west coast tour

Santa Barbara Party Time

The friendly little Californian coastal-college town of Santa Barbara treated us quite well. We got to rest for a day and spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach. I couldn’t help but giggle when I viewed Hooch passed out face down in the sand without a towel. He claims even a week later he’s still got sand in his ears! One of Ryan’s old friends Ian hosted us and made us feel right at home.

We played the show at the Live Culture Lounge, in the outdoor mall downtown. Derrin and his business partner Sierra took care of us with delectable food, constant praise, and encouragement for everyone there to put money on the “tip tree” – a trick of theirs to make $ grow on trees after all. They’re great people and the bar is really funky – we started out with an acoustic show outside and then moved to the inside – where we played on the 2nd story balcony overlooking the audience

on the 1st floor! If you’re in the area I recommend checking it out they’re huge music supporters, both local and small touring acts.

That night, Ian treated us to a nice bottle of tequila and whiskey. Very appreciated and fun. Needless to say it’s a good thing we got to rest on the beach the day before because it was a night of hard drinking. We played my favorite drinking game, a version of “Kings” that I modified to encourage more “Big Talk.” By the end we all knew each other a lot better,

and I had a very difficult time getting up early the next morning to check on the surf (unluckily there were no waves, so after an hour of beach hopping I went back to bed).

Great times. Here are the rules for the game, in case you’d like to get drunk and deep at the same time. Basically you draw a card from a regular deck, and each card has a different rule, which either is in itself a mini-game, or applies to the

whole game. If none of the mini-games make sense, comment on this post and I’ll explain whichever ones you want.

A – Make a rule
K – Drunk dial
Q – Question Master
J – Never Have I Ever
10 – Categories
9 – Rhyme Time
8 – Pick a Mate
7 – Speech
6 – Would You Rather?
5 – Can’t remember now, get back to you
4 – Truth or Dare?
3 – Big Talk Question
2 – Picnic

Flashing lights in Carbondale! (last West Coast show)

Our time in Carbondale started with flashing lights and the local authorities. Apparently bands aren’t supposed to park in the street to unload. Ryan said in passing “This is just where most bars tell us to park to unload.” The officer then asks sarcastically “And where are these bars?” I proceeded to name off the 29 cities we had played and parked at in the past 6 weeks. Then I walked off to keep from getting thrown in jail for running my mouth…. The officer fortunately ended up giving us a warning and after our little brush with the law Carbondale was awesome. There was a birthday party at the bar so spirits were high and the booze had been flowing. We had people singing, dancing and just having a great time. We met a fellow Texan that particularly enjoyed the show. “Big Will” is the self-proclaimed “only black man” in Carbondale. He loved the funk and had the quote of the night. “White people can’t dance but they sure do look good when they got tits.” For the record; I think we dance just fine but the girls were… let’s say… finer than the dancing? Anyway…. Carbondale was a blast and I can’t wait to go back. Colorado I think I love you!

P.S. This relates the story of March 13th, 2010

Achachay! The San Francisco Treat

San Francisco is really an awesome town.  We played at Grant and Green with Fuzzbuster a local band who was a lot of fun.  The Grant and Green is a very cool music bar.  The staff was very hospitable and we had a great crowd.  San Francisco just has a great vibe.  People love music and really made us feel welcome.  Ryan and I wandered around the city the day after the show and did the stereotypical touristy things.  We went to the fisherman’s wharf to have clam chowder and we got to see a crazy local guy singing perched on a trash can…. Good times.  We went to golden gate park because we thought it would over look the golden gate bridge, but it turns out it’s about 3 miles from the bridge…. But it is a beautiful park!  We did finally make it to the bridge just after nightfall but it was still pretty awesome.  I’d like to thank Andy and Megan for their hospitality and for the great food!  Overall San Francisco rocked and I can’t wait to go back!

