As promised, Harris bassist extraordinaire Mike Nastri provides us with this morning's journal entry:
Mike Nastri here - I've hacked into the mainframe.
A couple of weeks ago I was given a great oportunity - to play in one of my favorite bands in the city. It gets even better - they were set to open for a band that I've been a fan of since I was 14 years old. At first I was excited, then I became terrified. What if I let them down? What if I froze?
I started listening to Scamper's tunes very closely, and practicing with the band. If you're reading this, likely, you're a fan. You've picked a great band to latch on to. Not only are these guys great songwriters (there are intricate and very well thought out harmonies and slight changes hidden in all of their songs), but they're truly "good" people. Brendan even took the time to guide me through the tunes, show me his harmonies, and crack jokes about me taking over his spot in the band permanently. His sarcasm never rests.
The day of the show I woke up, a bit hungover, at 9am to run through the songs one last time before heading to meet up with Mike, Keith, and Nate. I was freaking out. I'd never been this nervous to perform in my whole life. They supplied free "Monster" energy drinks at the show. Those don't calm nerves apparently. Joking briefly with the drummer from Nada Surf did however, and as we took the stage, I felt confident that things would go well. Keith started playing the first few notes of "Sophie". All was right in the world. Then my bass strap broke. I fixed it as quickly as I could and joined the band for the rest of the song. I'm still unsure whether or not to accuse Brendan of loosening the strap.
The crowd grew considerably during the set, and the band even ended up signing some autographs, so things must have gone well. Its all a bit foggy to me. I'm really thankful to the guys for having me, and would be more than willing to fill in for Brendan anytime, unless the guys ever decide they'd like a piano player or something.
Nada Surf kicked all kinds of ass. They were even better than I thought they would be. As you can probably imagine, leaving the show and going to a job waiting tables at Pizzeria Unos sucked royally. I was very quickly thrust back into "reality", but I'm thankful to have experienced playing with Scamper and can't wait to see them from the crowd at the Avalon when they open for OKGO next month.
Thanks to everyone that came to the show.
Best-
Mike Nastri
Mike Nastri here - I've hacked into the mainframe.
A couple of weeks ago I was given a great oportunity - to play in one of my favorite bands in the city. It gets even better - they were set to open for a band that I've been a fan of since I was 14 years old. At first I was excited, then I became terrified. What if I let them down? What if I froze?
I started listening to Scamper's tunes very closely, and practicing with the band. If you're reading this, likely, you're a fan. You've picked a great band to latch on to. Not only are these guys great songwriters (there are intricate and very well thought out harmonies and slight changes hidden in all of their songs), but they're truly "good" people. Brendan even took the time to guide me through the tunes, show me his harmonies, and crack jokes about me taking over his spot in the band permanently. His sarcasm never rests.
The day of the show I woke up, a bit hungover, at 9am to run through the songs one last time before heading to meet up with Mike, Keith, and Nate. I was freaking out. I'd never been this nervous to perform in my whole life. They supplied free "Monster" energy drinks at the show. Those don't calm nerves apparently. Joking briefly with the drummer from Nada Surf did however, and as we took the stage, I felt confident that things would go well. Keith started playing the first few notes of "Sophie". All was right in the world. Then my bass strap broke. I fixed it as quickly as I could and joined the band for the rest of the song. I'm still unsure whether or not to accuse Brendan of loosening the strap.
The crowd grew considerably during the set, and the band even ended up signing some autographs, so things must have gone well. Its all a bit foggy to me. I'm really thankful to the guys for having me, and would be more than willing to fill in for Brendan anytime, unless the guys ever decide they'd like a piano player or something.
Nada Surf kicked all kinds of ass. They were even better than I thought they would be. As you can probably imagine, leaving the show and going to a job waiting tables at Pizzeria Unos sucked royally. I was very quickly thrust back into "reality", but I'm thankful to have experienced playing with Scamper and can't wait to see them from the crowd at the Avalon when they open for OKGO next month.
Thanks to everyone that came to the show.
Best-
Mike Nastri
6 Comments:
Unfortunately I didn't get to talk to you after the show (as Jason was in desperate need of a nap), but you did GREAT! Way better than Brendan possibly could have.
You say the sweetest things.
Bitch.
Well, I didn't have to hold HIS bass up for him for him to continue finishing any songs...*ahem*
You did awesome, Mike! (I've already told you this)
The real question is, was the show plug actually there at the end or was it edited in by Brendan?
When my Dad was teaching me how to drive, one day he said to me "You know how I know you're ready for your license? I've stopped noticing that you're driving; I'm just looking at the scenery."
That's how it was with Nastri stepping in. It was all so very seamless; I wasn't even aware of him being there and spent the show looking at the scenery.
That's a weirdly twisted way of saying thank you for an outstanding job.
No chance at all of Nastri being permanent? That sucks.
That was the saddest "Longshot" jump ever.
Glad to hear the show went well. I just wanted to agree that the cold plunge back into "reality" is the worst part of The Life.
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