England's Shame

Although Gomez rules in England, conquering the colonies may prove to be a tough proposition: Despite positive reviews in Rolling Stone, Spin and the Wall Street Journal, which named Bring It On one of the top five alternative albums of last year, the band is little known here. But the players don't seem worried. Rather, they're taking advantage of their first U.S. tour to soak up Americana. "Blackie told me today that he was waiting to get into the restroom in a book shop, and when he was in line, he picked up a calorie-count book and read that half a cup of Durkey pork gravy has 35 calories," Gray announces. "That's what he learned while he was waiting for the toilet, and that's typical of Gomez--that we're always taking every opportunity to learn." He adds, "I want to work with children and animals in the future."

A visit to Washington, D.C., was similarly educational. "We were walking towards the Lincoln Memorial when an enormous storm hit for fifteen minutes," Gray says--and while he and his Gomez brethren were huddling at the feet of the massive statue waiting for the skies to clear, he claims that their time of reflection with Mr. Lincoln "led to a long and lasting peace among all nations." Possible tour name resulting from this encounter? "World Salvation and Gomez," he decides.

Don't look over your shoulders, Jesus and Buddha: Gomez may be gaining on you.

Gomez, with Mojave 3. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 23, Fox Theatre, 1135 13th Street, Boulder, $8, 303-443-3399.