Day started with border control into Canada. Went smoothly. Driving into Vancouver. Beautiful weather, beautiful city.
And then you enter…Zombieland.
It’s difficult to describe the level of homelessness and open drug use. People sitting on the street, right outside the bus, smoking crack. You can see them just shut down. It is absolutely horrific. And the stench of piss and shit is overwhelming at times. Do yourself a favor and search for ”10 Dollar Death Trip” on YouTube. That is exactly where the venue is that we’re playing. Right there. In the middle of it.
Went for dinner, found an ok Mexican place. On the way back, we got a real taste of what this neighborhood can offer – people shooting up right in front of us, passed out in the street, someone overdosing on the sidewalk and the police and ambulance is there, trying to resuscitate him. This day is not about us playing music. It’s about the state of the world. If people live like this, haven’t we failed as a society? It’s one thing to watch a documentary, it’s another to actually be in the midst of it, physically feeling it, smelling it, experiencing it. And then, the contrast of playing a sold-out show, smiling faces, rocking out. Some of the Sabaton band and crew were there, so we hung out with them. That was so much fun. Good times! Then, bus call and get the hell out of here!
Tomorrow is the last show of this North American tour.
