The next day we saw the city, used the local bike coop, saw the new DIY press/print shop, and saw our new friend Seymour's studio. That's where a great day turned into a momentous night.
An old drunk next to Seymour's studio informed us about an open mic up the street on Lemp Street, called Venice Cafe. We show up, sign up and chat with the manager outside and he buys us falafels. We sit and drink coffee and watch acoustic guitar singers. We take the stage to an audience of 21-62 year old eclectics, not unlike a Venice, CA crowd. We immediately isolate or endear all. You love us or leave us. There is a 4 song limit, and we finish to 1 person chanting "F. U. N."
So, as it happens the one person chanting is Count Jackula, the frontman for the weirdo last band, a "porn rock" group called The Vagrant Sophisticates. CJ is a hulky dude that represents NYC to the core. He tells us we blew him away and we are awesome and so on! Haha! He actually said he was really nervous about following our act! Funderstorm ego boost!
He wants us to stick around for his set. Done. The Vagrant Sophisticate's lineup is Count Jackula up front, The Sexual Gorilla on guitar, and The Dead Janitor on bass. Hot. They open with "Beat Off In Front Of Your Dad"...they close with Count's tutu around his ankles. Totally ridiculous. We had a blast.
We half-met Tobin, who invited us to crash at his place around the corner, but he was leaving before our show! So, since I had his address, I decided we should go for it. We head there around 3am. No one is awake at Tobin's. I find an open window and climb in, unlock the door, and take the couch in Tobin's. Keep in mind that I exchanged about 3 sentances with him. We are sleeping in a stranger's house. How many live here? Are there dogs? Is this even the right house? Hahaha!
We wake up to Tobin asking how we got in. Luckily I didn't really get too much sleep, so I had plenty of time to scheme up an answer to this question. "we didn't want to wake you, so I just came in through that window."
Whatever, we go to our new friends family cafe in North City. We meet the whole family. Grace, Sofia, Denise, and sister (I forgot!) - HOWDY!
If you get the chance, do not miss The Crossroads Cafe in St. Louis! (Picture is below.) Its the kind of place that sells out slices of cheesecake in advance!
Also you might catch Mr. Sim The Cookie Man across the street, you want the apple cinnamon! (his picture is at the top)
-in case its not known, me -Marcus- is writing these blogs! I get all the blame and love! Thanks!
