The road is not a pretty place. Tour Is Hell collects your favorite bands' war stories, some of which make Cormac McCarthy look like Dr. Seuss. Today, we get in the van with Bobby Mansfield of grindcore psychos the Drip.

What album can everyone agree on in the van? What’s the most divisive?
Music's a hard one to nail. We spend all day in a loud van. Sometimes it's better to just have silence, although '80s hits, Weezer's Blue Record and synthwave stuff have been in heavy rotation.

What’s the strangest gig you’ve ever played?
We've been fortunate enough to dodge the strange gig factor. We've played some shady spots, but nothing too odd.

Tell us about your biggest onstage clusterfuck.
We tend to have to watch ourselves, but booze can be our kryptonite. Other than that, equipment failure and injuring each other. [Laughs]

What's the worst injury you guys have inflicted on one another?
We try to not to do that as often as possible. Most of our injuries are self-inflicted. Other than an occasion which included a full beer fast-pitched at my toe! [Laughs]

drip band 2
Courtesy of Orion Landau
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Describe your craziest afterparty.
Afterparties are where the werewolves come out. Portland/Seattle have had some pretty rad memories; bonfires and van rage sessions occur.

How do you deal with going days or even weeks without a shower?
I personally usually find a way to keep semi-clean. It's all about watching what you wear, changing out the problematic — or, in this case, aromatic — clothes. Underwear and socks are the main culprits. Pants can last a week, almost. Keep in mind [that] shirts get gnarly. Change out every day. Wash when you can snake an opportunity. Wake up first, get the best shower, be courteous to the others. No need for a hour 'bate-and-shower. Get that shit squared away; there are miles to be driven. [Laughs]

Be it an accident, crazy fan or place to crash, what’s your scariest experience on the road?
Driving into Denver for Denver Black Sky in 2014, our tire lug nuts came loose. Almost ended the whole adventure. Had to call AAA because we didn't even have a tire iron. Lesson learned.

What’s your universal must-go restaurant or road stop?
Any value-style grocery store is usually a choice spot; diners and other eateries are just a gamble. We enjoy taking a gamble [laughs], so we try weird and new spots.

Tell us more about one of the weirder places you've stopped to eat.
We like stopping at odd places. Everyone scatters or gathers, depends on the mood/condition of everyone. Haven't had too many weird spots. There was this gnarly spot in San Bernadino that was like a Denny's in McDonald's form. And the weird Jesus burger castle joint in SLC.

Who drives the most and least, and why?
Drummer [Shane Brown] is a road master; he likes to drive in day runs. Guitarist [Blake Wolf] takes his turns, and it usually goes to me for after-show duty.

What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without sleep?
We've done the all-night drive and rest area stops for a sleep session. It sucks, but you have to do what you gotta do.

How do you try to stay healthy on the road?
Drink less, eat green, avoid gas station burritos, as tempting as they can be; most of the time it's road poison.,

How do you amuse yourself on long stretches with nothing to do?
Funny stories, YouTube terrible music, "Would You Rather." Stop at odd roadside attractions, and remember  it's an adventure. Enjoy the time.

What's one of the more memorable odd roadside attractions you've hit up?
Summertime makes for more adventurous stops. Rivers. Lakes. Cliffs. I'd personally stop at every weird highway attraction if we could. Tried to drive through a redwood tree in Northern CA, but the road was too gnarly.

What do you argue about the most?
Responsbilities. We are a tight group, but with every band, everyone has to have a role, and since we are stuck in a van, we can't get away to cool off. Always remember, [we] could be stuck at home being "normies." Playing music is fun, and especially with your best friends and out on the road.

The Drip's debut full-length is due out on Relapse in early 2017.

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