6/11/05
Starting things off was a thrown together Billy Childish tribute, Thee Buffy Childish, which featured three former members of The Stuck Ups and a few background singers. I was actually going to drum (!?!) for this, but had to pull out do to time issues. Justin from The Authorities ended up pulling double duty. The ever rocking Tiffany Linnes led this ad hoc band through a screaming set of raw indie mayhem that got the joint jumping. The Authorities followed with their swan song performance, which is a shame cos they totally kicked ass. Another cool band packs it in, yet Good Charlotte continues to flourish. Sheesh!
A new band called Flux Capacitor plowed through a short set that I mostly missed due to my pre-show rituals. No animals were harmed.
Tiffany and I then jumped on stage to lead the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to Marci. A rather embarrassed Marci blew out the candles on a tray of cupcakes Tiffany whipped up for the occasion. I never knew a punk chick who could bake before. Another stereotype shattered.
After Hoagie banished everyone from the dressing room, and let all of the smoke out, we hit the stage to a screaming, packed club. We blazed through every Ramones song we know (except "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend"), stopping only to dodge flying punters (one who almost took me out at the knees) and to shove a wasted acquaintance off the stage who kept grabbing Greg's mic. The night ended early for our little friend, as he was last seen being dragged away by a bouncer.
This was the longest set we'd ever played, and also one of the best. We wore ourselves and the crowd out, leaving it all on the stage. Afterwards we were told that no one could remember that many people in the Fun House at one time before.
We left a crowd of tired smiles with full wallets and headed back to Hoagie's to shove his Vanagon back into the driveway. It's been deader than Liberace since the Portland show yet still hasn't been towed away. Before every outing, we have to push the fucker across the street, only to push it back after unloading into the basement. I think I'll actually miss it when its gone. The pushing of the Vanagon has become part of the pre -show ritual, which from my view point now consists of:
2) Power down a cup of coffee, courtesy of Dan's work or Hoagie's pantry
3) Break down the gear
4) The pushing of the Vanagon
5) I take a dump
6) Load out the gear
7) Drive to the venue
8) Load in
9) I take another dump
10) Wait to play
11) Dan remembers he has to change a string, and does so
12) Wait some more
13) Warm up
14) I take a piss
15) Load gear onto stage
16) I chug a Red Bull
17) I take another piss
18) Wig up
19) Huddle up ala Dallas Cowboys
20) We take the stage