Under Pressure US Tour - Day 9 - August 2, 2007

Allentown, Pennsylvania...

We had just enough time to drive across town and check out Double Decker Records for an hour or so. It was easily the best punk record store that I've ever been in, although I haven't been to Octopus Ink in Edmonton. Sadly, this proved to be a missed opportunity, as I was completely broke. I ended up walking away with an earlier Damned single and a reissue of a heavy psych band called Morgen. I wish I had the money to get an original pressing of American Wino. One day I will visit such a store and have $500 to blow in 5 minutes. Not that I'm that kind of guy but it'd be something to do once.

The drive to New Brunswick, New Jersey was uneventful. We pulled up to the Fuck Mountain house and saw the SEA SICK guys loading everything out of their van; they had arrived from their tour just 15 minutes before us and lived at Fuck Mountain. Actually, they lived in a duplex. In the back yard was a shed called Fuck Mountain.

Joe and I ended up hanging out with Mark for a bit. He told us about the grease trucks--where you can get sandwiches filled with pretty much whatever you want--along with other trivial things, apparently all to do with New Jersey. Sadly, Jon Bon Jovi never came up. Though I did find out what a brass monkey was; a Colt 45 drank down to the end of the funnel and then topped off with orange juice. (Isn't that referenced in a Beastie Boys song?)

Rather than wander around the neighborhood (some of the guys ended up shooting for the grease trucks) or sit outside in the heat, I invited myself inside and enjoyed the air conditioning. I collapsed on the couch and watched the guys in SEA SICK mill about, being greeted by girlfriends, talking about what they wanted to do first thing now that they were home. I like that feeling, of returning from a long trip. The air is buzzing, everything is slightly off balance, everything old is briefly new again. Sometimes it can help shake up my life, get me started on doing things living and working at home rather than daydreaming about the next road trip. I was looking forward to having a renewed perspective upon walking through my front door after over four weeks on the road. It was too soon to think about it though, so I walked back outside. The only way I was going to arrive at that state was if I truly left my home behind and lived in that drifting personal nowhere land that changes with every moment, every block walked, every room entered, every time waking up from a nap during a long drive.

Felix Havoc had arrived and was already setting up the merch table in the tiny backyard that was squeeze between the house and the shed. I greeted the REGULATIONS guys, and was then introduced to Ian, the promoter who was setting up the New Brunswick and Brooklyn Regulations dates to which we'd been added.

Two local bands, KILLIN' IT and of course SEA SICK kicked things off as people slowly filed their way down the narrow pathway that ran between adjacent houses and into the show. It became apparent that everyone was here to check out the headliner. Most people stayed outside of the really cramped and hot space of the shed until the REGULATIONS went on. I can't remember much about UNDER PRESSURE's set, so it was most assuredly neither a disaster nor a life-changing experience for the folks who stood witness. You know, to be honest, I initially wasn't so much into THE REGULATIONS records but seeing them live does it for me every time and now when I listen to their records I'm transported to memories of catching them live. Their songs are fun and catchy, and they just seem totally on every time they launch into a set. It was a great one. People finally decided to cram their way in and within minutes the shed had become a filthy sauna and my fingers were turned into prunes. We would be playing 3, maybe 4 more shows with these guys, and then we'd be rejoining DRY ROT for more dates. I love touring with other bands who charge me up.

After the show I sat on the back porch with Otto (REGULATIONS singer) and Jens (drummer) and Otto's younger brother Henrik who was on tour with the band and visiting the US for the first time. Henrik and I hit it off right from the start. Our conversation was derailed when a drunk frat girl approached the chain link fence that closed in the back yard and started asking us drunk questions. Our answers only served as encouragement and before you knew it, she was tumbling over the fence and repeatedly giving us high-five's and telling us we should go play on the swings. I was amused at first but then got bored and left her with the other guys. It was getting late and after the girl was successfully ditched, we all sat in the house's kitchen and continued our visit before finally passing out. A great night spent with great folks.

"Grease Trucks" from My Poetry Is Out Of Control by Jason Penner

Frankenstein, drunk
Begging to take you over to the swings
He'll tell you anything
He'll tell you that isn't piss running down his leg
And he'd be right
Ditch him and shoot for the grease trucks
Hook him up with a jug of bleach
Sick him on the Swedes
Don't ride no monkey
Don't get electrocuted
Don't slide no slide
Ride the grease trucks
Don't climb up into no jungle gym


Going through the records at Double Decker. As foretold, some punk memorabilia hanging up on the wall...


...the jacket worn on THE ABUSED Loud And Clear EP. I'd rather be listening to SWEET though.


Silver shorts, a yellow reflective safety vest, Greg Norman's golfing hat and a beat-up acoustic guitar. Wish I could have pulled off a better shot as we drove out of town.


We arrive at Fuck Mountain.


THE REGULATIONS @ Fuck Mountain in New Brunswick, New Jersey.






I think I impressed Jens with my idea of starting up a punk band called RETARD. "I am... RETARD.". I think you would have had to have been there. Errr, or something. Marcus is trying to get a good night's rest.


Good times, having a late night chat with Henrik, Otto and Jens.

All of Jason's photographs from Under Pressure's 2007 US tour can be found here.