Editor’s Note: J. Tom Hnatow from These United States is writing a tour diary for DCist chronicling the band’s latest national tour. In this entry he discusses breaking in a new drummer with the same name as his last drummer, and the the importance of car insurance.

July 23, 2007

We hit the road from Indy to Lexington, KY, making a brief stop to pick up Jesse’s ladyfriend Kimberly from the Louisville airport. I’m normally opposed to having significant others anywhere around while on tour — its one more distraction among too many other distractions — but Kimberly is one of the coolest, most laid back people I’ve ever met.

Lexington is like a second (third? fourth?) home to us. TUS has played here a few times, and added to the time I’ve spent with local heroes The Scourge of the Sea, it’s a comfortable town where we’re well taken care of.

In addition to being an amazing bill — Cartright, us, Six Parts Seven, Richard Buckner — the show goes well. The crowd is completely into it. There are even people dancing, which is strange for us D.C. kids to see at a show. Kimberly takes some great pictures. At the end of the night, Cartright (Ben) has disappeared. We search high and low and can’t find him. Eventually, we just head off to Robby’s house and crash.

July 24, 2007

In the morning, we discover Ben at the house…turns out he went to his car to take a nap after our set, and fell asleep until the morning. He remembered the address, somehow, and made his way there. Our new goal is to drop Ben at random places in various cities and see how he does.

It is an absolutely beautiful day. We make the drive up to Louisville, listening to Dylan. We drop Kimberly off at the airport and head to the venue, the 930 Listening Room. It’s a beautiful evening and we’re in great spirits.

And then…