wow, it's been 4 months, I kept wanting to right a quick review on here for the shows I saw then idk, life got busy, no internet for a bit, sorta funny it's the 24th today and I have a moment.
anyway, after driving from ohio to seattle (many shows & tales for another day) we rolled back into Canada on the 22nd of July, I had friends who happenned to be in vancouver to catch a flight so we drive past the ferry exits to go to the airport to bid them adieu, a quick visit turns into a longer one as it does with old friends, we depart for ferry with 5hrs to spare, nothing to worry about right?
we pull up to the huge gates that look different but familiar to the east coast ones with a digital sign that reads something like "at least 2 ferry wait from this point" I look at the clock and realize, wow we might miss a few songs from the Victoria show, well 2 car ferries turns into 4 or 5, inside im devastated realizing i will miss the show, but it's something that cannot be changed, why be upset, why let it bother me, we board the ferry after the band is already on stage in Victoria, we watch a little of the periscope feed from the car, just speechless but ok, ok but speechless, heading up the main part of the ship, the sun is setting behind us towards the mainland but sort of in the ocean, I think about the early 2000's when I lived in vancouver and never made it to the island, how im going there now, how i've never seen a sunset this far west on the planet.
finishing up a tasty marlboro someone taps me on my shoulder and ask's me about my claypool/lennon delirium t-shirt that i got from the show in seattle the evening prior, turns out he's a huge claypool fan and in a band called ' year of the wolf ' we talked for a bit, a few band members join our "small circle of people smokin' they explain they are going to play the Colwood music festival that weekend on the island and that's why the ferries were so backed up.
tires hit vancouver island, we listen to 'year of the wolf' on apple music for the drive into town, google maps takes us to our motel and of course guides us to drive past save of foods centre, not a soul around, semis and trailers getting packed up, my head hits pillow, things have good on the trip so far, too good this is just a weird way of things evening out I tell myself.
new day, realizing i still get to see 3 shows instead of 4, instead of zero many friends & family, nothing to be sad about, be positive. it's the weekend 2pm ast translate to 10am pst, i find the jays game on tv and think things are looking up, saw some seals at fishermen's wharf, took a nice drive north, connected with a few friends, one of which was at the show and in plain sight on the bands official twitter feed crowd photo, met some great ppl at a house party, something about island people i connect with or get so much (don't get me started on newfoundlanders) made the last nanaimo crossing to the mainland, tomorrow is gonna be HIP.
met my old pei friend (whom i found a ticket for at cost due to the good folks on the hipbase fb group) at the pint for the fundraiser, I decide i'm goin to represent my island for these shows, so before we leave the airbnb i grab my prince edward island flag and wear it, which gathered some nice stop & chats (except for the town cop in edmonton who thought it was nova scotia) the event is a great success & the poutine is superb!
were walking up to gm place or whatever roger's called it now, at the crosswalk there's a very serious man in sunglasses next to a video camera filming the fans arrive, i seize the moment and cover me and most other ppl around me with the flag, serious man doesnt even flinch, i smile and think hmm maybe ill see that someday.
we get to our seats just as Robbie is giving the 5 minutes warning, the emotion in the building is incredible, everybody and i mean everybody is standing and feeling every moment with the band, i cant believe the songs they're rippin out three pistols? the luxury? the new songs sound so good, i wish there was more than 4 of them tonight, but there's nothing to complain about long daredevil, thugs!? every break the crowd is just roaring like so loud, being a maritimer and used to smaller venues it's almost overhelming but not, i am part of this feeling moment so I scream and clap my hands like never before as are all my brothers & sisters in the building.
Opiated, was so beautiful the night ends, drinks and laughs until 430am or when the neighbor gave us a noise complaint which ever came last, I'm so happy and energized and cant wait to do it again.
sorry so long, the next two won't be.
love,
Clayton
