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9/04/02
9/19/02
Pictures Available Hey Everybody, it's Kat LaGue here, we're gearing up for the big tour! This new tour diary is gonna be really wild. My tour manager/publicist, James Graham, will be occasionally posting entries along the way too. (He is fresh from New Zealand--just a few months in Los Angeles). We leave Sept 22, 2002. If you are stationed at one of the military bases and want to send a note ahead of time to me, just go to www.kathleenlague.com and click on "kat's couch", which is the message board and you can leave a message there! later, Kat Hey
all, tonight, Sept 19, Thurs. we are trying out the new show on
our LA audience! We've been rehearsing all week and ..... packing
.... and ...getting psyched to HIT THE ROAD, or, the AIR, is more
like it. Our first travel leg goes: LA to San Fran to Osaka, Japan
to Okinawa! We leave Sunday morn and don't get to Okinawa till
10pm Monday night. Sound like fun? We leave our houses at 4AM.
We found out that Japan is 16 Hrs AHEAD of Los Angeles time. SEPTEMBER
24, 2002 (TUESDAY) YOYO!
can't believe I'm not jetlagged. Japan is so far ahead that we
skipped MONDAY! Left early Sunday am and arrived late Monday night.
WILD! We did a little shopping in a beachtown today, it is quite
americanized here. Okinawans don't like to be confused with Japanese--a
different dialect and culture (kind of a mix of chinese and japanese)
There's no tipping here, it's considered an insult. Very good
service everywhere we go,...except these people don't know what
a travelers check is. First show is tomorrow night, although I
did already sell a CD at the SF airport (some non english speaking
japanese business men who saw my guitar and asked if I sang country
music!) I told them it was rock, but they bought the CD anyway
and of course took the "photo w/singer"! Gotta go out
on the town now. [9/24/2002
6:03 PM James Graham, tour manager) From James Graham, tour manager. U.S Marines really know how to party. We opened the tour for a small but enthusiastic group of America's finest at Camp Schwab. These guys are the 'go to' grunts of the corp, the first into battle, and they play just as hard. At one point, Kathleen shared the stage area with what seemed like half a battalion battling for the same mic. Oh, big thanks to Karl, a marine from Las Vegas, for doing so much advance publicity for the band. I think he said he dragged six of his buddies along to the show and is planning on attending at least one of the three remaining Okiwana gigs. Tonight's performance at Thirsty's bar on the Futenna Air Force base was an entirely different vibe. For a start there was an actual stage, rather than carpet space we had the previous night. It's just a shame a few military exercises clashed with the date which kept the crowd numbers down. Still, the sets went off without a hitch and the guys who did attend loved having some familiar sounds from home. In fact, a couple of fans were so taken with our drummer Ray they've whisked him off to party a little more. As for me, I'm getting some shuteye: this rock n roll lifestyle takes its toll you know. SEPTEMBER
27, 2002 (FRIDAY) These
guys are WILD. Every audience we've had is 99% men.(Like I expected
different--well-- in Greenland there where lots of women "airman"
! But that was the airforce-This is mostly Marines) Every gig
I'm looking for the one or two lone girls out there to sing Meredith
Brooks "Bitch" to. (The guys don't seem to dig that
song so much...so I sing it even louder!) The marines out here
in Okinawa are very Passionate and Crazy! That first night with
the WARDOGS from 27 on Camp Shwab in remote northern Okinawa---I
swear they knew every word to every song! From Alanis Morisette
to Fleetwood Mac to Incubus to No Doubt. There were the "Bass
Player" groupies who worshiped Shane all night, and the guitar
groupies who worshipped Geoff all night, who definitely IMPRESSED
them to say the least. (Especially when he came up with Hotel
California by request). The entire band literally came close to
passing out in the second set. I know I did. After dedicating
"Crazy" to Mario, the country music lover, who also
lead most of the singing, and who I must say was a great dance
partner (dip and all) WHILE I sang "Crazy", the room
just went Nuts!. These guys are ALL gusto--I can see why they
are on the front lines. SO into the music and us. At one point
during Hotel California I'm forward on "stage" letting
everyone sing into the mike--I look back--and there's a marine
on stage playing my acoustic guitar!! AND he was playing all the
RIGHT chords! From
James Graham, tour manager Hopefully
audience numbers are going to pick up from here on in. We played
at Camp Shields tonight, the third venue on tour, and the turnout
was a little disappointing. The base is the home of the navy's
construction workers on the island. Most, however, were unaware
the band was even playing. We were double booked with a couple
of comics from the States and were finished by 9pm to make way
for the 'main event'. Thanks to Robbie, manager of the local Hideaway
club, for finishing the night off with a bang. We'll be back.
Last
night's show at Kadena Air Base was packed. The band played great
I must say, the shows finding it's groove. This was a tough crowd
though. I was told they're a little spoiled here..and not too
quick to show their enthusiasm. So out of the 2-300 people there--we
thank the 30 people up front that listened and didn't watch wrestling
on the tube the whole time! Later we went back to Gate 2 Street
club area and Geoff and Shane showed them a thing or two with
some rockin Beatles tunes on acoustic at this club we stopped
in called "Last Chance" ...or was it "First Chance"?
Even our sound man, Brian, got up and did a tune--he's a guitar
player and singer too! Well I'm doing a little sightseeing today
on our day off, so gotta go! SEPTEMBER
29, 2002 (SUNDAY) How
many people can say they swam the East China Sea while watching
the most beautiful sunset floating on their back?...count me in!
