Daniel / Jonathan

So, almost every day someone leans over a fence or barrier, and YELLS "DANIEL!!! HEY DANIEL!!!!!" At first I don't understand that they're yelling at me, because clearly my name is not Daniel. Then I realize that Daniel is nowhere in sight, and it sinks in... Oh, they think I'm Daniel.

It's not that I'm offended, because I think Daniel is a pretty good lookin guy. I just don't think we look much alike! Daniel tells me that he gets the same thing, with people thinking he's me. Even if people can tell us apart, they often ask, "Are you two brothers?"

Do we really look that similar?



In an effort to clear the air and set things straight, I've prepared a selection of images that may help you differentiate between Daniel and I in various circumstances. These are all from different years and in different situations. So pay close attention, there may be a test on this material later.











So, regardless of whether you see us playing a show, riding a boat around a bright lake, or asleep on a plane.... You now have no excuse to get us confused!

I wonder, do you think I could get that TEXT above our heads wherever we go?

j.

Airports with Free Internet

My current list of airports with free internet:

albuquerque
tucson
portland
san diego
minneapolis
denver
las vegas

Anybody remember any other ones?

j.

Zzzzzz.

Doppio Espresso Over Ice

I've stumbled upon something that is apparently somewhat controversial:

The Starbucks Doppio Espresso Over Ice.

When you order an iced espresso drink from Starbucks, you generally get 3 main ingredients: Espresso, Ice, and some form of milk or cream. Sure, there's often syrup and maybe some caramel drizzle, but you're mostly getting Espresso, Ice, and Milk. How much is your drink? For a grande, about $4.

Now, if you're not too hung up on that syrup or drizzle, then you can order a "Doppio Espresso Over Ice" which is just 2 shots of espresso over ice. Then you walk over to the condiment bar, and pour in a touch of milk or cream. This gets you an iced espresso drink for less than $2.

I actually like the taste of the espresso, so I just add a TOUCH of half and half and some splenda... but some people go to TOWN, and order 2 shots of espresso in a Venti cup so they can add loads of milk, and have a full-out iced espresso drink.

These people are essentially getting a $4 drink for $2.



Now, are they just being smart about it, or is this "cheating"? Some would argue that it's "working the system", and that makes it wrong.

But what if I just like a simple iced espresso? And what if I like that it only costs $1.85?

Personally, I figure Starbucks can look out for themselves, and if this is an order they are willing to take, then I'm happy to place it. If I go to Starbucks at least once a day, I'm sure I'm helping their business more than hurting it.

I bet Dave Ramses and Ralph Nader could get behind me and just call it being an educated consumer. They'd be right there with me ordering a Doppio Espresso Over Ice... and they'd be paying CASH.

That's what I think. What do YOU think?

j.

New Recordings...

I've been writing a TON of new songs recently. It's been a long time coming... When I get busy or pre-occupied, it's hard for me to focus. However, recently I've found myself in a much clearer head-space, and I've been much more inspired.

We're going to be spending a lot of time at home this fall, and I'm very excited about it. I'm definitely going to be recording quite a few new songs... When and how I will release them is still up in the air... but I'm pretty sure I will release something, somehow... before Christmas. I'm not quite sure how that will look just yet.

I'll also be producing some songs for this dude.



This is my brother Michael... after his eye surgery. Ha ha... He has written some AMAZING songs. I am really excited for people to hear what he's written recently. He has such a fresh perspective on worship music, and just vertically oriented songs in general. Check him out at myspace.com/michaelsteingardmusic.

j.

Hawk Nelson AND Puppet Show

Remember this scene from Spinal Tap?

Check this out...



Ok, the sign has been refaced... But I promise, it's the same place. Yes Sir. Today we are playing Magic Mountain in Valencia, California... at the site of one of the scenes from Spinal Tap. It was here that Nigel quit the band in a fit of rage. I don't intend to do any such thing.

However, I do feel that I express myself through my solos...

j.

Tucson in August.

At some point, somebody said... "Hey, let's play a show in Tucson, Arizona... and let's do it in August." Haha... Actually, this was a great show last year, and today was no different, But IT WAS HOT!



It was 104 outside, and the bus generator died... so there was no AC on the bus all day. It's times like this that make me miss Canadian winters. 10 foot snowbanks.... Hot Cocoa.... Snowmen and Snowball fights.

I didn't have to beware of rattlesnakes in the snowdrifts either.

Anyways... Tonight's show was after the baseball game, so we had lots of time to set up and goof around on stage during our soundcheck. Daniel even played us a folk tune.







