066: Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry
Episode 066 is with Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry. We talk about Homeland Insecurity--Flatland's recent album--the creative process, challenging himself as a storyteller, and hear a few old stories about Lubbock.
Interview Transcript
Note: Transcripts aren’t always accurate since they are computer automated and haven’t been edited for spelling, grammar, etc.
Thomas Mooney: 0:08
Welcome to the new slang podcast on Thomas Mooney and this is episode number 66. On today's episode I'm joined by an old friend, Cotto Cordero a flatland cavalry. We were sitting on their bus behind Charlie B's. I guess last week when we recorded this. It was the band's, I guess, really their first show back in Lubbock and nearly a year, you could see this like kind of the slight glow in their eyes, a bit of a hometown return the the old stomping grounds, if you will, for going to do that fun. But, obviously, it's not as though they they haven't been in Lubbock. This this past year, they released their sophomore full length album, Homeland Insecurity, a few weeks back, and have been recording that here in Lubbock with longtime collaborator Scott Faris. He's the one who produced their first debut EP, and then the last record humble folks. He's kind of just the, their go to guy, if you will, since they've only recorded three projects and he's been a major part of each of them. This episode right here, it's a bit of a short one, it's I think, just about 30 minutes long. We were in a little bit of a time crunch. Most of the time, like whenever bands get on this level, you know, they're they're on a schedule, big time and they give a little bit where they have a little bit of given that schedule, but as you can imagine, there's like one little delay can push a schedule off and so yeah, we anyways, we fit this in there between, I guess soundcheck and I don't know like I'm guessing they had dinner right after this sometime, a meet and greet all that kind of stuff. Anyways, this episode right here, we just really talk about the the new album, The the writing of the record. We go into a few little stories about old times and the adjustments if you will, of being a band on the rise. And yeah, not really much else to save up about this episode. Be sure to go in and check out my new weekly piece called 10 things I like it's really just a rundown of what has been released that week. I've been doing each week, this entire year. There'll be one out today. Follow me on social media, it's on or I guess on on Twitter and on Instagram, you can follow follow me at underscore new slang. rate the podcast on iTunes. Give it a five stars it goes a really long way. actually say something I don't know. Like actually write the review Part. If you're interested in any kind of advertisement on the podcast, reach out to me at Newsline dot editors@gmail.com. You can just reach out there if you have any questions or comments or whatever anyways. Yeah, the new slang theme song is done by Burson Phillips, you need to go out and check out his art. He's a great artist. He's the one who's done all the murals at all the blue lights and go follow him on Instagram. Go see what he's been doing there. That is at underscore blue underscore bonnet underscore. Okay. Yeah, that is about it. Here is clutter of flatland. release this new record. I feel like we've already talked about the record since I did that bio for you guys. Yeah. So it's strange, like yeah, so it's been out for just like a month now. Less than a month. Yeah. Three weeks? Yeah. Yeah. In that moment, right before it comes out. Like are you is there like this rush of like, just being kind of like, finally it's out. Finally it's coming out now. It's actually like, we're counting down days. Yeah. Instead of weeks.
Cleto Cordero: 4:28
Yeah, whenever, especially that like the day is we worked like we worked on it a bunch especially. I don't know if I told you Yeah. Did you ever get a comic book?
Thomas Mooney: 4:37
No, I have not. I remember you talking about it. But
Cleto Cordero: 4:40
yeah, well, that so we put it out as a comic book. So there's a lot of extra art direction and stuff and late nights that went into the head. So last time the record came out I was we were just ecstatic. Like on release day. I remember. I did radio interviews all day and like our radio promoter, pick Yup, like it before, it was like 745 in the morning, and I was out all day. And I was still, I wouldn't get tired because I was just like, you just have like, it's fucking finally out, you know? And every like, it's it seems like a dream. You know what I mean? Up until then it's actually here. And so yeah, everyone was really relieved.
Thomas Mooney: 5:20
Yeah, this, the comic book thing you mentioned during that, but obviously, you were like, Don't mention this. And I get like, it's kind of, it's crazy how well kept secret that was until, like, literally just like that, you know, the release date. And like I said, that show and stuff.
Cleto Cordero: 5:37
We don't mean, Scott was talking about playing, keeping things close to your chest playing your cards. And so yeah, I mean, it, I guess it could have got, I guess, we just didn't want to ruin a surprise, or we just kind of wanted to be like, it's out. And it's like, like, well, they did what, you know, just kind of talk about it all bunch, you know, but maybe could have backfired because no one knows about it.
