Volume II

December 1998

Burning up the Interstate 71 with the DNB between Columbus and Cleveland, OH and the hot sauce muse is with us all. 98 has been a good year for both the DNB and the pursuit of the finest hot sauces. The hot sauce craze seems to be everywhere in our travels and adventures; folks far and wide are getting hip to the concepts of spicing up their food and achieving the consequent exalted state of consciousness through ingestion of capsicum in its various deliveries to the system.

I'm still packing around bottles of hot sauce as well as a container of "Pico de Gallo" (Mexican chile salt). Nelson has been provisioning himself with something called "African Bird Pepper", a red powder rated at an astonishing 90,000 Btus! It's really quite tasty and really wakes up those roadhouse eggs and spuds. Barry Sless has taken to including a bottle of habanero sauce when packing his road kit. Mookie Siegel is generally content with a splash of that "Tabasco" green jalapeno sauce found at most restaurants these days. Drummer Arthur Steinhorn just loves the "Melindas" line of sauces produced in Belize, primarily from habaneros and carrots. Other drummer, Charlie Crane, from Baltimore, MD is new to both the DNB and to hot sauce maniacs. He Views our spicy adventures with something of a critical eye, although he is dabbling and going along for the ride. I completely expect him to get hooked and become a full-blown hot sauce junkie before long. Equipment manager Art Roland hails from Albuquerque, NM (cowboy country) and digs hot sauce about as much as Nelson and me. He's typically in the hunt for a good sauce and can always be found in the mix when the party features straight halapenos chased with beer. Soundman Steve Harris is game for some hot rock n roll, however, the bottle of "Tapatio" I gave him nearly two years ago remains unloved on a shelf in Mookies kitchen waiting for a home. Steve, Steve, Steve

As aforementioned, 98 has been good to both the DNB and our relentless pursuit of spicy foods. As we criss-cross the country, various stews and brews cross our path. Owners of Mexican and Thai restaraunts have been most accommodating and patient with our antics (or insults) concerning their house offerings, and our extended family of fans have made us welcome with spicy treats when we pass though their neck of the woods. Why, just last night we did a show in Dayton, OH and a very nice Deadhead chap named Jeff Dorsey presented us with a delicious bottle of "Calypso Sun" habanero-papaya sauce that the whole band just loved! Thanks Jeff! Actually, after Jeff gave us the sauce, we all split to a Chinese joint for dinner before the show. The sacred sauce was savored by all us hot sauce freaks, but somehow the bottle was forgotten at the restaurant. This almost caused the start of the show to be delayed since I marched back to the restaurant resolved to rescue it. Upon arriving where we'd eaten, I found the place locked up tight. Peering through the window I observed the restaurant staff partying with my hot sauce, pouring it onto an egg roll and devouring it with great relish. I curtly rapped on the window and motioned for the bottle, blowing their illicit little party. The sauce was quickly returned with embarrassed, toothy smiles, whereby I repaired to the venue and we rocked the fuckin house. We had Dayton by the balls the balls the cojones!!

Stay tuned for more adventures with the Hot Sauce Kid!