Strangers In The Night
Subject: Guitarist - Rock Bottom
Venue: Eddie's, Granite City, Illinois
Saturday, May 5th, 2007
Eddie’s in Granite City is steadily become one of the band’s favorite gigs. It’s close to home. Three of the four of us were born, raised, and still live in Granite. The people at Eddie’s treat us very well. Guess were sorta “hometown heroes”. That’s a neat feeling. Another great aspect of playing Eddie’s, we get to stretch out, try some new material. This band doesn’t rehearse, per se. Eddie’s is one of the only places we feel comfortable enough to try a new song or two. It’s like everyone is our friend there. In many cases, that’s actually true!
We’ve started selling really cool tee shirts, and naturally, Eddie’s is where we sell the most. Every time I walk in the front door, to see people proudly wearing a Rock Bottom shirt, it mystifies me to a certain extent, but it also drives me. I know they come to see us, and I want to deliver as high quality a performance as I can. It’s not something I take lightly.
Saturday night, I strolled into the club shortly before start up, and noticed a friend from work over at the bar, Mandy, as I made my way towards the stage. She’d stopped me once in the hall by her office earlier in the week, and asked “hey, you play in Rock Bottom, don’t you?” Amazing! I guess I take it for granted or something, I just don’t expect people to recognize me from a bar band.
I’d told her we were playing that weekend, and lo and behold, she showed up, along with her boyfriend, whom I’d known for years (but didn’t know they were dating), and a very tall, thin, dark haired beauty. “Wow!” I thought to myself, “who is your friend?” I was smitten.
I quickly gave my guitars to Donovan to prep for me, and hustled back over to the bar to greet her.
“Glad you could make it!” I told Mandy. Then my eyes quickly fixed on her friend.
Long, rolling brunette hair, green eyes with a hint of brown (green eyes are my kryptonite), and an electric smile. We made eye contact when she suddenly surprised me and spoke.
“You know our older sister, Lisa, don’t you?” she asked me.
“Yeah!” Mandy said. “Lisa {such and such}! (I kinda like to keep things semi anonymous when posting out on the Internet. Anyone can Google anything!) You do know her!”
“You’re sisters? You two?” I said. Wow, they don’t look alike, or anything like Lisa, but a damn good looking family, I thought. “I had no idea! I wouldn’t have guessed that!” They nodded. “AND you’re both Lisa’s sister? Huh!” I said. Whoda thunk?
The synchronicity of it all was staggering. Lisa was our A-#1 fan back in the days of my first band, Kulprit. She loved us! I jokingly referred to her as President of our fan club. She taped shows, kept scrapbooks, everything a dedicated fan would do. Interestingly, she met Steve back then, when he was just a shy guy that hung out with the band, before he starting singing. They had something going on way back when, but, I remember little of it. Steve was a quiet guy, especially back then.
Over 20 years later, here I stand meeting her two younger sisters at another show. One of whom strikes me as just simply adorable. Mandy is hot too, don’t get me wrong! But, there’s something special about her sister here. What do I say? What do I do? Is she single? Geez, I suck at this! I hate the “dating game”!
Tongue tied and bashful, I grabbed a beer and ducked out before I embarrassed myself any further. I tuned up my guitars, crunched a few chords to make sure my signal chain was working, and peeked out into the darkness, gazing across the club, spotting Mandy and her sister sitting front row. Hmm. Right where I can see her. I’m going to keep an eye on this one. Maybe I can make some kind of connection, and get a chance to get to know her? Look at her! She’s hot!
We started about 15 minutes late, which has become pretty standard at Eddie’s. Nothing conscious on our part, but, for what ever reason, we can’t seem to start at 10PM there! It’s always something pushing back our start time.
Once the show started, I cleared my mind, focused on the performance, and found what can best be described as a certain Zen consciousness where I lose myself in the music. The whole show, really. The entire package. That’s often why I don’t describe too much of what goes on while we play. I don’t really remember it, for the most part. I’m lost within it.
The sound, the lights, the people, my guitar, its tone, the other guys in the band; all of it comes together, playing off each other and playing its role creating a unique experience. And, in a stress free environment like playing at Eddie’s, an unexplainable calm washes over me, like the being the eye of a hurricane. With all the commotion, racket, excitement, distractions, and entertainment, I’m focused. Centered. That’s the only way I can describe it to someone who’s never experienced it.
