Our thoughts: Pub 33 (Lewiston ME)

March 24, 2007

w/Kaining Amy

After a long winter of recording, we needed a “warm up show” before the year’s schedule really started, and Pub 33 in Lewiston was obviously the perfect spot for it. This show would also serve another purpose: many of you know about our issues/conflict with the former vocalist of the other band on the bill, Kaining Amy, and while many know that tale (which is too long to go into here), there seems to be a lack of understanding in “the scene” that we never had any issues with Kaining Amy the band, just one former member. So, this gig could serve to bridge the gap between BBA and Kaining Amy that only existed in the public’s eyes. (Don’tcha love scene politics?)

Our last rehearsal before the show went really well: Cruella’s new vocal monitor (which we can bring to gigs and operates independently of the house PA/soundman) really shined and resulted in an extra-confident performance on her part. The whole rehearsal went really great, and I just knew this show would be equally great. Upon arrival, Mike and Jamie from KA were a great help getting all the gear arranged (Kaining Amy has a TON of gear – too much, IMO, but hey, that’s just me.) When set time rolled around, the place had a good crowd going – many of whom were there to see KA, but our Lewiston fanbase has definitely grown over time, and what did they all do while we performed? They stood and stared like EVERY other show we have played! God, it’s like being at a classical concert, or watching old clips from Woodstock or Monterey Pop, when people stood or sat quietly and watched, drinking in every nuance of the music. Who does such things at a rock show anymore? And why do they do it with us? Are we really THAT interesting? Sometimes I think they’re bored, but in between songs the huge cheer tells me it’s not boredom. I just don’t get it. Regardless, our set went down killer, with Cruella putting in her best performance to date. KA vocalist Jamie commented on how dead on Cruella’s pitch was, and since Jamie is no slouch in the vocal department herself, that’s quite a compliment. The rest of us felt so on, for lack of a better phrase. We were as good as I thought we would be.

After our set, Kaining Amy strapped in and cranked up to their waiting fans. While I must admit they are stylistically not my cup of tea (very radio-friendly and “american” sounding), they are extremely polished and put on quite a performance. Jamie is a top-notch singer who can sing with soul and femininity, as well as growl like Fred Durst. (I could have done with more of the former and less of the later.) Mike and Eric on guitars and Tracy on bass locked together in an in-penetrable wall of bottom-end riffage. Drummer Rob has recently returned to the band after a year or so absence, and good thing he did, as he posesses an excellent swing. Unfortunately he’s not quite up to speed with the all the material written during his absence, so their set was peppered with covers that apparently will be marginalized when Rob gets up to speed. Their fans loved it and hung on every riff until the end of the show.