What a great day off yesterday! Started by having fastfood Curry--it's
like a diner atmosphere, but you choose what you want on your
curry-chick,pork,fish,shrimp-(I had shrimp cutlet), then the level
of spice you want from 1-10(I was a wimp and had "regular"
which is about a 2), then how much rice- 4 different amounts,
then what else you might want added. These people are SO detailed
oriented! It's great. I have to thank my tour guide, who also
happened to be a Captain in the Airforce, who, navigates some
very secret type missions in a very large plane. If I told you
WHAT he flies, and WHY--I'd have to kill ya--just kidding, I don't
even know exactly what he does. (top secret) But he was a gentleman
and a great guide. I finally got to see a little OFF base living.
The beach was cool, but very shallow and bay like, no waves, about
knee high all the way out as far as I would venture and warm as
bath water. As soon as I post some pics when I get back-- you'll
see the patches and wings I acquired, and I didn't even have to
enlist! I'll find out tomorrow if I'm able to acquire the "flight
suit" that I'm dying to make into a fashion statement. Hey,
Cassie--"I GOT A FLIGHT SUIT!"you know, how in Greenland--"WE
GOT JACKETS!"--maybe. Ya know, it's like a jumper, with the
zip up front, kinda like what Tom Criuse wore in that movie. Anyway--show
tonight is the last one on Okinawa, another Marine base --yeahhh!
at a place called "Globe and Anchor". From
James Graham, tour manager OCTOBER
1, 2002 (TUESDAY) So
I sat in a cockpit of a Huey Helicopter today!.... all those dials
and buttons and gages that you see in the movies.(like Black Hawk
Down) They're real and overwhelming to see in person! We also
got upclose and personal with the Cobra-(the one where the pilot
sits behind the copilot) those things can move around..well...like
a snake..in the air. We watched one doing some maneuvering that
amazed me. We stood right on the Flight Line(the runway) of the
Marine Base watching very large aircraft--some of these helicopters
are the size of a jet--land and take off and do their exercises.
The, I believe it was a "46", can carry a Hummer inside
of it and then some. We have to thank Cpl. Jon Destefeno for getting
us into the behind the scenes look at what an Aircraft Mechanic
does and works with everyday! When he said we could go to work
with him and see them up close I really didn't think he could
pull it off. But I was mistaken! We got the full tour and an education
to boot, he knows his stuff. He and his squadron will be back
at Camp Pendelton near San Diego by January, so we're gonna have
to book a show down there for a Marine/Band reunion! The show
last night was back to passionate--we had Marines there from past
shows--they didn't get enough the first time I guess! A fabulous
venue, the Globe and Anchor, with great food--filet mignon!-and
great people. There would have been even more people there had
it not been the "day before" Payday for everyone so
we were told. Those boys spend their money quick!. Angel and Lisa
got pulled up on stage to help me sing "I Will Survive"
and "Bitch" THANKS GIRLS! Well I'm packin up my bags
and very sad that I have to say goodbye to my room with the computer
in it. :( so who knows when I'll get to update again! We're off
to Korea---later, OCTOBER
3, 2002 (THURSDAY) Well
James pretty much nailed it in the last entry. But with much more
tact than I would have! ...let's not even talk about the hotel.....don't
they believe in showers or baths(there's no way to take a bath
or a real shower, no shower curtain just a spray gun for water)?
Actually the sleep has been pretty comfortable considering. Did
James fail to mention our crazy van driver? will he ever "pick
a lane"?? He will take us the 2-4 hr commute to shows for
the next 10 days! weeehee. and man those seats are "super
cushioned". NOT. So anyway the demonstrations thing is wild,
the soldiers we entertained last night were in "LOCK DOWN"
(couldn't leave the base), because of the turmoil. They were very
responsive though and the marketing dept. gave the entire band
jackets!! Thanks NIKKI! So throughout the show I had the entire
audience sign the back of the jacket. I believe the most poignant
signing was this, "THANKYOU ----an American soldier.".
Wow, that just hit me. stopped me in my tracks. Is it possible
that they sang along to the entire second set?? Especially the
Air Force guys. So far the favorites have been, "Jack and
Diane" , "Toker", "Start me Up", "I
Will Survive" and "ALLStar" (smashmouth), and of
course, Hotel California. At one point, Brian, the sound man said
he couldn't even hear the PA because the soldiers were singing
so LOUD!! We love that!! What really has been surprising to me
is they love the original songs. I'm constantly getting requested
to sing more of them. That's really nice, since Thai's where my
heart is. From James Graham, tour manager: Seoul
may only be two hours by plane from Okinawa but it feels like
we've stepped into an entirely different world. It's only been
two days since we landed but I'm missing the slower beach life
already. Before I start on life in one of the world's busiest
cities, a big thanks to the hospitality of our Okinawa shuttle
driver Drew and marine Jon Destefeno. Jon, thanks heaps for the
patch. That was cool. Hope everything works out for you and maybe
we catch up again sometime. Okay, on to Seoul. Where do I begin?
Slight panic set in when our escort was 15 minutes late meeting
us at the gate. Then, when we arrived at our downtown digs, half
of the band had to shift rooms to the other side of the hotel
because of 24 hour construction on a building site next door.
