For those of you in-tie-rested in the summer setlist we used at midgard, here it 'tis:
Flesh Feast
Cereal And Beer
Wienermobile
Pizza Party
Hands Off My Oreos
Pie Hair Pie
I Want A Big Mac
Deez Nuts
Red Pop
Salad Bar Man
*and finally, returning to the regular set list from the depths of 'sound check' status*
Guacamole Dammit
I had an okay time... as Ian said my drums were falling apart and pissing me off in general. Here's what I had to say the day after in my live journal.
*start quote*
Devilcake played at Midgard last night, and it was total madness... sometimes good madness... sometimes bad madness. During the set up, nothing was unusual. I was back in the corner, Todd to my left, MCB to my front right, Ian... pacing as usual and not really having a set 'spot', Nancy and Steve in front of Todd, and Gourley... I'm not sure where he was... probably putting on his horns. Gourley said 'Kill The Lights' and we were off to the instrumental beginning of 'Flesh Feast'. That song went fine. We were going all out, every one of us. The set list was designed as such, having none of the slower songs that usually are sprinkled throughout the set. This was going to be a straight ahead blitz. "Cereal And Beer" was next. It was during this song that I noticed that the bass drum was moving. Son of a... At the conclusion of the song I quickly got on the floor to fix it, however, my drumset was having none of that. For some reason, the foot pedal just wasn't willing to go on the bass drum. Todd, sensing the momentum was slowing started a fine instrumental using some of his new toys. Thanks Todd for filling in for me!!! And thanks to Ian for helping me as well, lending a fellow-drummer hand when I needed it!!! Finally the pedal was on. I laid into the china cymbal 3 times and off we went on the 'Wienermobile'. That song was FLYING fast! The kids were starting to get into it at this point. The rest of the set was a blur for me since my equipment was constantly giving me issues. If the bass drum wasn't moving, the high hat was falling apart or the snare drum was threatening to fall of the stand. But we all kept jamming and the kids kept moshing. It retrospect, it was a very good gig. Everyone else seemed to be in the groove... even me at times. Ian was all over the place (at least he was when I was looking up). I had a small train wreck on the last song, Guacamole Dammit (!) and I took Todd with me, but Ian pulled us back in for the final note. It was great way to end our run at Midgard Comics. At the end of the evening I gave away a bunch of stickers and the crowd was grabbing them up.
*end quote*
Now bugger off!
Saturday, July 13, 2002
Sunday, July 07, 2002
here's Nancy's account of the Polaris show, which I just ganked from her Live Journal. http://www.livejournal.com/users/voxaria/
Polaris: The Musical
It rained.
But before that, everything about it was great- we were waved in at the gate and parked right next to the stage. The stage itself was huge- it was a football field compared to what we’re used to. We had three people helping us set up. The helpful and competent Shannon brought us a cooler of pop, water, and Coronas, with the promise of pizza on the way.
As Poison’s sound check bumped along nearby, we spent nearly an hour setting up, checking levels, etc. It was laid-back but very professional (and very easy to get used to). Shannon graciously positioned Todd’s camcorder in front of the sound booth to capture everything for posterity. We were told we’d be patched in to a radio station, and there were rumblings of possible backstage passes. The banner was duct-taped to the front of the stage within an inch of its life. I took a lot of pictures. All was well.
Finally it was time for our sound check. We ran through “Guacamole Dammit” a time and a half, then got ready to officially start the set. The skies were graying, but we remained hopeful.
We were into the fourth song when our main contact dude (Doug, of the chaw-filled lower lip) began heaving large rolls of plastic into position around the stage. The wind had been steadily picking up, and visions of the opening scenes of “Still Crazy” were dancing in my head. He told me to be ready to shut it all down as soon as he gave the signal.
At 5:15, barely into the opening bars of “I Want a Big Mac,” we had to pull the plug. With the tarps whipping in the wind, lightning flashing all around, and rain pelting us, we finally got everything shrouded and headed for a nearby structure to wait and see.
