Velvet

Y'know, I came across that list a few years ago, and it's a)somewhat out of date (I almost booked Lyle Lovett on that duo tour, and he's hasn't toured as a duo in a few years now, though the list has been updated pricewise in some cases, ie Dylan's price has doubled from the last time I saw the list), b)the prices are at least in some cases pretty off, and, c)very enlightening, 'cuz I suspect that it's pretty bang on in a relative sense.

Also, I shed a tear to think Britney Spears makes any money in 'music' at all. Bank it lady.

!looC

I don't think we met any Ben's at the Planet, but I'm certainly not an authority on the goings on that night. I spent a lot of my time talking with my friends Alexander Keith and Mr. Jagarmiester.

And Greco donairs rule!

nero w/Grand Theft Bus @ The Chestnut, Fredericton, NB

Here, finally, was the show we were all excited about. The Chestnut is a pretty big room, definitely the biggest venue on this tour. The room capacity was sold out in advance and at least a hundred people came through the door looking for tickets while the band was setting up. They were told to come back and get a stamp; though the capacity of the room was sold, they were gonna accept all comers.

By the time the first set started, the place was pretty packed, and people kept flooding in for the next hour and a half. Sound was great and there was some cool light shows going on as nero started off their set. They played a pretty good set including 401 Theme, Peaches, and Moby's Dream but most of the crowd were laying back near the bar doing some heavy drinking in preparation for the countdown. People started getting up and shaking their drunken bones by nero's last tune, now that they (nero and the audience) were nice and primed up. While nero jammed out, the members of GTB got up on the stage, one at a time, and started to weave into the groove. Before you knew it both bands were onstage jamming out and the audience reacted by packing out the dance floor and grooving. One by one Dave, Jay and Shane departed from the stage leaving GTB to jam into their first set. Which was killer. In my opinion the two best bands in this genre that Canada has to offer were playing the Chestnut that night. Grand Theft Bus, though I've only caught them three times, get way better every time I see them, and I thought they were great the first time. Their jamming is getting more solid and more experimental all the time. They're in Ottawa January 25th. Go.

Eventually Dave got up on stage and started jamming with GTB to begin the jam changover back to another nero set. Another great jam and GTB was offstage, leaving nero with a jammed dance floor in a jammed bar. nero jammed (sorry) into Carol of Bells, which really got people off, and proceeded to play the best set of their short career. During another marathon Condor they went into an Auld Lang Syne jam and people freaked. One funny thing from this set: I was doing lights at the soundboard and nero was in a really trippy jam and I heard something weird. I immediately looked behind me at the board and saw the soundman (who was on acid) riding the mains up and down really fast giving the whole room a huge tremolo effect. Wide-eyed, I looked at him and he looked at me and then he yelled, "I'm back! I'm back, don't worry, I'm okay now! I'm back!" and he put the mains back and struck the classic soundman pose, staring at the band, occasionally twiddling knobs. I turned my head away and laughed out loud for at least 75 seconds straight. Anyway, suffice to say that this set, nero rocked the house like never before.

For the third and last time, nero and GTB had a full on, two band jam into the final set of the night. During GTB's second song, with everybody dancing and having a great time, the power to the lights, the board, the Tascam (thereby erasing they s/b + mic recording of the whole show) and everything on the stage except the bass amp went down. I was standing right next to the soundman when this happened (I'm laughing my ass off as I type this) and he said, "Oooooohhh" kinda quietly. I asked him what happened, and he said the power went out. Yeah, thanks. Then he calmly started to walk through the crowd towards the stage. I was staring at the guy with my mouth on the floor, ‘cuz if I was on acid and solely responsible for getting sound back going into the last set of a NYE gig in a packed house I'd be freaking out! He went about fifteen feet and calmly turned around and walked back to the board. As he walked by me he muttered, "forgot my flashlight," picked it up and slowly headed towards the stage again. Funny as hell. Luckily the drums and bass kept jamming out and I bet some people didn't even notice that the power was down for about seven minutes. Eventually the power came back up and GTB closed out the night in fine style. What a great show, NYE and two great bands feeding us nonstop, no setbreak music. Where else you gonna find that?

Finally got all the gear packed up and back to the motel when a bunch of us headed to a party. Though initially and immediately refused admission to said party, we eventaully were welcomed and jammed and drank and partied until about 9am. Highlight there was the YEM jam featuring Dave on lead banjo. Motel, breakfast, three hours of sleep and ready to make the trek back to Ottawa.

By the way, special mention goes out to the crew that made it up from Ottawa, great to see you guys there. Sorry about the Pizza Delight suggestion.

Overall, an unbelievably fun tour. The east coast rocks in a big way, and believe me, I wouldn't have said that ten years ago (I'm from out there). We all met lot's of nice folks, made some friends I know we'll see again and a lot of people got their first dose of live nero. Those folks I know we'll see again also. In March.

