My life with the Thinky Flesh pt. 1 by Alicks Wargood

 When I first got offered this opportunity I was told by many to make sure that I document the excursion. What I've learned (just 5 short days in) is that is a hard thing to do. One minute we are sitting in a Walmart parking lot taking up space wondering what to do do next... next minute we are barreling down the freeway in a stocked up van towards our next destination... moments later we are backstage at a radd venue chumming it up with local bands from whatever area we are in... a short time later I'm washing my feet in a venue bathroom before crashing on a makeshift bed comprised of 2 chairs pushed together in the middle of a punk bar. In just this first week on the road I have had the pleasure of hearing about 8 to 10 kick ass local (and touring) bands as well as meet some of the most interesting people. From drifters without a place to sleep to fancy home owners willing to lend us their couches for the night we have made friends all across the board. 

   I don't really know what to write about because I absolutely hate writing about myself. But, i figured a weekly update would be a little more feasable than journal entries every day. So, for the first one I'll just tell a short version of the story and put a few fun things in that have happened along the way. 

   Back in mid 2024 I got the opportunity to have the absolutely iconic Green Jellÿ come and play at The Rex Theatre in Morenci, MI. It's where my band(s) and many others have come to call home on the weekends. Through a few minor hiccups (and some new gray hairs) the day finally came when Green Jellÿ came walking through the front doors of The Rex. Now before Green Jellÿ played a few of their members played a separate set. The name of the band was Thinky Flesh. I had never heard anything of them but was blown away by their very interactive and theatrical performance. After the night was over I had a short conversation with the brains behind the Flesh herself, the only and only, Slim Jelly. I made it very well known that when they decided to do a tour of their own that I call dibs on a date. 

   I had made a light hearted comment to the guys at an Odious practice previously about how notorious Green Jellÿ was with being a lot of bands first experience touring and getting out there. So, I joked that maybe that magic would work it's way into our camp. ... boy was I wrong to joke. 

   About 2 months ago my good friend Brian Boggs (a.k.a. Chancelor) tagged me in a post from Slim that they were looking for a touring guitar player for Thinky Flesh. I didn't think much more than "Oh, cool I'll share this with my friends list and maybe it'll be a sweet opportunity for someone I know." After sharing the post I had a couple of friends suggest that maybe I try. I thought about it over the week and then messaged Slim my possible interest in giving it a shot. I had her send me the track list that would be used for tour so that I could practice over the weekend. It was so radd that I learned the entire set in 2 days. That Sunday evening I messaged Slim and said something aling the lines of "I'm in".

   I have to give a solid shout out to my better 2/3 Karley Schmidt (Risi Halo). She never expressed any resistance to the idea. From the first mention she was completely supportive and all in. When Greyhound told me that I couldn't take my guitar on the bus it took all of ablout 5 hours for her to decide that we were just gonna drive to Des Moines, IA to the first stop. She also owns an art company that I am shamelessly slandering the road with called Barking Skull. Go follow her socials and buy something. She takes commissions as well. 

   Anyway... on Sunday March 30 I pulled up to Lefty's Live Music to see my tour home for the first time. An old transit van with Thinky Flesh written on the side. I went in and got reacquainted with Slim. A short time later we made our way down the street to a pizza joint called Dough Co. That's when I met Tim Neumann, our man behind the kit for the month. He is a top tier drummer originally from Ohio but moved to L.A. about 10 years ago. He plays in various tribute acts and a few local groups as well as a very radd punk band called The Mormons that I highly suggest everyone goes and checks out. For the last 5 days I've been kicking it in a lawn chair in the back of that van thinking of every single way that I can possibly use this time and experience to bring something stronger and more progressive to my own local music scene that I so proudly and vigorously represent. I don't know if I have found that yet... or if it's still something to come. But that's my goal and that's what I want to take away from this experience. 

   Another thing that I've learned over this last week is that it's never too late to go out on a limb and shoot for the stars. Your dreams are all attainable with the right trajectory... even if you're 38. Send the message, make the phone call, mail the letter, and grab your dreams by the short hairs. 

   I want to also take a second to promote a band I found on the road. They are called Captain Howdy & The Sunset Serenaders from Kansas City, MO. They are an amazing band that you deserve to experience. I was blown away from start to finish on their entire set. Go listen to them and follow them all over.

   Tomorrow I get to go spend the night at home to show Tim and Slim my crappy little stomping grounds. I'm excited to see my cats, my fish, and Karley... but most of all I'm very excited to show you all what we've been doing out her. We have about 2 weeks left after that and I know that it's going to go by way too fast. 

Next chapter is doing this exact same thing with my guys.