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28 September 2008 - Beat Kitchen
Chicago IL An early show (you know, for the kids), but also the cusp of the White Sox entering the playoffs. So, as you can imagine, excitement was in the air. Or maybe that was rotting wood - hard to tell: there were a lot of different smells in the Kitchen. We played with Awesome Color and Mass Shivers, both excellent bands. And we learned a little bit about life from Rem Lazar and his Quixotic Emblem, but I'm not yet sure of his impact - he may have left a timebomb of hilarity in my brain. Set list: William/Make 'Em Sign/ Expected/Hey Rube!/Sextant/Sick & Tired [The Cardigans]
24 July 2008 - Cobra Lounge (Animal Law) I have some notes here from the show, but all they say is, "the wings - my god, the wings...". It's kind of hard to remember what happened, but I believe I woke up at some point with hot sauce around my mouth and propositioning a plate of bones. Set list: Hurry, Please/Glisten/Above Heaven/In Fives/Never Alone
5 July 2008 - Ronny's (Animal Law) Ronny seemed more lucid today - maybe because he felt he had to be a good role model for the all-ages kids coming in. Well, it was a nice change of pace. We ate at Calvin's just up the road - excellent BBQ, if you care. Yum. We played with the soon-to-be-legendary Big Knife (ex-Crap Corps) and the already legendary Plague Bringer. What a night! Confidential to Al-Thawra's guitarist: dump the Crate. Trust me, I've been there - they sound like ass. If you want to sound heavy, you've got to step up. Set list: Never Alone/Above Heaven/Grain/Hurry, Please/Glisten
30 June 2008 - The Hideout Always good to be back at the friendly confines of The Hideout - this time we played with Bevel (who play a very delicate type of quiet singer-songwriter stuff) and Roommate (who are more sprawling in instrumentation and scope). We played three new songs on this night, and we fooled most of the crowd into thinking they were going to hear a fourth (Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean" was hinted at). And yes, there was a tamale break. I was not feeling my best, and I will always have this Robitussin-stained set list to remind me of the night. Speaking of... Set list: The Nairu Revolt/Hey, Rube!/ William/A Certain Station/Sick & Tired [The Cardigans]/Expected/Sextant/I'm Just Here
16 May 2008 - University of Chicago Summer Breeze (Animal Law) Our first outdoor show! I think I speak for a lot of musicians out there when I say that outdoor afternoon gigs are the strangest. I guess besides kids' parties. Anyway, the free food and drinks went a long way in making this one of the more satisfying playing situations in quite a while. And you gotta love the accappella groups! Against all odds and all that... Set list: Never Alone/Above Heaven/In Fives
15 May 2008 - WHPK Pure Hype (Animal Law) Our first radio show! It's been a long time and many t-shirt designs since the last time I was on the show. It's so great to play surrounded by all those records, even though most of the good ones have been stolen by scumbags over the years. Sorry about that interview, though - I swear none of us were high.