Quote of the Day: Sorry, I better not print this one, but it was stated by a drunken Dave over breakfast and included a lot of loud profanities.

Ps From now on I'll keep track of set lists. Sorry.

Oh yeah, Blane and Harpua, if you're looking for a nero live show, I suggest you hunt down the Halifax show when Dave burns it off the Tascam.

Thanks Bouche & BB...Yeah, great time out there eh? It's really too bad the bus didn't make it, it would've added a whole other dimension.

Oh, and don't worry, the show isn't totally lost...I actually remember all of the guys' parts from most of the second set. I can sing back either the bass or the guitar while tapping Jay's parts on my legs, but not all three at once, and really, it's just a capella. I'll keep the tour stories going as the tours happen though.

Yee Ha!

Yeah, all those Garcia/Grisman recordings are too expensive. And they come in packaging that makes it look like a double cd so you think you're getting a deal.

I still buy 'em though. The music is too good not to.

nero @ Baba's, Charlottetown

Pulled into Charlottetown and scored some sweet rooms at a hotel a block from the venue. Ate an amazing and well needed meal in the hotel's swank restaurant and headed to Baba's. Small room, kinda pub-like. Word must have gotten out since nero played this room last summer - good crowd came out. nero was set up between two of the four booths in the place, which was a bit unnerving 'cuz the other two booths filled with people staring at the band from about a foot away. Especially unnerving for Shane, who got hit on all night by a man in his early forties.

nero rocked out, playing one of the best Condor's I've heard. Special mention has got to go to the guy who walked up to the band, gave them a quick nod and then just exploded into a frenzy of flailing groove/breakdancing for the rest of the second set. That guy must be sore.

After the show a couple of guys invited us to an after hours place for some drinks. The next four hours are pretty much my highlight for this mini-tour, and I think Jay and Shane would agree (Dave decided to sleep instead of joining us). The only thing our hosts asked of us is that we keep the place under our hats. I'll respect that by saying no more here, except that the next time we're in Charlottetown, we'll be back (please!).

Next afternoon, tired and giddy, we headed to Tim Horton's (their coffee is tour crack) and set off for nero's first ever show in Halifax.

Quote of the day: (to Shane) "C'mon, just show me your pecker!"

nero @ The Planet, Halifax NS

Awright, my birthday show! nero's first time in the great city of Halifax, and playing a great room to boot. Cavernous arched ceiling and a bar in the middle of the room. And the band room would win an award. A pretty good crowd came out for this one, including a table full of Indonesian fishermen, who spent their one night in Canada watching nero. Everybody was totally into the show but nobody danced. The people at this show just sat and stared at the band, and with good reason. This was hands down the best show of the tour, likely the best overall show I've seen them play. The second set included a nice Carol of Bells and the third straight best Condor I've heard. The last three nights nero played 20-25 minute Condor's and each one had a totally different feel and each one was amazing. They played Peaches again and just nailed it.

It was also during the second set that they announced that it was my birthday. As if I wasn't drunk enough already, about eight million people bought me drinks. Bless them east coasters. Can't say much about the rest of the evening, though I'm pretty sure I wasn't driving. The gods had mercy on my sorry carcass and I woke up without a hangover, which was good ‘cuz the four of us spent the next day (off) at my parents place. I think they think I'm a respectable adult. Or something.

Quote of the Day: (to pizza guy?) "Is this enough?"

What's the address? Is it www.northernheads.ca ? My computer refuses to find it if that's right. Oh rabidmonkey, when will you come over and make my computer well?

Pretty sure that gig got cancelled. Something astrological, I think.

Oh yes, and Jay was asked for sex by a drunk man in his late twenties.

nero @ the Mansion, Shediac NB

For those not in the know, the Mansion is not a bar, it's a mansion. A real live, 100 year old huge mansion (bigger than Graceland even). About 20 people helped with the load in, which was amazing, 'cuz the boys were playing in the third floor ballroom. The room would hold about 250 people - fireplace blazing, funky lights and a stage in the corner. The guys who look after the place only had a couple of days to promote the show so it wasn't as packed out as it could have been, but there was a good crowd anyway. nero went on at 11 and played a killer 75 minute set, and at setbreak we mingled around trying to get a bearing on the layout of the place. Very easy to get lost in there. Set II was easily an hour and a half, but unfortunately gremlins took a bite out of the Tascam and most of the set didn't get recorded.

During the second set I stumbled around and found the portal to the basement. Y'see, I heard a rumour about this place...supposedly someone that was involved in developing the nuclear bomb lived here and did experiments in the basement. The guys that were watching the place had heard nothing about it but I wanted to see the place. At setbreak Jay and I went down there. It's a big high-ceilinged concrete room, and there was a small concrete room built in the corner. Through the door of the room there was another heavy steel door. I had to riff on the thing to open it. Conspiracy Fodder: The guys who own the mansion live in Europe and rarely visit the place. They make no money on it as far as I can see. They must use the mansion for something...

