Backstage @ BP's gig

[kbaim]

Very cool event folks.

First off, the band was great. way more cohesive than when everyone was on stage at the open house. The keyboard helped a ton and the guitar riffing was very cool with Luke, Morse and Albert (wearing a sportcoat because he cared) taking turns displaying great phrasing and individual style that makes them so respected.

Steve's wife
Very good to see Janine there looking great and getting better. I spoke to her briefly between sets. You could sense she went through something major but also that she was looking ahead and not back. And that steve played a huge role in her recovery. (Major Impacts indeed).

Luke's wife
OMFG! A true beauty. I had to fess up to both her and Luke that when everyone was taking pictures of steve ripping it up, I had to snap a pic of his wife.
She was taking a pic of luke (or less likely, Sterling) when I took mine.

Before the show
Got there around 8pm to find Luke, Dudley!, and Norm hanging out behind the stage. After hellos, I noticed Norm was wearing the aniv. silo. And in a classic moment, Norm handed Luke his camera and asked him to snap a pic. Luke was glad to do it...but after the picture the camera handoff back to Norm did not go smooth and camera and guitar went kunk! No visible damage I'm happy to report (or rat out depending on how you look at it...though dudley was there and saw the whole thing - rolling eys and shaking head no doubt.

WONDER DOG
Norm had swiftly reserved a table up front for us that we ended up sharing with Wonder dog along with another attorney at his firm who had broght his son.
Good seeing and spending time with Henry again. We both brought and wore ear plugs. Not because we didn't want to hear...but because we did.

BETH
Hung out a bit with Beth and Norm after the show and shared some laughs, accusations, and denials. She has the coolest sense of humor, and is a great story teller.

BIG POPPA
Always the great host, he also puts on a great show. Plays with emotion and commands the mike when chatting up the crowd. All while playing with the best in the business.

more later.

 

[fogman]

As always, another great story told!

 

[kbaim]

more...

STEVE MORSE
Had my pic taken with steve after the show for the first time in 22 years (since that one of me showing him how to play an A chord posted a while back).

When I got over there another guy had the same idea and gave his camera to someone to snap a picture. He and steve had their arms around eachother...but the guy taking the picture couldn't figure out how to work the camera so this guy has his arm around steve for what seemed like 2 minutes and it was starting to look aaaawwwwkward. Finally I said to the picture taker, "Hurry up, before they start dating!" Steve kinda cracked up at that.

I asked (hoped) steve had brought some DVD's down, but he said the only thing he brought were his boys who were standing next to him smiling.

I also asked if there might be a dregs show this year. He doubted it do to his wife still recovering, DP tours, and the recent death of Rod's wife. Kinda put things in perspective.

LUKE
I mentioned to Beth that no one seems to have a better time on stage than Luke.
Told him I was listening to SUPER BAKED POTATO LIVE on the drive down. Still my favorite Luke recording. He couldn't believe how long it's been since that album, which also has Jeff Porcaro, Pops Popwell, and Greg Matheison kicking ass.

ALBERT
His clean country licks are so precise and colorful and the last tune they played (COUNTRY BOY) is a barn burner. It's on his highlights video. He was the nicest dressed too. Would have liked to watch his hands more but he always turned towards Luke and Morse when he soloed. Or looked at another way...away from sterling.

RANDRACULA
Met Randracula for the first time, though he was at the Open House. First thing he said was how he liked the tune I played at the jam which I really appreciated. Turns out Randy used to live near me about 10 years ago. So we had a good chat. I told him to bring his bass down if he's ever in town, but he lives like an hour away now.

 

[kbaim]

still more...

VENUE
Outdoors under a huge tent with plenty of space heaters. Nice sized stage. and plenty of room to roam about. It was close to the middle of nowhere. comfortable plastic chairs. A bar. And room up front between seating and stage for people to stand. Which was open during first set, but filled up during second.
Rest rooms close by.

Great place to see such a unique show.

INDIO
Was about 130 mile drive for me. Found a Super 8 about 10 minutes away for $58.
Actually, they snuck in a $1.10 charge for "security device". I HATE bullsh1t extra charges. I'm like what's this. Told it was for a safe inside the room. I ask who comes to INDIO...with valuables...and stays at a Super 8??????

