The drive to Arizona was really long. We talked for a long time. I feel really bad because they think I am one of the people who voted to kick Conflict of the HEAL Fest bill. John was telling me how we should all stick together instead of placing divisions amongst each other. I agreed with him 100%. I felt like a tag along though. When we went out to eat Ference wouldn't let me pay for my food. I thanked him and he said, "We look out for you- you look out for us".
We arrived in Arizona in the evening and it was still really hot. We met the Phoenix Anarchist Coalition and Pete from AK Press. He will follow the whole tour in a bookmobile. During tonight's show Josh from PAX went up on stage and proposed to his girlfriend. There weren't many speakers so I had to go on stage and speak. I think I did okay. Colin went to each of the tables and thanked the organizations for showing up. Also it was really good to see Rod at the show. Colin and he had a private talk and Colin dedicated a song to him during their set. In the middle of the show some anarchist started to wave a huge anarcho-syndicalist flag. This really pissed off the people in the back because they couldn't see. The security tried to take it away. While Conflict were playing Jon hung a huge anti-vivisection banner which I borrowed from the Liberation Collective in Portland. The banner kept coming down during the set and when John wasn't playing he would go and hang it back up. I thought that was awesome.
August 20th Albuquerque NM
I couldn't fall asleep because someone from Conflict was snoring really loud. Anyway, I was still very excited to be in the Conflict tour van and asked many questions to Paco, Colin and John. They were the three original members.
Today's opening band was FukRot. A very fast crust band. Later on was Conflict and when they played "Liberate" I went up on stage and sang along.
August 21st Colorado
Very sad news - I rode with Pete from AK Press. He just got news that Paco is in the hospital. Conflict will have to play without him. We got to the show early and hung out with Against All Authority. Warrior came down from the dressing room and told me a couple people from Conflict had tears in their eyes because they were upset about Paco being in the hospital. Warrior got on stage and did a great speech and Conflict played without a drummer. It was very strange. But people were still dancing, even without the beat.
August 22nd Utah
I can't remember all the speakers and opening bands, except Repeat Offender. Today I met this woman who I had last seen about 3 years ago at the Aus Rotten show. . She looks normal now. I knew I was probably not going to see her again so we talked for awhile. Her name is Brandi. She is a really cool person ; )
Against All Authority did a great set. Aus Rotten's ex-drummer stood in for Paco in his absence. Even without a practice session he said he knew all the songs and he did a great job. My new friend pointed out 3 vegan straight edge jocks and told me they were going to fight tonight. She was right, they did. Even after they were kicked out they wanted to fight more in the parking lot.
August 23rd Idaho
I keep running into people that I met 3 years ago when we were on the road. Today's show wasn't that big but it was great.
