Inspired by the Minutemen song, Evil Monito’s “Tour Spiel” provides an intimate look into the musician’s tumultuous life on the road. Each week, we’ll check in with some of our favorite artists touring stateside or abroad and find out what it’s like to be packed in a van or waiting at the baggage claim for hours on end.  It’s ultimately the memorable experiences with friends that make life on the road rewarding, or at the very least interesting.  This week The Devil Makes Three briefly recounts their recent fall tour with unerring positivity.

EM: What is your favorite song to play live?
Devil Makes Three – “Aces and Twos”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

One of my favorite songs to play live is called “Aces and Twos” its just a straight forward, fast song and it usually gets a good response from the crowd.

EM: What city did you most enjoy while on tour?

New York.  That’s where I got over the cold and flu I had and really felt like we were on the mend.

EM: What are some of the strangest or most interesting cities or towns you’ve traveled through?

New Orleans is one of my favorites and also one of the strangest .

EM: What kind of vehicle do you tour in?

A Diesel Dodge Sprinter Van

EM: Who has been your favorite band(s) to play on tour with?

For the West Coast, its been Hillstomp and Old Man Markely. On the east coast, Vandaveer and a band called Brownbird, both whom we met on this last tour.

EM: What is your favorite venue to play in?

The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco because its a beautiful room. One Eyed Jacks In New Orleans for the same reason.  The Grey Eagle in Asheville, North Carolina because everyone is incredibly nice to you there.

EM: While on tour, what is the band’s consensus as the favorite spot to eat?

Any place that is not Waffle house. Choices and time are always limited so we try to find good food but we take what we can get.

EM: On nights off while on tour, how do you occupy your time?

I usually catch up with friends and try to sleep a lot. If we are in a city, I like to walk around or ride the train anything outside of a car is always worth doing.

EM: If the band had to agree on one “must-read” book for long nights in the hotel, what would it be?

The Bible, the good book is a  constant companion to us all. Our crew is required to read it aloud every night.

EM: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or bought while on tour?

We found some free drugs a few times which is always nice, not the hard ones…the soft ones.  I bought a portable record player on tour once. We always come home with a ton of useless trinkets from tourist traps.

EM: What are some of the best records to listen to on the road?

We all enjoy Jerusalem by the band, Sleep, but on a long drive audio books are the best thing to keep you awake.

EM:  What’s the most unique piece of equipment on your tour?

Cooper’s head for his amp is the most unique I would say. It is handmade by Bryce Gonzales who is an engineer at The Hanger studio In Sacramento. He custom builds guitar and bass heads in his free time.

EM: What are some comfort items that you take when embarking on a long tour?

If its a winter tour: warm clothes, wool Jackets, maybe a pillow or two if we remember.  Books, music, postcards.  We try to send postcards and letters to our loved ones while on tour.

EM: What is the hardest thing about being on the road?

Long drives and crappy food.

EM: What is the best thing about being on the road?

That we  do what we love and don’t have other jobs.

***
http://www.thedevilmakesthree.com/index.php

via EM Staff, 5 December 2009 8:45am | |