Restorations has wrapped up their UK tour with Crazy Arm and Sam Russo, and we’re excited to bring you an inside glimpse at what went on. Check out the second installment of Restorations tour journal below, and if you missed the first installment you can view that here!
Written by guitarist Dave Klyman
Monday, July 13th – Day Off
With a free day before our next show in Glasgow we decided to trek out to Scotland ahead of time and wander around Edinburgh. There’s a lot to see, so we walked all over, heading first to a proper hole in the wall simply called The Potato Shop where they specialized in, surprise, baked potatoes with a wide variety of hot and cold toppings. Most went for the Chili and avocado, the more adventurous went for the vegan haggis. It was fantastic and very filling. We then headed over to the Scotch Whiskey Experience where, unfortunately, all the tours were sold out for the day. But the gift shop is an overwhelming sight with two full floors full of scotch whiskey from all the regions and the in house scotch bar was open. We spent some time perusing and drinking some local flavor, a lot of which is unavailable in the states.
We were having such a nice time that we didn’t realize where the time went and, though the sun was still out, the entrance to Edinburgh castle was closed for the night. That’s ok though, we have time tomorrow. The drive to Glasgow is very reasonable. In fact, all the drives on this run are very manageable, which really helps with tour morale. After all that culture, we went back to our lovely hotel situation and relaxed for the rest of the night with plans to get up on the early side and see the parts of the city we missed.
Tuesday, July 14th – Glasgow – Audio
Waking up, we went back out and checked out Edinburgh Castle. Because you can never see enough castles. We did the budget version where you really just walk around the immediate interior instead waiting forever in a queue to wait in more lines behind yelling children and people with selfie sticks.
The castle really is more impressive from the outside anyway:
From there we took a quick stopover at St.Giles Cathedral, where there was a choir singing in latin amongst the standard beautiful stained glass and gigantic pipe organ. Unfortunately, you had to pay to even take phone pictures in the church. After that bit of indoor sightseeing we headed out to Glasgow.
Audio is another spot that we hit on the last European tour. it’s a really nice room with a good sound system and it’s very basic in it’s setup. it’s four black walls with a bar on one and a stage on another. It’s the kind of no frills rock club that really needs to exist. There are some incredible venues that are sights to behold, and that’s great. But it’s nice to see a club that’s focus is clearly on the music and just the music. Just as last time, Glasgow was a great, respectful crowd. It’s great to see new faces but it’s forever pleasing to see people coming out for the second third and fourth time (multiple shows) when we’ve only been over here twice. And then there’s this:
We’re not necessarily a band that inspires mass hysteria. That’s totally fine. We’d prefer decently proliferative appreciation. But if you feel the need to tattoo our logo on your skin forever or until laser surgery, it’s a truly humbling thing to see. If you’re in a band and you ever become blase about this sort of thing then you’re probably a pretty big jerk. So thanks, Glasgow. You’ve always been very nice to us. Let’s do it again sooner rather than later.
Wednesday, July 15th – Leeds – The Key Club
As it still stands, we are a band that would prefer to get up early and see what our travels have to offer rather than just see the van, the venue, and the places we sleep. There were two such opportunities between Glasgow and Leeds. Stop one was the historical Hadrian’s Wall. Spanning 90 or so miles, the ancient Roman fortification is still expansive in length, but it’s a bit diminutive in height. Apparently a large portion of the stone was pilfered and used to build in the surrounding area. But the ruins are still a real link to a past that no one can truly imagine anymore. But if you really need that modern touch, the gift shop sold “Hadrian’s sandwiches.”
Stop two was Angel of the North. In stark contrast to Hadrian’s Wall, the Angel of the North is a contemporary sculpture that was erected in 1998. It’s expansive nature is totally different, but no less impressive. We took it in for a brief moment, snapped some photos, and piled back in the van to get to the show.
Restorations had never been to Leeds. Doing well in markets you’ve hit before is gratifying but it’s the untested stops that make things interesting, if not just nerve wracking. There had been a small amount of presale tickets so, like Cardiff, no one knew what to expect. But, like Cardiff, things turned out great. It may prove to be one of the most well attended shows of the whole tour. A great day all around. And then the night ended at a pub that was having whiskey Wednesday so things got a little… loose.
Thursday, July 16th – Derby – The Venue
Another reasonably short van ride means more time to see what the UK has to offer. We wanted to visit Sherwood Forest but it turned out to be just far enough away that it wouldn’t work. So instead our historical stop for the day was the Royal Armourie Museum. Naturally, none of us are supporters of war or weaponized violence, but if you can put that aside for a moment, the mechanical and historical aspect is undeniably fascinating. It’s amusing to note that many of the factual tidbits accompanying different historical weaponry was more focused on the failures and what didn’t work well and the general problems surrounding weaponry and war. Fairly progressive actually. They also had crafted replica swords from the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, which pleased some of the more nerdy sensibilities in the group. The museum was fun and informative and all that, but really we were there for the in house crossbow range where for £3.00 you get 8 arrows for target shooting.
