Although one of Milwaukee’s most raucous bands, Call Me Lightning had an uncharacteristically quiet year. For the better part of 2010, the trio only played a handful of Milwaukee and Chicago shows in support of When I’m Gone My Blood Will Be Free, the band’s long-delayed full-length. But October found the Lightning being called elsewhere for an opening slot on a three-week West Coast tour with Russian Circles and Keelhaul. Music Notes checked in with Call Me Lightning’s bassist Tyler Chicorel partway through the rock ‘n’ roll voyage to get an update on how the tour (which ends Saturday) was going for one of the Milwaukee’s favorite acts.
First off, how has the tour been so far?
The tour has been great – great scenery, lousy food, cool hotels, good times.
Deep into a 19-show, 13-state and 22-day tour, what are some of the highlights and low points of the excursion?
The venue we played in Vegas was kind of funny. The place was called Meatheads Video Poker Bar. So we thought it would be a shitty dive bar in the downtown area. It turned out to be in a strip mall between a Starbucks and a cell phone store. It was far away from any of the casinos or hotels. It felt like we were playing in Brookfield. The show ended up being great though because it was a super cramped small place. That night ended up great. Well, I should say that morning ended up great. Vegas is crazy.
The best show so far was probably in San Francisco at The Bottom of the Hill. The sound and crowd were both mega rad.
[There’s] not really much in the complaint department, except for the brutal long drives and gassy band mates.
How’s the Lightning being received by crowds out West?
I think we’ve been received well. Or at least I hope. It’s kind of weird opening every night for two bands that are much heavier than us. So far, though, no one has come up and told us we sucked.
As the newest member of CML, you’ve never really toured with the guys until now, correct? Have you learned anything new about Shane and Nathan in the last few weeks?
Nothing that I feel is appropriate to talk about. Those guys are a couple of potty mouths. Nathan’s favorite movie is Ferngully: The Last Rainforest. Oh, and I think Shane knows yoga or Pilates or some shit.
What’s it like to play with bands like Keelhaul and Russian Circles every night? Did you know these bands before this?
Playing with those bands has been a blast. I knew Russian Circles for a while but didn’t know Keelhaul at all. All the guys are awesome and great musicians. I’ve really grown fond of both of those bands, and I haven’t gotten sick of watching them yet.
Cooler place: Boise or Salt Lake City? Why?
I didn’t really get to see much of either city. Although I would have to say that Salt Lake City was cooler just because of the venue we played: Kilby Court. We played in kind of a big shack on a very small stage. There was a small courtyard and then another little hut for merch. [It was] for sure one of the more fun shows for us.
Have you encountered any crazy new beers during your journey? I saw the Lost Lake mention on the CML Facebook page.
The Lost Lake was delicious. But that might have just been because it was free. 24 ounce tall cans of PBR are real big on the West Coast. We drank our fair share. Brian, the bass player for Russian Circles, got us into Mac ‘n’ Jacks, which I liked. It’s got a good taste.
What do you miss most about Milwaukee, if anything?
I miss all my buddies and my stupid cat. Honestly, I miss everything. I am a homebody, but at the same time, being on tour with great dudes is my favorite thing in the world. When we get back I will be very happy to be home, but I know that after two or three days I’ll be wishing we were back out on the road.
Call Me Lightning plays its homecoming show Wednesday, Nov. 24 at The Cactus Club.
Photos courtesy Call Me Lightning.
