dale crover

Tour Blog of My Time Drumming with Conan Neutron and The Secret Friends.

With all the obstacles and grief this year as thrown my way, I am so grateful I had the opportunity to go on a fun West Coast tour playing drums for Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends on their “Adult Prom Tour” with the band Lung.

Lung and Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends on the last day of tour.

When Conan first messaged me about playing drums on this 9 day tour, it was the night before I was leaving on my Yosemite National Park vacation with my hiking buddy Jazmin. I was like “Yes…well I mean probably yes, but I have some questions, but I can’t talk for like 4 days. Can you hold my spot til then?” Thankfully he did and after nice chat it sounded like it would be a good fit and I said OK.

I did a “practice” show with Conan and bassist Tony in Kentucky in September. That was a fun experience, although there was very limited practice time together as a band. I mostly studied and learned the songs alone, and we got one long practice in the day before the gig. It was a bit rough, but I was able to make notes on the parts I could improve on, nail down the tempos, and be even more prepared for the tour.

The first show of the tour was in Phoenix, and I flew in the day before. Conan picked me up and we went to meet Dusty at her job at Fender Headquarters. This was the 1st time I had met Dusty, but it was instantly apparent that she was a genuinely sweet person who was also a badass musician and super knowledgable about guitars. Getting a tour of Fender HQ was awesome, I don’t think I have ever seen so many guitars at one time.

Due to Tony’s flight being delayed, the only practice we got together as a 4 piece was 5 hours the day of the first show…in the 100+ degree heat of Phoenix. A small reminder that being a drummer is an actual “job” and very hard work that takes focus and discipline.

The first show went pretty smoothly and the four of us jelled well together. It was also my first night meeting the band Lung. Three super down to earth and kind people. Daisy is the drummer, Kate plays electric cello and sings, and Rochelle does all the art. I had checked their music out before the tour and loved what I heard. It was even more impressive live!! I was so excited for the LA show and for all my friends to catch them.

The second show was Los Angeles. I was only in town for about 15 hours. I did get to sleep in my own bed though, and lots of good friends came to see us! The rest of the tour included San Francisco, Sacramento, Reno, Eugene, Portland, Bellingham, and Seattle.

I was so excited about the Seattle show. For one, my best friend Joe Ross came and I got to stay with him and have some nice catch up time with one of my oldest friends! It was also a festival and the stage we played was in the middle of a roller rink. We also got to play with a long time favorite band, Big Business!

This tour was such a fun experience with some kind and supportive people. It was a much needed escape from the challenges and grief I have been facing. I am excited to play with Conan, Tony, and Dusty again in the future, and I can’t wait for the next time I get to rock out to Lung.

I recently returned from an amazing tour adventure. Playing drums for The Dale Crover Band!! This is still kind of mind blowing for me. He has been a favorite drummer and influence of mine for years. I am very honored and grateful to be a part of this band.

We did 12 shows in 15 days, opening for punk legends Redd Kross. Steve McDonald of Redd Kross also plays bass in the Dale Crover Band, as well as Toshi Kasai on keyboards and guitar. Dale plays guitar, and at some points in the set he plays a Tama stand up cocktail kit. I get to double drum with him which is CRAZY AWESOME!!!

The songs are great, and everyone traveling in the tour was a pleasure to be around. The most comfortable and drama free tour I have ever been a part of. I felt pampered sleeping in my own bed every night and getting to shower every day.

There is a link to a full Dale Crover Band set below….

https://youtu.be/JSvND-XmiQ4

We started in San Diego at The Casbah, a venue I have never been to but have heard so much about. It was a really fun night.

The next day, after a treacherous drive through dense fog in the the mountains, we rocked in Phoenix. I got to hang with my Sioux City homie Kim. She actually was the promoter who booked my first band’s first show ever! In the morning, Toshi hit his head on a tree and unintentionally decorated his jacket.

Next was Vegas, where we played the outdoor stage at the Beauty Bar. It was cold out, but I still wandered off to get myself some ice cream.

Ventura was a really great show too! My ModPods bandmates came out to that one. It was in a biker bar. Then we had a drive day and arrived at a lovely Air B+B that we stayed at for 3 days. A huge house, surround by nature. It was very cozy.

The next day we played in Santa Cruz. This show ruled because Roy McDonald, a former Redd Kross drummer, showed up and him and Dale did Redd Kross double drums on a couple of songs!

Dinner in San Jose. Photo from Jason Sharpio

Next was San Jose. Buzz of the Melvins showed up, which was a pleasant surprise for sure! We all went out to dinner, and I believe the Basil Chicken I had that night was my favorite meal of the tour (BTW, this tour was filled with long drives where we only had time for gas station snacks, and due to post sound check time constraints, lots and lots of pizza.)

The next day we were in Sacramento at Holy Diver. Earlier this year, ModPods played that venue opening for Melvins. So it was the one venue that I had been to before. In the summer, the back room was super hot. This time, it was a bit chilly.

We then had a two day drive up to Bellingham WA, where we stayed the night before heading into Canada to play Vancouver. Luckily we had a super easy time crossing the boarder, both ways. It is usually more of a hassle getting back into the US, but that went unusually smooth this night.

Then it was Portland!! This show was super fun, and a lot of people are big Dale Crover fans there!! The venue, Mississippi Studios, was really nice and comfortable, had great food, and the sound woman did a killer job! The whole Portland set is up on youtube for you to check out. https://youtu.be/JSvND-XmiQ4

At the hotel after Portland, we had a funny parking mishap, where the van/trailer got stuck around a car. We didn’t hit the car, but somehow the corner of the car was right between the van and trailer. A tow truck came and actually pulled the van and trailer sideways to get us free.

Redd Kross rocking a sold out show in Seattle

Seattle was next, and the show was sold out! I was very stoked to play here because I got to hang out with my best friend, and amazing drummer, Joe Ross! After our set, it was so crowded we couldn’t even get to each other through the crowd until the show was over. Luckily, we were staying right in his neighborhood, so he got to ride back with us and I got some quality hang time with one of my longtime hometown friends.

After another driving day we played in SF. It was my first time playing Slim’s and that venue is great. It is ran by the same people who run The Great American Music Hall, so we were treated very well. Lots of back stage room, snacks, and a great dinner.

The last show was in Tustin. Saw a lot of friends since it was so close to LA. My newest drum shredding student Heidi was there, and I also saw Tony and Meg from All Souls. Arrived back home at like 2am to my lovely boyfriend and dog Elvis.

It was such a good time, I just wish it could have been longer. It was filled with lots of great memories and new friendships! Looking forward to doing it again. For now though, it’s back to the day job….until next time!!!! I can’t wait to make music my full time career.