*ZO2 JOURNALZ*

TSO - Week 2
(By David Z)

11/3/06: Show #2 Chevrolet Center – Youngstown, OH

For the second show, we found ourselves feeling a bit more confident in regards to staging. There was still a little confusion (for instance, I would run to one side of the stage only to find another member there already basking in the glory – lol), but we’re definitely finding the groove. However, some key elements to the show were still missing. One important moment is during the song, “First Snow”, it’s supposed to snow over the audience. This time, though, “first snow” became “no snow”. Not a flake fell. Then again, it’s only early November. Maybe it’s a creative choice for realism.

11/4/06: Show #3 & #4 Chevrolet Center – Youngstown, OH

The first matinee of the tour. Matinee days are strange for us. The midday shows feel almost like an extended sound check. We put our all into every show so, with another show coming up in only a few hours, the fatigue kicks in a bit earlier than usual. However, I’ve discovered the key to keeping up my energy… extra catering. Today it’s all about the soup. Tomato and artichoke soup…mmmm… Is it possible to have a love affair with soup? Traditionally during past tours when this particular soup was available, I’d eat five bowls of it. However, it’s early in the tour and apparently my stomach hasn’t adjusted to the limitless supplies of food. I was only able to guzzle three bowls this time. But don’t count me out yet. It’s just a matter of discipline. I’ll get my stomach in line.

The evening show tonight showed definite signs of improvement. Musically speaking, we’re tight and the transitions are working smoothly. But we’re still missing the snow. Where are the white flakes that signify the Christmas spirit and the hopes of a snow-day from school? However, that’s not the only production question. Another would be why are the spotlights on the band during an all-girl vocal segment while the girls are kept in the dark? Especially when they’re so pretty. Inquiring minds want to know.

And, on a completely personal note, it’s incredible to see so many ZO2 fans showing up to the TSO shows. It’s even nicer to see them spreading the name by wearing their ZO2 memorabilia but maybe the most fun for me is that I can see the ZO2 logo shirts from the stage. There’s something about the print that makes them almost glow in the audience. It gives me even more energy when I see that and can smile or wink from stage at one of our friends.

11/5/06: Show #5 & #6 Seagate Convention Center – Toledo, OH

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. During the band introductions in today’s matinee show, I was forgotten, cast aside, all mention of me and my effort ignored (boo hoo). For the first time in my life I felt like the stereotypical bass player, a supporting background player. I was disappointed.

It’s the second show of the day and my feet are really starting to hurt. I guess 10-year old combat boots weren’t made for walking… or racing around on stage year after year, for that matter. My boots actually have holes in the soles. Unfortunately for me, the holes in my boots weren’t the main problem that night. It was the hole about to be displayed by a fan in the bleacher seats that was the real horror. Imagine, if you will, an old lady, slowly raising her skirt to reveal varicose veins while, each moment creeping closer and closer to revealing her, er, holiday spirit! UGH! All I can say is HOLY TOLEDO! I would gladly do the show barefoot on hot coals if it meant I could erase the image burned into my retinas.

11/6/06: DAY OFF

After four shows in only two days, a day off was just what the doctor ordered. And, at the risk of sounding like I’m being endorsed by them, there’s no better place to spend a day off than an Omni hotel. Their beds are like lying on clouds. And I would know – I stayed in bed until well into the afternoon. However, upon rising the first order of business was, of course, hitting the hotel gym. Thankfully the gym was as nice as the hotel rooms themselves. Next it was time to do what any serious musician would do (no, not that)…PRACTICING. After all, practice makes perfect… in ALL things. ;-)

Afterward, I set off on a serious mission. It was time to retire my old friends. Happily, this hotel was conveniently attached to a mall. After picking and choosing carefully (and seemingly endlessly), I finally settled on a nice pair of padded black shoes to replace my aged and worn combat boots. Farewell, old friends. You’ve served me well. To round out the evening, a bunch of us hit the local movie house to line up for “Borat”. This may be THE funniest movie I’ve ever seen. I was literally off my chair on the floor holding on to the seat in front of me so I wouldn’t fall over. I’m amazed that this movie was even released or hasn’t been pulled yet. But the controversial political incorrectness is what makes it that much funnier. Does that say something about us as viewers???…….NAH!

11/7/06: DAY OFF

Two days off in a row, I can hardly contain myself. I started today off much like yesterday. I hit the gym, only this time I brought my tunes… literally. My ipod and portable speakers blasted the new ZO2 CD, “Ain’t It Beautiful”, so loudly that by the end of the workout, the “party” was in that gym with about ten of us groovin’ and working out all at the same time.

Days off don’t seem complete without some sort of main event at the end of the night. Last night was a movie and tonight it was a basketball game between the Pacers and 76ers in the same arena where we’ll be playing tomorrow night. It’s strange to be sitting in the seats knowing tomorrow night those same seats will be filled with thousands of people watching us instead of the 7’ giants on the floor tonight. And, I admit, we were all a little thrilled during the game when an advertisement for the TSO show flashed on the big screen. (it’d be even cooler to see an ad for ZO2 up there.) The game was exciting and then the Pacers took a huge 20-point lead and wound up winning the game. The screaming energy of that crowd inspired us for tomorrow night’s show.

11/8/06: Show #7 Conseco Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN

I arrived at the venue to find the crew guys staring me down and shaking their heads. Perplexed and suddenly paranoid, I immediately checked myself. Had I put my pants on backward or worn 2 left shoes or gotten a huge zit overnight? I walked past the production office and finally realized why everyone was glaring at me. Their stares were simple envy. Get this: yours truly, the guy who knows nothing about sports teams and didn’t even realize that football was only played one day a week won the TSO football pool and I took home a prize of $720. That’s right, folks, there’s hope for anyone to win big, even when you just randomly pick. Like any charitably minded Lotto winner would, I gave $200 of it back towards a TSO sponsored charity. What a nice guy I am.

And now to the show. Playing a show after two days off definitely has its advantages. The nearly 3 hour show suddenly felt a lot shorter. Additionally, the high of pocketing $520 really made the night fly. That’s the key then, play a show every three days and get a $520 per diem…wait a second, then we’d be Aerosmith

11/9/06: Show #8 Memorial Coliseum – Ft. Wayne, IN

At the end of the day, writing this journal, my daily activities were completely overshadowed by the show. This crowd was unbelievable! Their energy and sheer volume was better than anything else I could write about and I’m disappointed that words can’t convey my excitement for you. This wasn’t by any means the biggest crowd we’ll play before on this tour but, man, did they pack a loud punch. They picked up on every nuance. It’s always great to play to a responsive crowd and it reminded me of home. The ZO2 fans are amazing that way. That’s why it’s so much fun playing ZO2 shows. Our fans really know how to rock a party. And, yet again, I saw a few friends in ZO2 shirts in the audience. It’s an indescribable feeling to look out at a sea of strangers and actually be able to pick out people you know are there to support you. It’s like being in an unfamiliar place and suddenly running into family.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention…we got our new bus today. Let me just say, my worries are over. This bus is a nightclub on wheels - leather seating with dimly lit red lights. It’s got all the fixings as our temporary bus but this bus also has internet access. How cool is that? I can check out our friends on myspace or I can lie in my bunk checking out my favorite sites to help, er, RELAX me ;-)

Stayed tuned for next week’s journal.

SAME Z TIME…SAME Z CHANNEL…OR LINK FOR THAT MATTER!!!