By Matt Coplon, Light Yourself on Fire

Day 10: A Day Off in Austin (Monday, 9/15)

The best things really do “come in twos.” So, as it goes in every city, there are two really unique things about Austin. First: Free, legal, BMX trails in the middle of downtown. Equally important: The mild weather keeps all the ditches dry as a bone and conducive to an all day shred session. To have a whole day off here is a blessing from the Gods of Metal. Nothing to do but eat, shop, ride and drink coffee. If only life could be this simple all the time. (more…)

By Matt Coplon, Light Yourself on Fire

Day Eight: More Coffee and Ike’s Outer Storm Bands in New Orleans (Saturday, 10/13)

As planned, we’re filling up on coffee and prepping for the 8 hour hike to Louisiana. Hurricane Ike has just destroyed Galveston, Texas. Gas prices are supposed to climb to $5 a gallon and our van is a guzzler to say the least. 2 hours on I-75 and then six hours on I-10 through the pine forests of Florida. There’s really no other drive like the one from Tallahassee to Pensacola. Hundreds of miles of old growth pine flats. It almost seems barren it its monotony, but there’s solace and beauty in that. It would be better if it weren’t September and the sweat and heat wasn’t sapping the life out of us. (more…)

By Matt Coplon, Light Yourself on Fire

Day Five: Atlanta… Let’s Party! (Wednesday, 10/10)

We took Racebannon to Soul Vegetarian for vegan kale bone with a side of mac ‘n’ cheese. Soul Vegetarian is worth every penny. Super nice people and amazing food….

Now we’re at the Drunken Unicorn. Gavin (the promoter) warned us about the party going on next door. It seemed as if the whole city of Atlanta converged upon that club, creating this wild melting pot of sub cultures: Hip-Hop, Hipster, skaters, and even those dressed in full on Ed Hardy costumes, taking a break from UCF events on Pay-Per-View. Everyone came down to have a drink and cut loose. Fortunately for us, some of those people came over to check things out. Not so fortunately for us, the sound guy had the show start much too early. (more…)

By Matt Coplon, Light Yourself on Fire

Day Three: Punk Rock Sushi in Richmond (Monday, 9/8)

Fortunately, our ride out of the city is much quicker than the trip in. As the cityscape fades in the background, the Statue of Liberty enlarges to our left off the Interstate. Ten years ago, while driving into the city, one of probably a dozen vintage B-17s (left over from the Second World War) flew over the Interstate and passed near the Statue. This year, ten years later, as if it were pre-ordained, a B-52 takes the same route. While watching the surreal scene, I wonder if this one has been accidentally stocked with a couple nuclear warheads?

I lay down in the van and sleep for the rest of the afternoon… (more…)

By Matt Coplon, Light Yourself on Fire

The Beginning of the Tour… (Friday, 9/5)

With gas prices peaking and three hurricanes at bay (one going up the east coast, one in the gulf), we take route towards Savannah a day early to safeguard ourselves against any minor van issues. It’s ridiculously hot and humid, but it’s the South; nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year…

Savannah at 10pm, and the city of historical gloom holds up to its name. One of the hurricanes has just skirted the old city leaving it somewhat of a ghost town. Lucky for us, Saigon is open for another hour – we’re able to start the trip with some good food. Dinner starts with a whole coconut, beheaded with a straw fit into the top. We eat, we’re done, and we’re off to some place in South Carolina. Even at night, the southern summer brings sweat… and we’re sweating to the oldies on our slow path to DC. One more REO Speedwagon song commandeered by John on the iPod and I’m jumping ship. Seriously. (more…)