Thomas Mooney: 5:58
They're still figuring out about Well, I mean, what do you think it adds to the the making the record a bigger thing and making it more than just 12 songs? Well, I
Cleto Cordero: 6:08
think whenever whoever does take the time, let's say like, there's like different kinds of fans, our fans just got to a show and they just like to listen from afar, somewhere up close, personal somewhere, like I want to buy every shirt they have, I want to buy the thing. And I think it's kind of for those people that whenever you look at it all together, and then you listen to the record, it's like a whole stories weave around each other. And so I think it adds that to it just I mean, a mystery or a puzzle or something that kind of songs standalone as themselves, but maybe you'll you know, put an another narrative in your mind. That's not even might not be there. But
Thomas Mooney: 6:47
yeah. At what point did you think that this could be something where the The songs are more connected than, than just being like written at the same
Cleto Cordero: 6:58
period? Well, initially, kinda, whenever I wanted to name the album, I kind of got a little bounce back from some of the guys in the band, they didn't weren't ecstatic about it, or they weren't as fully understood what I was trying to go for. Because it sounds super political and stuff. And I told them, like, D there's, I'm telling you, I see the needle going through the or the thread going through the needle of each song. And I know he might not see it now but I see the big picture and I think that kind of helped pull it all together. Yeah, you know, more, making more what is Homeland Security about and kind of that comic book kind of paints that tale I guess,
Thomas Mooney: 7:39
right? Because like obviously it's it's from the last song It's kind of like even not necessarily tucked away but it's not like it's not like Nick chorus or anything like that. Now this little it's almost you know, strange way like offhand comment that when you hear it you go away Let me go back and then I guess you know, obviously it makes more sense in the the full spectrum the small the full context of Yeah, of the song especially.
Cleto Cordero: 8:06
Yeah, absolutely. And I think that that's all the songs that was one of the last songs I wrote for it and so I knew like adron ashes before like blowing then other side alone some sleep sleeping alone. They're all kind of like this somber like kind of like dissonant Oh insecure in a way and pretty women pretty women can help us really tie that all together but all the songs were kind of about people not so much confident in the state of things or what they will be or what they used to be in that last song whenever I wrote it, that last slot I knew that I wanted to name the record that and then when I was writing years from now I was like, oh my god it just fit like right like together and help the whole thing
Thomas Mooney: 8:56
but yeah, well I mentioned how like I had asked you like if the first two songs the first song in the last song were like in a way connected because to me it felt like it was like a wheel kind of like coming full circle. But also there's I was thinking about it whenever like that release day. I feel like pretty women in living by moonlight is kind of like the the same thing. But from like, maybe like a guy perspective and like a girl perspective, because obviously it's about like they're both kind of about going out and pretending to be like not necessary pretending but like trying to fit in with what you're not necessarily all about. He had to find your spot your place.
Cleto Cordero: 9:42
Absolutely. And I think that's kind of what just even being able to connect those two is kind of like what well while the record name makes sense and kind of ties it all together because it is kind of you know, dudes go out to bars and might be some of those pieces of shit that Make pretty women girls, you know, make them feel the way that they do. But yeah, it's been especially hanging out at blue light and stuff got back when I still lived here. Like that kinda was. And I mean, then best tip of the hat to blue light, you know what I mean? But I realized, like, man, if I stick around, and just come here every day, and not trying to, you know, for songwriter nod or whatever, but just coming out here just to you know, I, I saw that I might become something like that I don't, I've flirted with it, and definitely have been in before, but I just don't want to
Thomas Mooney: 10:35
write, you know, well, there is this thing about like, especially in the scene, and I'm sure it really is, in every scene, it's the you don't want to tip over to the we're just doing this because it's a party. You know, what I mean? And I, it's very easy to, like, just over indulge in all the the extra curricular activity, right? Yeah. Because like, even, like, I'm not like any kind of musician or rock star or anything like that. But obviously, when you're by people, you more doors are open to what you you know, it's more about drinking beer, and how much beer can you drink tonight? And like, yeah, versus, you know, for the sake of the song?
