Reborn @ The Roadhouse

It been a long time coming, but finally - we're back.

Tonight was our first full show with our new complete lineup, including Treno Herrera (Drums), Mike Feusi (Bass) and newest member Sammy K. on guitar, at the Roadhouse in "lovely" Rio Linda California.

The Roadhouse has been around for quite some time as a country bar, but now apparently former Big Shots owner Mike Regusa along with former Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon, were booking rock acts into the club. They have a huge dance/floor area, had recently added an inhouse soundsystem, rebuilt and enlarged the stage moving it into the corner, making it one of the largest stages available in town for rock bands. It was impressive, and larger than the both the Boardwalk and even the huge Big Shots stage had been. (Actually, it might be the BigShots stage rebuilt for all I know....hmmm)

First up though, was opening band Kicking the Dog, who put on a good show. They were your basic t-shirt 'n jeans old school, blues/funk/rock band with twin wah-wah drenched guitars. They definately had some good grooves, and a strong lead vocalist, reminding me somewhat of one of the first local Sacramento bands I'd ever seen - Nothing. They also reminded me of the band, D.R.A.G. -- for those of you outside Sacto, think of Blind Melon, but with more grit. Cool band, and they got the early arrivers in the crowd going.

We had quite a few people show up, including lots of friends of Treno's and Mike's from work (they both work at the Cambell's Soup Factory in South Sacramento), nearly a half dozen members of Sammy's family (parents, aunts, uncles and even grand parents) this being his very first show ever, and friends from the bands Proon/Zinc Bomb (Kenny "The Mighty KC" Couzo), One Pump Chump and Girth (Scooby and Mark). Frank Hannon's mom was there too, sitting with our new bassist Mike who is one of Frank's cousins.

We hit the stage at about 10:30 - starting off with our new song "Don't Tell me." Which is basically written about people making promises they can't keep - like saying that they'll show up for one of our gigs and then not being there. Singing this song first helps get any frustration we might have from repeatedly broken promises out of our system. Fortunately though, that wasn't really neccesary at this show, because we had a pretty good turnout of about 50-60 or so, even though admittedly the club was far from filled to capacity. (The dance floor is HUGE - I tell you. I'm looking forward to bringing in enough people for a proper mosh on that sucker)

We've practiced a lot over the last few months - and I think it really showed. The prior version of the band was always good, but we were never as cohesive as we should had been. All the players were excellent, but I think we all felt a need to prove how good we were to everyone as players, sometimes at the expense of rest of the band and the overall sound. Even me. But things are different now, and you can feel the difference. I don't feel the need to hit every note in my vocal range, just the ones that count.

Our former bassist Ron used to say that we should be "GOD-LIKE" when we played, and he was right - but at the time we weren't, although we were good. But now - even after just this one show, and particularly because of the depth that having Sammy on rythm guitar gives our sound, I think we're starting to become at least "DEMI-GOD-LIKE". Unlike our warm-up show (two weeks ago at the Hogshead Pub), we've started to add in backing vocals on the songs "What have you learned", "Savior" and "Leave it Alone", No, we're not perfect - not even close yet - but much better, and definately moving in the right direction. Our new sound is fatter and far more modern, but doesn't comprimise our commitment to musicianship or our integrity, by trying to sound "hip", or too much like other bands that are on the radio right now.

We're finally starting to really become - us.

Everything ran far smooter than it ever had. We moved from song to song quickly, switching from our "C" tuned to "Dropped-D" tuned guitars with a minimum of fuss and technical difficulties. The pace of the set was smooth and each song has a unique feel and groove that sets it apart from the others, and also apart from any other modern (or old) band I could think of. The new material is much heavier and really went over well. Even our one slow song - "Far Away (II)".

But you really know you done a kick ass show when:

• You go to cash in your drink ticket and the bartender says - "That's only good for a coors light or bud dry - but for YOU - here's a Heineken". (I'm not really into Heineken - but, why ask why when you hate bud dry?) The bartenders see every band that comes in, and when you can impress them, you've done something.
• People who've seen you plenty of times, including your first few shows and pretty much "know" you - come up and say that this time they were "BLOWN AWAY". (Thanks, again Kenny).
• You go back to cash in your second drink ticket, and the other bartender - buys you a shot out of their own pocket (I don't even know what was in it, but it was niiiiice).
• People offer to give you $10 for your CD, but since we didn't perform any of the songs on it that night - let you keep the CD and the money (to help make a new one)!
• You go back to buy a final heineken, because your out of drink tickets and you've suddenly decided you like 'em after all (which of course, coulda been on a count of the shot) - and the bartender gives it to you for free! (Good thing I'm not a heavy drinker, this kinda thing could become dangerous)

Finally, Tommy Mills Oil Kan - the headliner took the stage. We've seen and played with Oil Kan plenty of times, but this time up they had a new drummer, some new songs of their own and a new singer - lead guitarist Tommy Mills himself.

I'd been warned that they were different now, but still this time it was my turn to be "BLOWN AWAY". Oil Kan was great. I've always liked the unique characterists of bassist John Ott's voice, but the songs work a lot better with Tommy singing the leads down an octave from normal singing voice - and John providing occasional backing vocal support. I actually had chills a couple times, just from the blending of the vocals. Usually Oil Kan will rip into an impromptu extended jam, and this time they decided to give the Hendrix/Doors treatment to the Blind Melon song "No Rain". I've seen them do this kinda of thing a lot, but this time it had a definate edge of unpredictability to it. It totally kicked ass.

After the show me, my wife, Sammy and PX lead guitarist Darryl joined Tommy and John from Oil Kan for a late night joke and coffee-fest at Dennys 'til nearly 4am.

Whew - what a night.

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