Oh, and I have to add here, it's the first time any of us have
stayed in a place with escape ropes in every room in case of fire.
Kat was also a little unnerved by the cockroach spray next to
the TV set. After a quick bite we ventured out for a stroll and
walked straight into what appeared to be Seoul's entire army of
riot police with shields and batons at the ready. A quick chat
with a young Korean officer revealed the reason; a few weeks earlier
an American military vehicle accidentally killed two local girls.
Apparently, a section of young Korean radicals aren't too thrilled
with how the situation has been handled since and the next day
at our briefing we were warned to be on guard during our stay
and always travel in pairs or as a group. From
James Graham, tour assistant: After
that show last night,we all had to let loose and went to our first
Korean Disco. Really great music, they even played "Brick
House" I was so psyched. So we danced for hours. These clubs
stay open till...whenever everyone leaves 5-6am. The drinking
age is 19. But since all the political unrest, there is a curfew
for the military boys. So the Military Police, half American and
half Korean come around to the clubs at about 1-2 and send all
the GIs home! I guess if you can pose as a civilian you can stay
out, but most of their haircuts give them away. Wild! well gotta
go do this show! From James Graham, tour assistant: Small but appreciative crowds would be the best way to sum up the turnout at our last two Korean gigs at Camps Howze and Stanley, front-line bases an hour or so out of Seoul. Still, I'm constantly amazed we get anyone coming out when you consider these guys have to get up at 5am and go on a 50 mile run the next morning. I must say since we found the party zone in Seoul the band has shrugged off the culture shock we first experienced after arriving from Okinawa. Shane, the bass player, and I wandered out after the Camp Howze show the other night and between us we must have spent US$10 over about five hours. Thanks here to Angus and the English teachers for their generosity at the bar. I didn't spend a dime on drinks the whole night. Today is a rest day. I've left the group in Seoul and am taking time out with my brother Lance and his girlfriend Chole who teach English in Wonju, two hours out of Seoul. We have one more show from our Seoul base before heading south for three dates. Hopefully we can finish the Seoul leg in style. A regional entertainment boss told me we can expect a bumper attendance at Camp Paige and best of all, those of us who aren't afraid of flying, may be arriving in style. Kat made a valuable pilot contact last night who promised the band a 20 minute thrill ride to the show in a Black Hawk helicopter, the kind they used in the recent Hollywood hit Black Hawk Down. Just got back from the AFN Radio Station (Armed Forces Network) where we did an interview and they played several songs. Thanks Mary and Steve (the DJ) for the airtime! Well, we're still on hold as to whether the Black Hawk(helicopter) ride comes thru-referred to in Jame's email below. Turns out the pilot doesn't make the decisions. A Three Star guy has to sign off on that one!! So we'll see. We really had our hopes up. Today we toured the grounds of the War Memorial a massive building and grounds built to honor those killed in the Korean War. But little did we know--of course on our day off---it was closed, so we were unable to see the DMZ Exhibit. The Demilitarized Zone. Where North and South Korea still face off (since the 1950's-believe it or not) without a peace treaty. It's something to see I"ve been told, but could be dangerous, each side just waiting for the other to make a move. Yesterday I checked out Itaewon, the bargain shopping district, where you can have a custom made suit or coat within a few weeks time. It felt like the garment district in NY to me. We bargained for a leather coat--the sticker price was 540,000 Won, (equal to about $520)--he quickly came down to 330 won and before we walked out he was offering a Sunday special --only for today--of 230(or $200)---gives new meaning to the term "mark up"! The only problem is that everything is cut for the smaller framed person, so I'm having a "fit" problem. I feel like a giant around here. (I'm almost 5'10") SO! Back to the shows--The crowds at the last two shows have really been THERE for us. We get the feeling they feel the same about us. THANKS YOU GUYS, it's the response from you that makes it all worthwhile. I'm continually surprised and pleased when asked to do more original tunes for these guys. So I"ve added "Hear My Confession" to the set list. OCTOBER
9, 2002 (WEDNESDAY) From
James Graham, tour assistant: From James Graham, tour assistant: After seemingly fixing itself, the tour dv camera has gone on the blink again, this time with a flashing red warning sign saying it needs to be serviced. Fat chance of that in a place like South Korea: no one seems to speak a word of english. I took it to a guy yesterday who had absolutely no clue what I was going on about. Taegu really is a deadzone as far as European tourists are concerned: I've seen two white faces our entire stay here. Wandering the streets here you quickly become acutely aware of being stared at, kind of like what a TV celebrity must feel like in any other part of the world. Not that I mind, I just wish I knew what they were saying and giggling about. Only the drunk students wandering the streets late at night seem to have the confidence to practice their limited english on you. Just don't tell them you're from America and you should be okay. When I told them I was a New Zealander they beamed, but when I introduced Ray, our drummer, as an American one Korean made a kicking motion with his leg and the groups' attitude immediately changed. That's kind of hypocritical when you see how much of modern Korean culture is American influenced. And if it hadn't been for America's intervention in the 50s, that same guy would probably now be knee deep in a communist rice field instead of stumbling around in his Tommy Hilfiger duds. Still, trying to make sense of a crazy place like South Korea is pointless. I'm just counting down the days until we move on to mainland Japan. Two more shows to go; one in Pusan tonight and our last in Osan on Saturday, on the way back to Seoul where we fly out from the next day. Hopefully somewhere before that I'll find a camera repair place and a restaurant that doesn't serve dog meat. OCTOBER
11, 2002 (FRIDAY) I
have a little different attitude towards South Korea than James....
