New Orleans, 1996

4ofus, originally uploaded by nonobaddao.

Watching the news these past few days on hurricane Katrina and the damage and destruction left in its path, I was compelled to find all the old photos of the trip with Yucca in May, 1996 to see the Afghan Whigs at the House of Blues in New Orleans.

Yucca had just graduated from High School, and being done with my 1st year in college, we decided to take her graduation present (a round trip ticket to anywhere in the continental US) and turn it into a party for the 2 of us. Being the insane kids that we were, what better than to find a Whigs show and go there. By the time we were getting this half-baked plan into action, we had already missed the Seattle and San Francisco shows, and New Orleans was next on the list. So we ordered tix to the House of Blues, got our flights, and with $50 each we were off. I wish there would have been more photos of the youth hostel we stayed in, although... maybe some things are best remembered in the minds eye.

We spent a total of 4 days in New Orleans, just off the French Quarter. I had my Tarot read by a certified Witch of the Wiccan Witches Guild of America, we went to the Voodoo Museum, and in general wandered around trying to stay alfoat in the real city of Sin. I swear the air there was electric.

And after seeing one of the most amazing Whigs shows of our lives, and having just spent the next days food money on Red Stripes (the HOB was built as a compound, and the drinking age inside was 18) we sat down outside to panhandle for some food money. A guy walked by, and I was like, "Hey, I know you. You're in Howlin' Maggie. You guys are from Columbus right? We're from OHIO, and we flew down here to see you!" Alright Bad Dao! 1 way ticket into party central. Jim was his name (the orange one in the photo behind Yucca, that man needed to quit with the tan), and he took us backstage to hang. Enter Greg Dulli, and our fate was sealed. 2 packs of Camel Wide Lights later, at 5am, we took a ride from a drunk cab driver because we figured it was safer than waiting for the trolly next to the crack-head that was eyeing our backpacks. I love you, New Orleans.

We spent the rest of that summer following the Whigs around the country, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinatti, Washington DC, among others..... with a group of friends, or just the 2 of us. If we were not solid best friends before New Orleans, well, i think that trip did it. Its an amazing city, and its just so sad to see it falling apart.

Yucca, if the Whigs ever get back together, or some incantation of Greg's Twilight Singers plays a show there again, you best believe we have to go.

-over and out-

Editor's note: yucca pointed out today (9/2) that I cannot even read, the Tix clearly state that it was 1996, not 1995 as previously stated. Tahnks Yucca for taking yet another opportunity to point out when I am wrong. Love ya. ;-)