Asleep At The Switch

So I'm late to the game. Somehow The Touch Alliance managed to dodge my radar for at least a couple years. Not sure how they managed that when they're like a speedball of Bubble Yum and Pop Rocks.



Followed by a line of pure, uncut Pixy Stix (straw conveniently included). You know, as an eye opener.



Then, just to take the edge off, there's the Gummi Bear suppository. Don't ask. But hear more here.

And, yes, I was alerted to the fact that The Tough Alliance was recently seen sharing a booth at the Racine Comfort Inn with ...

Stay Away From The Foos

Still in the lounge at the Racine Comfort Inn, while Longwave read their press clippings comparing them to a cross between Radiohead and The Strokes...


They happen to see the four dudes at the foosball table and reconsider the skinny pants.

Taking a Leak

In back of the Racine Comfort Inn. Earning their bar band cred, The Whore Moans take a drunken leak on the dumpster.

Obeying standard urination protocol, they keep their eyes leveled straight ahead...


Until they realize the wrecked old fucker next to them is pissing directly on their leg.



And laughing about it.

Into The Dish Room

And back at the Racine Comfort Inn lounge, Dawn Of The Dead push back from their table...



And stroll -- all bass lines and synthesizer -- into the steam of the dish room to bum a smoke from ...



And a light from...

From The Bottom Of The Glass

Back to the lounge at the Racine Comfort Inn, where indie bands stare into their Maker's Mark and catch the irrefutable reflection of their own DNA.

Such as it is for Northern Portrait...




...as the whiskey beads away from the ice in their glass and the letters begin to appear... T... R... A...

Back To Racine

Into the lounge, past the dark corner, over to the happy hour buffet at the Comfort Inn.

As The Shout Out Louds reach for the last fried mozzarella stick...

(no it's not a real video, shut up and listen)



... A familiar pale hand appears, scooping up the deep fried synthetic log.

Another Tearful Reunion

And in another corner of the lounge in the Racine Comfort Inn, Gaslight Anthem's celebratory toasts are interrupted...



... by the gaunt stranger at the bar.

Tearful Reunion

It will probably happen in the lounge of the Racine Comfort Inn. The Rumble Strips, on their first American tour, will walk in. And there, in a dark corner of the bar, the band will see them. And they'll know instantly. No words will be necessary.

The Rumble Strips...

The Rumble Strips - Girls and Boys in Love