Cleto Cordero: 11:21
Yeah. I think that's the, one of the biggest challenges every night is to go out. And remember what it's all about, you know, right. Like, even whenever you start, you get discouraged. I mean, you know, we're really grateful that we get to do all this, and we're on, we now get to travel on a tour bus, you know, for the remainder of the year. And so like, you know, you could get complacent or be like, Oh, this is great. You made it or you did this, but it's not about I don't think people want to show up to see how much you can party they want to show up because they want to feel like a human being and how that's our job is to how much can you make them feel something? Because if not, then we're not doing our jobs. And, you know, and but it's, it's that's the battle, I think, every every show. Yeah. You know,
Thomas Mooney: 12:10
is it is it difficult to? I don't know, like, it's, I feel like it's very easy if you if you even even in the polite way to tell people like, Oh, I don't, I can't do this, like I don't want to do. And obviously like it's everything from Hey, take a shot with me to wave. I mean, that's the thing is like, I think people think that it's just shots, but it's like, there's actually, there's a really great tweet that boy sent me something about, like, you know, you get offered everything from beer to, you know, hard drugs. And these people love the idea of that version of you. But they don't they they leave once like the that bad version comes out or something like that. Yeah. And but I guess going back to the Is it a struggle to because in a way, you're disappointing people, you're telling people now I can take a shot with you? You know, maybe later. Yeah, is there like this aspect of, you know, thinking, I don't want these people to think I'm an asshole.
Cleto Cordero: 13:17
I think that's I think there's Oh, there's like, initially starts out that way, but, you know, I guess you'll get thick skin and be like, you know what, I know what I'm about. And if someone is not emotionally mature to understand that I'm grateful that they're trying to buy me shot, but they're getting offended, then that's not somebody I only want to hang out with so it kind of cancel itself out. You know what I mean? Yeah, I used to think about that a bunch now and just Thanks so much, you know, rather not you know, more. Hey,
Thomas Mooney: 13:47
yeah, let's do it. Tonight it is. You know, when in the night yeah, for sure. Yeah. Obviously, you guys are going out on the road now a whole lot. Is it as fun as you thought it was gonna be? Or is it you know, where it turns into? over just stopping in at the venue? We're playing Walmart, and like, truck stop. And yeah, moto or is it? Are you guys are you still try and make time to see the the, I guess, like the little the little things in each area of the town or the city or whatever? No,
Cleto Cordero: 14:25
absolutely. I haven't gotten tired of it yet. I mean, I mean, we we started out here in Lubbock. And I remember like, June 4 2014, was our first show at blue light. And I've still have that wonder less feeling of going out and, you know, Newtown even if it's not, you know, not all gigs are equal. I mean, some of them are amazing. And we're at tower theater yesterday and it was incredible. hospitalities incredible sound, just everything and then you might play something the next day or Something that's in the middle of the field. But it's, that's where I think it goes back to the service part of it. It's like, what are you really doing it for? Yeah, you know what I mean? If you just come out here to fill your urges and your appetite, then you definitely get all that, but then that's a bottomless cup, you know what I mean? But I think if you're coming out here trying to provide a service for people then a lot more meaningful, and there's an endurance there, I think,
Thomas Mooney: 15:23
yeah. We'll talk about some of the old blue light days. Dude. My goodness, I remember, I think they need to bring this back. But I remember. Remember on songwriter night, where if you signed up, you could also sign up for like, a Tuesday or Wednesday opening gig. I remember you playing a whole lot of those. Yeah. was that like? Was that just like, experience that helped open up? contacts? What What, what was the biggest advantage of being able to just open for those weekday shows,
Cleto Cordero: 15:57
just I mean, songwriter night is, you know, you get two songs, and then that's it, you know, and you kind of are and then someone goes up and plays a better song and like, shit, I want to go and pray, I need to go, I want to be, you know, I can do that. And you better work on my stuff, you know, and they offer up this, hey, coming on a Tuesday and not gonna pay anything. You know, maybe it's $3 ahead, and maybe five people come in, but you get to play all your songs you've been working on, and you might see what does work. What doesn't work? What? You know what I mean? I think you're I tried to sign up for as many as I could just because I just I really wanted to work our way up to not through some kind of level of, you know, Pat's on the back, or Oh, I know, this the owner, but the grind of Oh, then we got a Wednesday, and then six would give us a Wednesday, but not unless we showed that symbol on Tuesday. Kind of I wanted to work up to the weekend, you know what I mean? But yeah, I would say I mean, it just kind of not necessarily open doors. But I mean, it just like I think kind of separates folks that really want to do it. Or they just want the Daydream of it. Yeah, not I mean, that's, I
Thomas Mooney: 17:16
know what you mean, because there's, there's the I was talking with Austin meet about this actually, about how there's so many people trying to do this right now. There's so many people trying to be a musician. How many like how many bands Do you think get started in Texas and Oklahoma? on a weekly basis? And but I think it's the grind of it, the struggle of it, the the going and playing the show that you think like, oh, that all these people are going to be here. And then there's like, no one there. I think that like, the sounds harsh, but like the breaking down of somebody is good, because it shows like, oh, maybe I'm not cutting for this, maybe I need to go do something else. And I think it's like a I guess it's a healthy system.
