This is R.E.M. playing “End of The World” at the 40 Watt on Tuesday with (what looks like) folks from Drive By Truckers, Now It’s Overhead and Pylon.

It’s bad enough that I missed T&G25 (and that my intro wasn’t used) but this just adds insult to injury. At least it was at the 40 Watt. God, I love that room.

The big question that Brian and I had for the days leading up to the show is to whether it’s pronounced "Kel-tic" (my pronunciation) or "Sell-tic" (the more traditional American pronuncation).

There was a great black metal band called 1349 that opened. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a band actually perform with corpse paint on. I don’t know why, but I just find it funny. Not in a ha-ha sort of way, but in a "why bother?" sort of way.

We then went to a bar called the Speckled Pig and ate with Brian’s buddies Scott Ian and his wife Pearl along with managers, agents and other folk that reaffirm as to why I live in Georgia. Oh, Sarah Silverman also asked me if I was a cop. I guess that was an interesting highlight, but really, I was just dead tired and wanted to hit the hay immediately.

Celtic Frost-Dethroned Emperor
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Celtic Frost-Ground
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Celtic Frost-Innocence and Wrath
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Celtic Frost-Eternal Summer
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In a just world, Bardo Pond would be kings. That’s really all I can say.

After the show at the TLA, Quentin Stoltzfus and Joseph Siwinski came and fetched me from my hotel room to go see them at a new club in Fishtown. Of course, the fact that Jason Kourkonis is playing drums for them now only made me want to see them more.

It was rainy and cold outside, but Joseph called me a cab and entertained me while I waited to go back to the hotel. Now I’m off to eat pizza with Posehn. Whee.

A fun show. Fred Armisen performed instead of Eugene who was doing a benefit in NYC.

Fred did 2 bits. One as Saddam Hussein and another as a Native American comedian. Both were incredible. After begging him, he’s agreed to come with us to Providence.

I think the wife and I are going to see Celtic Frost tomorrow with Posehn and Scott Ian. I don’t know why…..that’s just too surreal for words.

We drove straight from Chapel Hill to Patton’s parents house out near Reston and then went to the hotel. Had killer sushi (see previous post) that night and then hung out w/Brian in his hotel room watching stupid television and eating pizza.

The next day we met up with Patton’s parents and went to the Palm. Had a Gigi salad which I’d never heard of before and tons of lump crabmeat.

The show was awesome as have all shows on this tour been. The owner of the Black Cat was in one of my favorite DC bands, Ignition, and was generous enough to give me a copy of their flexi-disc given out at their 100th show. I’m a lucky boy. Mad props to Paul, Ann, Dennis and Dante for a kick ass night. After the show, we piled into the van and drove to Philly so Brian could do radio in the morning. It was a rough drive. Didn’t get in until 6.

I’m not too keen on days off, but the comedians insist. Went and had snacks with Patton’s family in the VA ‘burbs, had killer sushi then went back to Brian’s room and watched 9/11 sentimental drivel for 2 hours.

This show probably ranks up there with Chicago at Logan Square as one of the best the CoC have ever done. Apart from a shitty heckler during Morgan’s set, the crowd was in these guy’s hands. A fun show. Couldn’t ask for a more supportive crowd.

28 year old Timmy Von Trimble who is 1/2 inch tall opened. Check out The Best Show on WFMU to find out more.

Courtesy of the mighty Ryan Russell….

All the pix are right here.