The rain stopped soon and we watched as steam rose from the pavement, wondering if we’d get to go back on. Some amazingly good (unfortunately anonymous) pizza appeared and was summarily devoured. Strains of classic rock wafted over from the VIP party right next to us, followed by the opening numbers of Faster Pussycat’s set which began as scheduled on the main stage.
Doug returned from an inspection of the stage to inform us that rain had gotten the connectors and various other electrical pieces and parts too wet to power up. Disappointed as we were, not playing was preferable to almost certain death by electrocution. The load-out took longer than the “set” we’d been able to play.
Doug was very apologetic. In a way, the whole incident probably did more toward helping seal the deal for booking us at Shocktoberfest than if we’d played the full evening (so mark your calendars now). Doug carried on the tradition of announcing his fear for his mortal soul after booking and mixing us. Hell yeah!!
We passed out some CD’s to the crew, who really seemed to dig us. After some entertaining moments watching the freak show that was the Polaris hair-metal-fan crowd, it was time to go. Most of us didn’t feel like hanging around to hear songs that we could have covered better in Darrin’s basement. And the stoned pre-teen asking for body autographs just added to surrealism of the entire experience (maybe she wasn’t, but she sure looked it- both stoned and pre-teen).
It wasn’t even 7:30. The let-down was complete. As we exited the parking lot, the bulk of the crowd was just arriving to see Bret and company crank out their (insert your own adjective here) “product”.
We watched the video at Darrin’s and it was pretty wild to see how fast the sky darkened in the short time the camera was running. It was short but highly entertaining, if only for Ian’s drum-riser jumps and hellraising vocal stylings. Gourley was as into it as ever, which is saying something since hardly anyone had made their way back to our neck of the woods yet.
The concession stand and Polaris staff were privileged to hear the following:
• Guacamole Dammit
• Guacamole Dammit (sound check mini-mix)
• Weinermobile
• Sacrificial Leg of Lamb
• Pie Hair Pie
• I Want a Big Mac (storm edit)
We’ll be back.
Polaris: The Musical
It rained.
But before that, everything about it was great- we were waved in at the gate and parked right next to the stage. The stage itself was huge- it was a football field compared to what we’re used to. We had three people helping us set up. The helpful and competent Shannon brought us a cooler of pop, water, and Coronas, with the promise of pizza on the way.
As Poison’s sound check bumped along nearby, we spent nearly an hour setting up, checking levels, etc. It was laid-back but very professional (and very easy to get used to). Shannon graciously positioned Todd’s camcorder in front of the sound booth to capture everything for posterity. We were told we’d be patched in to a radio station, and there were rumblings of possible backstage passes. The banner was duct-taped to the front of the stage within an inch of its life. I took a lot of pictures. All was well.
Finally it was time for our sound check. We ran through “Guacamole Dammit” a time and a half, then got ready to officially start the set. The skies were graying, but we remained hopeful.
We were into the fourth song when our main contact dude (Doug, of the chaw-filled lower lip) began heaving large rolls of plastic into position around the stage. The wind had been steadily picking up, and visions of the opening scenes of “Still Crazy” were dancing in my head. He told me to be ready to shut it all down as soon as he gave the signal.
At 5:15, barely into the opening bars of “I Want a Big Mac,” we had to pull the plug. With the tarps whipping in the wind, lightning flashing all around, and rain pelting us, we finally got everything shrouded and headed for a nearby structure to wait and see.
The rain stopped soon and we watched as steam rose from the pavement, wondering if we’d get to go back on. Some amazingly good (unfortunately anonymous) pizza appeared and was summarily devoured. Strains of classic rock wafted over from the VIP party right next to us, followed by the opening numbers of Faster Pussycat’s set which began as scheduled on the main stage.
Doug returned from an inspection of the stage to inform us that rain had gotten the connectors and various other electrical pieces and parts too wet to power up. Disappointed as we were, not playing was preferable to almost certain death by electrocution. The load-out took longer than the “set” we’d been able to play.