Cleto Cordero: 18:00
Yeah. I recall at least three to four instances where, like, I compete a songwriter competition, and I wouldn't make it known advance or would even get in or I lose, and I remember like the first couple times, you know, you're not emotionally mature. Yeah, yeah. That's what all this is to make you journey into a man or whatever you become. Not being sexist, but, um, boy, man, but like, I remember a couple times, I was like, I'm fucking shit. I'm, I'm gonna quit. Like, I just, I suck. Apparently, you can't write a song. Yeah, you know, and according to judges, I'm you know, and I just thought maybe I should go do accounting, you know, I mean, but then something would always push me back to, to this. And I mean, shit. Maybe I just didn't remember I should have quit a long time ago, but it's too late. You know? I mean, you just you realize there's stuff in you. And if you quit when it's fucking hard the first time. You never know, you know, I mean, but there's something needed. It's like, no, come on, try again. You can do better. And it's think that is what throughout the course of years, you know, might make you into something that you know, people want to listen to her. You might have some new digging out what you have to say,
Thomas Mooney: 19:16
right? for people. So yeah, I think also like when you're 1819 like, you don't have like, you've not lived enough to like have something to say like hardcore, like, for sure. I mean, like, obviously, you have something to say, but you don't have anything to say that. Like a 35 year old is going Oh shit, this guy knows what he's talking about. All of a sudden, it's very rare Do you have you had like some kind of life experience that does that? And I think like, especially like even what I'm doing. I feel like I've not really ever had anything too specific to say, but it's about getting those reps in. Yeah, and and then you The day that you do have something to say you're like, Okay, like, now I know how to how to get it out. Yeah. And I think that's a lot to do with songwriting too, is like, you have to figure out that process of whatever your process is. Just so like that day that you do have something to say. It comes easy.
Cleto Cordero: 20:18
Yep. And even then, sometimes those happened to you and you don't even know what happened. You're like, shit. You know, you're kind of it's kind of just, it's, and that's what people might think. Are you being too mystical? Or, but I mean, sometimes some songs just happened to and you're like, Wow, I didn't even try to write that, you know, and maybe be still learn from it. Right? You know what I mean? Yeah, it's the
Thomas Mooney: 20:40
going on the like, the 806 songwriter stuff, has, I think it's, um, in a strange way, demystified songwriting, but then also, like, part of part of it for me, looks at and goes like, actually, there is something really magical here. Because like, it does feel like watching some of you guys, right? It's been like, honestly, pulling teeth, but like, you know, this is we're working on a song trying to figure it out. But then I remember when ba and will we're riding drunk again. Like, you could see Will's eyes like, you know, the size of saucers, because like, he was just like, super fucking happy about what was happening in this song, you know? And I think that is magic right there. I think that is like this. Like, you know, he, if you asked him about, like, what was happening? I don't know if you'd necessarily remember. But like, I'm, he was like, in this moment. Right. And I think that is the magic aspect of it.
Cleto Cordero: 21:39
Yeah. Whenever you lose yourself in it, and there's it's not you behind the wheel being calculative and you know, it's not not quantitative. It's just something that's just like yeah, I'm just talking about
Thomas Mooney: 21:54
Yeah, what was like the the hardest song to like finish on this record. That took you the most to put the puzzle pieces together.
Cleto Cordero: 22:02
I think ashes was kind of hard because I know I wanted I know the story, any the arc of it, and then how I wanted it to end and how it was supposed to be all tied together. But saying that, knowing what if you're reading it to somebody, let them paint the rest of the picture in their brain. But don't you don't have to say it all but because it started to get real wordy and it is a lot of words. That's that one's kind of tough. Remember living by moonlight just because some of them were more poem style where I just wrote the lyrics. Yeah. Had to find the right words to or the word melody.
