Our new song has been out for a few weeks so I thought I would draft up my explanation of it.
This song was written as I ventured to a park in Marin County, CA. I was living in a van and remembering my childhood all day and night as I made a meaningless pilgrimage across our great nation.
Mostly I was recalling my childhood neighbor Tony. He was an alcoholic man who would explode on his family loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear. This was almost every night for awhile, until the HOA got involved and some intense drama led to them selling the house and moving Godknowswhere.
I remember at a neighborhood party he blended in with the other men and almost seemed normal. I remember looking at Tony with fear and awe. His children were very cool. They were dealing with more than most of us but they loved Pokemon just the same. I met up with the son, later, in college.
“Aren’t you… my old neighbor?” I asked him in the crowded living room of a raucous party house.
“WHAT’S UP MAN!?” He said, evidently excited to see me. No real sadness or fear in his eyes. Maybe he turned out fine after all.
His father Tony died recently. Cirrhosis. My mom mentioned seeing the memorial page on Facebook. His wife had left him. I will remember him young and terrifying.
The other song we released is called Tuco Says. This is the story of my old bandmate Tuco. He was a great guy who gave up music for life on a community farm. Sometimes I think he chose the wiser path. He left our old band Blistered Apostles and it broke up almost immediately after. Watson Moon was formed from the ashes. What can I say about Tuco? He was a reasonable man. You've definitely met people just like him. Sometimes I write him letters. I say “I'M STUCK OUT HERE MAN I'M IN THE DOLDRUMS.” and other ramblings.
Sunny and hot in California this weekend. Summer coming soon. We have bought our plane tickets to Seattle in June. Taylor's got a farm and another baby on the way. Dad moved to West Seattle. Mom's on Mercer Island. I have not seen either of their new homes yet. Very excited. Hopefully the plane is smooth and does not crash. Haha just kidding but you know I worry. But overall life is good. Very good life in this dreamland in the 21st Century. It's this and that and a lot of things. Ok, get some sleep. And I will too.
-Watson