Show 2: Dragonfly
Last night we played our second show, at the Dragonfly club in Los Angeles. We had a great time, once again is was awesome seeing a lot of you in the flesh, after communicating almost daily via our “codenames” (PrincessAbby, Snow White, WendyBird, Mortisha, etc.). Got to briefly say hi to Rantz the artist and his wife, which was nice.
The set was about the same as last time, we haven’t written any new songs as a band, since October was spent in the studio. What’s cool about a gigs after tracking the songs is that they tighten up considerably. In the studio you clearly hear what you are doing in relation to everybody else, what works, what doesn’t, and you decide on “the” part.
I had a load of trouble with my amp during sound check so I was not in my Zen with my guitar tone during the gig. I have a couple more experiments to run on it using a “hot plate” to dump some of the voltage going to the cabinet, instead of using the Variac to lower the voltage going into the cabinet which seems to “suck up” the tone. Man, in all my years of playing my Marshall, I never had worries like this, but I really am determined to find a new sound I love that works well with Dave’s tone instead of competes with it. I hear a sound in my head, and apparently I have to keep looking.
Our set was: Unholy Ghost, Loophole, Bloody Mary, She Won’t Last, Outsider, Go On, Half Hearted, our cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused”, and we closed again with “Ashes”.
We were brainstorming covers for the last week or so, and hit upon “Dazed”. It is a ball-breaker of a jam and to play it with this group of guys is honestly like being …possessed. The music is so powerful, and the way it occurs in the moment is so right on, we knew right away that this song was something for us to do live. I flash back to the moment where we were in the middle jam bit, and I was standing between Perk and Chaney who were locked like an engine and watching Dave lost in the music, positively owning the solo. My favorite moment of last night.
We wrapped Stephen’s kit in white Christmas lights and it looked awesome. It’s a chrome kit and the effect of the lights reflecting off of it was perfect. Riss and I went to a Halloween where house on the weekend and loaded up on black lights, black roses, and a fog machine. Love that fog machine.
This time, we had 3 friends taking pictures, and a couple more videotaping. I’ll cut some stuff up to post in the next couple days. We get lots of requests to post whole shows from our international friends (Obvious, this means you!) but we’ll probably just do a song or two per show until we have a record out. We don’t want to have too much online until people have a chance to hear the recorded versions first. We are going to cut up some “montage” videos of the show to post soon, too.
Now the thanks to those who helped the show happen, because it is never EVER just the band: Phil Hutson and Mark Vangool: the techs (big ups to Mark for riding the hot plate during the bit where I needed to grab some feedback in “Mary”), Kristen Lauck for jumping in and doing merch at the last minute and ROCKING it, Dan Cleary for helping with the stage “atmosphere”, Anthony Belanger, our Dragonfly brother for being the perfect host, Todd for videotaping, Brian Easterling for taking pics, Kelly Castro for pics, (a couple more friends who took vid/pics, names coming). And most of all thank you to the woman who makes it ALL possible, Larissa Friend!!!
This was our second show, and we have set ourselves to the task of building this band song by song, gig by gig, organically. These two first shows were in a favorite local club of ours so we could have some fun, and try out the waters. The next show will be at a much larger venue, and we plan on adding a bit more to the stage, a bit more to the set, and so on. With the guys I am blessed to be playing with, the option existed to grow the band in a record company incubator, and bust out in a year as a whole corporate product thing and just “happen”. That option was never even discussed as we started jamming in Stephen Perkins’ garage. It has always seemed appropriate to bask in the joy of building something from scratch, and let everyone in on the creation process. There is already way too much manipulative corporate music “product” designed to exploit demographic buying tendencies as it is. I am truly blessed to be playing with musical artists who are at a point where they don’t’ give a shit about running down that route, they are craving the fun of the start. So we will walk all kinds of paths, some lead us to the new face of the band, some will be dead ends, but you are welcome to explore them with us as we find out what we are.
Comments
Would've loved to have been there...my car wasn't ready until today so I couldn't scoot down there from SF. :0
Great option on the cover tune - we must pay homage to the great who came before us!
-Craig
Posted by: craig | November 17, 2004 02:36 PM
Steve, you really kicked ass last night.
I thought the first show was way too loud, and didn't sound that great. Not your guys fault, the fault of Dragonfly.
Last night however, sounded pretty fucking awesome. It was still really loud, but definitely not "too" loud.
Watching Perkins kill Dazed and Confused was something I will never forget.
Rockin,
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Easton | November 17, 2004 02:40 PM
Truly inspiring post, as ever Steve...
Peaceout and congrats again on what sounded like a superb gig
RP
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | November 17, 2004 02:51 PM
Steve,
i hope the day when i see you guys live is coming.
great to hear you had an amazing night at the Dragonfly. i'm waiting for any new tunes you let us, Europeans, download :)
hope recors is gonna be realeased soon, and the tour will be next (Europe!)
have a great day,
Obviuos
Posted by: Obvious | November 17, 2004 02:57 PM
got the pics!!! check out my website...under the "picutes" section (duh...lol) its in there!!!
Posted by: Abby | November 17, 2004 03:08 PM
oops!!! "pictures" section LOL =) still quite tired from last night!!!
BTW Steve you guys sounded GREAT!!! No problems...could hear everyone (a bit better than last time) =)
Posted by: Abby | November 17, 2004 03:28 PM
Rantz the artist... that sounds like a comic book character...
I like it! ;)
I'll say it again, great show Steve.
Posted by: Rantz | November 17, 2004 03:56 PM
Steve,
Great show last night! Met you after the show, said I'd never posted; but am now compelled to. Absolutely amazing, missed the first show but huirried down to something I'll brag about for years. You guys sounded great, plus I saw alot of fans(friends) really into it; not some LA industry thing. Just four guys laying down what they do onstage and mutual enjoyment circling between TPC and the crowd. Anyway, Thanks!
