I spent my twenty second birthday in Billings, Montana.
As we rolled down the highway, descending from the mountains of Montana, Billings lay beneath us – a shimmering, psychedelic array of bright lights beckoning us to our place of rest for the night. As we entered the city, the realization that occurred at first was that all that glitters isn’t always gold.
Walking through the west end streets that night in an intoxicated state. Walmart. Home Depot. Fast food restaurants. Car dealerships with identical pickup trucks lined up in rows, screaming ‘buy us bro, be unique just like your neighbor.’ Casinos as commonplace as gas stations. Enough clothing and appliance outlets to make a plastic housewife melt. This was Billings, but this was not Billings. It was Joliet, Anaheim, Tempe, Reno, Spokane, Baton Rouge, Kansas City, Orlando…Everywhere in America, all cities can be found in one city. They might change the names, but they never change the game.
Rescue came in the form of Tribe, the killer local band that played both Montana shows, and definitely the best openers we’ve had all tour. Throughout this tour we’ve been fortunate to meet amazing guides to show us the sides of cities that are hidden beneath the surface. Always, what appears to be nothing turns out to be something after all.
We pile into two beautifully aged cars and visit the local record and music shops. Afterwards, we’re led up the same highway we came into the city on, to a trail of cliffs. We climb up and down, and stand on jagged ledges miles high. Rocks and huge branches echo as we plunge them over the edge. The charred remnants of a suicidal pickup truck offers a chilling contrast against the mansions of Billing’s richest neighborhood found directly beneath us. The bright lights we saw the night before are now exposed as the breathtaking view of the entire city. This was the soul of Billings, something that can never be taken away or found in any other place in America.
That night, we played the best show of the tour in front of the best people in Billings, Montana. Thanks to Riley, Billy, Ron, and all of the Tribe family for a birthday I’ll never forget!
Last week of our tour with East of the Wall, come out and support if we’re hitting your area!
Tour Dates:
Apr 02 Cobra Lounge – Chicago, IL
Apr 03 The Ritz – Warren, MI
Apr 04 Annabell’s – Akron, OH
Apr 05 Broadway Joes – Buffalo, NY
Apr 06 Mac’s Mad Art Bar – Syracuse, NY
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