Doug was very apologetic. In a way, the whole incident probably did more toward helping seal the deal for booking us at Shocktoberfest than if we’d played the full evening (so mark your calendars now). Doug carried on the tradition of announcing his fear for his mortal soul after booking and mixing us. Hell yeah!!
We passed out some CD’s to the crew, who really seemed to dig us. After some entertaining moments watching the freak show that was the Polaris hair-metal-fan crowd, it was time to go. Most of us didn’t feel like hanging around to hear songs that we could have covered better in Darrin’s basement. And the stoned pre-teen asking for body autographs just added to surrealism of the entire experience (maybe she wasn’t, but she sure looked it- both stoned and pre-teen).
It wasn’t even 7:30. The let-down was complete. As we exited the parking lot, the bulk of the crowd was just arriving to see Bret and company crank out their (insert your own adjective here) “product”.
We watched the video at Darrin’s and it was pretty wild to see how fast the sky darkened in the short time the camera was running. It was short but highly entertaining, if only for Ian’s drum-riser jumps and hellraising vocal stylings. Gourley was as into it as ever, which is saying something since hardly anyone had made their way back to our neck of the woods yet.
The concession stand and Polaris staff were privileged to hear the following:
• Guacamole Dammit
• Guacamole Dammit (sound check mini-mix)
• Weinermobile
• Sacrificial Leg of Lamb
• Pie Hair Pie
• I Want a Big Mac (storm edit)
We’ll be back.
Who even pays attention to this shit anymore? Or did we ever?!?!?! I wonder.
Saturday 6 July 2002
Midgard Comics
DEVILCAKE and somebody will have to tell me the names of the other bands because I never knew
The last two scheduled appearances at Midgard were summarily blown off by us due to a lack of paying attendees. And that's not to imply that I think we're rockstars ever since we played Polaris the other week on the sidestage before Poison. Far from it.
It's just that - if there's no audience then there's no point. And we all have too much going on to squander an evening at an empty comic store if ya know what I mean.
We rehearsed a special Summer Set last Wednesday, comprised of all fast, uptempo songs. Nothing too heavy, nothing too ghouly, just the fast shit. As in, let's play fast and then go eat. Although there are times when it's nice to lay down a solid doom groove, this wasn't meant to be one of them.
And I'm so glad we did that. Afterwards everyone said "wow, what a great set that was." Hmmm.
It was old school. Why in my day we had thirteen people onstage and we always played like that! It was a shambolic, fast mess and that's how we liked it!
Darrin broke his drums several times. First the bass drum kept slipping away. Then the pedal came off from the drum. And then what? It seemed like a lot more at the time.
Todd's finding his groove, equipment-wise. At least until the next gig! But he was happy and that's all that matters. Because he's the only one who ever knows with that stuff.
The boys in the audience amused themselves with a thoroughly un-ironic mosh pit while the girls in the audience (okay, Rachel) shouted the lyrics and had a great time. Even if the audience consists of adolescent boys running at each other and one female who's engaged to the guitar player that's still a damn sight better than playing for nobody. Or not playing at all. And it does make one hell of a difference to see one person in front of the stage having as much fun as I do!
There was one point where I went to the back of the stage to rock by Darrin and Todd. When I turned around I saw Steve and MCB strumming each others' guitars a la Cinderella. HELL YEAH. Hell yeah.
Nancy still managed to find bits and pieces to add even though we weren't doing anything dramatic or operatic in the slightest! And that rules because it would be very easy for her to say "we're not playing Marshmallow therefore I'm going to stay home tonight fuckaaaaaaahhhhhs." It is a complete waste to have a voice as great as hers yelling "guacamole damn it leave it alone"! But like I said I prefer that to the alternative.
Steve The Former Video Guy (it's been a long time since I did a Gig Diary!) is a quiet but solid presence onstage. He and MCB make a great guitar team, they're both from the same planet on all of that shit.
And Gourley. That dude never stops!
Space on the stage goes quickly when you have seven people in the band. It's sometimes hard to rock like a boulder without kicking people, unplugging their guitars, blowing sweat on them, headbutting them, stabbing them in the face with the headstock of my bass, elbowing them in the neck etc. It's hard but not impossible.
