June 21st
Line ’em up!
(Day 5)

I don’t think any of us expected today’s events to unfold the way they did. I mean who has ever even heard of Sunderland, UK? It is like asking someone from L.A. if they have ever heard of Scappoose. Sunderland is a small town right on the coast in the Northeast corner of England. This is the first time we have seen the ocean since we have been here—not a big deal but I figured I would mention it. Not many people are out and it is raining slightly so it doesn’t feel as though it is going to be a very promising night to play. We are soooooo wrong.

As soon as 7 pm hits the entire town filled with hundreds of people—busload after busload. In this town the ratio of girls to guys was more like 30 to 1. Everyone dressed to kill (or find a mate?) Honestly we thought that we were in the middle of Mardi Gras! Instantly Dakota and I grab handfuls of fliers and CDs and try to make an impression. I lost count of how many times we heard “ooooo…I LOVE YOUR ACCENT!” It was so much fun because everyone was already drunk and having a good time and we were like some famous rock stars from some far away land that added to their fun—not some annoying punks trying to bother people. We had so many little encounters while promoting the show. It was just insane. If you see me you must ask about the girl that wanted my jumper. Awesome!

There are a ton of clubs along this small street and everyone is in the fashion show. We are playing in a venue called The Dark, which is located in the upstairs of a pub called The Borough. It is clearly the only dive bar in the area and has a very large group of locals. Two amazing people bring the pub to life. Louise is the promoter that invited us to play and Grant is the bartender, owner, and constant streaker of the pub. The show went well but the best part was afterwards when both Louise and Grant invited us to stay. They basically made it known that we were not leaving until they got us “FUCKING PISSED,” which is what Grant made very, very clear. We discussed it for a second and decided to re-park the van to avoid a ticket. Once Dakota finished speaking with a member of Flock of Seagulls that just happened to be at our show and loved it, he ran downstairs with Ashley and myself and fired up our “tour bus.” There was one spot left that happened to be right in front of two guys peeing on a dumpster. Dakota, acting tough, drives the van right up to the guys and the one guy turns around and starts to pee on the van along with trying to get us to fight him. I didn’t hear the whole thing take place but at one point he asked Ashley if we made her hide her face under her jumper and then said she should jump off a bridge! You really need to ask her all the details. REALLY, REALLY FUNNY!

Back to the party. The pub gets shut down and a group of their friends and us spent the next few hours drinking way too many jag bombs and as many different kinds of free beer as possible. At one point, for a toast, Grant lines up 25 or so jag bombs on the bar and then puts the shot glasses on the seams until the last one, in which he slams a glass into it and like dominos the shot glasses go smacking and flying and flipping in all directions but somehow still land in their respective cups!! This was easily a favorite night of ours. We heard story after story, screamed at drunk people out the windows, watched Grant get naked like five times, and got REALLY PISSED! At one point Julius told Adam that he loves him!!! It was great because they made us feel so at home. It was as if we were at the band house partying with all of our kick ass friends. Really good vibe and great people. The whole night is kind of a blur. I found it interesting that they have never had a Taco before or Twinkies!!!! I just actually received Louise’s address so I can send her some! They are missing out!

By the end of the night I do remember seeing a load of drunk people stumbling around the streets; people dressed in costumes, guys carrying girls, people almost falling over. Probably not the kind of place you want to be involved with every night but definitely a great place to go and experience. I can’t wait to visit Sunderland again. We arrived with handshakes and left with hugs.

When we arrived home, we again sat in disbelief of how much fun we just had. One by one we crawled off to bed and this night I decided to use one of the space blankets that Ashley had purchased for us while on tour. This is a 4’x8’ sized piece of aluminum foil that they call a “blanket.” With the slightest move it would sound as though your chicken sandwich came to life and was trying to make a break for it out of its wrapper! I was laughing all night at the sound and then me laughing would make an even louder crinkling sound so I would laugh even more!!! It was great—but Ashley and Dakota might not feel the same! Sleep well everyone

- Joshua of Dirt Jake Replicas

Links:
Dirt Jake Replicas

Photos Courtesy of DJR