Hello and welcome to another exciting week of music industry insight and advice here on the official blog of Haulix. Christmas is fast-approaching, but here at Haulix we are showing no signs of slowing in our efforts to bring you the best blog content and music distribution services available anywhere online. We have new content planned every week day until the end of the year, and yes that even includes the day when Ol’ Saint Nick will come scurrying down your chimney. If you have any suggestions for future articles on this blog, or if you have a question you would like us to tackle in the weeks ahead, please email james@haulix.com and share your thoughts. We can also be found on Twitter and Facebook, which we update regularly. We can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.
We know there is no way for us to give each and every reader of this blog a gift for the holidays, but we have been working around the clock to compile the best content we possibly could to help keep you both informed and entertained while staying warm indoors. Today’s piece is the second-ever guest advice column written by an artist, and in my opinion it’s one of the best pieces we have ever run.
Whether he’s working with bands through SwitchBitch Records or melting faces in venues around the country with his own musical endeavors, Michael Abiuso lives music 24/7. When winter began to approach I knew we would eventually want to run an advice column geared towards preparations for seasonal touring, and Michael was the first person that came to mind to help create the piece. Fortunately for me, he agreed to help after only a few requests (and friendly nudges over social media). You can read his fantastic insight, below:
Winter Tour Survival
Hey kittens, Mike Abiuso of The Venetia Fair and SwitchBitch Records/Studios here. I was somehow invited back but this time to speak about touring in the winter. Don’t ask me how, either James has a man crush on me, or you guys get a kick out of mocking my poor writing capabilities. Either way I’m happy to be here.
Although I tour and have been touring since 2006, I’m still not quite sure I’m the best candidate to take advice from when it comes to prepping to hit the ol’ open road for the winter. I’m actually in the middle of an east coast tour as we speak with The Venetia Fair and in all honesty I’m sick as a dog and slept in the freezing cold van last night in attempt to enhance my gritty throat so I could continue singing in the vein of Madball. Are they still around?
Without any further adieu, lets freeze our balls off (gals this includes you).
Having your vehicle and paperwork up to date is so important. Be sure the following are all good to go:
- Driver’s licenses are not suspended
- Vehicles registration
- Insurance cards
- Inspection stickers
- Oil changes
- The wipers actually wipe shit off the windows and not just smear it around (This all pretty much goes for every day life and vehicles as well you hoodrats)
- Anti-freeze
Learn from mistakes:
For about 5 years I was in a touring band called Kiss Kiss. We had a diesel school bus and although it was cheap and seems really cool, there were a lot of issues we ran into. I’m sure myself and everyone else would think…”$3,000 for a full size school bus and I can take the seats out and put couches and tables and make it cool…blablabla” We’re all stupid, trust me. Why?:
- They don’t sell diesel at every gas station.
- Do you remember in middle school how bumpy those things are? Good luck reading a book, or doing anything.
- There’s a heater in the front and the back AND THAT’S IT. Not to mention it’s one big draft box made of aluminum.
- If there are any issues, most places don’t service or have parts for these vehicles and if they do, you get charged a shit ton.
- These things don’t like to start in the winter. Be prepared to purchase a block heater and a bunch or different sprays to blast in the engine prior to starting. Cool right?
That all sad, I personally would stick to a van and trailer. There’s a reason why every other touring band has one, it’s because it works, however there are things you need specifically for a van and trailer that you wouldn’t ordinarily need for a standard vehicle:
- You’re going to want to make sure you have a separate braking system hooked up to the trailer or you will not be able to make abrupt stops putting yourselves and others in danger.
- Be sure you know how your different high and low gears work for heading up and down large up/downgrades.
- Snow tires are definitely helpful, but this winter we (The Venetia Fair) brought snow chains for our tires. In the past the band has gotten stuck trying to go uphill (upmountain) through the Rocky Mountains, and had an 18 wheeler push the van and trailer from behind.
- Occasionally you’ll run into situations where a) you can’t fit a van and trailer anywhere and need to park them separate or b) you have a day off and don’t want to lug around a trailer and unnecessarily waste gas. For these occasions a ball lock is essential to put in the hitch of the trailer so it doesn’t get jacked when you leave. When you “D the T” more commonly known as dropping the trailer we make sure to have triangular wheel blocks placed under the trailer tires so it doesn’t accidentally roll away.
- In cold temperatures the padlocks on our trailer freeze closed, so we keep a blowtorch in the door of the van.
- There are always chances you will break down. It’s a good idea for at least one member of the band to have AAA so you can take advantage of roadside assistance without paying an arm and a leg.
- People sometimes forget that the internet answers to everything. That said, we have a wireless internet router in the van that we share. If there are any issues with the van or anything, there’s a good chance you can google the issue if not to fix it, then to at least have an understanding of it to avoid being bullshitted by auto repair shop.
- Frequently when driving through mountains there will be dead zones with no service. Breaking down in these areas can be a nightmare. It is important (especially in the winter) to try and keep your gas level above ¼ tank so (depending on the type of breakdown) you can at least keep the heat on in the van till someone stops to help.
- If the scenario described above occurs but the van can’t idle or the issue is with the engine, we have a generator and a spare gas tank. We mainly use this to power microwaves, coffee makers, tvs etc, but I’m thinking for this upcoming January tour it may be a good idea to bring along a small space heater to use if a) we breakdown in a dead zone or b) we sleep in the van.
- Lastly, I’d suggest getting some reflective cones to put outside of your rig when pulled over. This is just an extra precaution on top of hazards to avoid getting sideswiped.
A perk about touring in the winter is that you can buy food in larger quantities so it’s cheaper and will stay longer in the trailer! Maybe I’ll get invited back someday for a lesson on budgeting money on the road! Until next time kids, be safe and don’t do anything The Venetia Fair would do!
Much love,
-Mike Abiuso
