We had many options for titles for this blog including:
“How to vaporize your drummer 101” or “Sand, Surf and ROCK”
The day started early for everyone as we met at Kinger’s for the loading of equipment at 8:30 a.m. Originally we were going to rent a U HAUL trailer but Kinger and LuAnn decided to take LuAnn’s new PT Cruiser for its maiden voyage which freed up our space issues. As planned everything was loaded up and fit nicely and we were on the road @ 9:00 with one eye on the sky as the skies were threatening RAIN. The drive itself was uneventful and there were some stretches where we could tell it had rained but we never did see any actual rain falling from the sky. If you have been reading this blog you already know we have some experience playing outdoors as we did an 18 wheeler flat bed trailer outdoors gig at the Walters ranch in East Chain last summer. We were PREPARED for RAIN ! We had tarps for the drum kit, tarps for the amps, tarps for the PA and monitors, large tarps to cover those tarps and extra backup tarps in case. Tarps, tarps, tarps. We also had BUG SPRAY, but of course we would have someone else apply it to our bodies to avoid getting the stuff on our hands. In fact the bug spray would not be put on flesh below the elbow as sweat would make it run down to the hands. We had SUN TAN LOTION. We had coolers packed with ice, water, soda and of course a few brewskies. The beverages of choice for the gig would be water first, then soda, then brewskies as we knew we would need a healthy respect for the expected heat and humidity with temperatures nearing 90.
We arrived at the Bash around 12:30 after a quick stop at Taco Johns in St Peter and Lonzo and the CUZ making a quick side trip to the Miles Away Farm to set up the tent for sleeping accommodations later. The set up was smooth with the help of Pete’s buddy Scott and his 14 year old son Spencer who made the trip from the Cities to help out and have some fun. Spencer is also a guitar player but was “THE DESIGNATED ROADIE” for this gig. As Spence evolves in his musical career we as old goats, hope to repay his kindness someday!!
The gig itself once again was awesome. The skies ended up turning blue. There were people and boats everywhere. It never did rain. Not a drop. We had a bit of a shock just before starting our first set, literally, when we plugged in the last two items, portable fans. If Lonzo or Pete lips touched their microphones, it would be ZAP, shocking. Andy’s mic did not exhibit this behavior so we were delayed for a few minutes while we tried to find another circuit to plug the fans into. Once we put the fans (ungrounded plugs) on their own circuit the issue was solved. We opened the first set with 14 songs and the 2nd set was 13 songs. The crowd, boaters, and beach bashers seemed to be having a really good time. It was pretty cool for the bass player to be able to turn around mid song and see his own kid doing flips off the diving board into the “cement pond” behind us. Somewhere halfway through the third set Kinger starting get cramps in his arms from the heat. It was like a golf ball size knot in his arm was up near the bicep and then down towards the elbow as the muscles expanded and contracted. If you have ever experienced cramping from heat exhaustion you know this is pretty weird and painful. By this time of course the sun had gotten low enough in the west so the tent we were under was not offering as much shade. We decided to alter course and threw in a slow song “Knocking on Heavens Door” to see if Kinger was going to be able to finish the set. We put 4 songs on the back burner but then gutted it out through “Stranglehold” to close out the gig. Between our three sets we ended up playing about 36 songs. At most gigs we try to squeeze in 42-45 songs. As stated in previous blog entries we have so many songs now we want to play them all!!! We were all pretty much gassed after that and retreated to the comfort of the club house for more water, a brewskie, some food and AC. Thankfully Todd, Scott and Spencer took over most of the tear down / load out chores while we partied like ROCK STARS. (yeah right) Kinger ended up having to get iced down and pretty much had heat exhaustion and called it an early night. Thankfully he was OK later that night and didn’t need any special trips to the Red Cross tent for fluids. Thanks to everyone who came to support us and have a good time. Thanks to the Yacht Club for having us and special thanks to Richie Johnson and Randy Quiring for getting us the gig. RQ for MAYOR !!!
BUT WAIT….THERE IS MORE!!
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