A rockstar for the weekend: on the road with Head Down

This past weekend I had the privilege of experiencing life on the road with my good friends Head Down.   I managed to catch up with my hometown bros (Krys Saudino, Brad Quinn, and Dale Yungwirth) as they were passing through Ottawa and Montreal. They are currently hitting the road on a 3 and a half week east coast Canadian tour to promote their newest album How it All Breaks Down (available at indiepool.com and music stores across Canada).  Equipped with a sweet ass van, these boys have committed themselves to life on the road, and living the dream.  Ask any of them, even their merch guy Steve Sykora, and they will tell you that it does not get any better than this.

I was originally expecting the guys on Friday afternoon; they were supposed to arrive early so we could hang out and do some filming.  How naïve of me to think they could be on time.  True to their punk rock roots, the boys arrived fashionably late. Whether it was the late night shananigans in Sudbury the night before, or the fact that their van nearly broke down; they didn’t show up at Zaphod’s until 7 pm, and were due to play at 10 pm.  Regardless, these boys were unfazed, and clearly just rolling with the punches. 

As expected the show went off without a hitch.  It’s amazing to see how much this band as progressed as a group.  They were loud, tight, harmonious, and technical.  While the show may have ended early, the party surely did not.  At this point however, I would have no recollection of a party ever taking place.  After the band packed all their gear, we packed the van and headed to a classic, old fashioned house party.  And again true to form, the party went on till the early hours of the morning with no shortage of Old Milwaukee tall cans and some good times.

The next day was a little rough for some of us, but we had little time to dwell on our inability to see walk, see, or even think straight.  The boys needed to be in Montreal that night, and so we were off for better or worse by 2:30 Saturday afternoon.   It was really cool to see the guys so laid back, and clearly just living the moment.  Yet with the reality of the tour finally settling in, the guys needed to stock up on some groceries if they were to survive three weeks of touring. The van came stocked with a microwave, and a portable coleman stove.   In addition to food, we needed to get Dale (lead singer) some serious cold relief supplies.  At that point, there was no way Dale could play tonight I thought to myself.

Upon arriving in Montreal, the excitement was yet again building.  We pulled up to the venue, the Piranha Bar on Ste Catherine, and were amazed to see that we were in the absolute heart of downtown Montreal.  The city was alive and buzzing as always.  I love Montreal.

After checking in with the promoter, the guys decided they would open the show.  This was indeed a last minute show for them, having been added to the bill only a week before.  They would be headlining the following night anyway.  So to save time and effort, the guys simply used the equipment that was made available to them. 

Another night, and another solid set for Head Down.  Despite being sick, playing with someone else’s shit, and still trying to catch up after a few late nights, they absolutely rocked out.  Everything was fast, and tight.  We were also treated thereafter to a Ramone’s cover band which helped soften the blow of my first couple beers of the night.

So with the boys done early, it was time to take advantage of the sights and sounds of Montreal…Olé Olé Olé Olé!!!

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Unfortunately reality had set back in for me Sunday morning as it was time for me to go home.  I honestly could have stayed, and continued on with the band. The experience is one that I will never forget as I even struggle to put it into words. Indeed this lifestyle is not for everyone, but it is something that I wish for anyone to experience.

It reminded me very much of my world travels, and the sense of being forever present in the moment.  My hat goes off to these boys who have dedicated and sacrificed so much for their music, passion, and talent. Ultimately, success will not be measured by how many tickets they sell or how many albums; nor will it be determined by whether or not they get a record deal.  Judging from my experience this weekend, they have already won.  Rock on gentlemen, rock on!

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So last night, as I was eating an absolute feast of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and carrots; I couldn’t help but think of the boys warming, and eating their pea soup out of their van.  As fortunate as I was to be eating such an amazing meal, I’d rather be in that van on the corner of University and Ste Catherine with the boys just simply living life I reckon…Thanks for sharing the experience my friends, safe travels.

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