Okkervil River goes green for tour

Published at 9:39 AM on September 23, 2008

By Sara Miller

photo by Steve Gullick

Do you know how hard it was to avoid making a CCR pun in that headline? Almost as difficult as drinking, driving and smoking simultaneously. But not nearly as difficult as it's going to be when we hit peak oil and our fossil fuels slowly dwindle into lifeless trickles!

Thank goodness the smart fellows (and lady) in Okkervil River have an eye on the ticking time bomb—the current U.S. Okkervil tour, in support of spankin'-new album The Stand Ins, has officially been declared "green." The band is partnering with bicycle groups and a number of nonprofits in an attempt to make it easy for conscientious fans to join them in offsetting the dinosaur-sized carbon footprints created by touring bands and the crowds that travel to see them.

After the early September rides in Madison and Portland, there's still two chances to get to the River via organized two-wheeler gatherings—in Tempe, Ariz. on the Sept. 25 and in Athens, Ga. on Oct. 2, where Okkervil's show dovetails with one of two monthly "Courteous Mass" events sponsored by Bike Athens.

Non-bikers can offset their carbon at the venues and, when the morning after rolls around and the tug of the road trip sets in, rendezvous with other Okkervil fans via PickUpPal so everyone can hit just one... more... show. Visit the band's website for more details or to sign up.

September

23 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Henry Fonda Theatre *

24 - Solana Beach, Calif. @ Belly Up Tavern *

25 - Tempe, Ariz. @ Clubhouse *

26 - Tucson, Ariz. @ Club Congress *

28 - Austin, Texas @ Austin City Limits Festival (w/Man Man, Crooked Fingers)

30 - New Orleans, La. @ The Republic ^

October

1 - Birmingham, Ala. @ Workplay ^

2 - Athens, Ga. @ 40 Watt Club ^

3 - Wilmington, N.C. @ Soapbox Laundro Lounge ^

4 - Richmond, Va. @ The National ^