January 17th 2008

So we wake up at Johnny's loft to views of the Hollywood sign. It doesn't take a genius to work out that we feel great. No sign of jet lag or tiredness, just sheer excitement. We all shower and change and then help get some curtains up on the bunks on the tour bus. You'll hear more about the tour bus later - but the work that the Tattooed Millionaire's guys have done to this thing is unbelievable. There's 10 bunks, seating areas at the front and rear, and even a bath and shower. Each bunk has been fitted with power points and a light. When you hear about bands doing things themselves to make stuff happen, this is the shining example of it. I hate to get my hands dirty and I'm crap when it comes to manual labour - but if this is the end result and we could cruise around the UK in one of these things then maybe it's time to change my ways.

We decide to head up to Guitar Center to get a box of strings etc. For those who don't know - this place is a huge musical instrument store that also has the rock walk outside where I saw Slash inducted last year. So we are all the way on the other side of the world and I hear Ash in deep conversation with a sales guy there. Turns out the bloke used to work at Heron Music in St George and Ash knows him..... what a small world.

Rob drives us up to the Sunset Strip so that those who haven't seen the famous venues have a chance to soak it up (for the benefit of people who don't know us personally, Rob is a good friend of ours and Billy is Dans twin brother - both are on the whole tour with us and are excellent roadies!!!). Everyone is taken aback when we pass the Viper Rooms, then The Whiskey A-Go-Go, The Cat Club (where we are due to play later) The Rainbow and the Roxy. I've seen them before but still have a hard time believing I am here - WITH OUR BAND!!!

We get back and start to load the guitars for the gig. No need for amps etc as the entire backline is provided.

We cruise back to Sunset in the Tour Bus - it grabs a lot of attention. We park right opposite the Rainbow. This feels strange. After chucking our guitars in the venue we go for a pizza. Before you know it we are down at the Cat Club again about to play. For the first time in my life I was completely overcome with nerves, but when we take the stage at 9:30 they pass almost instantly and the whole band puts in an awesome performance - especially as the band are using gear that is completely foreign to them.

I'm straight to the bar for a quickly downed drink. Adrenaline pumping. Heart beating. Hands still shaking. Feeling on top of the world.

My friends show up after we finish - but it means a lot that those guys came all the way to see us. Thanks to Tim, Ed, Chris and the rest of the boys. It was great to share my post-gig excitement with them.

My friend Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal also came down to see us with his wife. That meant alot to me and the band. He is a very busy man and had an hour drive to get there. A true gent! Thanks Ron!

Tattooed Millionaires play a good set. Johnny was born to be a rock front man. It's his birthday and he is a happy man. We're all happy.

The promoters from our Vegas show tomorrow have come to check us out and they loved it. We hear a few words about tomorrows gig but to be honest we were all too high on life to care....except for Scott who wasn't so much high on life as absolutely wasted on Stella! The guy just drinks drinks drinks. We leave around 1am and sleep on the bus. We have to work really hard to get any life out of Scott and then equally as hard to get the little bastard on to his top bunk! We're on tour so why not get drunk right?

The bus still doesn't have the water tanks sorted so at 3:30am when I find myself at the side of the bus in my boots and boxers looking very vunerable trying to take a leak. A funny sight for sure. Then it's back to the surprisingly comfortable coffin (bunk). This time tomorrow we'll be in Vegas having played a gig. How bizarre.

Marty:Riot