2 Tickets to Parasites by Rachel Flotard-a reprinted article.

If you don’t know who Rachel Flotard is, you should. Rachel and her band Visqueen have been supplying a heavy dose of rock/pop/punk music since 2001. Their new record, Message to Garcia was released September 8^th, 2009. Their third record, it shines with well crafted, catchy songs from the heart. The record was inspired by George Flotard, Rachel’s father, who was a New York Steamfitter and no-nonsense kind of guy. After a lengthy battle with prostate cancer he passed away in April of 2008. Rachel started her own label called Local 638 Records, to honor her father and his NYC Steamfitters union.

After her father’s passing, Rachel decided to go on a journey to Laos. During her trip she started a blog to capture her experiences. Land Of A Million Elephants. And One Flotard is a collection of her stories as a first time visitor to Laos. Rachel was gracious enough to allow us to reprint one of her stories.

2 Tickets to Parasites-Originally posted on November 5^th, 2008 by Rachel Flotard

My first taste of Pho in Laos. We walked up and down the streets trying to decide on where to go. Justin had been to this little spot before, and he was still alive.

It was open to the sidewalk, hot, and a poodle with one eye was walking around. He was curly, once white, and the super cute house mascot. We pulled up some plastic chairs and ordered two chicken soups. I walked over to a small cold case and pulled out two bottles of water. Towards the back of the restaurant was a vinyl lawn chaise lounge occupied by a young man watching TV with no shoes on. When I say there is no 409 or Windex for a thousand miles I mean it. And it's great.

Shortly after our order, he got up and delivered 2 glasses of ice water brimming with future shits and a side of rickety ass limes.

The nice woman delivered the soup. It was delicious salty broth with chicken that had been simmering since yesterday (sure!). There were bits of garlic and skin with the goosebumps still on them. Justin passed me some choppers and I said a hail Mary to my metal spoon.

At that moment, Justin was about to put his chopsticks in his mouth when I noticed the "Tranny Pink" shade of Wet N' Wild on the end of his utensil. I glances at it and said, "Uhh..dude, you might want to change that out". He did. And we ate the hell out of those bowls as if our bowels were back at the room.

I'm happy to report as we rode to the market by tuk tuk and enjoyed the day, there was nary a barf or reeah among us.
Khop Jai!!

Now to anyone reading this that has not purchased Message to Garcia, do yourself a favor and get it. You will be glad you did. For more of Rachel’s writing about her trip to Laos, visit her blog Land Of A Million Elephants. And One Flotard.

I think I just saw the ghost of Abbot & Costello in Hollyweird!

Hollywood always entertains. Even in death. This October how about treating yourself to a walking cemetery tour of the stars? Visit grave sites for the likes of Cecil B. Demille, Jane Mansfield and even Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. The "Cemetery of the Stars" tour typically runs on Saturday and Sunday of each week. Click here to visit their website.

Also buried at Hollywood Forever are Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone; however, we are not sure if they are a part of the tour. Check out the famous statue of Johnny. Now that is rock n' roll! JJ

Austin-Help wanted. What to do in the live music capital of the world?

Same Same is taking a short trip to Austin, TX, USA very soon. Our plans include visiting the much lauded Salt Lick BBQ, a day trip to San Antonio to tour the Alamo, the San Antonio River Walk, swimming at Barton Springs and some quality time with great music.

The bands we’re looking forward to seeing this October in Austin are the Murder City Devils at the fantastic outdoor venue The Mohawk, Ruby Dee & the Snake Handlers, and we sure hope we get the chance to see Austin up and comers Oak Is Keeping. If you like Oak Is Keeping, you can vote for them in the Airwalk Unsigned Heroes contest and and help them get a record deal.

Please send Same Same suggestions if you have ideas for additional fun in Austin. We are always on the lookout for interesting activities. FB

I want to rock n' roll all-night and sleep in my free Motel 6 room the next day.

Try throwing the TV into the swimming pool when it’s bolted to the bureau, bad boys. That’s right, (select group of) Rock Stars! Budget giant Motel 6 is willing to host you for free if you’re on the right label. They are currently working to expand their roster of touring bands that are being offered free rooms, but this is a pretty interesting promotion. Just don’t expect the groupies to be to terribly impressed to be taken back to your room. But if you’re drunk, they’ll leave the light on for you. FP

Related: NY Daily News-Keep on rockin' in the free rooms: Motel 6 shakes up image by offering free stays to bands

Get in the car, we're going on a rock n’ roll road trip.

I’ve always dreamt of being in a rock band, touring the world. Being on stage while hundreds of your most enduring fans follow you from town to town, signing along with all the hits. Wild parties! Groupies! Cruising to your next gig while hearing your latest single on the radio! Rock n’ Roll!!! Is that how it goes?

Well, maybe if you are Van Halen, Kiss, or possibly even Foghat. I think the experiences above are few and far between. Maybe they’re only something you see in movies or on VH1 Classics. The fact is, most of the bands I follow rock harder than the bands living the “dream”; they just haven’t sold their souls. And that is how I would want it. Unfortunately, as I inch closer to my late 30’s, I realize that it’s just not going to happen for me. Now that I think more about it, I would probably hate life on the road. I can’t imagine being cramped in a van with a bunch of smelly dudes who haven’t showered for weeks. Playing on a Tuesday night in Dubuque in front of 10 people? Yeah, on second thought I’ll just pay to see the next band I like in a small dirty rock club. Better to live vicariously through those that are brave enough to accept the challenge. It’s just not me.

A challenge I can accept is a good old road trip following one of my all-time favorite bands as they tour the West Coast. Let’s just be clear, I am not talking about hopping in the old VW bus with 10 of my new best friends that I met while camping, bartering my vegan burritos and discussing the godhood of Jerry Garcia. No, I am talking about loading the MP3 player up and staying in moderately priced hotels. Maybe a few will even have pools.

So that is our next adventure as we follow the Murder City Devils on their latest reunion tour. I can’t wait and expect it to be a great deal of fun. Will I be able to stay up past 11pm on consecutive nights? I sure hope so.

I’ve told you the beginning of our story. Now you should share your rock n’ roll road trip tales. How was life on the road as you went from city to city for the sake of rock n’ roll? Do you have any advice? Leave your comments with all the juicy details. Hell, I’ll even forgive you if it was the Foghat ’93 reunion tour. JJ

“One week of the road. One week and I'm already wrecked.” -Ready for More, the Murder City Devils