It's ok to be ignored actually. They seem to just leave you alone
and when trying to shop and order things at restaurants everyone
has been extremely helpful.. I really love the food here and to
say it's inexpensive in restaurants is an understatement....last
night we all went out after the show to a BBQ (they have the grill
in the center of the table and the cut and cook it for you while
you watch), where they just keep bringing more and more fresh
food, fresh vegs and garlic and tofu. We each paid 5000 Won, which
is about $4.80 each. No tax. and No tip. I'ts all included. It's
crazy. Riding to the most southern base in Korea today I'm struck
by the new and old --right next to each other. People on there
hands and knees working in fields--then right next to them a bulldozer
moving earth to build a huge bridge. A few nights ago at Camp
Page (the closest camp to the DMZ, and North Korea), We had a
very responsive crowd and were presented with a really nice plaque
from the Area Entertainment Coordinator, John Antes, during the
show. I was talking to some front line artillery guys in between
sets and they leveled with me and said, all we are here is just
a "speed bump", I was like, "huh?". They explained,
if invaded from North Korea they are the first thing the enemy
comes to. Yet talking later to some of the higher ups, they said
they were there to STOP any invasion from getting any closer to
Seoul. Since it's been like this for 50 yrs......I guess it's
all just practice, and train, practice and train. Well I spent
the time before the show last night at the Emergency Room, it
did sort of remind me of MASH. I twisted my knee during the show
a few nights ago and have just been ignoring it and it's been
getting worse and worse, inflammation, can't really walk much......so,
Dr. Rafael hooked me up with ice packs, a knee brace, and advice.
He had one of the best attitudes of any one in the military I've
met yet. Just real light hearted and positive. So I'm trying to
stay off of it between shows. Last night leaving Camp Carroll,
the DJ at the club we played was playing "Hear My Confession"
--- and they were "two stepping" to it! Country dancing
has no limits! We are stayin ON base tonight at Pusan, which is
a new thing. Little duplexes. Most of these buildings look like
bomb shelters to me, with the rounded tin roof. So gotta go sound
check. OCTOBER
13, 2002 (SUNDAY) Just
arrived in Japan, we are at Yokota Air Base outside Tokyo. It's
a holiday so we're heading into Tokyo for some sightseeing. The
last show at Pusan Air Base was the best yet...a big stage, real
sound system, about a 1000/person venue, with a real enthusiastic
crowd. It was a "country" bar called Mustangs so we
were a little worried that our few Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash
songs would not satisfy--but they were singing along to "Allstar"
and "Jack and Diane" before we knew it. Thanks to Scott,
the manager, for treating us like a real band! OCTOBER
14, 2002 (MONDAY) Tokyo
was so much like NYC, I was amazed. Guided by Spike, our area
coordinator, we took a train, then a subway into the heart of
Tokyo, it reminded me of the Times Square area bright with neon
and charged with electric energy in the air. The intersections
were especially comical to me at first....although seemingly more
efficient than stateside! ALL the cars stop (not just one direction
at a time), and all pedestrians just crisscross to whichever of
the four corners they need to go (a sea of people wherever we
went). We must have walked over 7 miles yesterday. The park we
had a picnic lunch in used to be owned by the Imperial Palace,
and used to only be used by royalty, but now opened to the paying
public-- It was incredibly manicured, clean, no alcohol allowed,
and promptly closed at 4:30 in the afternoon! That's where James'
bald head was a hit with this little 3 yr old japanese boy--he
just walked up and started rubbing it!! Wish we could go back
into Tokyo--we are a good 1 1/2 hrs. by train outside of the city.
From James Graham, tour assistant: Before
I sign off on Korea I want to mention our final gig at the Mustang
Club in Osan. What a great way to finish a rollercoaster trip
through that part of the world. Firstly, the assistant manager
Scott rolls out the red carpet big time. He actually shouts the
band drinks and picks up the tab for a fancy dinner. If that wasn't
enough the boys then have the pleasure of meeting Mustang's star
waitress Chi Hye Yi. I'm not sure if it was the Yankee uniform
or not, but we unanimously voted her our favourite Korean , a
nose ahead of So Yung, the hotel clerk at Taegu's Dong In (Yes,
that really was the name). Chi Hye, if you're reading this, there's
always a spare seat on the tour bus. From James Graham, tour assistant: It's not often you wake up to see seven Japanese subs outside your window, but that's the sight that greeted us this morning at the 83rd ordinance battalion HQ lodgings on Kure Harbor. This U.S base, right next door to a large chunk of the Japanese Navy, is home to only 15 mainly admin staff but they have a pretty sweet set-up which the band got a taste of last night. Aside from the waterfront view, there's a hot-tub, huge gym, table tennis and full size free pool table. What more does a band need? Before tonight's gig we're all heading into nearby Hiroshima for a tour. We're going to check out the museum which houses remnants from the first atomic bombing of a city. Not really sure what to expect there but it's probably the only chance I'll get to see that kind of stuff so it's got to be done. I better sign off now; Baywatch has just come on the telly. OCTOBER
19, 2002 (SATURDAY) We
went to downtown Hiroshima yesterday and toured the "Peace
Park". It's basically a museum and huge park on the site
of the epicenter of the atomic bomb dropped on Aug. 6, 1945. It
also is a monument dedicated to the abolition of nuclear weapons
worldwide. It was very disturbing seeing the damage caused and
the absolute "wiping out" of an entire city in a matter
of seconds, not to mention the after affects of radiation that
has lasted up to this day, if you count the unborn fetuses of
woman exposed to the fallout. All of the facts and pictures and
video of what really happened was truly a devastating site. This
day it was a very popular site for school trips and class pictures
for elementary school kids. We were approached numerous times
(being the ONLY Americans for miles) by groups of young students
who were trying to fulfill some kind of assignment in their notebooks
by trying to communicate with US! It was hilarious since they
spoke just a tiny bit of English in order to introduce themselves
and say thankyou, but had a really hard time articulating the
questions they wanted answered, it was like charades trying to
figure out what questions they wanted answered. Last night's show
was the most interesting so far! It was a 90% Japanese audience.