We ended the set with Crazy Train, and, yeah, popped off a bit, trying to show off. Put some extra oomph in my closing runs, in case Mandy’s sexy sister was paying attention. The crowd roared, as only they do at Eddie’s, and I knew we were on a roll for another good show. Setting my Les Paul, “Black”, on its stand, I strolled off the stage coolly, lighting a cigar and toting a bottle of beer.
I made my rounds, greeting the regulars and friends that always come out and support us. Hands were shook, smiles exchanged; all the typical social behavior that comes with the territory. We’re blessed with good friends and great fans. And, I enjoy talking with them, having a beer, and shooting the breeze.
After a few moments of that, I knew it was time to go look up Mandy and her sexy sister.
“Oh, you guys are great,” Mandy gushed. Yada, yada… I deflected the praise, but sheepishly thanked her. Her sister sat with a glowing, Cheshire smile. I was melting. I double checked her ring finger. Nope, no visible wedding rings! Score! Although, that never tells the whole story. But, it was encouraging. I hadn’t noticed anyone else with her. I was beginning to think she was available.
“Let’s go do a shot!” I declared. “What do you like,” I asked her.
“Hot Damn,” she said. Mandy declined.
“Come up to the bar with me then.”
While I’m shy deep down, I never have a problem talking to anyone, so I used that to chat her up, learn more about her. Since we both had her older sister in common, naturally our conversation started there.
At the bar, I ordered her up a Hot Damn, and a Jagerbomb for myself. I sized her up a little bit. She was very tall, built like a runway model. Thin, and delicate. Her long, flowing hair spilled all over her shoulders, and her smile, well, all I can say is, this is someone very special. A girl like her with a guy like me? I can’t see it. I might be out of my league here.
We toasted our shots and chatted at the bar, when from behind me, I heard a petite voice snap “hey you!”
I turned, surprised to see Crystal, my strawberry blonde, ex-semi girlfriend. Stunned, more like. I hadn’t run into her for months. Our text message romance had slowed a while back, and while we still kept in touch, it had been so long since I’d physically seen her, I’d almost forgotten what she looked like.
“Hey!” I said. I was obviously stunned.
What impeccable timing! Just meet a girl and buy her shots, and the “old” girlfriend makes a surprise appearance! I almost felt uncomfortable, only, there was absolutely nothing to feel uncomfortable about. I’d only just met Mandy’s sister (notice I still don’t know her name yet? Too shy to ask!), and for that matter, I really hadn’t had anything amorous with Crystal in 4 or 5 months. And it wasn’t much to speak of. Still, it felt funny. Crystal and I were close, in a long distance sorta way. Kinda awkward.
Mandy’s sister and I returned back to their seats, and we continued talking.
“Didn’t mean to get you in trouble with your girlfriend,” she said. Hmm, it did kind of seem like that, didn’t it?
“No, she’s not. An old friend, I hadn’t seen her in months. We kinda dated, but…” No sense trying to explain that one.
“Well, I’m celebrating my divorce!” she declared. Ah ha! She’s on the market then! Now, I’m getting very interested. Time to turn on the “charm”! Yeah, right!
All too quickly, my break was over, and I jumped back up on stage where we kicked into Set Two. The place was rocking, and everything was in order. We usually have an opening run of about 6 songs this particular set that really work, and work well together. Then, when we come up for air after those, I have more leeway in what direction I feel like taking the show. Or, sometimes the guys chime in, and we play this or that.
I can’t really remember what direction things went in. For the most part, I was glancing through the dancers to watch Mandy’s sister. We made eye contact once in a while, but nothing really steaming. Very casual. I couldn’t really get a read if she was interested or not. She wasn’t blowing me off, though. That was a good sign! At least I took it that way. She seemed friendly. Maybe I have a shot at this?
After the set, I made a bee line for her chair. This time, I wasn’t going to flit around the bar, schmoozing with the patrons. She was getting my full attention this break. I offered another shot, but she declined. She’d backed off the booze, and switched to water. That’s cool. Nothing wrong with a little moderation. In moderation.
We talked and talked, and conversation flowed effortlessly between us. She was very engaging. In a loud room full of people, we were having little difficulty communicating one on one, as though we were the only two people there. This is starting to go somewhere, I had a feeling. I need to find the courage to follow through on this one.
They played a slow song, and I was just so tempted to ask her to dance, but I let it go. That might have been a little too much. Plus, it’s my break, and I need the rest. In my heart, I wanted to whisk her to the dance floor, and hold her in my arms.
OK, that’s it! Start thinking like that, and you’re going to have to do something! The break came to a close, and I leaned forward to her.
“I have to go back on,” I said. She nodded attentively. “Are you guys staying for a while?”
“Yes,” she nodded.
