Cambridge Friday 11/20/09

Driving through the overcast English countryside listening to Kid A is kind of surreal. It's like I can see the overbearing and dreary environment that the record was made to through the songs. The album makes a good ominous soundtrack for the ride- I feel like I’m driving into a Margaret Atwood novel, and just past these saturated, beautiful fields of green and over the hills, some type of utilitarian government is going to stop us and put us in a breeding camp and make us write catchy theme songs for their constantly broadcast Big Brother telescreen announcements. Maybe Thom Yorke’s soul is a Margaret Atwood novel. Makes sense to me.

I am starting to rue the fact that the roads don’t have street signs on every corner. Or numbers on the buildings. Sometimes there’s road signs attached to the sides of building, but half the time they’re covered up with ye olde english moss or have fallen down. I guess this is why touring bands hire drivers from the UK. Or maybe it's hilarious task under taken by the GPS companies of the world. They all have street teams that go around the world taking down street signs.

The Junction in Cambridge is ginormous. Our hang out room is stocked with fresh fruit and I can feel my jaundiced eyes rejoice. Mmm, a tasty lemon (which is better for treating scurvy).

The opening band is comprised of three 14 years olds and a 15 year old drummer. They totally set the bar pretty high for the rest of the night. They have a blast and the crowd is screaming. Like, really screaming, a Hard Day's Night style.

Unfortunately, we had to be party poopers when they came by our dressing room later asking to buy beer off us. Sorry dudes, hit me up outside of a gas station in America and I’ll totally hook you up, at least with some 3.2. Inspired by the kids' brash personalities, we walked back to the hotel (Travelodge part 2)and proceeded to give James the best prison tattoos we could manage. Which of course meant we drew some wings on his nipples, 40oz of Colt 45, a taco on his belly, and some cue balls. Twice. Only one star of David though.