They REALLY know how to party and BE a part of the show. (I'm
definitely seeking a Japanese Record or Licensing Deal-please
email me with any "hook ups" in regards to that!) I
don't think many of the audience spoke English at all but they
were singing along anyway and DANCING big time. We also had a
guest musician, Chief John Stocks, a military intelligence officer,
who also wailed on the harmonica. Thanks John for jammin with
us! What are the chances that one in maybe 12 guys on that base
is also an amazing musician? By the end of the show the entire
room was up dancing to "I Will Survive", young and old
alike, I ended up standing on chairs in the audience for the last
two verses...I sang the last verse to the youngest audience member,
I think she was maybe 9 months old....it was nutty! They also
really snatched up the cat-eye T- shirts, it was a nice change
from the typical show we've been playing. Thanks to Marc Collin
for hooking us up at the army resort at Kure! Those submarines
outside our hotel windows were wild! From James Graham, tour assistant: Just
when I thought I'd used up all my juicy superlatives to describe
Japan the punters at the tiny Akizuki U.S army depot on Kure Harbor
make me dig deeper for a few more. Who would have guessed that
a post manned by 15 or so staff would turn on the highlight of
the tour so far. The really cool thing was that the first feet
to hit the dance floor belonged to three elderly Japanese women
who sparked such a late final set frenzy, Geoff, Shane and Ray
were overrun by the rushing crowd. By that stage Kat was already
in the thick of it singing from a nearby chair. Jammed to the
rafters, this room could maybe hold 70 people, but I bet the Japanese
navy boys guarding the submarines next door must have thought
there were at least 10 times that last night. As Kat said below,
John was awesome on the harmonica and added a freshness to the
playlist with his bluesy hooks. John, there's a seat on the tour
bus anytime. Also, a big thanks goes out to the hardworking Mark
Collin for making our stay so easy and relaxing. How about we
come back next year and stay for a week? Geoff, Shane and I rocked
on into the nearby township and after hooking up with a couple
of local businessmen on the street, finished off a memorable day
with an acoustic guitar jam in a local bar. Well, they did; I
filmed it and pretended to be important. It was an awesome end
to a harrowing start to the day. As Kat says below, John drove
us all into downtown Hiroshima that morning for a tour of the
Peace Museum. After viewing some pretty graphic reminders of the
1945 bombing, all I could think was wouldn't it be great if today's
pro-war lobby could spend a few hours here; maybe then we all
wouldn't be so keen to wipe each other out. I'll never forget
standing on the bridge used as a target for the attack and looking
up to roughly where the bomb was detonated 500m away just 57 years
ago and wondering what went through the minds of the women and
children in that same spot before they were obliterated. The only
thing that made me leave with a sense of hope for the future were
the looks on the faces of the young Japanese kids Kat mentions
below. Their expressions and attempts at communicating with the
tall white strangers were priceless. OCTOBER
20, 2002 (SUNDAY) Well
we're off today, so I just did most of my Christmas shopping at
the Navy Exchange(Japanese gifts galore)! We are staying waterside
at this Navy Port in the Southern most part of Japan. Very nice
digs. Did I mention my daylong trip to the ONSEN outside Tokyo?
I can't believe I haven't already, cuz it's been one of the highlights
of my trip. It's a Japanese Bath House. A huge three story high
structure with up to ten indoor baths and several outdoor baths!
Everyone walks around naked from one bath to the next, all different
jacuzzi style jet pools and mineral baths (same sex sides are
separated--although they didn't use to be until the 70's), you
get one little towel, about the size of a hand towel to carry
with you. Then outside the baths you can get massages, facials,
etc. Also, which was really trippy for me--I came out from my
massage(which was in a unisex room-japanese massage happens thru
three layers of towels, they don't use massage oil or touch your
skin) on this whole level upstairs--it has a library, several
restaurants, tea room (with hosted karaoke), a game arcade gambling
room, couches laid out along the halls with people sleeping on
them after their massages, old japanese guys smoking and playing
this chess like game, and all this while you walk around in your
robe (or more like, hospital gown) that they give you to change
into when you arrive. When you first walk in the door, you take
off your shoes before entering the lobby--and put them in an individual
shoe locker (about the size of a shoebox), then you proceed to
the check-in counter for your real locker and towel/robe allotment.
