Fresh off support dates with Dead Letter Circus and Caligula’s Horse, Melbourne rockers Alithia are currently on the road to support their latest single and music video, ‘Sacrifice’.

Alithia kicked off their Psychedelic Street Dogs tour in Adelaide next month before returning to Melbourne for a hometown stint at the iconic Cherry Bar.

2016 is going to be another busy year for the outfit, with their new album set to be recorded between trips throughout Europe and Asia, with a stop in Istanbul, Turkey. No strangers to the road, the guys have decided to celebrate their upcoming tour with a very expert guide to touring on the cheap, or as they call it ‘street dog style’, check it out learn some tips and get on the road! Check out the video premiere here. 

Intro

“Top five tips on how to tour ‘Street Dog’ style – with AlithiA: So you’re in a band and you’re not Slipknot? Reality check time! The ambitions of travelling around in private jets filled with Playboy playmates serving you Martinis are gonna have to stay in your dreams buddy.

So it’s time to pull up your Kmart socks, stock up on bags of goon and forget about those lazy nights of Netflix with your missus. As a matter of fact touring is heaps of fucking fun, actually it’s the most fun in the world… as long as you forget the following words. Comfort. Sleep. Cuddles. Replace those words with Brutal Sex. Drugs. Rock n’ Roll. The following principles will help you beginners make the most of this, what we call ‘street dog style’.”

Remember It’s A Labour of love

“When odds seem against you, being street dog is all about the can do attitude! No matter how far the show or how little the pay, take as many of the opportunities that help your band grow as possible. No money for hotels? No problems! Sleeping bags double as mattresses.

This is one of the penultimate golden rules that must never ever be broken! Never… ever… ever… ditch your brothers. On tour street dogs are one. Eating, sleeping, shitting, pissing, snoring, farting, laughing, hanging, vomiting and the list goes on and on. You’re a band, you’re street dogs! You put up with each other’s shit and always share your food and booze with each other. Nobody is street dog is to ever be left behind and no street dog is left hungry or thirsty or with nobody to party or wing man with. Also don’t forget your manager and crew are also one with you!”

Always say YES

“Take things as they come. When on tour, you will meet lots of wonderful, weird and also some outright shitheads. Regardless, you’re in a band and for some reason because you’ve come from far away and you all have massive street dog dicks, everyone who greets you is so happy to see you. So the basic answer you always gotta give is YES.

Otherwise you’re offending your fans and you’re not taking the full experience of being on tour and being street dog. So suck it in and street dog it up cos your body ain’t no temple after all. Your body is fun!”

Remember: Your imagination has no limits

“Being street dog is all about being free to let your band do things the way you really want to do them. Tour where no band has toured before. Wanna play on the moon? Underwater? In the desert? Fuck it, go there, play there!

Play the songs you really feel like playing, not the ones you think the audience are supposed to like. Always be open to improvise and always be open. Don’t be afraid to stand out. Your dreams are not for sale and can’t be bought so don’t change them unless you truly want them to!”

The crowd are part of the show!

“Become one with your audience. This means removing the line between you and your crowd and get the fuck out of that green room. Get there early, meet your crowd, drink with them, eat with them, party with them, whatever you do, let them know that THEY are the party and that you’re happy to be there to share the experience with them!

Post-show the night is young, invite them to the after parties with you, or if they ask you out to some random park goon party then refer to doctrine number 3… always say yes. You never know where you’ll end up! Now that you have the fundamentals. Here are some basic daily mantras to follow that will help make the most of your ride!

Street dogs have no judgements.
Street dogs don’t have a uniform.
Street dogs don’t follow trends.
Street dogs always show respect for one another.
Street dogs make sure the other is always having a good time.
Street dogs don’t need to go to Bunnings on Sundays.
Street dogs don’t manipulate!
The stage is our kennel
Street dogs don’t cut each other’s lunch (you all know what that means)
All street dogs are family!
Street dogs don’t give a fuck!”

AlithiA – The Psychedelic Street Dogs Tour Dates

Friday, 19th February 2016
Enigma Bar, Adelaide
Tickets: Wild Thing Presents
w/ Japam, The Legendary Cobra, Lost Cosmonaut

Saturday, 27th February 2016
Cherry Bar, Melbourne
Tickets: Wild Thing Presents
w/ Jack The Stripper, Anember

Friday, 4th March 2016
The Factory Floor, Sydney
Tickets: Wild Thing Presents
w/ Shanghai, Osaka Punch, Hello Bones

Friday, 11th March 2016
El Grande Festival, New Globe Theatre, Brisbane
Tickets: Wild Thing Presents

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