“OK, please stay. I’ll talk to you after.”
“OK!” she said, her face beaming.
I wanted to get her phone number right there! But, I thought it would be better if I waited until after the show, before they left. Had a better symmetry to it. Rushing to the stage, grabbing her number seemed too insincere. Too much like a player. That’s me! A big pimpin’ playa! Yo, yo, yo! Gimmie yo digits, be-atch!
Did I mention I hate playing the dating game?
Third set kicked off, and the place was jumping. My mind raced, as all I could think about was getting her phone number and taking her out. Anxiety gripped me. Will she give it too me? Will she give it too me and really mean it? Women sometimes give out their number to be nice, then when you call, they do the ol’ “can I call you back?” or whatever to blow you off. Easier to do that than look a guy straight in the face and say “no”.
Or, did I wait too long? Will some other guy swoop in and get her attention? You don’t know how many times I’ve met some nice, drunk girl that seems revved up and ready to go, only to end up with someone else as I’m up on stage working. That’s all I need!
Damn! I’m no good at this “dating” crap. Why can’t it be easier?
I kept jamming, and my guitar instincts began to take over. But, part of me was somewhere else. Part of me was still sitting in that chair beside her. Part of me was rerunning scenarios in my head of what I probably SHOULD have done. The waiting. As Tom Petty said, it’s the hardest part.
Halfway though the set, I glanced out to see her, her sister Mandy, and Mandy’s boyfriend were gone. The front row of chairs sat empty. Uh oh. The brush off? Hmm. I can’t say I was crushed. But, I was disappointed. Both at the situation (they were gone) and at myself (I let one slip away).
Perhaps it was just one of those things that weren’t meant to be? If it were, then today was only the beginning. If it wasn’t, then tomorrow is another day.
I cleared my head of it, and focused back on the show. I let it wash back over me, until all I could feel was the music again. The roaring crowd. Boozie’s thundering drums. Steve’s blazing vocals. And C.J.s, well, C.J.s immaculate hair! (Love you, brother…)
And, my amp sounded great. By third set, the tubes are warm and friendly, giving me everything I ask for. I choke, crunch, squeeze and hammer every note, and Black sings for me. Magic.
I’ll see Mandy at work on Monday. Ask if she liked the show. Ask about her.
If only I knew her name.
Venue: Eddie's, Granite City, Illinois
Saturday, May 5th, 2007
Eddie’s in Granite City is steadily become one of the band’s favorite gigs. It’s close to home. Three of the four of us were born, raised, and still live in Granite. The people at Eddie’s treat us very well. Guess were sorta “hometown heroes”. That’s a neat feeling. Another great aspect of playing Eddie’s, we get to stretch out, try some new material. This band doesn’t rehearse, per se. Eddie’s is one of the only places we feel comfortable enough to try a new song or two. It’s like everyone is our friend there. In many cases, that’s actually true!
We’ve started selling really cool tee shirts, and naturally, Eddie’s is where we sell the most. Every time I walk in the front door, to see people proudly wearing a Rock Bottom shirt, it mystifies me to a certain extent, but it also drives me. I know they come to see us, and I want to deliver as high quality a performance as I can. It’s not something I take lightly.
Saturday night, I strolled into the club shortly before start up, and noticed a friend from work over at the bar, Mandy, as I made my way towards the stage. She’d stopped me once in the hall by her office earlier in the week, and asked “hey, you play in Rock Bottom, don’t you?” Amazing! I guess I take it for granted or something, I just don’t expect people to recognize me from a bar band.
I’d told her we were playing that weekend, and lo and behold, she showed up, along with her boyfriend, whom I’d known for years (but didn’t know they were dating), and a very tall, thin, dark haired beauty. “Wow!” I thought to myself, “who is your friend?” I was smitten.
I quickly gave my guitars to Donovan to prep for me, and hustled back over to the bar to greet her.
“Glad you could make it!” I told Mandy. Then my eyes quickly fixed on her friend.
Long, rolling brunette hair, green eyes with a hint of brown (green eyes are my kryptonite), and an electric smile. We made eye contact when she suddenly surprised me and spoke.
“You know our older sister, Lisa, don’t you?” she asked me.
“Yeah!” Mandy said. “Lisa {such and such}! (I kinda like to keep things semi anonymous when posting out on the Internet. Anyone can Google anything!) You do know her!”
“You’re sisters? You two?” I said. Wow, they don’t look alike, or anything like Lisa, but a damn good looking family, I thought. “I had no idea! I wouldn’t have guessed that!” They nodded. “AND you’re both Lisa’s sister? Huh!” I said. Whoda thunk?