Set list: In Fives/Glisten/Above Heaven/Never Alone/Grain
23 April 2008 - Cobra Lounge (Animal Law) I've been having a love/hate relationship with the concept of this place for a while now - it's great that there's a place for rockers, but it seems to be a magnet for d-bags, too. I ended up having a decent time, though, and the PA was pretty amazing. Set list: <Undocumented>
13 April 2008 - CHIRP Record Fair (solo) Very weird - playing to a bunch of people shopping for records. Not what you'd call a captive audience! But I won a few over to my way of thinking with a strategic mix of familiar and oddly compelling - which is the only way I know how to do it, as it turns out. Set list: <Undocumented>
14 March 2008 - Hideout Justin was back from surgery, met some more message board friends and played an encore. Chris Connelly also played, which is always a treat. Set list: <Undocumented>
7 March 2008 - Hotti Biscotti (Animal Law) Right-Eye Rita was an unexpected treat, but Billy Sides ("No Wave Dave" to you oldsters) was up to his usual bullshit. Terrible stuff. Set list: <Undocumented>
17 February 2008 - Empty Bottle (Animal Law) Same old Bottle. Ugh. Anyway, I did get to watch Geoff rack up a huge score on Ms. Pac-Man, and I did have a fantastic meal at Bite, and I did try out some new cymbals - overall, not a bad night. Set list: <Undocumented>
10 February 2008 - AV Aerie (Animal Law) Set list: Above Heaven/Glisten/ Grain/Never Alone
13 January 2008 - Schuba's Set list: The Nairu Revolt/A Certain Station/Sextant/Expected/William/Rose Darling [Steely Dan]/Dryden, NY Circa '96
8 January 2008 - Ronny's (Animal Law) Set list: Grain/In Fives/Never Alone/Above Heaven
20 December 2007 - The Note (Animal Law) Set list: Above Heaven/In Fives/Glisten/Grain/Never Alone
18 November 2007 - Fireside Bowl Set list: The Nairu Revolt/Sextant/Expected/Rose Darling [Steely Dan]/Make 'Em Sign/White Punks On Dope [The Tubes]/Dryden, NY Circa '96
16 November 2007 - Bear's Place Set list: The Nairu Revolt/Sextant/Expected/Rose Darling [Steely Dan]/Make 'Em Sign/White Punks On Dope [The Tubes]/Dryden, NY Circa '96
19 August 2007 - Mad Art Set list: Make 'Em Sign/Sextant/The Nairu Revolt/Expected/White Punks On Dope [The Tubes]/Dryden, NY Circa '96
27 July 2007 - The Flowershop (Animal Law) Set list: Grain/In Fives/Love Theme From Animal Law/Cherry Stain/Above Heaven
3 June 2007 - The Note Set list: The Nairu Revolt/Expected/Make 'Em Sign/Sextant/White Punks On Dope [The Tubes]
12 May 2007 - Permanent Records Set list: Make 'Em Sign/White Punks On Dope [The Tubes]/Dryden NY, Circa '96
12 March 2007 - Subterranean Set list: The Nairu Revolt/Sextant/Paying Homage To The 28/2nd Best City In The World/Expected/Dryden NY, Circa '96
22 February 2007 - Palmer House Set list: The Nairu Revolt/Sextant/Expected/Dryden NY, Circa '96/Paying Homage To The 28
2 February 2007 - Ronny's New lineup, new venue. Eorl has moved to drums and our friend Justin has entered the bass section. Dan has opted out for the moment, but we may see him yet someday. Ronny's (it's hard to write it like the sign as there is a neon 'N' missing) is a little Mexican bar with a shrine to Guadalupe kind of tucked in near the entrance (not sure if its available for requests or not) and the mixing board is in a cabana. We played one of the first shows there (maybe 4th or 5th) so things were a little loose, but it was fun. Loud, too. Loto Ball Show opened - very polished, very reserved. I was led to expect something else by the pictures on the Myspace page. I almost poached the sax player, but he seemed to disappear right after the show. Set list: Sextant/The Nairu Revolt/2nd Best City In The World/Dryen NY, Circa '96/Expected/Paying Homage To The 28
22 September 2006 - The Note The last band show with Shannon (the drummer). We played well, almost as if our very lives depended on it. And whoever was threatening our lives also told us to have fun. Sorry about that last song, though. We really didn't know that one. In fact, I'm not even listing it on the set list, because I don't feel like we really played it. Anyway, this was a great bill - I actually liked the other bands who played (Weird Weeds and Kamikaze Hearts). Set list: The Nairu Revolt/Hey, Rube!/Side One/Sextant/Sure, If He's Got Fifty Bucks/Executive Shirts '79
7 August 2006 - Myopic Books
Another improv show, this time with Dave and his friend Bill. This one seemed really good - we all had similar set-ups, so noone really was a "soloist" (as can sometimes happen). The Improvised Music Workshop has been going strong for, what, 15 years or so, so it's really quite awesome to be a continuing part of it. I scored a few good books, too.
