The Living Rockumentary

Gig diary for the SFTD CD Release.

I was sitting in a back booth of PACE with Niall and Mark, sipping Merlot. I looked out at the growing crowd of people milling about, many also enjoying a glass of wine and chatting.
I forgot for a split second why I was there--who's art opening is this again? It did not feel like a rock show, and this was nice. I was relaxed. The people watching was great.
An hour or so earlier, walking off the stage after the soundcheck, I was filled with trepidation. PACE, which we had chosen due to its great theater sound, had since been stripped of much of what made it so nice sounding, because of some strict safty violations. All I could hear was the sound bouncing back to us, a half second after it was played. It was disorienting.
Our only hope was a room full of people to absorb the sound.
And this is exactly what we got. PACE was full. Sure 13 of those folks were the opening acts, but many of them were mulling around the back of the room. The great thing about PACE was that parents could bring their kids, Ning's parents could be there, and you could have a brownie and an herbal tea.
We've mentioned Niall before--well, this time he was visiting us on our turf. He shmoozed and charmed, spreading the Dren Records word. He professed his longtime fandom of Zeke Fiddler.
The opening acts all rose to the occasion. I enjoyed every one of them. I'm sure someone else will describe them or rate them. They're all my friends, and I've played with half of them, so I dare not.
Our show was lots of fun. The audience was attentive and on our side. And because of that, we were as confident as can be. The room sounded great, I could hear everyone and everything.
I felt I played well--the roomsound put me in the mind of mid sixties recordings, so I kinda played in that square guy playing rock way.
You ever watch Name That Tune? And how it was always funny to hear the dorky band play a hard rock song? I kinda felt like that. Not that we're a dorky band. Well maybe a little. At least I am. But in a good way. I mean would cute girls want our autographs if we were really that dorky?
Trot Nixon thanks the lord for his good game today.