Thunderhorse Unplugged @ Hot Topic

Well, we pulled it off everyone. The in store appearance at Hot Topic in Oakridge Mall when better then I had hoped. Typically we're a very loud, heavy metal band. We wanted to do something different that would push the limits of what we're capable of, to step out of our element so to speak. The last few weeks we had rehearsed for this, hitting technical roadblocks and self doubt if this could really happen. View the video footage here.

I got to the mall around 5:30 after being stuck in friday commute traffic. Getting there I was reminded why I hate the mall so much. The people who go there are the most robotic, plastic, and conformist people in our society. The mall is lame. I got to Hot Topic and we started to set up the gear. When we talked to the girl who was in charge of running the in-store, she asked why we had acoustic guitars. We said "We thought it was acoustic only, that's what they told us". She said "Oh no, any band can play here electric." Great. We all had a good laugh about that. We didn't know, but hey no regrets, it's going to be awesome anyways. After setting up we got our levels in check and we where on our way. Into our first song the store started to fill up with family, friends and random fans. I had some major tuning issues because I made the mistake of changing out new strings hours before playing. Yeah, pretty dumb. They need time to stretch. Into the middle of the set the crowd seemed to dig our performance, and warm up to us because we where finally getting comfortable. After the set we had a really good crowd response. Which made me feel better and everyone was impressed. Having my hair tied back, sitting down, and wearing something nice felt pretty good. Playing acoustic versions of our songs requires 100% constriction or it all can turn to shit pretty fast. In the photo's and video it's pretty apparent and scary how much weight I have lost, I think I'm going to keep that up.

After the show I went to California Pizza Kitchen had a ceaser salad and a Hawaiian pizza. It really hit the spot after a long day and nerve racking set. I got home later, contemplated the evening, had a few Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA's, which are very tasty. Overall I was really happy with our performance, we may not do it again, but it's cool to know if we had to, we can accomplish anything we put our minds to.

Thanks for reading. Until the next show..

Thunderhorse Three Day Sampede Tour '09

We're back safe and sound from our three day tour to Fresno, Hollywood, and Visalia.
So many cool things happened I felt compelled to write about it and start my own blog reviewing each tour, show or event the band does. Here's how it all went down:

Day one 6/25/09

All the guys met down in Gilroy, CA where we have our practice studio. Hit the road around 4pm to get Zapps Bar in Fresno. The drive was pretty short but always feels like it takes forever because of the anticipation and excitement. We got there early, checking into our hotel room and went to peep out the venue. There where a few hours to kill before we where on. We played with Red Castle Army our good bro's who live out there, and I have to stay got really good due to a new drummer and a singer. I started the party early with some coors cans and some makers mark whiskey shared with everyone hanging out. I ended up getting pretty bombed and there are pictures to prove it. I was even a horrible man and had cigarettes. Our set went pretty good except for the fact on the first song I was out of tune. That got fixed pretty quickly. Also our set got cut short, I think we only played about 4 or 5 songs. After the show we where all pretty tired and I know Gary (Lead Guitar) wanted to get drunk. Our hotel room was one of the worst, hellish, most foul places we ever stayed. There where bullet holes in wall, the carpet smelled of urine and there was no refrigerator. But hey, that's what you get when you pay $29.00. We got back to the room hung out forgot about our worries and passed out while everyone stayed up with the late night giggles, contemplating the night

Day two 6/26/09

I woke up the next morning with what I would describe as being run over by a semi truck, shit in the mouth by a gorilla and tackled by a San Francisco 49er linebacker. It took me a little while to get going. When I went into the bathroom to wash myself I looked at the bottom of my feet and they had turned black from the carpet in room, it was that dirty. Our next stop was Hollywood, CA. The drive there was pretty brutal because once again my over analytical brain was started to compute reality once again. It was so hot driving down 99. We arrived in Hollywood to check into our room, this place was pretty gnarly too, but at least it was a good kind of gnarly. It was the same place Marilyn Monroe had stayed. We where booked in the room right below from it. Gary claimed the room creeped him out because he sensed a ghost. Justin had some problems at the lobby checking in, but after a bunch of bad noise we got in. If you walked outside and looked to the right you could see the Capitol Records building two blocks away. We ate at the pizza place across the street, the people hanging out and living in the neighborhood where really cool and we fit right in. After resting we headed to the venue called The Relax Bar. It was owned and operated by Taiwanese people who owned a restaurant next door. We set up the gear and played at 8pm. It was a small crowd at first but later on in the night it got pretty packed. My sister Katie came out with her friends and it was really cool to see and hang out with her again. I love that girl! She took some photo's of the band. The stage was so small we had to stagger our selves on and off stage. Afterwords we had some beers. Out in the back area there where people hanging out, we saw some familiar faces and old friends. We saw the Nick Olivarie guy from Mondo Generator, but I honestly don't know who he is. I was going to say Hello, but I figured I would be just another person trying to meet someone famous, they get enough of that I'm sure. We did however play with a really cool band called "Professor". Super stoner rock/metal dudes.
We all went to this booty bar next door because it was free and we wanted he Hollywood experience, which I learn isn't what it's cracked up to be.
Everyone had shots, beers and some of us danced like idiots to hip hop music. Yeah, really embarrassing. We ate PHO noodle before heading back to the room. When I was heading back to
save our friend Arkmay from this homeless chick who said she just moved out from Ohio, had no money, wanted beer and offered us to stay at her squatting pad. When I heard that I quickly walked away. He didn't seem to mind talking to her, so I left him be. When I was returning back to the restaurant, Gary was puking his guts on the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Western Ave. I have photos coming soon. We headed back to the room and passed out.

