The following article was written by Ben of The Smoking Jackets:

Ben here. We had the first show of our summer tour yesterday in Saratoga Springs, NY. We were one of four bands playing (Pinstripe Melee, Outrider, and Client Nine). The audience could not have been better. Every single band in the world should come play a show for the kids in Saratoga; they were dancing from the very first song to the last and even joined us on stage for the last two songs on the set. After our third song someone shouted from the audience “You guys are coming back to Saratoga right?” We’ve never played for a more appreciative audience. The kids in Saratoga are the best kind of crazy and they love spreading it around. I don’t think I’ve ever been more exhausted after a set. When the kids are jumping around and shouting you feel like you’ve got to rock out even harder than they are cause, hell, you owe it to ‘em.

Two days later, we played All Asia in Cambridge, MA. Our buddies from Saratoga Springs, Outrider, raced down to play the set with us and even with finding out about the show five hours before they were supposed to go on, made it just in time! After Outrider’s set, we began setting and up and squeezed all seven of us onto the corner stage. The set was a lot of fun and, despite the fact our soundman stood on the sidewalk during our set instead of manning the board, we had a great set. Although, the best part of the idea had to have been the 2:30 AM jam session in a basement with MIDI drums, an Indian drone machine, and the fine gentlemen of Outrider.

Now, the band has a few days off before we drive to Philadelphia for a show at The Fire. We’ll spend it watching the World Cup and eating honey barbeque chicken calzones. Life is good.