This is our friend ED. He pushes the buttons that make things sound good. Yes, he knows what ALL of those knobs do.




The show was a blast, and we played for one of the funnest crowds of the tour. Tucson never disappoints!

See you next time...

j.

Sarah Silverman Sighting

So I'm strolling through our hotel today, and who should I see but Sarah Silverman. If you don't know who this is, you're leading a blessed life, but I was still a little enthused to see a "celebrity".



I'm gonna be honest, she looked haggard. She was wearing a flannel shirt that Eddie Vedder would gush over, and she was rockin some real bad hair. Maybe it was intentional... I did make eye contact (I had to be sure it was her!), and she gave me the "oh gosh please don't come over and talk to me" look. I left her alone. She probably would have cussed me out if I approached her anyways. That girl has a mouth filthy enough to make Borat blush.

j.

Desolate America

We're driving from Dallas, TX, to Tucson, AZ. This is the view out the window on the way there.... the WHOLE way there. I've been watching for a tumbleweed... Gosh, a tumbleweed would be so exciting. I remember one time I sat on my lawn and watched dust spin in little circles on my driveway. That was fun... Ugh.

j.

Tillifer Gretchen Steingard

I realized today that I've never properly introduced a member of our family. We call her Tilly, but her full name has gotten longer over time. We just keep adding syllables, poor girl...



Tilly is a lab / beagle cross, although she just pretty much just looks like a mini black lab. We got her a year ago, and I can barely imagine life without her now. Well, we'd get more sleep... and our hardwood floors would be without scratches.... but it would be a little bit more lonely at our house.

She has lots of habits that are either endearing or infuriating, depending on the day....

1. She likes to pee exactly 3 feet further than the leash will reach.
2. The mat in front of the sink is her favorite spot, making it difficult to do the dishes.
3. She loves to stand on my chest at 7am when I'm trying to sleep.
4. I often wake up in the fetal position, because somehow she's stolen my legroom.
5. She won't do her business until we're on a neighbour's lawn and there are people watching us.
6. Taking her anywhere in the car involves revisiting her lunch.
7. Leashes are just opportunities to get tangled up and look pathetic.
8. She chases flies around the house, and smudges up the windows with her nose.
9. Any paper or cardboard left around the house is fair game. This is how she got the nickname "The Ruiner".
10. She will lick anything... and I mean ANYTHING. Hands, feet, walls, computer screens, furniture, trash, carpet, shoes... even the occasional electrical outlet. Ok, I encourage that.

Once we actually caught her chewing on the vaccuum cable while it was plugged in. I had a moment of indecision.... Do I let this continue? Will that teach HER a lesson, or ME? I don't wanna have to bury her in the back yard, but I do want her to stop chewing things.

I do love Tilly... but I don't think that phrase means the same for me that it does for Jess. She freaking LOVES this dog. Every two seconds she's like.... "Look at the puppy.... LOOK WHAT SHE'S DOING!... isn't she SO cute?... isn't she the cutest puppy in the WORLD?!" Tilly could move her paw about 3 inches to the left, and all of a sudden Jess has a whole new reason to get my attention... "OH LOOK!"

This is why we don't have children.

Anyways... Life would be a little more boring without our Tilly.

j.

Pelican Cases

These are Pelican Cases.




I'm considering getting one for my pedalboard. Below is the guarantee. Pay close attention to the last line.


THE PELICAN UNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME GUARANTY: If for any reason you are not satisfied with the quality or performance of the PelicanTM product you have purchased, PelicanTM Products will gladly replace the product or refund your money (at your option) within 30 days after the purchase through the original Dealer/Retailer. PelicanTM Products will continue to guarantee the product directly, against breakage or defects in workmanship. This guarantee does not cover the lamp or batteries in lights. The o-rings must be kept greased (and replaced if damaged) per product instructions. (Replace o-rings annually or when damaged.) Any liability, either expressed or implied is limited to replacement of the product. This guarantee is void only if the PelicanTM product has been abused beyond normal and sensible wear and tear. The guarantee does not cover shark bite, bear attack and children under five.


SHARK BITES, BEAR ATTACK, AND CHILDREN UNDER FIVE?!!!!!

Who is this company's demographic?

j.

Technologically Awesome

In the signing line at Rock the Desert Festival in Texas:

Kid: Can you sign my phone?

Me: Sure! Wow, this is a cool phone. I've never seen it before.

Kid: Oh yeah it's got (some feature I've never heard of).

Me: Oh, I'm kind of technologically impaired.

Kid: No way. You're technologically awesome!