Day three 6/27/09

The next morning I woke up to a room reeking of dudes feet, mushroom garlic smelling farts, it was one of the most foul smells I have ever known. The pungent stench was more brutal than any heavy metal band today. It took me a few hours to get up. After packing it up and getting 7-11 coffee's it was time to hit the road. Justin and Gary took off to Visalia, I had to make a little detour to visit my grandfather who is in his early 90's. Something weird happened, I didn't even know how to get from the hotel in Hollywood to my grandfathers house in studio city. It was like something just guided me there, and Ian is witness to that. I got to his house and the place looked like a disaster. The guy is so old and living by himself and it broke my heart to see such a great man, American war hero and grandfather like this. My grandmother died about 8 years ago, so he's been alone ever since. We went inside, he didn't recognize me and I had to explain to him who I was. He then remembered and we started talking. You can't get a word in edge wise with him so it's best if you just let him talk. I saw both of his feet where red and bloated as well as his toes. He had sores all over his face and his head. He was applying a lotion and powder to his skin. I almost started crying a few times but I held it together. He then said to me "You know, today I woke up alive and my only grandson came to visit me, this is the greatest day of my life". I had been having some personal problems in my life for the last few weeks dealing with another subject matter all on its own. When he said that it made me feel so humble and at the same time so guilty because I had been so self pitying, selfish and beating myself up. It really put things into perspective for me and was a heavy emotional experience I'll never forget. Ian and I said goodbye to my grandfather. As I was walking away from the house I turned around looked at the place where so many wonderful experiences had happened as a child, I then felt really lucky to be alive and have such good fortune in my life, my heartache and sadness began to fade. We got to Visalia early and hit the mall because it had air conditioner. We checked into a Days Inn a few hours later. It was a very nice, clean room and I think we all needed that. The band had two shows booked this day. The first was at a grand opening for a tattoo place called The Sacred Tiki. Our good, down to earth friends "Desma" let us use there gear and we played 3 songs in 113 degree weather in direct sunlight. They had a raffle for a free tattoo and guess what, I WON! So I'm going back down soon to get a half sleeve done of the artwork from the movie Def-Con 4. We heading out to our last show of the tour at a place called "All-Pro Pizza". All our good friends, fans and weirdos alike where in full force! I took it easy on the booze that night because I honestly didn't think I had anymore energy to get shit bag wasted again. We had an awesome set, a big crowd and I played my first show with no shirt on. I got mad props for that baby, cause I let it all hang out. I was so high on life from the events of the day, it was the first time in awhile I had felt free. Everyone was hanging out back, chopping it up and having a good time. When I got back to the room I washed my soul and slept all night. The ride home was long, hot and I was starting to get irritable from the heat. I finally made it home. Now I'm writing this, sweating my ass off and relaxing for the work week ahead. I guess the only bad feeling from the trip was the fact I had no one to come home to and the rest of the guys did. Well at least I have my cat Bruce, he was happy to see me.

In closing I think the best part about these kinds of experiences is the uplifting sensation. We come out to inspire people and share our love of music. In return the people we meet inspire us to keep on doing what we want to do regardless of what people think is best for us. This band consists of hard work, dedication and a massive amount commitment. We don't make a lot of money, our gas costs/hotel/food/etc. all comes out of our pockets. Sure we could play more radio friendly music to try and fit in with the mainstream but this wouldn't be us. You have to believe one hundred percent in what your doing is right while being true to yourself. Thanks for reading. Until the next show....

~Pete

The neck, and then the chain
The head is hung in shame
The neck, and then the chain
The head is hung in shame

I knew that you had grown
That you'd carry on
But now that I am gone
What else's been withdrawn

You used to be like my twin
And all its been
Was it all for nothing
Are you strong when you're with him
The one who's placed you above us all
I think of our love
I'll let it pass
It feels like fire
But it won't last