In the room was a safe. Nobody knows what's in it. I say Jimmy Hoffa is in there, Jay guessed it was full of chocolate.

Sorry, back to the show.

nero played a killer third set, and debuted Peaches en Regalia. Very sweet. Another couple of hours of constant boogieing by a whole room of beautiful people. Very sweet indeed. They finally stopped around 4:30, playing at least four and a half hours of music over the three sets. You'd think we'd all be tired by then, but that's a whole pile of other stories.

Next day off to Charlottetown., 'cross that beeeeg mudderfuggin' bridge. Yee-Ha!

I don't know who the hell this nickelback is, but don't go dissing Micheal and Madonna. They got talent like crazy.

Yeah, just had Ben Ben (which means "stupid stupid" in Chinese) last week. Very tasty, but if you don't know So Good, well, you just don't know. Take it from one who lives in the 'hood, ain't no eatin' like eatin' So Good.

And a very happy birth anniversary to the gentlest of monkeys, Monsuer Gentlemonkey.

Back to Freeway...Bo and Mike both moved to Toronto and were playing together under a bunch of names (Fear & Loathing was one) and Dom (the drummer) eventually moved to Toronto too, though I don't think they play together. I'm not sure if Bo and Mike still play together or not, but one thing's for sure, Freeway rocked and there were few things as fun as going to one of their shows and hangin' with all the people that you'd see exclusively at Freeway shows.

Cool Ossie picture.

Okay, gotta sound off fer just a second...

The four of us headed to Barrymore's after a few beers and things at home. We got there and stood outside having a smoke before going in. To kill time I poked my head in the door. Here is the conversation that ensued:

Me: You guys still charging a cover? (it was about 12:30 or so)

Big Fat Door Prick: Yeah.

Me: Are they between sets or has the last set already started?

BFDP: They're between sets.

Guy Standing Behind Me On The Stairs: They're playing three sets tonight.

Me (to BFDP): Are they on their first or second set break?

BFDP: They're between sets.

Me (to GSBMOTS): You seem to know what's going on, what set break are they on?

GSBMOTS: First, two sets to go.

Me (to both): Cool, thanks guys.

So I go out and join my friends, they finish their smokes and we walk through the door, $5 bills in hand. The Big Fat Door Prick immediately says we're too drunk and he's not letting us in. I wasn't too drunk, and neither were my friends, and he wouldn't have been able to tell if my friends were drunk 'cuz honestly they weren't even through the door yet! I'm convinced he was pissed 'cuz I said to the other guy "you know what's going on," though I certainly didn't mean to insult anybody. What pisses me off most is that this moron arbitrarily decided to cheat Chickenhead out of our collective $20 cover. Plus the fact that we were meeting folks in there. I mean, really, too drunk for Chickenhead! It's like getting kicked out of Guns n Roses for doing too much drugs.

Ps Thanks GM for the nice comment re bob loblaw

Getting together a jam for the Post...er...Dekcuf! I'm all over it. Who wants to jam? We can get together at my place (Bronson/Somerset) and get it together.

In a misguided attempt to become 'hip', local man Aaron Parrfer shaved his head and began attending what he calls 'Fish shows' at a nearby lake. This shot shows Mr. Parrfer finally meeting one of his heroes. "His name is Fish Man, and I'm hoping one day to meet my favorite Fish, Crey." Local police have since arrested Mr. Parrfer for suspicion of drug use and for simply being an idiot.

Will not work, my man. The IDing at Babylon is heavy, and if you haven't found an alternetive solution, you will not get in at the door, pretty much guaranteed.

I think my most missed lost cd is the Doors LA Woman. On a very trippy wacky night, the parts of which I recall I will never forget, I got it signed by Robbie Krieger. It got stolen, but then I found it in a cd store and I got it back! Then it got stolen again. Of the hundreds of discs I've lost, that one stands out.

Great idea, but the Bloom County Xmas special 'A Wish For Wings' must be mandatory. And shouldn't everyone come costumed as their favourite elf? Or perhaps as their fave nazi from the Sound of Music?

Good party...er, parties. I can't believe the bash upstairs didn't get busted! Anyway, my fuzzy head remembers good times and good jams.

Aloha.

Well, the first time I saw Bullard he got drunk on the show and then interviewed the girl who played Blair on the Facts of Life. She's been a born again Christian since she was eight and he railed into her.

Sorry, but you gotta like that.

Hey Giggles, here's some quotes you might like:

"I like to play with people who can play simple and are not threatened by other musicians thinking they can't play. And that eliminates 99% of the musicians."

-Neil Young

"Music is a yoga, something you really do when you are doing it. Thinking about what it means comes after the fact and isn't very interesting."

-Jerry Garcia

"When you hear somebody making music, they are bearing a naked part of their soul to you."

-Jimi Hendrix