I always forget to drink water before we play at Midgard and I wind up drinking water onstage, which causes my old man belly to seize up like I'm going to puke. I'm not a casual vomitter, so that wouldn't be good. And I forgot a towel and a fresh t-shirt for afterwards. Basically I was soaked with sweat. And blood from my damn right index finger being the wrong shape for the overly-aggressive style of bass-slaying I fall into.
It sounds like Keith at Midgard is getting pretty stressed out about the whole deal with having bands there, so that'll probably be our last time playing there. Now we can concentrate on getting the box set finished and figuring out what we're going to do for the release party!
Who can write in the setlist here?
Saturday 6 July 2002
Midgard Comics
DEVILCAKE and somebody will have to tell me the names of the other bands because I never knew
The last two scheduled appearances at Midgard were summarily blown off by us due to a lack of paying attendees. And that's not to imply that I think we're rockstars ever since we played Polaris the other week on the sidestage before Poison. Far from it.
It's just that - if there's no audience then there's no point. And we all have too much going on to squander an evening at an empty comic store if ya know what I mean.
We rehearsed a special Summer Set last Wednesday, comprised of all fast, uptempo songs. Nothing too heavy, nothing too ghouly, just the fast shit. As in, let's play fast and then go eat. Although there are times when it's nice to lay down a solid doom groove, this wasn't meant to be one of them.
And I'm so glad we did that. Afterwards everyone said "wow, what a great set that was." Hmmm.
It was old school. Why in my day we had thirteen people onstage and we always played like that! It was a shambolic, fast mess and that's how we liked it!
Darrin broke his drums several times. First the bass drum kept slipping away. Then the pedal came off from the drum. And then what? It seemed like a lot more at the time.
Todd's finding his groove, equipment-wise. At least until the next gig! But he was happy and that's all that matters. Because he's the only one who ever knows with that stuff.
The boys in the audience amused themselves with a thoroughly un-ironic mosh pit while the girls in the audience (okay, Rachel) shouted the lyrics and had a great time. Even if the audience consists of adolescent boys running at each other and one female who's engaged to the guitar player that's still a damn sight better than playing for nobody. Or not playing at all. And it does make one hell of a difference to see one person in front of the stage having as much fun as I do!
There was one point where I went to the back of the stage to rock by Darrin and Todd. When I turned around I saw Steve and MCB strumming each others' guitars a la Cinderella. HELL YEAH. Hell yeah.
Nancy still managed to find bits and pieces to add even though we weren't doing anything dramatic or operatic in the slightest! And that rules because it would be very easy for her to say "we're not playing Marshmallow therefore I'm going to stay home tonight fuckaaaaaaahhhhhs." It is a complete waste to have a voice as great as hers yelling "guacamole damn it leave it alone"! But like I said I prefer that to the alternative.
Steve The Former Video Guy (it's been a long time since I did a Gig Diary!) is a quiet but solid presence onstage. He and MCB make a great guitar team, they're both from the same planet on all of that shit.
And Gourley. That dude never stops!
Space on the stage goes quickly when you have seven people in the band. It's sometimes hard to rock like a boulder without kicking people, unplugging their guitars, blowing sweat on them, headbutting them, stabbing them in the face with the headstock of my bass, elbowing them in the neck etc. It's hard but not impossible.
I always forget to drink water before we play at Midgard and I wind up drinking water onstage, which causes my old man belly to seize up like I'm going to puke. I'm not a casual vomitter, so that wouldn't be good. And I forgot a towel and a fresh t-shirt for afterwards. Basically I was soaked with sweat. And blood from my damn right index finger being the wrong shape for the overly-aggressive style of bass-slaying I fall into.
It sounds like Keith at Midgard is getting pretty stressed out about the whole deal with having bands there, so that'll probably be our last time playing there. Now we can concentrate on getting the box set finished and figuring out what we're going to do for the release party!
Who can write in the setlist here?
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