Long Beach – Round 1

So there I was…. I wake up in the band van in the parking lot of a bar in Long Beach to the sound of someone climbing into the backseat!  Ok…. it was just Ryan getting his practice pad or something out of the back seat…  But drama sells…. Meanwhile Jordan is meditating in the back seat and somehow I’ve fallen asleep while waiting to play our show.  The life a musician is a tough one… napping in vans in parking lots and what not…..  It turns out the van was actually parked in front of Clancy’s a great little pub in Long Beach, CA.  We had to keep the stage volume down during the show but that doesn’t mean we kept the fun knob turned down! We had the crowd groovin’ to some quieter Achachay! tunes and then we got to groove to the funky tunes of the Carnival Kings. I have to give props to the bassist for The Carnival Kings who plays the trumpet as well as the bass in the show. Bass trumpeters unite! I can’t finish the blog without mentioning the bar staff. We gotta thank Scott first…. He ended up hooking us up with several drinks and a show at his theater group’s after party that I’m really looking forward to. I’d also like to thank Jenn for making us feel at home away from home and booking the show for us! While I’m thanking people…. Thanks for checking out the blog and supporting Achahcay! As always keep it funky! ~Hooch

3rd Video Update: West Coast Tour and live the life of a rockstar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3xU-4UnPK4

We tell about the West Coast Tour and how you can live the rock star life vicariously through us. Make sure to check out the video- you have the chance to get us to do some crazy stuff.

The funk has been broughten to San Angelo!

The first show of the west coast tour in San Angelo couldn’t have gone better.  The Deadhorse is an awesome venue and took great care of us.  (maybe a little too good I’m hurting today!) We met some great new friends and heard a crazy story about jalapenos that I’m not at liberty to talk about   A great start to our venture westward! Stay classy San Angelo.

West Coast Tour launched!

We’ve done it! We embarked yesterday on a 30 show, 6000 mile tour. That’s approximately 4 days and 8 hours, or a total of 104 hours in the van. We will be hitting up I-10 W on the way there and then traveling and playing from San Diego up to Seattle. We also will be spending a few weeks in Colorado in March playing around the ski towns.

Many people and bands have recommended that we don’t do this, because of the distance, the price of gas, the weather, the long hours between cities and everything else. Here’s what we say to the naysayers – nay to your naysaying. *ed note: We don’t actually say that.

Click HERE to interact with google map (note that not all shows are listed)

We need places to STAY/CRASH, friends/family/fans to come to shows, and your general support and good thoughts!

Here is a list of where we will be playing and the dates… we hope to see you at one of our shows! Also if you know anyone who might be interested in seeing us and who lives somewhere we will be playing–be sure to SPREAD THE WORD

Thanks! Achachay!

Feb 1 10:00pm The Deadhorse San Angelo, Texas
Feb 2 10:00P Bombardiers El Paso, Texas
Feb 3 8:00P Copper State Tavern, Glendale, Arizona
Feb 4 11:00P The Sail Inn Tempe, Arizona
Feb 5 9:00P The Ruby Room San Diego, California
Feb 6 10:00P Ramona Mainstage Ramona, California
Feb 10 9:00P Clancy’s Long Beach, California
Feb 11 8:00P Tropics Lounge Fullerton, California
Feb 12 10:00P The Trip Santa Monica, California
Feb 13 9:00P Doll Hut Anaheim, California
Feb 16 9:00P Last Stage West Atascadero, California
Feb 17 9:00P Grant & Green San Francisco, California
Feb 19 8:45P Brainwash Cafe San Francisco, California
Feb 20 9:00P Little Red Lion Eureka, California
Feb 23 9:30P Caldera Tap House Ashland, Oregon
Feb 24 8:00P The Muse Lounge Eugene, Oregon
Feb 25 9:00P The Space Salem, Oregon
Feb 26 8:00P The Twilight Room Portland, Oregon
Feb 27 10:00P 4th Avenue Tavern Olympia, Washington
Feb 28 8:00P Port Townsend Boiler Room Port Townsend, WA
Mar 1 9:30P Central Saloon (The) Seattle, Washington
Mar 3 8:00P Bouquet Boise, Idaho
Mar 6 10:00P George’s Union Station Colorado Springs, CO
Mar 7 10P Pueblo, CO: TBA
Mar 10 10:00P Gunnison Brewery, Gunnison, CO
Mar 11 10P Telluride, CO: TBA
Mar 12 10:00P PT’s Inferno Denver, Colorado
Mar 13 10:00P Black Nuggett Carbondale, Colorado

There will be a Salt Lake City date plus more COLORADO dates announced soon including Telluride, Boulder, Fort Collins and more!

Keep up with us on this very site. Video coming soon!