24 July 2006 - Elastic This was the first improv show I've been involved in for quite a while (we won't count the time in New Orleans where I blew a recorder in Tito Mambo's ear for 15 minutes while he played Pink Floyd riffs). Mike Hagedorn (who has a site) has been wanting to play for quite a while, and it was a pleasure to finally get it done. Quite a lot of good music with the rest of the bill (and a little bit of bullshit, but what can you do?) and a nice little space. It's a nice little "underground" "scene" we have here - it'd be a shame if something unexpected happened...
14 July 2006 - Hideout Good to be back, is all I can say. I missed playing here, as it's one of my favourite venues. The sound is always pro, and the people are very decent. They can handle the strangest and most frustrating soundchecks with aplomb. I'm just sayin', is all. Plus, you get a chance to purchase somewhat-fresh tamales. Two chances if you're lucky. I thought mine tasted like a chicken soup flavoured fruit roll-up, but maybe I'm spoiled. And really, after a rockin' show, who cares where the carbs come from?
Set list: The Nairu Revolt/Hey Rube/Sextant/Sure, If He's Got Fifty Bucks/Alas, Louisiana/Executive Shirts '79 30 June 2006 - DePaul University Chicago, IL We played as part of the Hewhocorrupts, Inc. Efficiency Training showcase. Bands who were not ready to play, or who failed to stay within their alotted time limit were pelted with water balloons after the show. We did not incur any infractions, but I didn't want to stick around anyway. You know how people get with water balloons - power-mad. I won't pretend I was able to see every band that played (as they were split up between two classrooms), but of notable interest was the Chicago Thrash Ensemble. I'd also like to recommend the noodle shop across the street. It was interesting being at the ol' alma mater - Rochelle got to see where the Chicago Avant-Fuck Ensemble had their debut performance. Anyone interested in reissuing those recordings should get in touch.
Set list: The Nairu Revolt/Hey Rube/Sextant/Sure, If He's Got Fifty Bucks 14 June 2006 - Beat Kitchen Chicago, IL Hey, thanks for coming out! I had half of my family at this one. One well-placed grenade would have wiped out the blood line. Or I'll just do it myself by not having kids. Either way, we played a great set along with some great bands. Cellmates did a quiet melancholy folk thing - I was afraid they were going to be "freaky-deaky" but thankfully they went the traditional, learn-to-play-some-songs route. The headliner was Young People, who played weird short pop songs (at least I thought they were pop). They played their new album in it's entirety, in order. I would also have to give a shout out to the sauteed vegetables. Set list: Hey Rube/Executive Shirts '79/Sextant/No Fair Jumping Off The Match/The Nairu Revolt/Sure, If He's Got Fifty Bucks/Alas, Louisiana 13 April 2006 - Hotti Biscotti Chicago, IL
A solo show this time, at a Logan Square bar playing before a documentary on Fred Frith. Lark opened the night with a wonderfully quirky set of fingerpicked originals (one of which was drowned out by a home-made drone). I played second, and debuted a new song, soon to become a standard in your fake books everywhere, and Hinges or something like that closed us out. They had to stop playing mid-way through their set because of equipment problems, although in this post-modern age, maybe that's their gimmick. It's too bad, because they were laying down some pretty dense tableuas. Set list: Expected/Patzer/We'll Always Have Applebee's/Where Are You Lisa?/Andrew 11 April 2006 - South Union Arts Chicago, IL An emergency show, as the two bands that were originally scheduled cancelled at the last minute. We opened for the documentary Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?, made by my friend Heather Whinna (and her friend Vicki, whose last name I've forgotten - go to www.rightrightright.com for all the details). It's about the huge christian rock scene (see how little respect I have for it, I won't even capitalize it) and all the comcomitant issues around this hot topic. I do have a problem with christian rock, as a matter of fact, but it's a well-made film that tackles the subject with clarity and honesty. Unfortunately for all involved, the wonderful weather Chicago had been enjoying ended this night, and only a few people braved the bitter cold rain to support the cause. Thank you, all of you, and special thanks to The Tarantula for leading the Q&A session as only you can. Set list: Executive Shirts '79/Hey Rube/No Fair