Backstage at the Warfield, 12/15

Posted by Blue Darlin'

This is actually about TUESDAY night at the Warfield - I have just pieced it together and realized that. First off, I was frustrated not to get onstage and dance during Bonnie Bee (I posted my Monday review earlier and it got wiped out twice, and not noticed by many people). So, Monday was an okay show, but somewhat disappointing. At least the audience was very nice, and met a lot of great people. Good vibe that night.

Tuesday's crowd was not so nice. And I got there very late (when CI&S had already started), because I had a final to take in my Film Acting class. Very frustrating. I couldn't get anywhere NEAR the front, so Tuesday I was again nixed out of dancing onstage - a long story in itself as I had tried to prearrange to get pulled up there - but getting backstage afterwards made up for the whole evening!

After the show, I approached one of the security personnel, after a reasonable length of time, and casually asked if they could possibly get a certain one of the bandmembers to come out, as I had not seen him the night before, and had a gift I wanted to give to him. (And no, it wasn't Chris!) I'm not saying who so as not to get in dutch with the band. I'm somewhat friendly with someone in the band. That's all I'll say. Plus, this'll keep the psychos at bay! (We hope.)

The security guy amazingly just led me downstairs to backstage - probably 'cause I didn't act like a rabid fan and stressed that I already knew this band member and he would be happy/expecting to see me. So I just stayed cool and tried to keep a low profile. (I had already been backstage at the Warfield before for a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy afterparty a few weeks before, so was already somewhat familiar with the layout.)

It's a cavernous space down there, with a circular metal staircase going up to the backstage/stage area, and a back hallway where the dressing rooms are. The bands entertain their guests and party in this big room, where the catered food and drinks are served. I think there's ANOTHER back hallway too, but I didn't see back there. There is also a hallway and regular staircase (which I came down) to the side entrance on the front street (for the Warfield office building) and to the side hallway upstairs from the bar. The entrance I went in was on the left side of the stage (facing the stage) where there are double metal doors and security.

There were about two to three dozen people down there when I was ushered in. The amazing thing is that I immediately spotted a good friend of mine, Spig, who owns a vintage clothing store, and said hi to him and chatted with him for a bit. Then I spotted my man, and went over to say hi and give him his present and card.

I hadn't seen him in about a year, so I was psyched! He opened the card and present in front of me, and really seemed to like 'em. I had made the card from a whole bunch of cut-up, double-entendre bits from postcards (MaxRacks free postcards) and personalized it for him, especially. And gave him a vintage Hawaiian shirt I'd bought for him. Got a big hug and took some photos. Great all around.

Then he mingled, and I started observing the scene. It was a long bit before Chris ever came down. There were plenty of chicks there and some musician types (and the whole band, of course), and family and friends of the band. I said hi to all the guys in the band and chatted with a couple of the roadies. Herschel's parents were there and I said hi and shook hands with 'em. Great people - salt of the earth. His wife (girlfriend? sorry, I forget) was there too. Very nice gal. Totally regular, not stuck-up.

Didn't see any girlfriends with my guy, and I was curious. He is otherwise engaged, as far as I know. There was one guy there who was VERY tall and looked just like that super-tall, goofy guy on the Drew Carey show. Was he Chris' brother, though? He sure didn't look like Chris, and I didn't find him that attractive (sorry, guy). I think they ended up taking off together later (not sure).

There was a gaggle of girls sitting around a table, seemingly waiting for Chris. Turns out one of them was Dori. I had seen her before with Chris once at the Beach Chalet Restaurant (another story for another time, kids -- patience, patience!), and she looked much the same as 2 years ago. Very thin, very attractive, Asian, long black hair. Don't remember the other girls at this point. They seemed like friends of hers.

Lani was there, as was Barbara Loo. I talked with Barbara Loo about acting. I was unaware that she had a past with Chris (?? -- see, I don't know everything), so we didn't talk about any of that stuff. She was real unusual, crazy sense of humor, real intense, high energy, was there with her new boyfriend and they were all lovey-dovey. Interesting chick!

Our hero finally came downstairs after all the autographs and signing, and of course all eyes were on him, either openly or surreptitiously, hoping he'd chat with them or waiting to see his next move. This is where I get confused.....He had already changed (how? where? bus??) and was wearing a shirt and jeans - all I remember is the jeans.

Jeeeessus! He was wearing the tightest jeans I have ever seen on a guy. Our Chris must certainly have a small waist, and he had a tiny butt. I like my men to have a little more meat on their bones! I don't like a flat @$$ on a guy or a girl - just don't think it looks very good. So, I would say: Chris, go back to your old size! You had a righteous perfect butt 3 years ago! Bring it back! You're whittling away, man! Bring it back!

I don't remember what shirt he was wearing -- it might have even been the black sequin number, I don't know. Or was it just a plain vintage shirt? I dunno. I was just looking from face to @$$ - oops, excuse me. (Sexist pig-woman!)

He went over to talk to Dori, leaning in and down to talk to her face-to-face at the table, and milled around the room very briefly. He also said hi to Barbara Loo and her boyfriend. Then some industry-type guy in a suit whisked him away to the dressing room hallway to discuss business, I suppose. And I don't recall Chris ever coming out again. We finally gave up waiting and went home. I didn't want to overstay my welcome, anyway. I enjoyed talking with all the great people hanging out there though!

Dori didn't leave with Chris. I seem to recall she and her friends looking like they were packing it in to leave about the same time I left with Lani and Hannah trailing behind me. I don't recall any kissy-face between them either. But time has dulled the memory. I'm very sorry.

I got pictures with all the band members individually (okay, not Chris - only in the outside photo line on Monday). I'm picking them up tomorrow. See - I'm not a diehard after all, got my pix developed like 2 weeks later! I like to draw out the excitement. I can wait and wait and wait and wait.....I don't have a scanner though, and they were only taken with a disposable 35mm Kodak Max Camera, so we'll see. The majority of the pix were snapped from the FRONT ROW at Monday's Warfield show (smuggled in!), and the backstage ones were snapped after Tuesday's show (one camera discovered and nabbed by security, other one smuggled in - hahahaha).

....gotta go! Friends to meet. Later. Bye.

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