Re-cap of Fan Appreciation show on Saturday, Feb 7, 2009…

 

 

 

Wow

There’s no other way to explain it. This is probably the most satisfied I’ve felt with my—and the band’s—performance in probably 2 years.

Everyone was on their game, and I hit all the marks that I previously had set out to hit for this show. Yes, one of the things I actually do is visually imagine how shows are going to go before they start. It gives me a precedent to aspire to. It helps me figure out the pacing, the tone. If I’m lazy on this, it’s evident in my performance (at least to me). And tonight, I wanted to knock it out of the park. Whether that happened, fans can be the judge. But at least I am very happy with how it came out and how we did.

Probably our biggest draw in a few shows too. Surprising because we had two strikes against us: the economy & the rain. It rained like crazy on Friday night and Saturday morning, but it let up around 8 AM. And funny, around 6pm (while I was driving to the club), it briefly hinted that it may unleash fury, but it was a paper dragon: nothing. Even the temperature wasn’t too bad.

The Set

Here’s what we played:

1. Ripped, Torn, Broken
2. Liftoff
3. Ambulance Chaser
4. Time Travel
5. Taste of the Good Life
6. Finger on the Trigger Makes a Man Feel Bigger
7. Hip Hop High
8. Man on a Mission
9. Happening
10. Independent

You’d think that I’d be severely irritated that the club was running a huge beer pong tournament (started at 3) that was supposed to end at 8 and didn’t even think about ending til almost 9. The 1st band was about 45 minutes late, which yes, made us 45 minutes late. But for some reason I wasn’t. Mildly annoyed, sure, but I for some reason just knew it’d all end up “ok.”

The iPod dropped out on Hip Hop High which was the first time I think that happened. But what’s interesting is it dropped out right on the ONE after the 1st chorus. So it sounded like we meant to do it! Course, when it came back in, it was somewhere in the middle of a bar, and we couldn’t fake our way through that; but we knew where we were, and no harm no foul.

Sebastian Ciceri was in the crowd and joined me on some background chant vocals during Hip Hop High. I thought it was such a good idea, I just stopped what I was singing and started singing what he sang.  (Be hip and buy his new record on iTunes.)

Right before “Happening”, I made mention of this being the last show for a little while, as we have to look for a new guitar player (more on that below), and well, I’m prepping to be a Dad. So, I want my focus and concentration to be on that for a bit, figuring out the first few weeks, and getting my bearings. But once my wife and I do, I’ll excited to play again. ESPECIALLY after Saturday night’s show. Touched on all the feelings of why I’m a musician, and why I must play live.

Upcoming Photos & Vid

I’ll have some photos coming soon, courtesy of Christopher Cuttriss, the amazing photographer who shot our last two LA shows. And hopefully a little bit of fan-shot video.

Steve

For those who didn’t make the show, I announced that Saturday was Steve’s last show with the Choir. He’s going off to do his own thing and I wish him well. I think he had a pretty good time Saturday night which was awesome. I still think he’s a dork for leaving though. 😉

Fan Appreciation Sale:

For those of you who didn’t take advantage of the sale I’ve had running for the last week, you’re in luck. While the sale was technically over on Sunday, in reality it runs until I update the web site. 

So feel free to take advantage of my laziness/busy schedule! 🙂 

It’s 30-50% off ALL CDS & Full Album Downloads. Yes, that includes the new record! Once that little sale banner is not there, and the prices are back up to $10, yup, the sale is over.