Day 11: Philadelphia

Arriving in Philadelphia around 11 or 12, we look up the ATM House, where we’re to play that night, and meet the girls who not only run the joint, but also live there. The house is surprisingly big, and the bands play in the basement, at the bottom of a really narrow set of stairs. 

We get some pizza at a place down the street called Best House, per the recommendation of the girls at the house, and it really is the Best. Plus, we get to watch a Discovery Channel documentary on the history of pizza while we consume said excellent pizza and drink weird beer. Someone tells us South Street is an interesting place to go, so we try it out. There appears to be some kind of historic ship anchored there, so we walk towards it, only to find out that it is a tacky restaurant. FAIL. We get some kind of slushy flavored ice thing (evidently they call it “water ice” here, WTF) that helps to stave off the ridiculous heat for a minute, visit a record store, and get back in the van. We don’t have much time, but we are determined to see something of historical importance. We tell the GPS to find Independence Hall for us, where the Pilgrims signed the Declaration of Freedom in 1931! It’s breathtaking. We marvel at the statue of Emperor Palpatine and the Quaker Oats guy, and the marble likeness of Barry Washington around the corner, preparing to cross the Delaware and pan for gold. On our way back to the ATM House, we cross the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, where he so famously tied a key to his fishing line and discovered WiFi in 1944! We don’t typically get to see very much of the cities we visit on tour– usually it’s just drive in, set up, play, leave– so it was refreshing to finally get some time to take in our surroundings and learn a little about our country. 

We do an interview with one of the college papers when we get back to the house and go in search of beer. I select a delicious 40 oz. of Schaefer beer, simply because it shares my last name. This, I find out later, is not an appropriate way to select your drinks! 

The show is awesome! We meet all kinds of friendly people, and the other bands are really fun. Reading Rainbow, Hermit Thrushes, and Conversations with Friends all blast jams way into the night. I feel pretty good about our show, and I think the other dudes are in agreement. We also secure some tasty falafel from a shady 24-hour falafel place. It has only a single window, like a bank teller that dispenses high quality Middle Eastern food. We are sad to learn that this is the last show at the ATM House. 

INDEPENDENCE HALL

EMPEROR PALPATINE

DUDE IT SMELLS LIKE HISTORY. YEAH, I GUESS.