Jumping Off The Match/Sextant/Sure, If He's Got Fifty Bucks/Alas, Louisiana 7 April 2006 - South Union Arts Centre Chicago, IL An MP Shows venue. This was an old church by the freeway, complete with neon crucifixion. First show with the new band and, I must say, we rocked it. Also, we were surrounded on all sides by Skin Graft paraphenalia, so that helped (in some way). We were followed by Organ Failure, a band from Houston who I missed as I was reminiscing in the video room. Lastly, was A Tundra, led by local busy man Theo. They played a mess of genres, all really well. If you like your music unpredictable, I would recommend them for your next night out. And let me apologize for the lack of dress code. I was not dressed for the occasion, and I'm sorry. Set list: Executive Shirts '79/Hey Rube!/No Fair Jumping Off The Match/2nd Best City In The World/Await [Cheer-Accident]/Sure, If He's Got Fifty Bucks/Alas, Louisiana
30 September 2005 - Blackspot Gallery Very strange show - I knew it was going to be low volume, but I didn't think it would need to be that quiet. In retrospect, I probably should have brought my acoustic. Additional retrospect should have seen me off-stage, as me stomping the stage probably woke up old lady Perkins downstairs. And we did play Ping-Pong, thank you very much. I'd like to know what happened to the opening act, though - Adam Sonderberg never showed up and didn't seem like he was ever going to, despite confirming the show. If you see him, ask him what happened - I'd love to get closure on this thing. Update - Adam never got a confirmation from the booker because of a Microsoft/Mac incompatability. So, if anyone is to blame, it's Bill Gates. There, I said it. Set list: Donor 1, Hey Rube!, Heft, Patzer, You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here [Frank Zappa], Expected, As Per Degaton, If You Want Blood (You Got It)[AC/DC], Dryden NY; Circa '96
17 June 2005 - Hideout Very satisfying. Good music, lots of fun - it's too bad if you missed it. Fast Product played some great heavy rock and The American Pringles simply owned the stage for the night. I wonder why David Alan Grier pulled a no-show, though? Oh well, Lord Vader made up for his absence. Set list: Executive Shirts '79/Paying Homage To The 28/Hey Rube/No Fair Jumping Off The Match/The Nairu Revolt/Alas, Louisiana
22 May 2005 - Bottom Lounge This didn't really feel like a real show, as Rochelle's distinctive voice was absent during the cheering. But she was back in New Orleans finalizing our move here. Hopefully the good vibes made their way that far south. I felt good about getting to play so soon after moving here - gigs are always good ways to catch up with old friends without making elaborate plans. I even got to match names and faces with a couple internet personalities. Almost everything I used was borrowed, even the necktie. The second band was Barbez from New York. They play creepy cabaret with Middle Eastern fringes and underscore it all with truly virtuosic theremin. The headliners were Spires That In The Sunset Rise, a freak-folk collective that wormed and warmed their way into the collective Appalachian heart of the crowd. And again - I am looking for other musicians. Please feel free to email me - especially trombone or alto sax players. Set list: Alas, Louisiana/Patzer/The Nairu Revolt/Side One/As Per Degaton/Executive Shirts '79
10 December 2004 - Mermaid Lounge The Mermaid is closing, so the show had a bittersweet tone to it. However, scuttlebutt has it that the owners have found a new home elsewhere, and perhaps the city will not lose out after all. I played first out of 5 bands, which to me is too many. In fact, I have to apologize to Madrona - I missed their set because I couldn't stay anymore. Rochelle introduced my set: "Are you ready to rock?!? Well, you're not going to". The Public was good - nice hooks and a great bass player. Fans of Interpol should dig them. The Paradise Vendors played an interesting set - it's hard to nail them down because they don't really sound like any one thing. One thing I'd like to ask: if there's only one person in your band, does that mean that one person should earn more than a band with four people in it, or does the band deserve more of the door simply because there are more of them? Does one person do less or more work than four people? Also, Rochelle is happy with the amaretto sours from The Mermaid. First one may be free, but if they're that good, who needs another? Set list: Paying Homage To The 28/Hey Rube!/2nd Best City In The World/Side One/Dryden, NY; Circa '96/Executive Shirts '79 |