The entrance fee is a mere 1700 Yen, ($15). What a deal! From James Graham, tour assistant: I was right, that 8am start after a late show was a killer. To make matters worse our bus was sent to the wrong pick-up point leaving everyone standing around for an extra half hour. Still, after a cruisy five hour ride in the coach we've now arrived at our final Japanese venue, the navy base in Sasebo, a busy little port town an hour or two up the road from Nagasaki. No show until Tuesday night so Kat and the boys are either sleeping or sweating out some alcohol with some exercise. Most of us will probably check out the township later on. I haven't heard any grumbles about the rooms yet so that's encouraging. It's pretty hard to complain about the set-up these guys have in most of the venues we've played. It's really like living in a mini-town stateside, only the prices in the mini-mart are a lot cheaper. You can get a six pack of Icehouse at this base for just US$2.45. I'll check in again with you tomorrow some time and let you know if the natives are friendly. Oh, and maybe by then we'll have a better navy joke than 'what's long and hard and full of seamen - a submarine'. From James Graham, tour assistant: Two days off without a show in Sasebo seems like a two week break after all the traveling and performing we've been doing over the last few weeks. Back into the swing tonight with the first of two shows at Galaxies, a three story on-base entertainment facility rivaling anything you'll see stateside. Kat plugged the dates on the navy base radio station, Thunder, this morning. Thanks to the show's hosts Devin and Xaivier (sorry if I've got the spelling wrong guys - I'll correct it later) for an excellent interview. You guys deserve a bigger audience. See ya at the show. Kat, Ray, Shane and I ventured out into town last night to check out the Monday night scene. A lot livelier than the previous night but Tokyo still doesn't have much to fear. Still, I think we drummed up a little support for the first gig and christened our new 'local' drinking spot at the same time. That's how dedicated we are on this tour; we're always working even on our day off. OCTOBER
22, 2002 (TUESDAY) Thanks
you guys--Devin and Zai for a great radio interview!! They did
their homework. They are even giving me a copy so I should be
able to post it on my mp3.com page as a download! My 8:30am interview
came really early today, not before I was awakened with the "Star
Spangled Banner" outside my window at 7:30am though! Luckily
the radio station was right across the street from our hotel.
If you're ever in Sasebo, the coolest, most well decorated little
bar is called "The Goose", ShoGo, the owner and bartender
has done an amazing job with this little 10 barstool bar. It's
just down the street immediately to the left about 300 ft. after
crossing the Albuquerque Bridge out of the park. We met some very
sweet natives, Yuki and Maya, who spoke and understood English!
We were thrilled to be able to communicate with the locals. From James Graham, tour assistant: Most of the Sasebo navy base may have been out at sea somewhere last night but at least those who did front for the first of our two shows at Galaxies filled up the dance floor. Hopefully a few will have some energy left in those legs to back-up tonight for our final Japan date before we leave for Guam. Right now I'm debating whether to dig in for another all-nighter - we have a 5am lobby call for the ride to Fukuoka airport - or catch maybe four hours sleep. Probably go for the latter because after last night's spending spree I have $4 left in my wallet. We have four nights in Guam with two shows at the Andersen Air Base. If anyone from there is reading this I know Kat, me and one or two others from the group would love a short helicopter ride. Maybe you could just write that off as a training exercise, or something. We can be reached at the lodging facility on base from around 4pm tomorrow. OCTOBER
27, 2002 (SUNDAY) From James Graham, tour assistant: Yes, we are still alive. Sorry for the delay but with a busy Guam schedule and the difficulty in getting any internet time this is the first chance I've had to sit behind a keyboard since we arrived four days ago. For those following the storyline, I did manage to stretch my last $4 into a thoroughly large Japanese send-off in Sasebo thanks to generosity of our bass player Shane and the hospitality of Cathy a local bar owner. Of course I paid the price again during lobby call for getting next to no sleep and then when Ray wouldn't answer repeated calls to his room phone or knocks on the door, I had to bust in with the housekeeping key and see him in his birthday suit. Take it from me, that's a sight you don't want to see on just an hour's sleep at 6am. The best part of being in Guam is the weather and the water. The snorkeling and scuba diving (I'll leave that part for Kat to describe) is awesome. Most of us got wet today at the island's navy base where the undersea life is unbelievable. So much to tell you but I think my 15 minutes of internet time at the mess hall is almost up and these military guys are sticklers on stuff like that. Before I sign off, a brickbat to the Guam (U.S) customs people. For the last five and a bit weeks I've put my journalism career on hold and lost five years worth of hearing to help entertain U.S troops and who are the only customs people to give this U.S friendly Kiwi boy a hard time entering their country on this tour? Yep, the U.S territory of Guam. Isn't it ironic, don't you think? Talk to you from the Marshall Islands. OCTOBER
28, 2002 (MONDAY) Wow,
a week, and no internet access!! Guam was rough on the internet
access but one of the highlights for the tour for me! I got to
SCUBA DIVE for the first time, it is the coolest thing, to be
actually breathing underwater! I went 30 or 40 ft down for my
intro. lesson, so awesomely provided by James Sprouse, my new
scuba teacher, his website is: www.guam.net/home/gambit86
and you will see pictures as soon as I get home. If you're ever
in Guam, HE is the man to take Scuba diving from. Thanks so much
to James for taking time out from his class to fit my intro dive
in, I was also able to help his Rescue Class by...get this...."playing
dead" for him and the class...on my FIRST ascent up from
diving!! He wanted to surprise his class with a possible real
life situation, so I had to roll over and act like I passed out,
they did the CPR action, pulled me to shore, etc. The did a great
job. Underwater--I saw an octopus, and a million different fish,
all kinds of things on the reef...wild..... I can't wait to do
it again. I highly recommend it if you've never done it before.