With still a bit more time before load in we headed for Bolsover Castle where we again walked around the exterior and hung around the courtyard area. There are some pretty great views in the area and the castle itself was nice, but after seeing Edinburgh it wasn’t really up to castle snuff. But still fun to explore.
After this last bit of tourism we drove off toward The Venue, which is about a half mile or so from the city center. Show time came upon us quickly. The Venue has the feel of an old school VFW hall show, which makes sense considering they also host weddings and other formal functions. But tonight it was a group of weirdos playing loud music. There were some familiar faces among the crowd, some folks that had been to other shows along this tour and the last. Thanks for the support. Solid show.
Friday July, 17th – Norwich – Owl Sanctuary
As previously stated, you can never see too many castles, so we popped over to Castle Rising on the the way to the show.
It wasn’t quite as precarious as the sign would lead you to believe. You just have to pay attention to where you step.
The next sight was Hunstanton Beach, where tide was out. Really, really out. We walked for a good clip on what normally would have been the sea to a patch of water where people were windsurfing. It’s a beach like none of us have ever seen (except for Dave March who couldn’t fathom why we were so flummoxed). And then, in a show of typical UK weather, it began to rain. Except this was huge, hail like drops of rain, forcing us to rush back to the van and head over to the show.
The Owl Sanctuary is a great DIY bar/show space/recording studio/band flat that has hosted countless touring bands from all over the world from Reggae legend Mac A Bee to seminal NYHC band Biohazard. They take very, very good care of their bands and welcomed us with open arms. And the show, well, so much to say. There was a human pyramid for both us and Crazy Arm, a uniquely European method of showing appreciation for a band’s performance. But it went next level during Restorations’ set when a whole row of people dropped to the ground, joined hands across, and reenacted the rowing of a viking boat. The only memory of this occurring anywhere else is a video from an Amon Amarth show, where there are legit Viking overtones. It was the first time we’ve seen anything like that for us. Between the sea that wasn’t there and the crazy attendees at the show, it was definitely and eye opening day. For the first time on the tour we added an extra song to the end of the set in appreciation of the amazing and enthusiastic audience. New Old is a song that we haven’t played much with Jeff on drums. Though he is the original drummer of Restorations, he did not record the song. When we explained that it might be a rough rendition, everybody started chanting his name in encouragement. And the song turned out great. A warm welcoming back into the fold for Jeff. All around, this might have been the best show so far. But tomorrow we have London to contend with, so let’s see where we land. The rest of the night was spent in the band flat having celebratory drinks with the tour cast and crew. Jon from Crazy Arm isn’t just a traveling musician, he’s also a tattoo artist. He put permanent art on Sam Russo’s body in record time with expert skill.
Saturday, July 18th – London – The Lexington
After a quick service stop off for gas and sandwiches, we head directly to London. It’s not a terribly far ride but the traffic that surrounds the city can be very thick and trying. London is a city that is at once expansive and at the same time everything and everyone seems right on top of you all the time. It’s nerve wracking watching bikers and buses using the same harried lanes. Paths crisscross and intersect, cutting at seemingly random intervals. But it’s all probably in some grand plan. In some ways, it’s comparable to New York city, but with a different, underlying UK personality. First stop was to the flat of our good friends Matt and Anna, another meeting from the Smith Street/Astpai run. Matt is one of the nicest, most accommodating, and validating people this band has ever met. He has truly saved our collective asses a couple times. When he flew over to the states for last year’s Gainesville Fest he was the only person outside the band that we fully allowed to join us and crash at our lakehouse HQ. He and Anna are, simply, the best. From their flat it was a strenuous thirty second walk around the corner to Camden Town Brewery where they were celebrating their five year anniversary with live music, food trucks, a halfpipe with skaters and BMX, a dunk tank, an inflatable castle, and, of course, the full range of their beers on tap. A nice, calm way to gather thoughts and composure before heading over to the show.
Heading further into the city center, things got more congested. The Lexington is a short distance from King’s Cross Station. Luckily we were able to load into the Lexington without too much trouble. Compared to the last time we played London, things seemed a bit more relaxed. Well, relaxed is maybe the wrong term for anything happening in London, but it wasn’t as stressful. Presale for the show was very positive and the touring party was hoping for a sellout, like last time. Things looked good as folks started piling in. It’s been said a few times now that this or that night was the best of tour. London was clearly the best night Sam has had the whole run. The room was completely focused when he played and he was engaging, funny, and all around excellent.
The room was completely packed for Crazy Arm as well, and they were just as energetic as always. It’d take some pros and cons work to decide if London or Norwich was, well, crazier for them.
For all the headaches that can surround getting in and out of London, it all takes a back seat when you get on stage for a capacity sold out crowd. Everyone was enthusiastic but also considerate of those around them and the show went off with no glitches. It was exactly what we hoped London would be. There wasn’t really proper time to get a good picture from the stage before or during the set, so here’s what things looked like right after we finished. Thanks in advance for not minding being a bit blurry while facing the other direction, London.
