The Chodes
The Old Cracker Barrel Logo, Goddamn I Should’ve Done It Tour
New Orleans - Checkpoint Charlie’s
It should be noted that I have never before been to New Orleans, but when The Chodes extended the offer to me to be their ride-along photographer for overnight back-to-back shows, who was I say to say no? (Initially the timing also worked out fantastic for me to pick up my passport from the Swedish consulate located there, but alas, she was out of town that day. Unfortunate. Just another excuse to come back!)
The organised show was in honour of the birthday of Nic Morgan, their sound guy, and had a fantastic line-up: starting with Stripper Funeral, followed by The Unnaturals, then came The Chodes, and next Dang Bruh, Y? A truly bizarre mix of genres, but somehow all blended together beautifully for a New Orleans Friday Night. Almost well enough that we weren’t particularly bothered over the $60 spent on a locksmith after the keys (including the spare) got locked in the tour van.
Pictured: Nic Morgan
The Evening/Morning Shenanigans
It should also be noted that I’m a very boring person— I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, none of that. (And hi mom, I know you’re reading this; this isn’t to save face, I just don’t.) But that aside, I still have fun, and lord did we. Random drunk guy who wouldn’t stop talking about how I looked like Kurt Cobain, I’ll never forget you.
In true punk rock fashion, we had no idea where we’d crash for the night— but Rad found one of his buddies from his Nola bartending days, and we were set. Jay was a fantastic host, and his dog Bailey (not pictured, sadly) a wonderful cot buddy. His cats were adorable, too.
Pictured: Gas station stop before heading to Ocean Springs.
New Orleans, Daytime
I’m not much of a big city person. Either that, or I’m just bad at being a tourist. Probably a little bit of both.
New Orleans in the daytime felt distinctly European, if Europe was also localised entirely in a swamp and somehow even more open about drinking culture— which is exactly where its roots came from.
The annual Southern Decadence event was in full-swing, with pride flags as far as the eye could see. Aside from a handful of anti-LGBTQ protesters, the atmosphere of acceptance was a beautiful backdrop. (Though it caused Lafitte’s, the oldest bar in America, to be packed out… the band photo there shall have to wait for another trip.)
Pictured: The Chodes posed up in front of aforementioned protestors. (They weren’t exactly fond of us, shockingly.)
The Juke Joint
Anyone who’s been following The Chodes is likely already familiar with The Situation™ going into this show, but let me explain: the show was initially booked for another space. However, only two or three days before, the ex-venue announced the show was canceled to be replaced by a Mardi Gras party; amongst other reasons, one cited was the fact that the show had only sold one presale ticket, and they couldn’t count on it being financially feasible to open their space for.
Who buys a presale ticket for a punk show? (One person, apparently)
The Juke Joint already had a cover band scheduled for the night, but they graciously offered to play later in the night in order to accommodate the bands screwed out of a show.
That night, over 200 people showed up to the Juke Joint.
Pictured: Obligatory band photo with the alligator
(Bottom) Damien Paterson
The Aftermath
In true punk rock fashion, we once again had no solid plan for if and/or where we were sleeping that night, but the decision to not make the 5-hour drive home was an easy one. Conrad managed to acquire a hundred bucks for a hotel for the night (shoutout Cody if you’re reading this, you’re a real one for that).
The motel we settled on had a stack of mattresses piled second-floor high outside our room, and my only real regret was not wrangling everyone for a band photo there— but when we noticed two toilets sitting in the middle of an empty lot as we were pulling out of the parking lot, what else were we supposed to do but stay just a little longer for a last-minute photo?