I just wish we had several more days there in Guam. The shows
were....different....than the typical, that's for sure. A Halloween
Party for kids--- A cocktail party for Officers--anyway I have
to go tour this island of Kwajalein and see what we're in for
here! From James Graham, tour assistant: After most of the day island-hopping through the Marshalls - it took four flights to get here - we've arrived safely in Kwajalein, the U.S missile base in the Pacific. We've only been here for a few short hours but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this leg is going to be the tour highlight. I can't really say why just yet, it's just a feeling. Okay, it may have something to do with the 50m salt water pool bordering the ocean, the free food and our very own golf cart to zap around the atoll on. And the rooms are pretty awesome too. I gotta go now cos they're closing up the rec room. Will check in again after our boat tour tomorrow. This is the payoff for Korea. From James Graham, tour assistant: If today was any guide, Kwajalein may actually make up for Korea. A big call, I know, but after zapping around the Marshall Islands on a boat tour (thanks Les) snorkeling around a shipwreck and finishing off with a BBQ hosted by resident entertainment guru Steve Snider it's hard to imagine a more blissful day exists. I just wish we could post some pics up right now so you could see what I was talking about; at this time of the night my words ain't going to do this place justice. Another early rise tomorrow because we're off to play a show on a neighboring island so again, I'm afraid, this is just a short diary note (sorry Kandis, I'll write soon). Steve tells us the residents at tomorrow's gig (sorry again, I've come out without the name of the place) really know how to lay out the red carpet, so much so, he's made us promise to pack up the gear before we start drinking all the shots they will undoubtedly want to buy us. I like this place already. OCTOBER
30, 2002 (WEDNESDAY) From James Graham, tour assistant: Back on Kwajalein now tweeking final stage prep before tonight's big Halloween tour finale. Another awesome day yesterday on a tiny atoll called Roi-Namur, about a 15 minute flight from here. Big thanks to our host Christy. She really knows how to make a road-weary band feel rejuvenated. Also want to thank Chuck Smith for showing the band through the missile tracking systems. Take it from me, there's no chance of a stray bomb sneaking under the guard of these guys any time soon. I felt like writing more but the space bar on this keyboard is totally shot and it's really annoying me. I'm going for a swim....again. I
can't believe it's the last day of the tour, we're waiting for
the first of three flights taking us back to LA, we actually arrive(after
18 hrs of traveling) at about the time it actually is to me now....2:30
on Fri afternoon (we pass the international dateline, so LA is
a day behind us) Kwajalien is just the most beautiful tropical
island, I believe we are really close to Figi, and that is what
it most reminds me of, that, and Gilligan's Island. We've been
snorkeling almost every day in between gigs. They really are treating
us right here. Steve Snider and Ellen Smith..."We Luv You!!!,
ThankYOU!", I knew things were going to go well when the
first thing Ellen did was hand me the keys to a four seater golf
cart and said "Here's your ride for the week". WEEE
HEEE (I love golf carts) Most everyone rides a bike around the
island, the only big vehicles are Army sponsored trucks and...planes
and helicopters. No one is allowed to own a car. It's a town of
about 2500 people, mostly contract workers for Rayothen, who is
contracted by the US government to run this missile launch and
missile tracking site. I haven't seen a military uniform since
Guam--the security onto this island is unreal--we were met with
bomb and narcotic sniffing dogs. They seemed to really like my
small roller case and Brian's backpack....after searching and
not finding anything but extra strong ibuprofen we were allowed
thru! No one gets off the plane here unless you're invited. There
are several WWII Japanese bunkers still standing, standing inside
these bunkers was really creepy, I can almost hear the lost souls
of all those who lost their lives when the US invaded and took
over the island from the Japanese. Supposedly over 3000 soldiers
died here. The Marshallese people are the native islanders that
the US government is "renting" this group of islands
from. From what I can tell, the king seems to get all the rent
money, because the islands that the natives inhabit are very poor
and overcrowded, and some have no running water, electricity,
or modern plumbing. They take a boat in the morning to work the
few jobs there are over here on Kwajalein and Roi-Namur. Just
a word about Roi-Namur--Hey guys, I DO know how to spell it! These
people know how to party! Christy was awesome as our host. A really
National Geographic moment happened on our way back from a snorkel
boat ride--we were able to stop at one of the native islands,
after being invited (only becuz Simon, our driver and captain,
knew the family on the island-otherwise your not allowed to go
on the islands, they are private property) we came upon a preparation
for a funeral celebration, the women were cooking over open fires,
boiling crab and cooking the meat of coconuts into a pudding-like
state, I can't recall the name of it but it was very sweet! I
must write more later, We are expected at the airport in minutes
and I'm the golf cart driver!! From James Graham, tour assistant: We've finished - damn it, now I have to face up to the real world and things like a job, a place to live and a car. Why can't this thing just keep going for a couple more months? I'm going to try and land a last minute gig at the local rag on Kwajalein or in the bar. There's got to be something going here. I can't face L.A anymore. Help! Oh, you probably want to know about the show last night as well, huh? It was probably the most perfect setting you could ever get for a show, half the island turned up and for the most part the rain stayed away. Unfortunately Kat got her guitar broken during the Halloween costume judging but I guess insurance will cover that. Brian, our sound guy, topped off the tour perfectly by throwing off his headphones and charging up on stage for a boogie and a guitar solo. Too bad you guys couldn't have seen that. Actually, maybe you can. Stay posted on this site for details on how you can get hold of behind the scenes tour footage. From James Graham, tour assistant: Unable to cope with the thought of living in L.A again, Shane and I have gone AWOL in Hawaii. Kat, if you're reading this, we're doing fine but it feels weird not having to look over my shoulder to make sure Ray is keeping up. Oh, and having to pay for your food again sucks. Aloha. NOVEMBER 2, 2002 (SATURDAY) Well
we made it back!! BARELY! I'm glad James and Shane are alive in
Hawaii (talk about a spur-of-the-moment decision)...actually,
I wish I could have stayed with them. But alas, KC, my boxer pup,
and all the responsibility with the gear, etc, called --and I
had to see it through to the end. James-- please keep us updated
with the "Extended James and Shane USO Tour" from Hawaii.