Minor complications aside, London was verging on a near perfect night. This was apparently noticed by the vengeful gods of Touring and Vans. Once everything was packed and we were ready to retreat back to Matt’s and Anna’s for the night, the gods visited their wrath upon our fledgling troupe. Somehow, there was a miscommunication in the van’s security computer system, causing it to lock up completely and freeze the starter. Our swift exit was brought to an immobile halt. Ever the professional, Dave March took control and got on the phone to figure out a solution. When an immediate one was not forthcoming, he instructed us to to get a cab back. No one wanted to leave without him, but none of us could properly help either, so we hailed and piled into a cab. In downtown London on a Saturday night. Traffic was backed up in all directions and our destination was behind us. Having absolutely no fear, our cab driver pulled a K turn in the middle of the street, completely disregarding and cutting off a police van with lights and siren ablaze. When we gently suggested that the authorities might frown upon his actions our driver simply stated, “Fuck the Police,” made the turn, and got us to our destination. For an older gentleman, he was pretty punk rock.
At the flat we enjoyed Matt and Anna’s vast array of liquors, of which they are avid collectors. They always have something new and intriguing to try. As we sat enjoying our libations, our thoughts were with Dave, hoping issues with the van could be rectified. Ben sent a text asking how it was going, to which he responded, “Open the front door.” Dave made it back! He had managed to get the van started and made his way. It would have to be looked at properly in the morning, but finally we could close the book on this crazy night in London.
Sunday, July 19th – Kingston – The Fighting Cocks
Kingston is a quick hour or so ride from London so luckily Dave had time to sort out what would have to be done with the van in order to get us to the show and then the airport. Reluctantly, a new van was hired to complete the drives. He would have return to London after the tour to transport his van home. Since Kingston is so close, Matt and Anna accompanied us in the van to hang at the last show of the tour. Upon arrival we stopped in at Kingston landmark, Banquet Records. Banquet is more than just a store, they also put out and distribute records in the UK for Restorations and many of our peers. They also sponsored and put on the show. They also happen to be next door to Spuds, another baked potato spot, at which most of the touring party ate. Thankfully, on the other side of Banquet, was a shop where one could stop in and grab one last, proper doner kebab. They just don’t do them the same or as good in America.
Kingston has a bustling, mostly commercial downtown. It also boasts a famous art sculpture of sorts in a display of domino stacked phone booths, which is a twenty second walk from the venue.
The Fighting Cocks is another one of those bars that isn’t quite a dive, but also isn’t quite high class. It sits in that comfortable spot where you can sit and enjoy a conversation with friends or get rowdy by the pool table and nothing feels too loud or out of hand. The attached show space is a nostalgic sight as it was the start of our last European tour. Nice to be back on that compact little stage pulling a crowd of our own. It was an interesting contrast to the night before. Maybe it was because it was a Sunday, maybe it’s because Kingston isn’t that raucous a town, who knows? But everyone involved seemed cool, calm, and ready to have an easy good time. It was a welcome atmosphere since we knew as soon as the show wrapped we would have to totally break down gear, repack bags, and drive overnight to the airport. It being the last night, things got a little looser and both Sam and Jon (of Restorations, since Crazy Jon was obviously already playing) joined Crazy Arm on stage to sing on a few songs. It’s nice to have a tour where all the bands genuinely enjoy each other’s music.
And then we took the stage and closed out the night. When the last strains of Separate Songs rang out, it was both triumphant and wistful. Another show down, another tour down. This was a shorter run than what Restorations has been doing recently and it’s end represents a temporary break in our touring cycle. We’ll be back out there probably before any of us realizes it, but for now we have a little time to catch our collective breaths. But that’s not before some travel. There’s a ways to go till home and it starts when we get in the van in Kingston to drive to the airport in Manchester. It’s during this ride that Sunday night turns into…
Monday, July 20th – Departures and Arrivals Part II
Restorations has had to make overnight bomb drives many times. Some of them have been fun, like rolling through Roswell, New Mexico right before the sun came up and taking pictures with random aliens. Other times have been awful, like having a place to stay fall through and driving to Boston to wake up a very gracious host at 6:00 a.m. to let us collapse at her place that morning and that night. This one wasn’t so bad. The drive was just long enough to make it something to be dealt with but still short enough to not call it an ordeal. Much respect to Dave March for this, and every other drive he powered through to make this tour work. After some naps, some coffee, and a very sleep addled service stop, we made it to Manchester Airport with plenty of time. Of course, no airport stop is predictable, so we spent a good chunk of time in line waiting to check our gear and pass security with our personal belongings. Another flight, another security check where they ask if guitar pedals are DJ equipment and we say, yes, those are definitely DJ equipment. Finally, we board and fly direct to JFK airport where, believe it or not, customs and security were a breeze. Our friend Tom picked us up in our actual own van and, just to pile on, we waded through New York traffic to get back to Philadelphia. Home. What a trip, what a tour. Till next time.