What do they throw their class ring and a bag of weed in there?

The next Morning
Woke up early and was on the road by 7:30 Took a drive through Josua Tree National Park as it was about 25 miles south. First time there. Nothing special compared to the other NP's I've been to (yosemite, zion, bryce, arches canyonlands, capitol reef etc), but they had a great driving road from Cottonwood to 29 palms that had a million curves, was about 40 miles long, and no one else on it.

Had just bought an Audi A4 last week so I was thrilled to see that road. Great driving car, but every time my weight shifted the driver's seat creaked like an old rocking chair. Dammit. Gonna have to visit the dealer already. Crap!

 

[Adwex]

Great review Keith, well told, thanks. Got any pics to share?

Adam

 

[kbaim]

About 25 pics. 5 came out crappy. Might send the cd to someone who posts pics after the new year.

 

[kbaim]

GUITARS THEY PLAYED
Morse stuck with his Y2D.
Luke played his black sparkle Luke (with sustainer in neck I think)
Albert played a redish Albert with regular single coils.

BTW Doesn't steve morse have a new amp endorsement? Don't ask what he was playing through.

NORM AND BP
During the evening sterling came over and Norm said something like, "I've got something out in the parking lot I wanna show you".

And off they went to do who knows what...but Norm came back with a sh!t eating grin on his face. What's up with that?

DUDLEY
Glad he made it. Long drive down from SLO (around 6 hours). We had a nice chat about German cars. Was hoping he'd join the gang for an encore playing the new silo, but not to be.

THE SINGER
The guy had a great voice and was so laid back. I think Norm said he was or is in SUPERTRAMP.

I kept thinking how great this show was and too bad more forum members weren't there. You guys really would have enjoyed yourselves.

Thanks to all involved in making it happen especially those on stage, and giving us the chance to see such longtime friends have so much fun playing and being together.

Really appreciate being notified of this.
Happy New Year to all.

 

[fogman]

About 25 pics. 5 came out crappy. Might send the cd to someone who posts pics after the new year.

Send them to me. I'll post them for you if you wish.

NORM AND BP
During the evening sterling came over and Norm said something like, "I've got something out in the parking lot I wanna show you".

And off they went to do who knows what...but Norm came back with a sh!t eating grin on his face. What's up with that?

He was showing him the 20th Anniversary Silo prototype! You mean you didn't get a piece of it!!!!!



.

 

[nocluejimbo]

BTW Doesn't steve morse have a new amp endorsement? Don't ask what he was playing through.

Yeah, Engl.

Good info! Thanks, man.

 

[NorM]

​

Keith phrased everything elequently. I thought the show was fantastic. Luke was very impressive. He displayed awsome skills and impressed all his guitar playing friends. EMGs are just awsome sounding pups. Yes I saw the 20th anniv silo protos. Sterling asked that I not post the pictures I took. 1. Happy to respect that request. 2. I can't post pictures. (Win win situation)

Steve Morse is my hero. I printed up the flyer that dargin posted and got everybodies autograph. I also got Steve Morses autograph on the tram plate of my y2d. I wanted to get my picture with Steve but he is a busy man. For me being respectful of Steve's space is more important.

I showed Sterling the personal plate I got. In this group I shouldn't have to explain anything.

NORMM​

My Christmas had huge potiential to suck this year. But because of the BB all star bash, I had a better Christmas than you!
Thank you very much for inviting me Sterling! I am feeling the love.

 

[kbaim]

​

I printed up the flyer that dargin posted and got everybodies autograph.

I don't remember signing anything.

 

[jchalas]

Keith,
Thanks for the review. It doesn't make up for not being there, of course, but I'm looking forward to seeing the pics.
Janice

 

[glockaxis]

I was there and saw Luke's Black sparkle as well. I thought the neck pickup was just a regular single coil. I believe his current EMG neck pickup is a regular-looking (w/ the poles) single coil that's covered by the EMG smooth black casing. Could be the same pickup but w/o a casing. The sustainer looks way different.