Planet X again returned to Big Shots (Gig #30), just two days after our initial performance there and our third show in three consecutive days. Originally this particular show was supposed to feature Ratt, but just before the tour Ratt's singer Steven Pearcy quit the group.

Bad break for them...good break for us.

The show was on a Saturday Night, and we we're up first - which we've learned is the prime spot to be in. We we're stoked, and I think it showed. We'd we're pretty energetic in our first BigShot's show on Thursday night, but this time we were on FIRE .

Big Shot's wasn't anywhere near packed, apparently the word of Ratt's absense had gotten around, but there were still about 70 people in there, and that's the second largest crowd we've played to so far. (There were a few hundred at the County Fair last year, and our gig the previous night at The Crossroads had about 50 people crammed in) Sure, that may seem meager, but I assure you this town is Tough.

I've seen several national touring acts not even draw flies here.

So for us, and in this town...this was a REAL gig, with real people in the house.

We we're happy as could be, and I know it came through in our performance. Several people, including Tommy Mills', and Big Shot's owner Mike were right at the front of the stage, rocking out during our set. After playing here on Thursday night, we'd learned quite a bit. We had a better grasp of the stage, and a much better sound mix due to Tom, the sound guy, who gave us just about everthing we asked for. We shot both video and recorded audio (to mini-disk and DAT) for Thursday and for this night, and the improvement was immense. (When we get a chance we'll probably add the video and live audio to the website -- it'll be the first chance many of you will have to hear some of our new songs).

During the set, I mentioned that Ratt wasn't going to show up, jusr for those few people who probably didn't know, although it had been announced on 98 Rock, the local Hard Rock station. I heard later that more than a few people responded with "F--K RATT!". Which I guess means either they really really liked us, or they were really pissed off at Ratt for not showing up.

Maybe both.

Since we sold a bunch of CD's and signed all of them, I think it was both.

But wait, it get's worse.

Mike's band, Pulse went up next and they were really good. Pretty much traditional 70's/80's Rock in a Heart sort of vein. We kept the mini-disc running and recorded their set as well. Then Oil Kan got up on stage and ripped it to shreds for an hour with their Metallic Blues, and afterward started bringing up guests for their encore. First they brought up a local singer who I hadn't met before named Gary - who performed Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door". (Very much like the Gun's 'n Roses version) Then they brought up Jim, the former guitarist of the local band Plate for one song.

And then me.

I sung Patty Smith's "Gloria" (which has pretty easy lyrics to remember - I have a hard enough time remembering my own lyrics), and Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe". After that Darryl, our guitarist came onstage and started a guitar duel with Tommy. They went at it for about 15 minutes throwing Blues, Metal and finger-taps - the whole works - at each other. At which point they added the kitchen sink, and started playing "Deliverance" and "Looney Toons" riffs back and forth. It was hilarious..

Then to top all of that off - if you can beleive this - our own Ron Meyer (who in addition to being 98 Rock's Official "Best Badass Bassist" in Sacramento, is also a mean guitar player) jumped up there and the next thing you know they're playing Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption" , Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" and finally "Rock and Roll" - which I sang. (Like "Gloria", it only has a few lyrics, and that's the way I like my cover songs - simple).

It was an absolute freaking BLAST.

A big pat on the back goes out to Ed, Rob and Chuck, our tech crew, for handling the audio and video. And I have to give special shout-outs to Tommy, his dad Steve, and Mike of Big Shot's. Cya next time guys.

Thanks.

Add your comments on this show

Next | Previous .

.