St. Alvia Cartel Check In: Ben Gets Mugged

Hey guys, Ben here.... what a weekend. So we played the Sound Academy friday night in Toronto had a great time and everyone sort of took off after to enjoy family and friends. Thanks to all the supporters who came out on friday. We really appreciate it. The next day was in Mississagua ( out side of toronto). The venue kind of sucked and the rain sucked harder. Our set was sunny and fun as hell ( we missed the storm by an hour or two). we needed the home town support to boost some moral so thanks everyone for being there. When we are out there swinging, its nice to know you have people at home who love you. What a good time.

On both Canadian dates we played the Union Stage and man o man was it a blast. Bands like The Flatliners, Planet Smashers, Black Lungs, The Creepshow the Snips and more were effing great. Watching the Bronx with the Flatliners was also a high light for me.I love those guys so much.

The next day was in Montreal. The Stomp/Union Label and bands had a BBQ going behind the stage and it was a party. I danced my dick off all day. Everyone was great but I think the Smashers were my highlight. So we kept drinking most of the day away, all day. That night we hit up the late night Warped BBQ and everyone was in full swing, by about 12:30 a bunch of dudes wanted to head down town. We wanted to go to Foufoune Electrique.We hopped on the metro and somehow made our way. I was pretty foggy to be honest. During this mission the luck of the irish struck again: I snuck off the path to take a piss and got mugged. I was peeing behind a dumpster and mid pee had a gun of some sort put to the back of my head. pricks made off with some cash and my dignity. Its a good thing i was so drunk though because I can barely remember it, if i was sober I'm sure the piss would have been in a completely different spot then the ground. maybe some poo too. The guys didn't even have the decency to rob me in english. It could have been worse I guess. There is no tag on my toe. I did go to Foufs after and I was ready to kill. Huge thanks to Brian and Pete from the Souls, The Flats and Greg from the Bovine for talking me down. I was drunk, embarrassed and ready to go back find those f$#% and do my worst. The fellas talked some sense into me. You guys are all class and will always have a spot in my heart.

The next day I woke up in my bunk in Montreal, we were going to film a video for "business as usual" . None of us really know why so close to the release of our next album "between the lines" (F#$%ITY F$#% YEAH) but filming a video on your day off is cool. It was a long day and a tough one on communication. The language barrier was getting a little tough by the end.We were all hung over,tired and Rob is very sick too. Spirits are high though and I'm watching the fellas play some frisbey right now. After everything that happened I still love this city and it is still called Funtreal to me. I'm going to go join the dudes, Ben