1am Soundchecks

1 AM soundcheck.
Pedalboard didn't make the flight.

Not a perfect world.

"User Serviceable"

There are two words that worry me when they are put together:

"User Serviceable"

They worry me because they are generally preceded by the word "Not". This means, "No dude, I know you think you're a handyman, but YOU CAN'T FIX THIS." However, I've been overcoming my fear of fixing things recently. Since buying a home and getting married, I've discovered that it comes with the territory. I've been tackling some home and auto repairs on my own (simple stuff), and I've actually started to get a little more confident.

This week, a headlight went out on our Jetta. I've never replaced a headlight before, but I do remember my father replacing one on our old van. It involved buying this big bulky headlight and taking the whole grille apart. No Thank You.

The challenge with a Jetta is wholly different. It's not about bulky parts and disassembly. Quite the opposite. I discovered that it's all about tinkering with tiny parts with a work area the size of a pop tarts box.

This is after 20 minutes of struggling to get the cover off the back of the headlight....



Thank goodness I don't have man-hands. I don't know how a real man would have dealt with this repair. His hands wouldn't have fit in there!



Although I do admit, having filthy hands after working on a car.... That's pretty manly.

Where's the soap?

Guitar Center

So I've decided that I'm not going to guitar center anymore. Today was my last straw.

I always cringe a bit when I have to go in there... but today I overcame my shudders, and went in to buy guitar picks, look at a few mics, and find some 50 foot instrument cables for my pedalboard loom (a pedalboard loom is a few cables taped and "loomed" together, that connect my pedalboard to my guitar amps.. this information will be important later).

I stroll in, wanting to meander for a few minutes... I want to look at the "used and vintage" section, the microphone case, and, of course, the wall of PRSes! I'm not here to be talked into buying a Schecter, I'm here because I want to peruse the new products, and then buy what I want.

One of the things that blows my mind about guitar center, is how the customer service is EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of what I (and many others) would like. When I'm just taking a peek around, I'm approached by multiple employees who are bent on selling me something without stopping to figure out if it's really what I need.... But when I finally want to buy something I have to wait for 20 minutes while the employee "helps" the customer in front of me. Invariably, they can't find this customer's information in the computer, and won't proceed without finding this mystery file.... So selling the aforementioned customer a single pack of strings takes 20 minutes.

Then I have to endure the conversation... "So, you're in a band? You a rocker dude? I'm in a rock band.. We're called the Hungry Gorillas. We're sort of Zepplin meets ACDC meets Bowie. You know, all the GOOD stuff." Oh yeah, your band and ACDC have LOADS in common. You probably just chose to work at guitar center because "the suits didn't get you", and you needed a place where you had a captive audience.

Then, when I go to leave the store... I'm searched. The darn airport TSA should be so thorough. Yes, because I'm a musician, I must be desperate enough to steal. Well, ok, you've got a point there.

Today, this was my conversation with the 5th GC guy to approach me.... once I finally decided to get down to business... to buy what I needed and get out.

GC guy: Whatcha lookin for dude?
Me: Well, I'm looking for a couple 50 foot instrument cables.
GC guy: Oh well the longest we have is 30 feet.
Me: Ok well I'll find them online or something.
GC guy: Well dude, you should really think about a wireless.
Me: Oh well, I'm looking for cables for my pedalboard loom.
GC: guy: Yeah a wireless will work great for that.
Me: No, I'm making a new loom for my rig, and I need to loom several cables together.
GC guy: Yeah I get it... but a wireless is better. No cables!
Me: No dude... You don't understand. This is to go from my pedalboard to my amp. I'm really looking for 50 foot cables.
GC guy: Well I've got a wireless for like 100 bucks. Real good deal.
Me: Um, I gotta go... Can I buy some picks real quick?

Playing for TobyMac

Tonight was a real treat for me. I had the privilege of filling in for my buddy Tim, who plays guitar for TobyMac. I spent the last 3 days learning the show, and I definitely got to the point where I thought I'd have to duct tape my head in order to keep all the information in!

The guys in the band and crew were so helpful... and made me feel very comfortable. Clint, the backline tech, was there to babysit me and make sure I didn't do anything too stupid! He also managed to snap a few pictures for me!










Toby and the band made me feel right at home, and the Columbus crowd was great to rock with! There were even some Hawk fans there!

It's been a crazy experience.... Playing a show I learned over the last three days... Riding a bus with a bunch of folks other than Hawk... The guys in this band and crew are some of the best friends I've made over my touring years, and I'm very grateful that I got to share this experience with them!