Thomas Mooney: 22:39
I feel like you had part of living by moonlight blast 806 songwriter possible I think you had like, partly because I either making that up or I but I think like there was like part of that song that you played a little bit of
Cleto Cordero: 22:54
that one I had. I was just we're rolling down the road one day and I just akutan goblins ballroom, ghouls, neon vampires sitting on stools. And I was like, Oh shit, I gotta write that down. And then that came out. And then I had another piece that I had written. And it was perfect to about you know, sirens or was like beautiful devil in the clever disguise sear. Caesar long lost daddy when she looks me in the eyes. And then siren sing Give me just one night. And I had like all these pieces together like a Frankenstein song. But they all were like, Oh, this is what this is. And then I had to figure out how to how did you get there? I had the middle part. But I didn't have the intro. Right? Yeah,
Thomas Mooney: 23:39
I know. Like a there's this website called Rap Genius. And they have like lyrics to living by moonlight. And I'll go back and like change it to goals because I knew it was ghosts, cuz I remember you saying that. And then somebody would come in and like change it to ghosts. And then like, I'd go back and turn it back to goals and be like, trust me on this guy's like, stop fucking turning this. Yeah, I don't know. I'm always like, bothered by by shit like that. Now. Yeah. The lyrics that get messed up because they end up what ends up happening is they take that those lyrics, copy and paste them to somewhere else and then those get copied. Until then, all of a sudden it is barroom gusts for everyone.
Cleto Cordero: 24:22
And you're like no did some people still think no shade of green is I wish I could revert her name
Thomas Mooney: 24:30
that one's that one's been the best one I think so far. Yeah. I mean, it's no shade of green turned into like no shade of Ruby Red Revlon right? Yeah.
Cleto Cordero: 24:39
Yeah. Yeah, someone told me that the only thing the only thing that I don't like about that song is it says no shade. And I was like,
Thomas Mooney: 24:47
Yeah, fuck me. All the putting all the pieces from old songs together here. Yeah. Now what's been grounds what's the stomping grounds from Yeah,
Cleto Cordero: 24:55
well, in that one was okay, you can sit down on the piece of paper. Write the lyric out. Or sometimes you have a melody on a guitar and you're just playing it and the words coming out. And it was stomping grounds and on my call that works for the song too. So I just kept it, you know? Yeah.
Thomas Mooney: 25:13
I think there's those are like what? What are what are in you? Yeah, that's like a nice little wink to the crowd though to be able
Cleto Cordero: 25:19
to. Yeah. I think. Especially here tonight, too. I think that'll be a fun one to play. Because, yeah. It. Yeah, I mean, it's been since like, last May. I think we played but it's always what's weird is we've started out here and we played all the time. And then now we got away. And so coming back, I always feel so like, nostalgic. I can't explain it. Yeah, it's very surreal. It almost feels like equal parts like a, you know, homecoming, kind of like celebration thing. But also, there's new crowds and new faces out there because your college kids and stuff and but it's a new generation of kids who like your stuff, but it's still it feels. What's the word like it feels unfamiliar, but also still home? I can't describe.
Thomas Mooney: 26:07
I mean, I can't explain it. But it's like in the BA song. Hello. that note I also did because it was written by Trenton VA about like, going to blue light. And it's all like new faces in the crowd because they've all like all your friends or have left town. And that's it is strange. Like always being still being here, obviously. And you know, you got a blue light and you're just like, Who are these people? Are they? They're under age? Yes. Kids should be in high school. Not? No, no, it's it's a little, a little rough. When you think about it. Like you're just like, oh my god, I hope they don't think I'm like 40 years open? I don't know. But yeah, I don't think they I think they're thinking about other shit. Go back to the I can watch at home. That's what they're telling me. Is when they walk by. You're not even that all I know. That's what I'm saying. But remember that the back the back night? But okay, like, whatever. You. You guys have ever done that before? You guys did that back to back night? I can't remember. Did you guys put the same set over? Or was it?
