The day before this show was spent driving and scrambling around to see Celtic Frost and then the party at the Spotted Pig, but day-of-show in New York was nutty. I was thinking that I’d finally get a decent night’s sleep, but no dice. Sarah woke up early to go shopping and I got up around 10 and was answering email and on the phone the entire time leading up to the show.
Logistically, the show was kind of fucked. A projection screen that was to arrive by 4 wasn’t at the venue until 10 minutes before doors opened and the stage manager’s native language was Italian so there was just way too much miscommunication given the nature of his job. However, the show itself was spectacular.

Brian, Patton, Cross, (me), Dave Rath and Sarah, Irving Plaza, NYC ’06

I think the show was like $28 at the door, but if you wanted to break it down, it was easily the best money spent for a night of comedy ever. Not only were Patton, Brian, Morgan and Eugene performing, but there was a cavalcade of stars rotating in for the shows….. David Cross and Jon Benjamin did a great conceptual piece that went off without a hitch. Nick Swardsen also performed. And then Jonathan Glazer did a jaw-droppingly simple yet brilliant piece as the insult comic Johnny Ding Dong.

Cross, Eugene, Jon Benjamin, Irving Plaza ’06

Got to see a ton of friends at the show. Seth Jabour showed up. Tom Scharpling came. Met and bonded with Terre T about our mutual disdain for modern hipster publications. And of course as always, Todd Hanson from The Onion came and let me touch his beard. That shit is so fucking tight.

Tom Scharpling and Todd Hanson at the after party on Avenue B, NYC

The wife, Eugene and his girl and I had dinner and a terrific visit with Jesse Ledoux and his wife Frances and John from Secret Stash in Providence last nite before the show at Lupo’s.

by Jesse Ledoux

I should warn you all right now that the tickets for this show are selling out alarmingly fast, so get on it now! A huge COC entry will be forthcoming either later tonite or mid-this week. So much driving, so much fun, but so much to report on. Anybody know a good record store in New Haven?

Straight from the guy who took the photo…. Peter asked Chris if he worked for Chunklet and then posed for this photo. I’ve been told that he was very proud that every one of his records were on the list. Then again, nothing after 1997 or so should even *be* rated, but that’s splitting hairs.

Peter Buck, Athens @ 40 Watt, photo by Chris Bilheimer

However, I do look forward to getting a copy of the new pre-Warners best of collection that was released this week. Sure, Chunklet is nothing but smug, cynical assholes, but we do have those early board tapes of R.E.M. performing at Tyrone’s memorized.

Pete Buck & Bill Berry, Athens (photo by Chris Bilheimer)

This is R.E.M. playing “End of The World” at the 40 Watt on Tuesday with (what looks like) folks from Drive By Truckers, Now It’s Overhead and Pylon.

photo by Chris Bilheimer

It’s bad enough that I missed T&G25 (and that my intro wasn’t used) but this just adds insult to injury. At least it was at the 40 Watt. God, I love that room.

The big question that Brian and I had for the days leading up to the show is to whether it’s pronounced "Kel-tic" (my pronunciation) or "Sell-tic" (the more traditional American pronuncation).

Celtic Frost, live at BB King’s on 42nd (photo by h2o)

There was a great black metal band called 1349 that opened. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a band actually perform with corpse paint on. I don’t know why, but I just find it funny. Not in a ha-ha sort of way, but in a "why bother?" sort of way.

Celtic Frost, live at BB King’s on 42nd (photo by h2o)

We then went to a bar called the Speckled Pig and ate with Brian’s buddies Scott Ian and his wife Pearl along with managers, agents and other folk that reaffirm as to why I live in Georgia. Oh, Sarah Silverman also asked me if I was a cop. I guess that was an interesting highlight, but really, I was just dead tired and wanted to hit the hay immediately.

Sarah and Brian under the marquee….

Celtic Frost-Dethroned Emperor

Celtic Frost-Ground

Celtic Frost-Innocence and Wrath

Celtic Frost-Eternal Summer

In a just world, Bardo Pond would be kings. That’s really all I can say.

Bardo with Jason K…..oofta.

After the show at the TLA, Quentin Stoltzfus and Joseph Siwinski came and fetched me from my hotel room to go see them at a new club in Fishtown. Of course, the fact that Jason Kourkonis is playing drums for them now only made me want to see them more.

It was rainy and cold outside, but Joseph called me a cab and entertained me while I waited to go back to the hotel. Now I’m off to eat pizza with Posehn. Whee.

A fun show. Fred Armisen performed instead of Eugene who was doing a benefit in NYC.

2 out of 5 ain’t bad….

Fred did 2 bits. One as Saddam Hussein and another as a Native American comedian. Both were incredible. After begging him, he’s agreed to come with us to Providence.

Fred as Saddam….

I think the wife and I are going to see Celtic Frost tomorrow with Posehn and Scott Ian. I don’t know why…..that’s just too surreal for words.

Yes, look who the wine is in memory of!

We drove straight from Chapel Hill to Patton’s parents house out near Reston and then went to the hotel. Had killer sushi (see previous post) that night and then hung out w/Brian in his hotel room watching stupid television and eating pizza.

Morgan and Eugene waiting outside the Palm, WDC.

The next day we met up with Patton’s parents and went to the Palm. Had a Gigi salad which I’d never heard of before and tons of lump crabmeat.

Patton and his parents. The Palm, WDC

The show was awesome as have all shows on this tour been. The owner of the Black Cat was in one of my favorite DC bands, Ignition, and was generous enough to give me a copy of their flexi-disc given out at their 100th show. I’m a lucky boy. Mad props to Paul, Ann, Dennis and Dante for a kick ass night. After the show, we piled into the van and drove to Philly so Brian could do radio in the morning. It was a rough drive. Didn’t get in until 6.

Sold out? Damn right! Every damn night.

I’m not too keen on days off, but the comedians insist. Went and had snacks with Patton’s family in the VA ‘burbs, had killer sushi then went back to Brian’s room and watched 9/11 sentimental drivel for 2 hours.

on 17th and P St in Washington, DC

This show probably ranks up there with Chicago at Logan Square as one of the best the CoC have ever done. Apart from a shitty heckler during Morgan’s set, the crowd was in these guy’s hands. A fun show. Couldn’t ask for a more supportive crowd.

Timmy Von Trimble and The Kid…. Timmy opened

28 year old Timmy Von Trimble who is 1/2 inch tall opened. Check out The Best Show on WFMU to find out more.

disturbing, yet funny. Still about cats, so not funny.

Leaving Chapel Hill for Patton’s parents house.