Thanks so much for all who stuck around for our late night Wednesday show at the Paradise Lounge last night. You're all troopers of the super variety. For those of you who don't know how to swing, some highlights:
- Nate and I open the evening by double parking on Comm Ave at 6pm to load my bass cab (approximately 12 million pounds) out of the car and through the snow banks into the club. Not as much fun as it sounds, but par for the course for show night. Nate drives off to look for parking while I bring the cab inside... only to find out that the bands are sharing gear. So Nate has to turn around on Comm Ave (which isn't possible until you hit that one intersection about 1200 miles down the road somewhere around Topeka, Kansas) so we can load the cab back into the car in the snow bank double parked in rush hour traffic. Conversely, that is as much fun as it sounds.
- Colin Meloy from the Decembrists was playing in the big room next to us at the Paradise, a fact that prompted Mike to be way more excited than he's ever been for an evening playing with Scamper. After scheming, planning and drawing up a few crude blueprints, he managed to get into the show. When he was gone for a few hours, we figured he just joined the Decembrists, never to been heard from again. He came back to the club just in time for the show. Luckily, Nate had made up a special set list for him - with all Decembrists songs on it.
- The bands were all terrific. Max Heinegg warmed us all up with some mellow acoustic rock and managed to make it through the entire set without pulling out pictures of his baby daughter. That's quite an accomplishment for Max. Then, Derek Schanche brought some old-time alt.country to the room (Maybe it's alt.country - I don't know anything about music designations. He had a double bass player and a lap steel player - that's got to be alt.country, right?) And of course the ultra-talented Will Dailey tore the house down with his amazing, soulful voice. Just a really great bill of music of which it was fun to be a part.
- The Paradise Lounge doesn't offer drink tickets to bands, but there is a backstage "V.I.P." area ("Very Iffy People") that has a cooler of beers for the musicians. Predictably, this system leads to a free beer free-for-all that would make coyotes blush. Last night, I probably won the beer drinking contest (with 2 kajillion Budweisiers), closely followed by Derek Schanche's saxophone player (1 and a half kajillion Budweisers).
- When we hit the stage, I was pleased with the stage sound and (more importantly) thrilled at how many diehard people had decided to stick around that late on a Wednesday night. The crowd was energetic and the vocal mix was perfect in my monitors - I just had the best time. I don't think it was the 2 kajillion beers, either.
After the show, I said to Nate, "I think that was the best show I've ever played," to which he responded, "I had a TERRIBLE show." Apparently, all the good mix and perfect balance of sounds was reserved for my side of the stage. All Nate got in his mix were drums and the occasional punch in the neck. Oh well, you win some you lose some, I guess.
Thanks again for all who came out. We had a blast.
- Nate and I open the evening by double parking on Comm Ave at 6pm to load my bass cab (approximately 12 million pounds) out of the car and through the snow banks into the club. Not as much fun as it sounds, but par for the course for show night. Nate drives off to look for parking while I bring the cab inside... only to find out that the bands are sharing gear. So Nate has to turn around on Comm Ave (which isn't possible until you hit that one intersection about 1200 miles down the road somewhere around Topeka, Kansas) so we can load the cab back into the car in the snow bank double parked in rush hour traffic. Conversely, that is as much fun as it sounds.
- Colin Meloy from the Decembrists was playing in the big room next to us at the Paradise, a fact that prompted Mike to be way more excited than he's ever been for an evening playing with Scamper. After scheming, planning and drawing up a few crude blueprints, he managed to get into the show. When he was gone for a few hours, we figured he just joined the Decembrists, never to been heard from again. He came back to the club just in time for the show. Luckily, Nate had made up a special set list for him - with all Decembrists songs on it.
- The bands were all terrific. Max Heinegg warmed us all up with some mellow acoustic rock and managed to make it through the entire set without pulling out pictures of his baby daughter. That's quite an accomplishment for Max. Then, Derek Schanche brought some old-time alt.country to the room (Maybe it's alt.country - I don't know anything about music designations. He had a double bass player and a lap steel player - that's got to be alt.country, right?) And of course the ultra-talented Will Dailey tore the house down with his amazing, soulful voice. Just a really great bill of music of which it was fun to be a part.
- The Paradise Lounge doesn't offer drink tickets to bands, but there is a backstage "V.I.P." area ("Very Iffy People") that has a cooler of beers for the musicians. Predictably, this system leads to a free beer free-for-all that would make coyotes blush. Last night, I probably won the beer drinking contest (with 2 kajillion Budweisiers), closely followed by Derek Schanche's saxophone player (1 and a half kajillion Budweisers).
- When we hit the stage, I was pleased with the stage sound and (more importantly) thrilled at how many diehard people had decided to stick around that late on a Wednesday night. The crowd was energetic and the vocal mix was perfect in my monitors - I just had the best time. I don't think it was the 2 kajillion beers, either.
After the show, I said to Nate, "I think that was the best show I've ever played," to which he responded, "I had a TERRIBLE show." Apparently, all the good mix and perfect balance of sounds was reserved for my side of the stage. All Nate got in his mix were drums and the occasional punch in the neck. Oh well, you win some you lose some, I guess.
Thanks again for all who came out. We had a blast.
16 Comments:
Absolutely brilliant last night!
Brilliant.
Always a pleasure to have the Big Cat back in the saddle.
I'm still confused. Whats a podcast? Does it involve old people, a pool and Wilford Brimleys boner? Wheres Steve Guttenberg when you need him?
Only 11 more days until you find out...
We're going to meet Steve Guttenberg in 11 days?
I'm... I'm just not ready. I need to get my hair and nails done... and find the right dress... damn you Guttenberg!
I know EXACTLY what I'm going to wear.
If Guttenberg is there count me in! Maybe he'll bring Michael Winslow to make some cool sound effects. Just a little fyi, they are making a new Police Academy and all the old favorites are in it. Viva La France!
The Big Cat is always saddled up for a Scamper gig. Let's pound some PBR's soon B.
oddly enough Colin Meloy had a table onstage with a bottle of wine, 2 capos, a skull and a dvd copy of cocoon. What are the odds.
i was watching made tonight, the one that you guys should've been on.
i cannot tell you how much i would've given to see your reactions to that girls room.
i think they didn't pick you guys because someone would've hit on her.
i was watching made tonight...
This really should have been a message board thread, since it has nothing to do with this journal.
But yes, it would have been Mike and me hitting on the poor girl, and the show would have promptly morphed into a creepy reality dating show where we fight for her affections. We come to blows in the season finale when I find him giving her a foot massage, but I win her over when I pretend it's my birthday and demand that she make out with me.
I had a wonderful time. I thought the sound quality was amazing. your harmonies all sounded so great!
So glad I was able to come out. :)
You didn't hyperlink when you mentioned The Decemberists! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FIND INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT THE DECEMBERISTS!?!?
I'm not crying about the Decembrists not getting any attention, but try www.decembrists.com.
true Pedro, but there is a live link to wilfred brimley - what more can you want really?
*wanted to see you guys* *pout*
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