Cleto Cordero: 27:26
We tried to reorganize it? But we only had the record in the mean. So we didn't have much many songs. But yeah, we try to throw in a couple different covers. And yeah,
Thomas Mooney: 27:37
well, I was gonna say like, now though, like, how does it change that where you have 1220 to 2027? Yeah, nearly 30 songs. Yeah. That to choose from, that are all originals? Like, do you start fading out? A song? It's tough. You guys,
Cleto Cordero: 27:59
our show has been in just totally naturally, like we hadn't even Oh, it has to be this many songs. It's we've been finishing like if we do get encore, and because people do want to hear stuff that we didn't play during set. It's been like two hours when we'd never had that problem. It was like, Fuck, we had to fucking make 90 minutes, you know? So it's like, it's tough. Because, walk get around are all asker my tour manager, you know, how did this look? And he's like, Man, it's like, I don't know, I don't know which ones to take away or which ones cuz there's some songs that we love to play, right. And there's songs that the crowd loves to hear. And then there's just those oldies that I think there's a mutual thing like Goodbye, kiss was always no matter. It was a slow song. But every time we played the everywhere, it was just a moment. And I don't mean it like that. But just it was like, it was something going on between the crowd and NASA was like, Yeah, like some of those are. How do you roll those away? Right, you know, with all these new songs, get them to trust in these new songs. And but it's been tough. We thought about it last night. Just fuck it. Let's just maybe we should just play the new record front to back and then play the old stuff after but we're still testing it out and tweaking it.
Thomas Mooney: 29:11
Yeah. I like the idea of just like, especially when it's a new record. And it's like, especially I think if you're releasing the record that night, you should play the record all the way through no matter what no matter who you are. Yeah, but obviously, that's not necessarily good for everybody
Cleto Cordero: 29:28
but yet well I don't know No, I'm that's the thing. It's like it. You're right. It's all up to the artist if they we actually got to convince them it's a there's given tape going on. Hey, we're gonna play this new record and it's gonna be great and not want to hear stomping grounds.
Thomas Mooney: 29:45
Yeah, you know, and so, yeah, do you find it fun? Like, okay, what's that? What's the what is the song or What's that one guy who. There's always like at least one guy who's yelling the one song that he wants to hear in your life. That's do we play that song but it like it gums like at different point in the set just like hold on?
Cleto Cordero: 30:05
Yeah.
Thomas Mooney: 30:06
Like, is there a song like that? Is it stomping grounds as
Cleto Cordero: 30:08
either there's always a shout for tall city I think tall city blues are cleito I think that one.
Thomas Mooney: 30:19
Yeah,
Cleto Cordero: 30:20
I think Yeah, that one's that one's been kind of cool because that one is another one that kind of never really lost its steam release for us because people were like, either want to quit their jobs or they're in college and they're like, you know, they're like, I don't want to I don't want to get a job. So people get their jobs. And so I think it's anthemic for people that just want to figure out what they want to do, I guess.
Thomas Mooney: 30:46
Yeah. It's kind of funny. I was just remembering this because of we're talking about the setlist thing. Do you remember? I found it really funny, because you guys ended up doing it. I had suggested to you guys, man, it would be badass. It's like if you guys open every show with coyote, or coyote, you guys pronounce it. But like, just have Jason go up there and start just playing the drums and then just like one by one. Yeah, that was you. Yeah, dude, I remember. And then like you guys started doing? Like, they actually took an idea. That's awesome.
Cleto Cordero: 31:21
Yeah, we need to bring that Caitlin's always like that, too. She's like, man, whenever you're used to mom, she'll do that. Cody and trogon where everyone just kind of walked up there and like,
Thomas Mooney: 31:31
cuz I love the idea that we're and like, one of the reasons I also I thought of it was because I've always thought Turnpike needs to open up every show with Jen smoking lies doing the same thing. Yeah, and then all of a sudden, you just have that little bit of banjo come in. And like, just have that smoke come out. Yeah, that's motivation to convince those guys to do.
Cleto Cordero: 31:55
Yeah. Yeah. That'd be cool. We get to see them get on board with them in New Year's Eve at Keynes. And it was it was awesome. Yeah. Always good time. Yeah.
Thomas Mooney: 32:08
I feel like I need to tell one more. Yeah, photo story about Turnpike though. Do you remember this story? Where they were playing here Turnpike, Charlie B's. And that's actually how the even the podcast got started. Because like, I ended up putting the podcast like, I don't know how to fucking do this. And like, Evan, had, had his manager sent over an email about like, hey, Evan wants to do a podcast with you. He wants to fly out and then ended up being like, other plane, like in two weeks, so just let's just wait. But so we go into the podcast, and I texted you, I think I'm saying like a file, and are you going to get a plan? And you're like, man, I don't know. I don't really have enough money to go yada yada, yada. I'm like, yeah. And like, Okay, well, you let me see if they don't worry about. And so then we go to the podcast. They play that tonight or that that night. I totally bs here. And they want to go to blue light. So I take RC. Evan, we go to blue light. And we're walking in blue light. And these guys, him and Jason are like closing their tabs out. And I like I vividly remember Jason like, signing his his Yeah, his credit card receipt. And looking up, and then just the big smile coming on his face and being like, Can I get one more like reopening this tab and everything like that? reset that down?
