We had a solid 5 hour drive ahead of us from Charlotte NC to Atlanta GA yesterday, so we headed out in the afternoon. The trip moved along pretty smoothly until the last few miles. Atlanta was exploding with people yesterday. Aside from the normal activity, it was national record store day and there were a few record stores right in the area that we were playing. There were also a bunch of other events going on in Atlanta that had the streets flooded with people. It took us 45 minutes just to make it the last half mile.
When we finally got there, it was a mad house trying to park. The lot behind the venue was completely full with a line going in and out because of all the night life activities. We had the bus double parked while we unloaded our gear. This wasn't ideal for the people trying to get through the lot, but we managed to get in and out pretty quickly.
The next task was trying to find a parking spot anywhere in Atlanta. We were jammed up with so many cars around us by the time we were moving we were in a bit of a frenzy. Brent was hopping into the back door of the bus while Ross was running up to the front door to hop in. After Brent stepped in, Ross pushed the door shut on his way to the front. Instantaneously Brent shrieked out in pain. The door had gotten jammed shut on his finger and was actually stuck in the door. Ross popped the door open from the outside to let Brent loose. Before we could see what finger it was we thought we were going to have to cancel the show if not go to the emergency room. The door had caught the tip of Brent's right middle finger and almost certainly broke it. Luckily (if you can call it luck) you don't need to use your right middle finger to play guitar. Anything on his left hand would have been a disaster and his thumb or index finger on his right had would have been equally as bad.
After soaking his hand in some cold beer-cooler water, we rigged up a splint made out of the side of a swiss army knife and tape, found a parking spot and got ready to play the show. Rock & Roll. After settling in at the Star Bar and enjoying our free Keystone Light beer, we could tell right away it was going to be a great night. The event was put on by Team Luis which is headed up by a promoter in Atlanta who really knows his stuff. The lineup was great including local favorites Y-O-U and Athens' own Radiolucent (both put on killer shows) and the club was packed.
theWANDAS at Star Bar in Atlanta GA
We went on second and the crowd was primed up after a night of enjoying the beautiful Atlanta weather and atmosphere. We had a great time playing and were covered in sweat after the first 30 seconds. They don't call it Hotlanta for nothing. After the set we made a bunch of new friends & fans. Including a bunch of people who were working across the street at an outdoor Scion demo who heard the music and came in and got the whole crowd dancing. We definitely owe them one for their enthusiasm. We couldn't have asked for a better time in Atlanta.
New Fans of theWANDAS. Star Bar in Atlanta GA
We're heading to Jacksonville FL for our last show of the tour :(... sigh. However, we're really looking forward to the show because we have a bunch of friends and family who are going to be there, which will make it a great send off.
See you tonight in FL!