We just got back from our little run out to Canada. We hit Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. The weather was awesome, Toronto was warm, Ottawa slightly less warm, and Montreal was a little cold. The roads were clear, open and moose free. It took us a metric minute to get the hang of driving in kilometers and buying gas in litres, but once we got our Loonies and Toonies in order we were able to order some Poutine without getting funny looks.
Poutine

The Smiling Budha
The first night we played a little nook called the Smiling Budha. It was owned by Wayne Gretski. Seriously. Except this Wayne Gretski is a middle aged Chinese guy that owns a bar in Toronto. We arrived quite early so we had plenty of time to drive around a hotel for a couple of hours looking for a parking spot. We didn't find one so we canceled our reservation. The show was good, the place filled up reasonably well and the bands were allright. Thanks to Jackie for coming with us and running merch. And for having bunny ears. Super awesome thanks to Drew and Emi for letting us crash at their place.
We had fun
Timmy slept in the kitchen

Saturday we arrived just in the nick of time in Ottawa at a classyish venue named Zaphod Beeblebrox. I read my first Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy book when I was 8, so I had to order a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster. The stage in this place was awesome, the lights doubly so. It was located in a slammin' part of town surrounded by all sorts of cool shops, restaurants and horse drawn carriages on one way streets. There was a bakery nearby where oddly enough we picked up some seafood salad and ratatouille, oddlier yet they had Obama Cookies up at the front counter. Marc had the bright idea to find a place with a better bathroom and went over to the Hard Rock Cafe, only to find out that those bathrooms weren't that much better. After the show we drove to Montreal and crashed with our new friends Dave and Gayle. Thanks Dave and Gayle!
The Lights

Obama Cookies
Nice place

We woke up refreshed, and ready thanks to a massage session at Dave and Gayle's, as well as only a couple blocks from Sunday's venue, Le Devon Orange. Montreal is a giant island mostly populated with folks who speak french as a primary language. They have really good food. We're so glad we got to play this place. The scene was vibrant, the people were really nice, all 12 bands on the bill showed up and played, and there was a vending machine that sold art, poetry and culture. It was awesome.
Aaaahhh...
Dude from Wrong Era!

The drive home was a bit of a stretch, roughly 17 hours with the border stop. We did it in shifts and drove the whole way through. Fortunately, getting back in was easier than getting out. Back to recording a new album!