North Carolina power trio, BLACK SKIES, recently kicked off a near-four-week U.S. tour earlier this month. They’ve ravaged their way through over 13 cities, including two sets in New York City, with no signs of wear.
Commented Michelle Temple (bass, vocals), from the road: “We’re really excited to be back on the road after spending most of the Fall and Winter recording and mixing the new record. So far all the shows have been great. The promoters and venues have all shown us great hospitality. My favorite so far was a show in Harrisonburg, Virginia at the Crayola House. Check out the band Earthing from there. Very talented guys. We played several dates with our good long time friends, Backwoods Payback and were sad to say goodbye.”
Added John Byrd, an honorary member of BLACK SKIES who helps the band out on tour: “Some things about these trips with Kevin, Michelle and Tim are consistent: The near constant rain for the first week; the regional potato chip comparisons (this time I brought along six bags of Zapps from Louisiana. I’m pretty sure they’re the best) and the daily doings that are the work of touring: driving, loading, waiting, loading, driving, etc. There’s music in there too but that’s their job, not mine. The highlights are always meeting new friends in good bands and finding interesting venues we’ve never been to. It doesn’t sound like a decadent rock ‘n’ roll fantasy, I know – but that narrative is strictly for kids I’ve found. [At the time of this writing] we’re in Providence and there’s an old guy doing a jig in front of the venue while the first band sound checks. Such are the things I see on tour from my perspective at the merch table. In fact, if it isn’t painted on the side of a semi going down the interstate or wandering downtown after dark, it wont exist for me. Of things painted on trucks though, we seem to be touring New England at the same time as a group of Christian Evangelicals who were spreading the good news about the end of the world. I’m a bit jealous of their elaborately decorated R.V.s and trying not to covet them.”
In addition, guitarist/vocalist Kevin Clark wrote some tour haikus he wanted to share:
“A hundred bucks for gas
Tick with teeth full of my ass
That’s life on the road”
“Over Northern lands
Shared the path with Doomsday vans
Creeping into cold”
“Backs no longer hurt
Every night an Earthling shirt
Finished off the chips”
“Four pairs of flip flops
Pouring rain that never stops
A couple free sips”
The Chapel Hill natives — Clark, Temple and drummer Tim Herzog — have been tuning down and turning up since late 2005, constantly evolving their aural offerings of psychedelic sludge. With a combination of the foreboding heaviness of blues based proto-metal, the spry attitude and approach of punk, and the dynamics of progressive rock, their songs often project a dark and urgent energy. The band is gearing up to release their new full-length, On The Wings Of Time, later this year. The follow-up to 2008’s Hexagon EP was recorded, produced and mastered by Harvey Milk’s Kyle Spence at his own RJS studios in Athens, Georgia. Check out a stream of the record at Band Camp HERE.
BLACK SKIES Live – May/June 2011 (remaining dates):
5/23/2011 The Green Lantern – Lexington, KY w/ Stampede, Below
5/24/2011 Southgate House – Indianapolis, IN w/ Mala In Se, New Third Worlds
5/25/2011 The Pilot Light – Knoxville, KY w/ US Christmas, Generation of Vipers
5/26/2011 The Get Down – Asheville, NC w/ US Christmas, Generation of Vipers, Caltrop
5/27/2011 King’s – Raleigh, NC w/ US Christmas, Caltrop, Royal Thunder
5/28/2011 Will’s Pub – Orlando, FL w/ Caltrop, Royal Thunder, Druid Lord, Junior Bruce
5/29/2011 C-Level – Panama City Beach w/ Caltrop, Royal Thunder, Death Before Dying
5/30/2011 Siberia – NOLA w/ Caltrop, Royal Thunder
5/31/2011 Hi-Tone – Memphis, TN w/ Caltrop, Royal Thunder
6/01/2011 The Nick – Birmingham, AL w/ Caltrop, Royal Thunder
6/02/2011 529 – Atlanta, GA w/ Caltrop, Royal Thunder, Sons Of Tonatiuh
6/03/2011 Caledonia Lounge – Athens, GA w/ Caltrop
6/04/2011 The Jinx – Savannah, GA w/ Caltrop
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