The synchronicity of it all was staggering. Lisa was our A-#1 fan back in the days of my first band, Kulprit. She loved us! I jokingly referred to her as President of our fan club. She taped shows, kept scrapbooks, everything a dedicated fan would do. Interestingly, she met Steve back then, when he was just a shy guy that hung out with the band, before he starting singing. They had something going on way back when, but, I remember little of it. Steve was a quiet guy, especially back then.
Over 20 years later, here I stand meeting her two younger sisters at another show. One of whom strikes me as just simply adorable. Mandy is hot too, don’t get me wrong! But, there’s something special about her sister here. What do I say? What do I do? Is she single? Geez, I suck at this! I hate the “dating game”!
Tongue tied and bashful, I grabbed a beer and ducked out before I embarrassed myself any further. I tuned up my guitars, crunched a few chords to make sure my signal chain was working, and peeked out into the darkness, gazing across the club, spotting Mandy and her sister sitting front row. Hmm. Right where I can see her. I’m going to keep an eye on this one. Maybe I can make some kind of connection, and get a chance to get to know her? Look at her! She’s hot!
We started about 15 minutes late, which has become pretty standard at Eddie’s. Nothing conscious on our part, but, for what ever reason, we can’t seem to start at 10PM there! It’s always something pushing back our start time.
Once the show started, I cleared my mind, focused on the performance, and found what can best be described as a certain Zen consciousness where I lose myself in the music. The whole show, really. The entire package. That’s often why I don’t describe too much of what goes on while we play. I don’t really remember it, for the most part. I’m lost within it.
The sound, the lights, the people, my guitar, its tone, the other guys in the band; all of it comes together, playing off each other and playing its role creating a unique experience. And, in a stress free environment like playing at Eddie’s, an unexplainable calm washes over me, like the being the eye of a hurricane. With all the commotion, racket, excitement, distractions, and entertainment, I’m focused. Centered. That’s the only way I can describe it to someone who’s never experienced it.
We ended the set with Crazy Train, and, yeah, popped off a bit, trying to show off. Put some extra oomph in my closing runs, in case Mandy’s sexy sister was paying attention. The crowd roared, as only they do at Eddie’s, and I knew we were on a roll for another good show. Setting my Les Paul, “Black”, on its stand, I strolled off the stage coolly, lighting a cigar and toting a bottle of beer.
I made my rounds, greeting the regulars and friends that always come out and support us. Hands were shook, smiles exchanged; all the typical social behavior that comes with the territory. We’re blessed with good friends and great fans. And, I enjoy talking with them, having a beer, and shooting the breeze.
After a few moments of that, I knew it was time to go look up Mandy and her sexy sister.
“Oh, you guys are great,” Mandy gushed. Yada, yada… I deflected the praise, but sheepishly thanked her. Her sister sat with a glowing, Cheshire smile. I was melting. I double checked her ring finger. Nope, no visible wedding rings! Score! Although, that never tells the whole story. But, it was encouraging. I hadn’t noticed anyone else with her. I was beginning to think she was available.
“Let’s go do a shot!” I declared. “What do you like,” I asked her.
“Hot Damn,” she said. Mandy declined.
“Come up to the bar with me then.”
While I’m shy deep down, I never have a problem talking to anyone, so I used that to chat her up, learn more about her. Since we both had her older sister in common, naturally our conversation started there.
At the bar, I ordered her up a Hot Damn, and a Jagerbomb for myself. I sized her up a little bit. She was very tall, built like a runway model. Thin, and delicate. Her long, flowing hair spilled all over her shoulders, and her smile, well, all I can say is, this is someone very special. A girl like her with a guy like me? I can’t see it. I might be out of my league here.
We toasted our shots and chatted at the bar, when from behind me, I heard a petite voice snap “hey you!”
I turned, surprised to see Crystal, my strawberry blonde, ex-semi girlfriend. Stunned, more like. I hadn’t run into her for months. Our text message romance had slowed a while back, and while we still kept in touch, it had been so long since I’d physically seen her, I’d almost forgotten what she looked like.
“Hey!” I said. I was obviously stunned.
What impeccable timing! Just meet a girl and buy her shots, and the “old” girlfriend makes a surprise appearance! I almost felt uncomfortable, only, there was absolutely nothing to feel uncomfortable about. I’d only just met Mandy’s sister (notice I still don’t know her name yet? Too shy to ask!), and for that matter, I really hadn’t had anything amorous with Crystal in 4 or 5 months. And it wasn’t much to speak of. Still, it felt funny. Crystal and I were close, in a long distance sorta way. Kinda awkward.
