Band of Horses’ Road to Coachella
First Coachella weekend. Can't believe this is what we do for a living. Gonna get Creighton a new cymbal without holes for his birthday. – Ben Bridwell
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Bootless
Might be the first time I've ever not worn boots at a show. Strange venue to try and experiment with that. Glad it didn't affect my glow-stick twirls. – Ben Bridwell
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Meeting Heroes
Ape get to see old friend/hero, Johnny Marr. Long time has passed since Ape has seen Uncle Johnny. Ape first met Johnny on Modest Mouse tour in 2007, when Ape open for Modest Mouse. Ape love Uncle Johnny – Creighton Barrett
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Sir Paul and His Bride
No way! Jesse and John Silva watching us side-stage! Sorry . . . That there is Sir Paul and his bride on the side of the stage watching our Band of Horses. Thank God we had no idea this was happening. – Ben Bridwell
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Because This Is What Happens
Because this is what happens to a face when informed of such awesomeness. This is the very nice security guard informing Bill Reynolds and I that Sir Paul was in attendance. – Ben Bridwell
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No Dice
Creighton and I have just finished the set at Coachella. Both of us had such a blast! Creighton later tries to steal my towel. No dice. This one's my favorite. – Ryan Monroe
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Beautiful Night
Ryan and I are getting ready to walk onstage at Coachella. It's a beautiful night, and we are excited to be at the festival. As you can see, Ryan is a wreck of nerves. But me – no nerves. None at all. Not thinking about thousands of people. Out front. Waiting. – Tyler Ramsey
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Tour Bus
We slept on the tour bus overnight to Oakland. I woke up early, and now I'm eagerly watching the coffee maker do its magic. – Bill Reynolds
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Ape Like Skateboard
Ape like skateboard. Ape like to try and look tough on skateboard. Ape biting Mike Ness from Social Distortion steeze. Ape just want to feel cool. – Creighton Barrett
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Peace in the Valley
It's great to take time during soundcheck to make sure "Evening Kitchen" sounds awesome out front . . . and to admire Chris's amazing backdrops. – Bill Reynolds
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Ape No Want to Make Guitar Tech Snider Mad
Ape found skateboard, now Ape must steal guitar tech tool so Ape can change skateboard wheel. Ape no want to make guitar tech Snider mad, Snider beat Ape before every show. Ape no like guitar tech Snider. – Creighton Barrett
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Cracking Wise
Ben is cracking wise during soundcheck in Chico, cracking everyone up. Sometimes the venues are cold, so I have my trusty Clydesdale sweater to keep me warmed up. – Bill Reynolds
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A Case of Bunk Head
Tyler and I admire the nice features of the Mellotron after soundcheck. I've got a case of bunk head at its finest stage. – Bill Reynolds
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Sussing
Creighton and I do the daily sussing out of where each item is going to be stored on the bus. Where are we going to put all this hummus? – Bill Reynolds
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Set List
Ben and I go to the bus' back lounge to discuss the evening's set list in Chico. This is me finally telling Ben that I have a Master's degree in set list composition. – Ryan Monroe
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Serious Dudes
Just another happy day on the bus. Some serious dudes right here. – Ben Bridwell
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Magnolia Electric Co.
Proudly displaying our Magnolia Electric Co. T-shirts to wear on Jimmy Kimmel in tribute to our friend Jason Molina. – Ben Bridwell
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Stay Fresh
Creighton and I signed a drumhead for a friend of ours. Now it's time to put Creighton away in his Ziploc, where he will remain until showtime. It's important to stay fresh on tour. – Ryan Monroe
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Pugilism
Ben is finally showing me that he has a Master's degree in pugilism. – Ryan Monroe
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Apocalypse Soon
Ape must constantly train for apocalypse. Apocalypse can happen at any moment, even at Jimmy Kimmel show. Ape fear for California, Ape think it's a godless place. – Creighton Barrett
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Look at the Ocean
I never learned how to look at the ocean. Parking lots are easy for me, though. – Ben Bridwell
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Almost Out of Doors
Almost out of doors. I like hotels because you can keep your boots on inside. Then you can put those boots wherever you want. It does not matter. – Ben Bridwell
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Soundcheck
Bill and I have just gotten on the bus to head over to the theater for soundcheck. I walked along the beach this morning and saw some scruffy squirrels running around in the sand. They looked pretty lean and mean. I thought I saw one flexing. – Tyler Ramsey
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Ready to Go
Bill and I are ready to go to the venue. We'll be sleeping on the bus for the next few nights, so we're saying goodbye to our hotel. Goodbye, Crowne Plaza – you were . . . a place. – Tyler Ramsey
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Ape Pray Everyday
Ape pray everyday. Ape pray for wife Erin and daughter Sunny. Ape afraid since they don't have as much hair as ape, that they might get cold when they sleep at night. Ape miss family. – Creighton Barrett
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Relaxing Backstage
Ben and I are relaxing backstage before soundcheck. Only seconds from now I will defeat him not only in a game of wits, but also in a game of arm wrestling – "no hands allowed." – Ryan Monroe
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It’s His Gag
You can't see the throwing star that Tyler Ramsey has just thrown past me. It's his little soundcheck gag. He's really got a great arm. – Ben Bridwell
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Ventura
Soundcheck in Ventura. This is a beautiful old building and it sounds great. It's a pleasure to play in venues like this – tons of history and ghosts. – Ben Bridwell
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Nice Buns
Ape get tired after guitar tech Snider prod him with cattle shock stick. It OK 'cause Ape need rest for tonight show. Ape have nice buns. – Creighton Barrett
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Crew Bus?
Crew Bus? Who the hell are these people? – Ben Bridwell
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Happy
Back at Coachella: I look at Ryan Monroe more than I look at the crowd most nights. It makes me happy. – Ben Bridwell
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Pleasing the Fleshy Masses
Doing whatever for the fleshy masses. Tyler and Bill are tone gods. – Ben Bridwell