Cleto Cordero: 33:40
That was funny. And I bet you that can that would I mean I'm sure that what happening in but I mean, like, just, I remember even like Evan walked in and just people just surrounded him like instantly like, you know,
Thomas Mooney: 33:53
yeah, like it was funny. It's just like, it's gonna happen to you guys. One day. I'll take the guts. I'll take you Okay, we'll find somebody to be the to be take you take you to blue light,
Cleto Cordero: 34:08
just for the nostalgic for not not for tooting, whistles and anything and just, you know, like, is that place?
Thomas Mooney: 34:15
Yeah. That was fun, though. Those that we don't have to throw that in the book. That store. I think that
Cleto Cordero: 34:22
we're like, man, yeah, we're out of here, man. Like, too long. And then literally, like, when he walks, walks in with RC and Evan.
Thomas Mooney: 34:32
They just like to look past me.
Cleto Cordero: 34:34
And you're like, are like, I think I just told you a gam and I'm fixing to leave or I saw you and I was like, I guess we can stick around.
Thomas Mooney: 34:43
Yeah, that was fun.
Cleto Cordero: 34:45
Probably like one of those little dorky kids at the time. Like that. You know, you're like, nice to meet you.
Thomas Mooney: 34:54
Yeah, you guys used to play for the devil knows you're dead right?
Cleto Cordero: 34:59
Do you We used to cover all that stuff on our own Broadway and even on blue light.
Thomas Mooney: 35:03
I remember you guys playing that big time the there's a circle cover you guys did
Cleto Cordero: 35:10
long white line.
Thomas Mooney: 35:11
Yeah.
Cleto Cordero: 35:15
Dude TBT man, we're just trying to fill the set out with the no songs data. You know,
Thomas Mooney: 35:20
I remember this is blended with this one. Wherever you guys playing that blue light and you guys try to do Seven Bridges road made up the harmonies and it just did not work
Cleto Cordero: 35:32
well. Yeah, it was we got one of those you tried stamps? Yeah, she tried.
Thomas Mooney: 35:39
But I felt like you guys. This was I feel like before, like Johnny and read were even really singing Yeah, it was kind of like, we need two more mics tonight just for this and it was like it
Cleto Cordero: 35:51
was wonky. Well, that's the thing about it all that whenever like to myself, at least I'm always trying to learn and grow. And people might that don't know, you might, you know, think the world of you and everything, but everyone's just trying to get better every day. You know what I mean? And I don't ever as long as we're making we're going in that direction. I'm happy because someone could even look at us now. Oh, well, you could do this better and do this better. And it's like, Hey, we're fucking we're gonna we're gonna get there and then what? You know. So that's that's what I think we're looking for. That's what I think is I don't know that's rolling down the road all the time. You talked about you know, you get tired of it or does it become and it can be but I think everyone within their own position right is found the purpose of what all this could be what it is and trying to trying to get the best be the best they can and learn and more there's me songwriting. Jason even told me last night, he's gonna try to play quieter. Because I'm just like, wow, like, everyone's getting woke out here. You know, everyone's just trying the best and I look forward to you know, like, we're having this conversation looking back last night at like, man, y'all got y'all tried some bridges road. It was terrible. And I think it's funny because it's like, at the time, you couldn't have told us otherwise. We were just fucking happy to play right that's what I that's what I want to keep, you know, and two years from now we'll be like, man, we thought we were something because we played it Charlie B's and a bunch of people showed up you know, but
Thomas Mooney: 37:24
right.
Cleto Cordero: 37:25
So I don't know.
Thomas Mooney: 37:26
I hear you.
Cleto Cordero: 37:27
Yeah
Thomas Mooney: 37:27
yeah. Well, let's let's go get a beer or something.
Cleto Cordero: 37:30
Yeah, man. Absolutely.
Thomas Mooney: 37:31
Thanks for jumping on here.