Posted by: Ray | November 17, 2004 04:23 PM
I was a bit put off by your political messages before, but I'm happily hearing a positive and open tone now. Such inclusiveness is very good... Keep up the hard work.
Posted by: Mike | November 17, 2004 05:51 PM
Steve-I missed the show last night (Long story not worth mentioning) but I am glad everything went well and sounded great! Loved the pictures people posted. "I SWEAR TO GOD" I will be there on DEC 2nd. See you in 15 days!
Brett
Posted by: Brett | November 17, 2004 06:00 PM
awesome show steve....
i have an audio recording if you want a copy..
Posted by: innerturmoil | November 17, 2004 07:06 PM
woohoo, I was remembered! :)
You guys were great! I have to say I'm totally impressed with the vocals.
Looking forward to hearing more!
All hail the lovely Riss! I loved your outfit! Work it, girl! :)
M
Posted by: mortisha8 | November 17, 2004 09:22 PM
Hey Steve...
I met you last night at the show (amazing, btw) and I asked you about knowing Flash. I've very impressed.. anyway.... i took some fotos at the show and if you want any in a higher resolution... let me know. :)
http://www.littlemayte.com/2panic.html
Posted by: Cassandra | November 17, 2004 10:42 PM
Hi Steve,
thumbs up for your view on the way of this band. I appreciate it a lot. I hope to see you next year live here in Europe !!
Looking forward to some videos of the show also!!
Abby: Great pics girl !!! How did you do that with the TPC shirt? Looks great :-)
love,
Posted by: Navarrian | November 17, 2004 11:37 PM
Steve it was so nice to meet you finaly. You are so down to earth and I truly respect you for that. Keep up the awesome work and I'll see you on the second.
Misty
(Nightmare Before Christmas Sweatshirt)
p.s. I'll get my pics up as soon as I fix the laptop(the great P.O.S.)
Posted by: Misty | November 18, 2004 12:16 AM
Hi Steve & Riss,
thank you so much for being so nice last night. you are both truly genuine. yes, last night sounded so much better than the first show. i love love love Led Zeppelin and was so pleasantly surprised and utterly impressed with your performance, Steve. i can't wait for the 12/2 show. my brother and my friend are both under 21 and have missed out on the last two shows, so they are really psyched for the next one. i was so bummed that my batteries in my camera died, but my last shot of the night was a good one... thanks Steve.
http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?&collid=33092379506&photoid=46816579506
and some really note-worthy shots...
http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?collid=33092379506&photoid=12444579506&&refreshkey=1100766782038
http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?collid=33092379506&photoid=61151579506&&refreshkey=1100766782038
and i was messing around with my new software...
http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?collid=33092379506&photoid=42546199506&&refreshkey=1100766782038
http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?collid=33092379506&photoid=51884199506&&refreshkey=1100766782038
and if you have time, check out the rest. there some pretty nice ones. not top quality, but i still love 'em! see you guys in two weeks!
Posted by: SnoWhite | November 18, 2004 12:40 AM
heLLo!
Great show! from what I can read tho!
Tho Im really starting to loose patience when I see all we missed here in on the old Continent! ;-). I know it takes time, but I find this whole experience amazing. Small gig where the interaction is great, meetin your 6767/TpC fans, pictures, shout out! its great!
Congratulation again to the TpC, and all the lucky people at the gig! great pix/review!
FreAk*
Ps:Ever got those osx IconZ...?
Posted by: thefreak6767 | November 18, 2004 02:34 AM
Steve...glad you enjoyed yourself! By all accounts, the show was amazing....thanks to all who shared the pics...I ALMOST feel like I was there.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go finish eating my heart out! Someone please pass the salt... ;)
Posted by: Cori | November 18, 2004 09:26 AM
God all are ace people! Cori i know how you feel. Im dying to see tpc live , you better play some pretty good shows when you come to the uk!
Love always,
Georgina x
panic agent 2588
Posted by: Georgina | November 18, 2004 12:25 PM
awesome!!! thanks for the Dazed and confused vid!!!! Re-living the incredible moment!!!
Posted by: Abby | November 18, 2004 05:52 PM
Inspiring...more than ever.
but
I can't open the Dazed video!
I've tried five different ways!!!!
Help?
Peace y'all.
Posted by: Kevin | November 18, 2004 08:00 PM
Just watched the video of you guys doing Dazed and Confused. I can't believe how great and flawless you guys performed it. I think it sounded better than the original and I say this as a huge Zeplin fan - as my mom would say, I teethed on them. Steve, for you to hit all the notes in all the right spots and carry the song as a phenominal front man, hats off to you!! I'm patiently waiting for you guys to come to Chicago.
Impressed fan,
~Melissa~
Posted by: Melissa | November 18, 2004 08:49 PM
Steve~Amazing voice you have..just saw the dazed and confused video.
excellent.
Lisa
xxxx
Posted by: ylais | November 18, 2004 09:35 PM
also just watched the D&C clip. Steve, your voice is BEAUTIFUL. the Plant & Page-style call and return between you and Dave was especially cool. can't wait till dec 2!!
Posted by: Natalie | November 18, 2004 10:48 PM
wow... that video was awesome. your voice really did sound great Steve. i love how we can hear you so clearly in the video.
Posted by: SnoWhite | November 19, 2004 12:19 AM
I'm listening to the mp3's of the show...I am loving Bloody Mary....this is so great to be able to hear this!!!
Posted by: Cori | November 19, 2004 09:33 PM