Chopper Does LA
This week Catalina and I flew to Southern California for a week of solo acoustic shows to pave the way for a Kissinger invasion this fall. Three colleges and two clubs were on the itinerary, and this morning (Saturday) only Molly Malones remains.
We only got 2 hours of sleep on Monday night before heading to the Austin Airport to leave. I didn't realize until we hit the security checkpoint, and had to remove my shoes, that I had mistakenly put my left foot in one pair of boots, and my right foot in a different pair. There was not time to go back, so this whole week, I've been performing, walking, and sitting in traffic in mis-matched boots. It's a bit odd, because the left boot has a thicker soul then the right, so I find myself wanting to walk in clockwise circles.
Once I righted myself, we made our way to Cal Poly Pomona for our first show. Neetu kindly directed us to the nearest campus Starbucks, and we soon felt refreshed. I had a great time playing. The weather is typically sunny here, but untypically warm. We hear the Santa Annas are to blame (wind that blows in off the desert instead of the ocean, heating things up about 10 degrees) Compared to Texas, though, it's still balmy.
The sun became more intense on Wednesday, in San Marcos, where shade was more rare than Jason Mraz sighting (see below). A great local duo (The Polaroids) opened, and in addition to a hell of a sunburn, I left CSUSM humming some cool new tunes about the ocean.
That afternoon I hung out with the newly Kissinger-sponsored skate-boarder Jordin, and an up and coming metal band formerly called PG-13. We had a quick jam session in the sun before it was time to head to Java Joe's... a historical club in the San Diego area. I played with Saba and a band called Bushwallah. Rumor had it that Jason Mraz (who I'd never heard of before that morning, but apparently he's sold a million records) was going to sit in with Bushwallah. He's from San Diego, and just the rumor caused the place to sell out. A line stretched down the street, and people were only allowed in one at a time as others left. A hell of a first show in San Diego!
As you might expect, Jason never showed up, but disappointment was assuaged by good performances all the way around.
Cal Fullerton was also fun, Kissinger agents Popqper and Salle Mae were in attendance, and CSUF Programming Board Guru Gabe celebrated his Birthday.
We took Friday off to meet up with some friends, and today we're doing more of the same before heading down to Molly Malones for one last show to finish a great week. If you have any friends in LA, please encourage them to come down. It's going to be a great place to play, and I'd love to have some friends to play for. Everyone can admire my mismatched boots in person.
Here's the info
Chopper Does LA
Saturday, April 24
Molly Malones
575 s Fairfax Ave
323.935.1577
8:00 PM
$6 cover - 2 drink minimum
Mention that you came to see Chopper at the door!
Molly Malones
Chopper Solo Page
Rock and roll,
chopper
posted by Chopper @ 4/24/2004
