this past weekend was abusive, self-indulgent, clusterfuck-y and amazing.
all of it was creative on one level or another. much of it music-related. some of it was just about fun and pleasure and not giving a shit about anything else in the world for a brief moment in time. i could always use more of that but sometimes, i think i’m too lazy to make it happen so i settle for when it comes easier to me.
last Friday night, i played in my hometown: Sacramento, California. it was at a club that i have worked at, booked at and have played many many times over the past 15 years. i even bounced there for a few months when i was looking to make extra money. it’s a great place (for a bar, that is) that I have some wonderful memories of.
for one reason or another, i hadn’t played there in well over a year. part of it is just because I’ve been playing solo and much quieter lately and that particular venue has never been a great place for acoustic-based acts. another part of it is because, in the last 5 years, I have forged some really good relationships with other venue owners/bookers in town who i feel, like what i do and respect me in ways I need to be respected. and the feeling is mutual.
but i was looking forward to playing the old place and was happy to be playing with the 2 local bands i was playing with: the Bright Faces and the Nickel Slots.
the show was great. i went on first and played in front of a decent amount of people and i had fun. i thought my set was solid and my voice was in good shape, despite the small cold i’ve been fighting. Allyson got up and sang a few songs with me and naturally, took everything up a few notches with her greatness. i assume that everyone knows just how much i love singing and performing with my wife but if they don’t, they should.
i do. i really do. more than just about anything else.
anyway, the night was good and fun and I enjoyed watching and listening to the other bands. overall, I had a helluva time.
the next night, i hoofed it up to my old hometown Reno (with Al and Lulu in tow) for what will be the last 7Seconds show of 2010.
during the 2-hour Sac to Reno drive, i felt equal parts calm and raw tenseness as i pondered my return to my old musical hometown. it is always extra heavy on my body and soul, coming back and performing in Reno. the many family members (particularly my mom who is getting up in age and not in such great health these days but who always insists on being at these shows to cheer us on), old friends (and enemies), the fuck ton of weird memories of being awkwardly teenaged and shitty jobs and ex-lovers and people who tried to kill me before i was able to escape and run. i always love playing in Reno but staying there? nuh-uh. it’s too tough on me.
the show itself was beauteous. the openers - locals Beer Can, Jack Grisham (yes, THAT Jack Grisham!) and my Sac buddies Pressure Point - all rocked the crowd before we set foot on stage and attempted to burn the rest of the night down.
i think we came close. i alway marvel at the amount of energy and love the 4 of us still have for this shit. it sounded good and tight and right to me, that’s all i know.
and i didn’t puke on anybody so……bonus!
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lilykily reblogged this from kevinseconds and added:
@inthefade? Attention, please. :)
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