One Road Out of Kingman – Wayland Tour Log 2/15/14

I was a little sad to leave L.A. yesterday. Only because we are getting so close to finishing this group of songs that it's frustrating to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and not be able to run into it. If we just had two or three weeks in the studio we could really wrap things up.

Yesterday in Kingman, Ariz., was fantastic from start to end. The promoter and venue took amazing care of us, the openers were great people, and the crowd was raging and ready for a Friday night rock show! We played for almost 2 hours! When we arrived, someone local brought a home-made rice noodle curry for the veggies and steaks for the meat-eaters. When the opening local bands are cool and enthusiastic, it makes a huge difference the whole night.

I've always thought that the audience can subliminally tell when the bands are working together to put on a great night, or when they aren't.

When we open for anyone, we are on and off the stage as fast as possible, and never play a minute over our set time. I think it's important for bands to learn to be a good opener before you can be a good headliner. We signed merch and took pictures for almost two hours after our set. Everyone was so nice and appreciative of us coming to town.

I'm having coffee in a family diner along historic U.S. Route 66 as I write this. We have an hour and a half drive to Vegas this morning. That might be our shortest drive of 2014! After the show tonight we are driving seven hours through the night to Reno, where we have two glorious hotel rooms waiting in a casino. I might hit the nickel slots, we'll see. Wish me luck!

– Phil Vilenski

Guitarist Phil Vilenski from Wayland is a touring contributor to WGRD.com. So, keep an eye out for more tour stories from the band!