Third Eye Blind Performs After-Show Sets

A small group of patrons at Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar in Austin, Texas, was surprised recently when, in addition to the local band that was supposed to be playing, an MTV-familiar group of faces took the stage late at night. It was Third Eye Blind, fresh from a show at the Austin Music Hall, who showed up itching to play some more. It's something the band has been doing from time to time during its current "Dragons & Astronauts" tour, first on a whim and then more often, because, as frontman Stephan Jenkins puts it, "It's just a blast."

"To pick up a borrowed Fender and throw down � there's nothing better," Jenkins says. "The bands we've approached have been incredibly generous and kind � letting us have the stage and use their equipment. It's been great � really takes us back to basics."

Apparently it works for the audience, too. Jenkins laughs, "When we've started playing, there are usually just a few people there, but by the time we're done, the place is packed. They love it."

When the group played in Austin, Jenkins was on drums (his original instrument) and guitarist Tony Fredianelli, who had previously fronted his own band, sang. That's because, as Jenkins points out, touring is grueling enough on a singer's voice. "And I just love sitting back and letting Tony do it. He's so great at it."

The group plays old favorites � including songs by The Clash and The Police � and a smattering of Third Eye Blind favorites. Jenkins says the impromptu cover sets have had a positive impact on the band's regular shows: "They've become much more slippery and spontaneous. It's so much fun playing these beer halls, and that carries over."

As the "Dragons & Astronauts" tour nears its end, Jenkins is already thinking ahead to his next projects, including a summer tour. "It will be called 'Red Summer Sun,' and we're planning some pretty amazing things for it. We're trying to get Travis or Vertical Horizon to come along. There's also an EP that we'll be working on, and a benefit I want to put together in San Francisco. It will be all acoustic, and I'm inviting some friends to participate."

Which friends? Dave Matthews? Metallica? "We'll see," he laughs.

What the club shows prove, he says, is that "This is a pretty glorious period in our band. That we're four guys who love playing together, that there's a real joy in playing, and it shows up on both stages."