It was a frantic last few minutes getting on our last flight home....James,
if you're reading you would have LOVED getting this on camera.....Ray
actually missed the flight, we had a big delay at the counter
with our final excess baggage ticket, which was written out to
Continental but we were flying on United. Hence the $1500.oo extra
charge had to be paid by MY credit card, after much back and forth
discussions with the supervisor and being left at the counter
for 20 minutes by the first counter person who just didn't feel
like handling it...since I was not taking no for an answer....
Anyway, the security line was excruciatingly long and slow and
I ran up to the gate AS they were closing the door to the plane,
I was able to hold them off until Brian and Geoff rounded the
corner after running after what seemed like miles thru the terminal.
But, Ray was nowhere to be seen. Like you were saying James, you
weren't there to watch him! I'm standing at the door outside the
plane saying "...you have to wait two more minutes...he's
with our group...he's right behind us...I just left him at security..they
were going thru his bags"......they looked at me and said,
"You can either stay on the ground and wait for him or you
can get on the plane and come with us, we are GOING to have an
"on time" departure no matter what he does" I couldn't
believe it! (I was not missing that plane home and, frankly, was
pretty tired of waiting around and babysitting Ray) so I stepped
back to my seat, mumbling how ridiculous it was that we had been
at the airport since 2:30am for a 7am flight and STILL practically
missed it! They closed the door, started playing the security
video, seemed to pull back from the ramp, I sat there stunned
thinking how ironic we had made it thru 6 1/2 weeks of traveling
without any real travel mishaps and on the last flight home--we
lose someone. Then I see the flight attendant looking out the
view hole of the door, waving and motioning to someone, and unbelievably
--she pushes back the door and in walks Ray, afro flying around,
sweating bullets, panting. It turns out since our excess baggage
made it on the plane--for security reasons--they have to keep
the person with their luggage, so they explained, after apologizing
to everyone on the flight for the delay. Anyway all is well after
the slow trip home in the van on the 405. I slept for 14 hours
but it feels like 4, how long does it take to get over traveling
BACK in time? I can't believe I was snorkeling yesterday morning
in the beautiful Pacific Ocean in 85 degree water. The last show
was really awesome, the open air stage with the ocean as the backdrop
was spectacular. If not for the minor detail of my guitar getting
completely broken in HALF during the Halloween Costume Contest,
it was a perfect end to this tour. Ironically it wasn't an airline
mishandling or a guitar smashing fit on stage that did it but
it was knocked off it's guitar stand by a huge guy dressed as
"gondor", (I have no idea how to spell it)-- huge robes
and a big pointy hat--from the Hobbit movies. I was busy signing
CDs down at the merch table during the break for most of the contest
while all the contestants where parading ON stage in front of
where all our gear was set up. I came up for the final contest
"Best Overall Costume" and just as they named the Gondor
character WINNER!!!! he knocked the guitar over! Geoff went to
pick it up and goes, "Kat, you don't wanna look. You don't
wanna see this" , He picked up the body of the guitar and
the complete headstock and neck lay on the ground, severed completely
in half, the only thing connecting the two was the strings, it
was a sad sight. Any guitar player knows this is irreparable damage.
All I can say is I'm glad it was the last show, AND I'm glad I
brought my Takamine guitar on the road and not my vintage '57
Martin. We made it thru the last set despite-- and had everyone
dancing to "I Will Survive" for the last song, including
Brian, our sound engineer singing the last verse, and James dancing
with camera in hand and Steve and Ellen, our local coordinators
singing along on stage, it was a proper ending for the tour in
the most beautiful of settings!! I just want to THANK YOU to Kara
Soules, David Mills, and ARMED FORCES ENTERTAINMENT in Virginia
for sending me out on this tour. I believe we made it thru with
flying red, white, and blue colors!! It is an experience I will
remember forever, not only for discovering new cultures and countries
and meeting new people, but for making a difference, if not just
for a night, to those brave people overseas away from home defending
our country. From James Graham, tour assistant: For those three or four devoted followers still tuning in, Shane and I have finally faced up to reality...the tour is over. After our unexpected stopover in Hawaii we're back in L.A and thoroughly broke. If anyone has any work for either of us you can reach us through Kat's site. Thanks for reading. It was fun.
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