Forget about it.

Sometimes I forget that Ken is in the Aloha Steamtrain. Since he floats around and plays with a number of bands, and because he is so talented at filling for various roles, it can be easy to take him for granted. I remember one Maggies show back in the day where he played drums with us when Stu had a last-minute emergency. I didn't really know Ken well, and he hadn't played drums with us before, but he nailed everything amazingly well. In the 'train he's back there, adding flourishes on keyboard and jangly tambourine. He's the exclamation point at the end of the paragraph.

I also forget about how good Joe Boyle is. I mean, I don't - how can you forget his stellar playing? He's a monster guitarist who seems to be able to play anything, however, he doesn't: and that's key. There's a little bit of restraint that seems to happen when he's soloing, just enough to keep him from looking like a showboat, and just enough to keep him slightly in the shadows. I don't really forget how good Joe is, but watching him live is a good reminder.

Sometimes it's easy to forget two things about Russ: his songwriting is fabulous and he's a super guitarist. His stage persona looms large over the band, which is both good and bad. Certainly he's knows how to entertain (which not that many bands have a grasp on) and I think that's important. But it's a shame when I hear people talking about the exploits of Russ as the main meat (er, so to speak) of the band, as if it's the only reason to see them.

Did you forget about Henning's bass prowess? I didn't, but I play in a band with him (where he doesn't play bass, but I use his equipment, so you get the picture). Let me tell you, non-bassists, he's good. He may never appear on the cover of Ass Layer (insert the B & P where you see fit), but that boy can tinkle on four strings. I mean, twinkle.

Nobody forgets Brian's hair, fashion sense or drum chops (chop sticks?). Do you remember the show, I think their last official one, where the girl jumped up on stage and pole vaulted over Brian's drums in a misguided effort to try and smooch him? I'm probably embellishing the story, but I remember cymbals flying everywhere and Brian looking like a deer caught in the headlights. It was completely awesome, and a Top Ten Rock 'N Roll Moment in the history of the Northampton music scene. If you remember it you probably weren't there.

Do you remember how fun AH is live? I didn't forget that one. It is the rare indie band that can get people to dance in Northampton. Many of my favorite memories of local shows have been at Steamtrain shows. I'm an unabashed fan. I hope they record a new record with that tasty new song they played in the first set.

I wish I could forget the St. Patriots' Day Theme Song though.