I have to admit that I was overwhelmed with all of the kind well-wishes, calls, texts, and e-mails I received from fans and friends across the world with my recent sabbatical. Really, I’m doing fine. I’ve just taken a break and pretty much done nothing - slept, ate, went to the beach, watched TV, and enjoyed life in a house again. No, I’m not in rehab and no, I don’t have a drug problem. Yes, I probably still drink too frequently, but I’m working on it.
I really want to take a minute to thank Overtone Media’s President Christian Ashton for providing this Hollywood Sanctuary for me to rest and recharge. It’s nice to have a place to call home again. We’ve made some new friends here in L.A. and Christian has taken Ken under his wing and begun working with him directly as my business manager. I understand that they had a great meeting today to help plan out the next phases for my career.
Below are a list of upcoming shows here in Southern California. I really look forward to seeing any of my local friends and fans out at one or more of the upcoming shows down here:
9.05.08 The Cat Club - West Hollywood, CA
9.09.08 O’Briens - Santa Monica, CA
9.11.08 TRiP (formerly Nocturnal) - Santa Monica, CA
Pulling up to The Cantankerous Fish I expected to see a small bar mixed with a Long John Silvers and a Joe’s Crab Shack; instead what I got was a sexy high-end restaurant with some of the most delicious food I’d ever eaten. The bar/restaurant pulled out the all star treatment for us, letting us park the tour bus directly out in front, giving us free drinks, and expensive meals for pennies on the dollar. It was a lot of fun.
The crowd at the show was incredibly gracious and we sold a ton of merchandise. We watched people finish their meals and stay for an hour or so after just to hear more music - I was very appreciative. Non-customers stopped on the street and huddled in groups to hear more. Over the evening we probably played to 200 - 250 people. I have to admit that people in Northern California really appreciate their artists (and I really appreciate the people of Northern California). My experience with the shows up here have been some of the best performances to date.
Big thanks to Max on drums and Dave on bass (two of the coolest cats ever and I’m proud to be playing with them), Ken Gray my ever faithful tour and business manager, the staff at the Cantankerous Fish, Jennifer for having booked the show, and Dusty the inflatable punching clown for haunting my dreams as I sleep (you start to get a little cabin fever living in a tour bus for a month).
The Beale Street Bar and Grill is one of the coolest venues I’ve been to in a while, mostly because of it’s location and it’s atmosphere. Nestled in the middle of skyscraper after bay area skyscraper you might get lucky enough to just stumble onto this small 2 story bar with the great vibe and the delicious food. By 6 PM this place was hopping as people stopped in to avoid battling traffic home during rush hour. By 11 PM, headliner Kevin Burdick was center stage.
When we pulled into San Francisco this last weekend, I hadn’t even spoken with my local band. Ken Gray had posted a couple ads on Craigslist and had interviewed a number of candidates before hand selecting these guys. We had a quick 3-hour rehearsal on Tuesday and the guys came prepared (we had sent them out rehearsal packets a week before) - Max Macveety, a magically delicious drummer; Dave Hicks, a super-steady bassist; and Ken Seely, an old-school guitarist who can plain out shred. I could tell it was going to be something special after just an hour of rehearsal. We just really gelled, even though musically we were all so different. Max is a hip-hop drummer, but more to the point, he his robot of percussion - the guy can flat out play and is tight. Dave is an accomplished bassist who, I get the feeling, used to gig all of the time - he’s now a facial reconstruction surgeon, but he still loves to get out and rock the bass every now and again. Ken’s resume was deep - the guy has played guitar with and for some of the absolute greats over the years and so it was pretty cool to add my name to that list.
On the night of the show, we all arrived pretty early. We were given the wrong call time and so everyone was there by 8 PM. There were 3 opening acts kicking off the night and then I was the guy coming in at clean-up. For the most part I really enjoyed the bands playing before me. Actor/Comedian Robin Williams even made an appearance during the night, but he didn’t stay for much of my performance - still, it was cool to have somebody rediculously famous in the venue. Ken Gray actually hung out at the bar with Mr. Williams for while - editted transcripts of their conversation went something like this:
Ken orders a water from the bartender. “Just a water?” says Mr. Williams holding an iced tea at the end of the bar. “I need to hydrate… So is it Boston or L.A.?” Ken asks pointing to the TV. “Neither, San Francisco.” “I mean in the NBA playoffs.” “Oh, Boston I guess. I’m an idiot.”
“Yeah, Garnet needs a ring… Would you like some gum?” “What kind is it? I only chew Dentine.” Smiles.
“Eclipse Polar Ice.” “Aw what the hell.” Mr. Williams takes a piece of gum. A few minutes later Ken orders another water. “More water?” says Mr. Williams. “I told you man, I gotta hydrate.” Adjusts hat goofily. “You are a character, aren’t you.” “You shut up…” Ken says with a smile. Robin Williams laughs and the two begin to discuss the coolest venues in San Francisco. End transcipt.
The show went great and the highlight was probably the improv song “Invisible Pants.” That was a pretty cool suggestion from the audience and I was happy to oblige with one of my silly and rediculous make-up songs.
Well, having a great time on the road! Wish you were here!!
Greetings from California!! We just got in to town late last night and so I’m just barely getting the chance to finish up my post about last Friday’s Huka Show. We rehearse with the local California band on Tuesday and then we’ll be ready to rock for the show on Thursday at The Beale Street Bar. The turn out for the Huka Bar Show was absolutely phenomenal for my send off show, so let me start by thanking all of the friends and fans who showed up to support. The Better Life Band opened and really did a great job getting the crowd involved early. Thanks guys!!
Random highlights of the show include the improv song “Dave Briggs has Syphilis and a Big Penis” (yes, that was the song title I received from the audience - go figure) to which I would like it publicly known that he in fact doesn’t not have any venerial diseases as far as I am aware (though I am not a medical doctor). I am also unable to verify the second part of that song. Fortunately, I was able to turn that audience generated song title into a wickedly funny musical roast of my friend Dave. While on the road, I’ll miss being able to include friends names into random improv songs on the stage.
It was great to see everyone there at a full Huka Bar for my send off show. I only have out-of-state shows booked until August, so it will be a little while before my local Utah friends and fans will be able to see me again. By that time, my new album will be out and they’ll be several new songs added to the set list, so look for that.
Well, I’m off to bed. I have a headache. Miss you!!
Photos:
Interview of audiences members, band members, and fans after the Huka Show (warning, explicit language):
I have to admit that I was overwhelmed with all of the kind well-wishes, calls, texts, and e-mails I received from fans and friends across the world with my recent sabbatical. Really, I’m doing fine. I’ve just taken a break and pretty much done nothing - slept, ate, went to the beach, watched TV, and enjoyed life in a house again. No, I’m not in rehab and no, I don’t have a drug problem. Yes, I probably still drink too frequently, but I’m working on it.
