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Date: Sat 04 Aug, 2001 at 00:00
Headline: Live & Memorex...so to speak
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Greetings and Salutations!
After a couple of near misses, we were finally able to hook up with
PI for a gig at YaButs last Thursday.
We enjoyed each other's company and music, and are looking forward to
working together again. I was impressed with their tightness and melodic sensibility - qualities
that should be in greater supply 'round these parts but, inexplicably,
aren't. They have only been together in their current incarnation for a
short time, but judging by the great new material that they played, they
are obivously growing and progressing at a rapid rate. Our show was plagued
with technical difficulties all the way through (including my
ridiculously out-of-tune bass, victim of bad calibration on the
electronic tuner, which got fixed but nonetheless left me spooked for the rest o
f the set)
but we received some great compliments afterwards, so perhaps we were able
to rise above it all. I wouldn't know...as I sit here trying to recall what it
felt or sounded like on stage, I find that I can't remember a damned
thing!
I will say, however, that Tex Watson Swingers
Convention blew both opening bands away in terms of
showmanship. A terrifyingly energetic band from Flagstaff AZ combining rockabill
y, swing, country
and punk, they blew the doors off the place. They even impressed James
enough that he stayed for their entire set...and that never
happens. Check out the link above to find out more about them, and perhaps
when they roll through town again they will get the facilities, pay and audience
they
deserve - which was simply not to be found for any of us that night ('nuff said
on
that topic...)
And now, for something completely different...our debut CD is finally
available to purchase online. I took
a listen today for the first time since finishing the recording earlier this year,
and now with the perspective of time I hear both the flaws that I would kill to
fix and the magic moments that made it all worthwhile (I won't tell you which
are which) and am left with a profound sense of accomplishment, whereas the
first time I heard it all I felt was a
profound sense of exhaustion.
CLICK HERE to
buy your copy at CDBABY.COM
There is a laundry list of general "Thanks" to friends, family,
colleagues and inspirations printed on the CD's insert, but I want to
take a moment to give special thanks to all of the people who helped make this
album (and by extension, this band) a reality:
Eric Peterson: for tackling a project which neither of us knew would grow to be so complex, providing the guiding hand and technical know-how
that pulled it all together...and for some kick-ass guitar solos.
James Clark: for strong playing, astounding dedication, and introducing me to our compadres John and Tim. Holding on to
your telephone number was the smartest thing I ever did.
J Konig: for the use of your song 'Poison Ivy', which
allowed me to commemorate the rehabilitation that my time in your band
provided. If not for the Orphans, this CD would not have been possible.
John Clark: for patience and understanding with my
complete lack of patience and understanding when it comes to the mysterious
ways of the electric guitar, and turning out some stellar work in spite of
it.
Ray Opheikens: for gamely tackling a ton of background
vocals at very short notice, and lending considerable services as a
photographer and graphic designer. Now, if I could just borrow one of your
basses sometime...
Juli Holt: for lending the gift of your voice. This
album, and everyone who listens to it, are richer for it.
Shawn Durrant: for time, space, friendship, and the rockiest of
the rock guitar moments on this album.
Rick Kreifedlt: for everything that I learned from you during the
years that we worked together, and especially for our creation of so many great
songs
that still thrill me today.
Dave Freestone: for the acorn that became 'Join The
Club', and for what you told me when you first heard it. Funny how things
work out, isn't it? God bless the bigger brothers.
Ok, I think I've officially hit my sentimentality threshold for today. Let us never speak of this
again.
We're heading into what promises to be our busiest month yet as a band,
and I could not be more excited for it. Stay tuned to the site for breaking
news as it emerges, and we'll see you at the next show!
Take care and stay alive,
your humble correspondent
Thom Bowers
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