Lou Barlow and Dinosaur Jr. Tour Diary - Kansas City - 10/26/09

Ah, there’s espresso less than a block away from the bus. They ask me if I want sugar. I’ve never been asked if I wanted sugar in my espresso. In europe, they deliver it with a sugar packet on the side. Never heard of it pre-treated. It costs $1.93, which is, coincidentally, exactly how much a bus-adjacent double espresso is in Omaha the next day.

I’ve been trying to cut down on caffeine because it seems to aggravate my middle-age-onset acne, but i’m too tired to care. I’m growing a beard to hide it.

Not to say I’m exhausted. I feel energized, but my body is moving slower than my mind. So I shock it throughout the day with chemicals: caffeine in the morning, a shot or three of scotch at night. (Haven’t played drunk yet. I like drinking, hate playing drunk, another balancing act.)

Anyway, the Kansas City show was moved to a smaller venue due to slow ticket sales (a first for this tour). The club is smaller than our bus. In the dressing room that afternoon, myself and the missingmen do a session for a public radio station. A DJ my father’s age and his two techs preside. They look professional. Tom wakes up after sleeping 12 hours and plays some beautiful, quietly-amplified guitar while Raul plays t-shirt muffled drums and a suitcase. They again prove themselves fearless and versatile. We do four songs then the nice man interviews me.

The show that night reminds me that watching Lou Barlow grapple with his gear and sing new songs exclusively must be difficult for even the most dedicated fan, nevermind a 17-year-old with a Nirvana t-shirt and a jones for bona-fide grunge.

Tom and Raul dig in and do well. I’m struggling,again. The Dino set, again, in contrast, feels mighty mighty.

Bruce Springsteen was meant to play in KC that night, but cancelled at the last minute due to the death of his tour manager/cousin. I’m not aware of this and make references to The Boss and joke about his show throughout the night.