pulled unexpectedly in Kansas, because some policeman saw a guy with long hair walking across the parking lot to pay for gas, and decides to wait for you to leave, and then pulls you over for not signaling the proper length of 100 feet, for a left turn, because you were too busy looking in the rear view mirror at him, then, you have something you can quickly stuff any contraband into, and the policeman will never find.

3- If you’re driving yourself, check out this app Waze. Fellow road travelers update in real time police stakeouts, speed traps, accidents, road blocks, tolls and general things you want to avoid getting anywhere near, and it will show you the best way to avoid it, in the most timely manner.

4- Mix peppermint oil with some water in a spray bottle. Put that bottle near the driver. That way, even if everyone’s asleep and your driving through Texas and you get pulled over, you can still easily reach the spray bottle to administer several sprays around the van. Now, when the copper sticks his head in your window and inhales as deeply as he can, it will smell like Christmas. This spray bottle can also trick anyone who gets in the van that it doesn’t smell like sweat and dudes, and stale food. But see tip #2 also. To be sure.

5- The 1,2,3 morning rule: Sometimes you’ll feel a little on the dazed side in the morning when you walk outside to hop in the van. Always check to make sure you have these three things: your wallet, your keys, and your phone. These are three things easily left behind after a fun night that you are gonna need along the way. Don’t leave them in your buddies couch after a long night.

(photo credit Vincent Monsaint)

Keep up with the band on Facebook and Twitter!

Let us know what you think of this feature in the comments below or by tweeting us!