Mandy’s sister and I returned back to their seats, and we continued talking.
“Didn’t mean to get you in trouble with your girlfriend,” she said. Hmm, it did kind of seem like that, didn’t it?
“No, she’s not. An old friend, I hadn’t seen her in months. We kinda dated, but…” No sense trying to explain that one.
“Well, I’m celebrating my divorce!” she declared. Ah ha! She’s on the market then! Now, I’m getting very interested. Time to turn on the “charm”! Yeah, right!
All too quickly, my break was over, and I jumped back up on stage where we kicked into Set Two. The place was rocking, and everything was in order. We usually have an opening run of about 6 songs this particular set that really work, and work well together. Then, when we come up for air after those, I have more leeway in what direction I feel like taking the show. Or, sometimes the guys chime in, and we play this or that.
I can’t really remember what direction things went in. For the most part, I was glancing through the dancers to watch Mandy’s sister. We made eye contact once in a while, but nothing really steaming. Very casual. I couldn’t really get a read if she was interested or not. She wasn’t blowing me off, though. That was a good sign! At least I took it that way. She seemed friendly. Maybe I have a shot at this?
After the set, I made a bee line for her chair. This time, I wasn’t going to flit around the bar, schmoozing with the patrons. She was getting my full attention this break. I offered another shot, but she declined. She’d backed off the booze, and switched to water. That’s cool. Nothing wrong with a little moderation. In moderation.
We talked and talked, and conversation flowed effortlessly between us. She was very engaging. In a loud room full of people, we were having little difficulty communicating one on one, as though we were the only two people there. This is starting to go somewhere, I had a feeling. I need to find the courage to follow through on this one.
They played a slow song, and I was just so tempted to ask her to dance, but I let it go. That might have been a little too much. Plus, it’s my break, and I need the rest. In my heart, I wanted to whisk her to the dance floor, and hold her in my arms.
OK, that’s it! Start thinking like that, and you’re going to have to do something! The break came to a close, and I leaned forward to her.
“I have to go back on,” I said. She nodded attentively. “Are you guys staying for a while?”
“Yes,” she nodded.
“OK, please stay. I’ll talk to you after.”
“OK!” she said, her face beaming.
I wanted to get her phone number right there! But, I thought it would be better if I waited until after the show, before they left. Had a better symmetry to it. Rushing to the stage, grabbing her number seemed too insincere. Too much like a player. That’s me! A big pimpin’ playa! Yo, yo, yo! Gimmie yo digits, be-atch!
Did I mention I hate playing the dating game?
Third set kicked off, and the place was jumping. My mind raced, as all I could think about was getting her phone number and taking her out. Anxiety gripped me. Will she give it too me? Will she give it too me and really mean it? Women sometimes give out their number to be nice, then when you call, they do the ol’ “can I call you back?” or whatever to blow you off. Easier to do that than look a guy straight in the face and say “no”.
Or, did I wait too long? Will some other guy swoop in and get her attention? You don’t know how many times I’ve met some nice, drunk girl that seems revved up and ready to go, only to end up with someone else as I’m up on stage working. That’s all I need!
Damn! I’m no good at this “dating” crap. Why can’t it be easier?
I kept jamming, and my guitar instincts began to take over. But, part of me was somewhere else. Part of me was still sitting in that chair beside her. Part of me was rerunning scenarios in my head of what I probably SHOULD have done. The waiting. As Tom Petty said, it’s the hardest part.
Halfway though the set, I glanced out to see her, her sister Mandy, and Mandy’s boyfriend were gone. The front row of chairs sat empty. Uh oh. The brush off? Hmm. I can’t say I was crushed. But, I was disappointed. Both at the situation (they were gone) and at myself (I let one slip away).
Perhaps it was just one of those things that weren’t meant to be? If it were, then today was only the beginning. If it wasn’t, then tomorrow is another day.
I cleared my head of it, and focused back on the show. I let it wash back over me, until all I could feel was the music again. The roaring crowd. Boozie’s thundering drums. Steve’s blazing vocals. And C.J.s, well, C.J.s immaculate hair! (Love you, brother…)
And, my amp sounded great. By third set, the tubes are warm and friendly, giving me everything I ask for. I choke, crunch, squeeze and hammer every note, and Black sings for me. Magic.
I’ll see Mandy at work on Monday. Ask if she liked the show. Ask about her.
If only I knew her name.
posted by Deron at 1:47 PM
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