BRAINSTORM is a get up and dance kind of band, a chant with them, bop around the room, play air guitar in the mirror. After hearing from Patrick however, all I wanna do is eat with them. Patrick mentions smoked paprika -- always a good idea -- and wants to eat more veggies. Listen up girls, start going to shows with picnic baskets.
What do you eat before a show? Patrick, do you bring stuff from your restaurant job? Extra family meal?
I've had everything from duck liver pate in Toulouse, France to the most heinous college cafeteria food in Bellingham, WA. Usually before a show, I'll eat whatever is right in front of me, cheap to free, and edible/nutritious on some level. That's more how it works on tour. If we're playing around Portland, I've definitely grabbed burgers and currywursts to go from my work at Grain & Gristle or make something quick like a veggie stir-fry at home.
What's your favorite thing to get after a show? In Portland and elsewhere.
After shows in Portland it's pretty popular to hit up the late night carts at Cartopia. The Creperie and Potato Champion are my go-to's. If we play at Mississippi Studios, I always look forward to devouring a burger and fries at their bar right after with a beer. In LA and Oakland, the late night taco trucks are the holy grail of post-show eating. Dirty but delicious mexican food while coming down on adrenaline and booze is pretty incredible. Especially when it's still warm outside late, as it tends to be in California.
Where've you had your best post or pre meal, what was it?
Best pre-show meal was hands down in Toulouse, France, which I mentioned earlier. The spread was insane. Baguettes, cheese, charcuterie, pates, wine, beer, tabouli salad, eggplant casserole, and more things that I'm forgetting. I remember feeling full and satiated while our hosts brought out more food and showed concern if we didn't continue gorging. I didn't think I was going to be able to play. Had to take a nap around 9 p.m.
Have any groupies ever made you anything and sent it backstage?
Unfortunately no. But that's a wonderful idea that I fully support. To all the groupies: we are now accepting all cookies, pies, nachos, sandwiches etc that you might want to send backstage. I guess you can hang out and watch while we eat too.
If your mom was on the tour bus, what would she insist you eat?
Once my mom made me a care-package intended for me to take on tour filled with yogurts, fruit, granola bars, weird gluten free crackers, peanut butter, diet lipton iced teas, and some cookies. Not quite sure how to reconcile all those things, but it was a really nice gesture. Everything was consumed, of course.
Who's the best cook in the band? What's their best dish?
I'm just going to jump in and claim the cook-of-the-band title. I do want to give one quick shout-out to Adam's genius peanut-sauce recipe (made by mixing coconut milk, peanut butter, and Sriracha) which puts his stir-fries on the next level. Right now I've been into making Espinacas con Garbanzos, a simple but super tasty Spanish dish with smoked paprika and cumin.
Who's the pickest eater in the band? What's his/her deal?
Adam wins most picky eater, particularly on tour. His pickiness is on a couple levels. One, he won't spend more than 10 bucks or so on any meal and is also just a particular dude in general. It gets a little tough when you're in an unfamiliar town trying to agree on a meal.
Any on the road food discoveries or restaurants or roadside vendors... some hidden gems you've come across?
We have a favorite El Salvadorian spot that's just north of LA off I-5 in the middle of no-where. Hit it up every time we drive through. We're also in love with Tacos Villa Corona on Glendale in LA for their cheap fried potato breakfast burritos. The best morning after burrito for the dollar.
Best two dates? Worst two dates? Two dream dates?
Are we talking "dating" dates or show dates? I'll just go for the dream date. How about playing a show with Rihanna after having oysters and champagne in some swank penthouse. M.I.A. is another dream of mine. I would go wherever she wanted to take me in London. I've never had Sri Lankan food before, I would be very happy for her to show me the ropes.
Ok.... I'm on the bus now. What do you want me to make?
Make me a salad with raw vegetables, please! We're always dying for something green and fresh while touring.