Once again Planet X played Cafe Paris with Oil Kan tonight (Gig #22). Only tonight was a more than a little - strange. It was yet another B.Y.O.P.A. show and we were playing first. Unfortunately we had left our Power Amp back at Mitch's (drums) house - which was an hour drive away round trip. Our tech, Rob had to go all the way back and get it, since Oil Kan didn't bring their's. (We'd agreed to let them use ours just before the show). Fortunately we had arrived early so as a result, we only started out a little late - about 20 minutes - and had to use the first couple songs as our soundcheck. It took a few songs to get things all dialed in, but by the fourth tune we were happening.

Ok, so were about halfway into our sixth song, when this guy - who I'll call "Bob" (Not his real name), starts yelling something at us. Rob our tech, heads him off and tells him to write it down. So he does, and then stands in front of the band with a note that says "Play Only 10 more minutes, so our band can have time". It's pretty obvious that the guy is really really wasted, and people from the crowd are yelling at him

"Sit Down, A**shole".

Mitch got real mad, and something that you really don't want to do is get Mitch mad at you. All he has to do is lean on you hard and he'll hurt 'cha.

So we finished our song and "Bob" (not his real name), explained that he was in the last band that was going to play and he just wanted to make sure they would have enough time. *This* concern we definately understand. But there's a time and place for everything and it's not in the middle of somebodies elses song.

He apologized.

We played just two more songs, and finished off our set. And then not two minutes later as we're packing away our gear, "Bob" (not his real name) comes back and asks if his band "Pus bucket" (not their real band name) could use our P.A? (Which technically, is on loan to us from a friend) Basically his odds were about slim and nil on that score, but he started pleading "I already apologized".

Now Oil Kan has a P.A. but it was 20 miles away in Folsom. There was a real cheap house P.A., but it wasn't going to work. It was in shambles. I had already promised to let Oil Kan use our P.A., and I figured I'd just stick around and pack it up myself if the others guys didn't want to since Cafe Paris is real close to my home. Letting "Pus Bucket" use it would mean hanging out for just another hour, and I didn't mind that. Besides, I (unfortunately as it turns out) already knew "Bob" (not his real name) - we had met at the Press Club and traded tapes of our bands a couple weeks previously. So I told them I'd let them use the P.A. if they bought me a beer - which would keep me entertained for that extra hour. "Bob" said "Ok", and that was that.

So Oil Kan goes up and plays for an hour and half. (Which was the original deal since they were the Headliner) And in the middle of their set..."Bob" (not his real name) shows up with THE NOTE again. Steve, (father of Oil Kan's 17 year old guitar wonder, Tommy Mill's) stomped over and snatched the note out of "Bob"'s hand. Steve was real pissed and it showed.

The Oil Kan fans in the crowd cheered.

They put on a great show, and I even went up and sang a little bit of "Hey Joe" with them.

Oil Kan finished their set, exactly when they were supposed to in the first place and at last, the hyper-anxious-to-play three peice band, "Pus Bucket" (Not their real band name), finally got their chance to show just how "f*¢king cool" (as "Bob" would say) they were. It was only 12:30 and they had thought for some reason that Cafe Paris was going to close at 12:30, but it's usually open 'til 1:30 on 2am or Saturday. Greg, Cafe Paris' owner decides how long he's going to stay open, and how long each band will play. not me or "Bob".

Well, to put it mildly - they were awful. "Bob" (not his real name) seems like a decent guitar player, but as wasted as he was, it wasn't happening at all...his bassit and drummer were even more bombed. It was a mess. Greg came out - cuz I stayed outside on the patio once it got the P.A. setup, and he explained that they were usually much, much, much better.

Uh, yeah, ok - sure. Actually, this was not that hard to beleive - so let's just chalk this one up to too much recreational pharmecuticals, shall we?

Just for the record - NOBODY in Planet X does drugs. I've never done them in my entire life, no joke. I do drink, but not to excess (I hope). I never drive before a show. After yes, but not before. Darryl is absolutely clean and sober. So we tend to think this kind of experience just shows us that we're doing the right thing.

But don't worry, we did have our revenge.

About 20 minutes into "Pus Bucket's" show. I stood in front of them with a note..."You only have 10 more minutes to PLAY".

Afterward, 'Bob' was whimpering, "your band will never forgive me - You hate us and you'll never play with us again...".

"No, we won't 'Bob'," I said. "But I'll tell you what - we'll forgive you if you carry my amp (which weight about 80lbs) back to the my car".

Sure enough, he did it. With one hand. (I guess drugs make you strong.)

We're still not gonna play with them again though. I lied. So sue me.

We did get a couple compliments from people when we finished playing that they were glad to see a band that was so "professional". "Pus Bucket" (not their real band name) had their fans too, and I wish more power to 'em, as long as they're nowhere near us.

They were definately Three Stoned Men.

And I never did get that beer. At least not from "Bob", the doorman bought me a beer (he was working for "Pus Bucket" - we don't usually charge for people to see us if we have the option)- but then he still owes us and Oil Kan each $20. (Steve saw you hide that $50 in your pocket - stupid)

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