Jen was an awesome host and we thank her for all of her hospitality. The food was great, the drinks were great, the crowd was great!
I'm quite tired right now and don't have the energy to do justice on this post. So, i'll be back later to update the post about the specifics.
**UPDATE(5/26/2008)**
The final tally is in, and we raised a grand total of $1130. That's quite a success if you ask me.
First up was Liquid Casing. I think i may have seen these guys at Barnstock several years ago. They are a different style of band. Some like 'em and some don't. They are talented musicians for sure. They used a lot of effects and i was a fan of the sound of the distortion on the guitar. Liquid Casing played a longer set than originally scheduled. Again, this was due to the fact that Less Than Serious was not going to play their set.
The in-between-set entertainment consisted of raffle drawings. Many prizes were up for grabs...gift certificates, free panties, art books, coffee basket, and the grand prize was a color copier, scanner, fax...
Next up was Death Carpet Trio. I really enjoy these guys. If you have access to the iTunes store, go check them out. They have an eclectic mix of guitar, trumpet, and a thick layering of cowbell! If you are looking for a tasty funkcicle, these guys can provide it. It was a bit surreal as part way through their set they announced that Finding Reason was up next. It was at about that time that i really started to get nervous. The heart rate increased, the sweat came pouring out (well, it was hot outside, so that was already happening), and i started to shake...more or less.
Death Carpet Trio put on a great set and i hope we can play with these guys in the future!
I had to perform a wardrobe change before our set, and make a visit to the nearest bush (ha...just kidding). I went from comfortable shorts to tight jeans and my "Fear the Walken" tshirt. It got even hotter...and i don't think it was all because of the added clothing. The nerves were running fast... I think that our first show in Jen's Birthday Party, i was much more of a wreck. So, i suppose the more often i do this, the easier it'll get? That's the hope anyway.
While DC3 was breaking down their equipment, it was time for Finding Reason to start setting up ours. This is where things started to get blurry. I was a little apprehensive because we hadn't done a sound check earlier in the day, like i wanted to. I would've been less apprehensive had i had one less thing to worry about. Oh well...perhaps the next show we'll get it right. During our set up, Jen's oldest son, Jack, wanted to do a little saxophone solo that he wrote himself. I give the kid props for getting up on stage and doing his thing. Mad props, Jack! Keep it up.
And...so it was time. Time for us to do our thing...time to rock! We did an impromtu sound check and i wasn't sure how it was all going to work out. The in-ear monitors are hard to get used to. I wasn't sure if i was hearing everything that i need to hear. I expected the drums to be louder, but i really didn't hear them...i don't think. Ahhh, i don't remember. I suppose i heard enough of what i needed to because i think things (more or less) turned out okay. I sure hope the sound was better for the crowd than what i heard.
The first song was key, for me. This was a song that we hadn't done live before and i start this song off, by myself for the first few measures. The arpeggios are a bit more difficult to do than chords. But thankfully, i hit all the notes and the first song was done well...for the most part. Blue Devils was a song that i'd never thought i'd get down...but i enjoy playing that song now.
After a quick sound monitor mix tweak, we got into our second song. Songs 2 and 3 were done fairly well, only minor screw ups. Song 4, which is the one i really wanted to nail, i think worked out okay. i know there were a few places where i messed up, which was disappointing. I'll wait to see the video or hear the recorded song to see how it turned out. As a reminder folks, 6 of the songs we played were the first time that we played them live.
The 5th and 6th songs are my weakest. It was at this time that i was thinking, "Don't fudge this up..." Although i wasn't thinking candy confection. Song 5 wasn't that bad. Song 6 was horrendous...we had some technical difficulties and i was off. Oh well...i really don't want to listen/watch that song.
I had some issues during the 7th song. My wireless transmitter pack fell off my guitar strap. I tried to find some time to re-attach it, but just let it hang for the song. I had a feeling that would happen. Luckily it didn't distract me too much. So, today, i ordered two wireless transmitter pouches that should eliminate that issue. The final song wasn't perfect for me...and i really wanted it to be...of course i wanted them all to be perfect. The parts that i was worried about i, did nail those...as far as i remember.
Eight songs/45 minutes sure flew by. It was all a blur. A wonderful blur. I think overall it was a great success. Once again, we received a lot of positive comments. Although it's hard to tell if people are just being nice. I'll just assume they are speaking the truth...it makes me feel better that way.
The rest of the night was very enjoyable and very relaxing. I want to do that again!!
I want to thank Jen and all those that made this event possible. I also want to thank those that believed in me, those that kept pushing me to practice, and those that made me feel like a rockstar...even though i'm not. I want to also thank Ron for devoting his time to our cause. I wish we could keep him. And a big thanks goes out to Ben and Greg...those guys help me keep going...even through all the frustrating times of not getting the music right...
And finally, i'd like to thank Carla. Thank you, Carla, for everything!
For those of you that didn't get to see the partial webcast or couldn't be there in person (and there's a lot of you), have no fear...Finding Reason will be back soon!
Rock on...
2 comments:
i wish we could have been there,but chris's academy keeps him busy. his graduation is quickly sneaking up on us. i know you were awesome though. maybe next time........
Sounds like a great time was had...maybe someday I can see the band live!
Ramon
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