Tour life might seem glamorous and fun, but it ain’t for the faint of heart. Between the homesickness and long drives, there’s also the issue of where to rest your head each night. Up-and-coming bands cutting their teeth playing tiny gig after tiny gig don’t get to ride in a lux tour bus much less stay in a hotel room every evening. Instead, they get to crash wherever they can while trying to save up gas money. Ukranian metal crew Jinjer are doing alright for themselves these days, but it wasn’t that long ago that the boys and girl were staying in some pretty shady spots while on the road. We caught up with singer Tatiana Shmaylyuk to get a look at what tour life is really all about, warts and all.
1. SKATE SHOP IN EUROPE
We once stayed at a skate shop somewhere in Europe when we did our first big tour there. It was so freaking cold inside — we had to get wasted not to feel it. We slept on benches, chairs and sofas. But we were grateful anyways.
2. A ROOM WITH THREE BEDS FOR 15 PEOPLE IN HUNGARY
In a room with three beds for at least 15 people. That was in Hungary, also in the beginning of our tour life. So we played a show with fellow guys from Russia and some other bands in a small venue — they were on tour, as well, with their girlfriends. So after the show, the owner of the club showed us a tiny room and said, “You are gonna sleep here.” Then after some time our Russian friends came in and said, “Wtf! The owner told us we stayed here!” So we shared beds and the floor with 15 people.
3. HOUSE OF WORSHIP IN GERMANY
We played a good show there, right in that place! And a priest came to see the gig, with a cup of beer in his hand.
4. BDSM VENUE IN BERLIN
A creepy BDSM venue in Berlin. We recall that night with horror — though the show was great.
5. SLAGELSE, DENMARK
We spent five days in a wonderful house, but the place seemed to be abandoned. It was soooo boring, we had to make a poster saying “Party Hard. Welcome” and hung it on our fence. After five hours or so, an old man knocked at our doors carrying four beers and asking if the party was still on.
