We’re back in the US of A, safe and sound, after a really fun two-week trip out to The UK and Europe. From a musician’s standpoint, the tour was a lot of fun. We had some great shows, very few technical difficulties (a rarity for us, especially with rented gear), and probably got to play in front of more people than we ever have in 7 or 8 years of heading overseas to tour. Good times. From a music fan’s standpoint, the tour was unreal. We got to see Iron Maiden, Weezer, Queens Of The Stone Age, Band Of Horses, Minus The Bear, The Flaming Lips, and many many more. And I got to watch three of my favorite rock drummers (Josh Freese, Joey Castillo, and Travis Barker) from the side of the stage with my mouth agape. Totally inspiring. I kept shaking my head in disbelief that I was thousands of miles from home with a legitimate reason to play music for people, and actually getting to watch some bands (for free) that made me want to do this in the first place. Saying I’m “grateful” doesn’t really do the emotion/feeling justice.

Now were home, decompressing, and figuring out the logistics of writing the next Thrice record. Enthusiasm is high, ideas are about to start flowing, and it’s a good feeling. We’ll probably start sharing ideas with each other as early as next week and we’ll keep you posted through the process here and on twitter.

Speaking of twitter, I tweeted this a few hours ago, but thought I’d post it here for the rest of you.

Hope you’re all enjoying the tail end of summer.

Until next time,

-Riley

I’ve been messing around with this panorama application and took a bunch of pictures of random bits of the tour so far. Here are some of them (excuse the warbliness):

Pukkelpop – Waiting to go on stage

Post show bus hang… a bit tight.

Early morning in the lounge alone.

Switzerland show 360 panorama

After show Switzerland fun.

Day off – wandering around Hamburg.

The upcoming shows should be super fun
I hope everyone is doing well.

Edward <|:^)

Just got into Belgium this morning to start off our little Europe/UK festival run (with a couple club shows thrown in).  Dog-tired from attempting to stay up all day to beat the jet lag.  We’ve been downing countless cups of coffee and sitting around like zombies.  Hope to be rested for tomorrow’s show.  Sleep now.

Teppei

On the plane ride over:

Arcade Fire – Suburbs

Colour Revolt – The Cradle

Beach House – Teen Dream

The National – High Violet

Blackalicious – Blazing Arrow

Binary Star – Masters of the Universe

Delta Spirit – History From Below

Constantines – Shine a Light

Reading:

Shop Class as Soulcraft – Matthew B. Crawford

Three Famous Short Novels (Spotted Horses, Old Man, The Bear) – William Faulkner

On an even sadder note, The Dig just had some of their gear stolen out of their van in Chicago… Irreplaceable instruments, in that they carry a sentimental value as well as the fact that no instrument will sound or feel the same, particularly vintage instruments. It makes me sick to my stomach.

You can help though… Go to:   http://bit.ly/9fkZW1

Search Craigslist Chicago… eBay… whatever. It’s not uncommon that these people are caught. (I know of a craigslist selling bike thief that was caught by the bikes owner)

Thank you so much for coming out to the shows! It was an amazing time… We’re on our way to Europe in a few weeks

Ed

http://dustinkensrue.tumblr.com/

When we were in Boston a couple weeks ago, we had the opportunity to get a personal “behind the scenes” tour of the USS Constitution.  We were allowed to see parts of the ship that aren’t normally open to civilians, which needless to say, was a really cool experience.  Great to see a piece of history like that.  The USS Constitution, for those who don’t know, is the oldest fully commissioned naval ship in the world — launched in 1797, and being named by George Washington himself, it was one of the 6 ships authorized to be built by the Naval Act of 1794.  The ship has a perfect battle record, never being boarded or defeated and earning itself the nickname “Old Ironsides”.  Badass.  Special thanks to PR2 Jason Keith for setting us up and giving us the tour.

Second set of pictures are from Louis’ Lunch as well as some random Yale architecture in New Haven, CT.  Proclaimed to be the birthplace of the hamburger, Louis’ still serve their original burger on toasted white bread and no condiments whatsoever (and don’t ask, there’s even signs).  Coolest thing about the place was the fact that they still cook their burgers on the original cast iron, vertical loading grills that supposedly birthed the hamburger.  Neat.

Teppei

Last night in Toronto was easily the best show of the tour thus far…a packed house, and an enthusiastic crowd for all four bands. You really can’t ask for much more. The bar has been set. Thank you Toronto.

My first column for OC Weekly was posted yesterday, for those of you that might be interested. I’ll be contributing Three Things every week until they tell me not to.

Tomorrow in Boston is bound to be pretty crazy. Game 7 of the Finals in enemy territory. It’ll be insane, no matter what the outcome ends up being. I’ll either be the happiest guy in a Lakers t-shirt Boston (and terrified for my life), or the most bummed guy in a sea of ecstatic and drunk Celtics and Red Sox fans on Landsdowne Street. Oh. Boy.

Go Lakers,

-riley

-READING-

“Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip With David Foster Wallace” by David Lipsky

Teppei

Listening:

Delta Spirit – History From Below (This just came out today, pick it up!)

The Black Keys – Brothers

De La Soul – Stakes Is High

We are starting off the first part of this tour with our friends We Barbarians. If you haven’t had a chance to check them you definitely should… they are playing the up the West Coast with us, starting in San Fran.
Last time we played at SF we played at the Regency Ballroom, which is also the location of the first date of this tour AND a former Free Mason lodge/hall… This venue is seriously spooky (haunted?)
Our old friend Doug, who was managing the venue showed us around the place, all that it had to offer, and what it used to be. It was Craziness!!
I’m not by any means a Mason buff or anything, but this place just left a bunch of questions in my brain. Everything made me curious… the mosaic seal on the floor in the front that members had to stomp on as they entered the building, to the theater upstairs with 32 scenes that were a part (from what I’ve been told) to act out some sort of ritual :/ , to the ridiculous, elaborately decorated but incredibly spooky(maybe because it was night time) design.
This place was weird, awesome, somewhat spooky and also amazingly beautiful…
I’m going to have to do some research before we go there again to start off the tour.

Speaking of research…
I’ve been experimenting in my room the mysterious ins and outs of my Dave Smith Prophet ‘08 synth (it probably sounds like I’m fighting some digial beasts), which will be coming out on tour with us replacing my old Nord Lead. I also need to build some sort of a road case for the beast.

I can’t wait, and I’m just happy to be back on the road in full force again,
the four of us… our amazing crew… and you guys

Love,
Edward

Current read: With the Old Breed – E.B. Sledge