Tye Zamora (of \’mēk\, ex- Alien Ant Farm) – TOUR TIPS

In this Tour Tips segment, Tye Zamora of the progressive space rock band, \’mēk\, gives you their tips for being on tour. You can check out the feature, after the break.

Hey, I’m Tye (Alien Ant Farm original member) from the band \’mēk\ (pronounced meek). I’m here in Brazil right now, and I’m going to give you 5 tips to being on the road.

Rule number 1 – First rule for me is to stay clean and to not stink. One of those things involves getting some good shower slippers, cause you never know when you’re gonna get a decent shower or decent hotel room. Even nice venues have bad showers. Shower slippers are definitely one thing you need to get. also, you should always take a shower as much as possible because you never know how long of a run you’ll get into not taking one. Being clean, especially when you are in close quarters with other people is super important for your health and the happiness of the rest of the band.

Rule number 2 – Grab the soap and shampoo from hotel rooms as you tour, so you have them for when you hit a venue with a shower but no shampoo or soap. Always, grab what you can because you never know what the future may hold. It’s always a new adventure when you pull up to the next venue.

Rule Number 3 – Baby wipes. Baby wipes are crucial so you don’t get gig butt. Gig butt is when you go too many days without a shower and your butt smells Nasty! You don’t want to be that guy (or girl). All you really need to do is put baby powder in your crotch area and use baby wipes to clean you backside area.

Rule Number 4 – Learn to live out of a backpack. A lot of times you’ve got one-offs, or a flight over to Europe for two days and then jump back on the American leg of the tour. Don’t rely on taking your big travel bag everywhere. Try to minimize and live out of a backpack. Don’t bring 100 t-shirts with you on tour, have enough clothes to allow for a few days between laundry stops, but not too much.

Rule Number 5 – Just in case you have to sleep in a bed with somebody or in can you have to sleep on a plane, definitely bring at least one pair of comfortable clothes for sleeping only. A pair of workout shorts with holes in it that breathe, maybe pajamas, though some people feel uncomfortable wearing pajamas on planes (I don’t mind). Be comfortable for the long bus rides and long flights.

Extra Rule – Vitamin C, B12, Emergen-C. There is nothing worse than being sick on the road. Try to stay healthy as possible.

Keep up with the band on Facebook!

(Photo credit: Paris Visone)