The Tree House crowd is usually sparse from 8:00 – 9:00PM, but last night it was packed. Roz kept his promise of being loud, but I don’t think his plan included getting shocked in the lip three times. I suspect one of two things.
1. His 1963 amplifier puts out some serious juice.
2. His homeworld was trying to contact him through electronic equipment.
In any case, I hope he’s ok. If they were alien signals, I’m sure space medicine can handle the side effects. On to the performers!
1. Ben Garvey (host) – I played “I Hope I Die on the Moon,” “The Genius of it All,” Nirvana’s “Serve the Servants,” and ended the night with “Why Now Satan?”
2. Leo – I liked him last week, but he sounded even better this week. Pat Rich told me the PA sounded better than any other night he’s been there, and I agree. Leo’s guitar came through loud and clear.
3. Jason Wheatley – He stopped by and used my guitar to play a few songs. I think he sounds better with my guitar than he does with his own! I could be biased, though. His voice was terrific.
4. Roz King and David Cram – Their performance was electric. No really, everything sounded great (it would have been perfect with drums) except the screams of pain Roz made with each eletric shock.
5. Matt Winn – Matt had some new effects box that really improved his sound. You could really hear what he was trying to do on the guitar.
6. August Sky – A fantastic couple (I think they’re married, but I’m not sure) with a CD coming out in a few weeks. They’re huge Matt Winn fans, but you wouldn’t know it if you saw them.
7. Siznarah Iznallen – I had the mic turned up pretty loud for August Sky, so I turned it down a little for Sarah’s performance. Her sound came out perfect. She opened with a very loud, powerful song that I loved. All of Anthony’s fans were cheering her on.
8. Ray McGeehan – Never heard this guy before, and I hope it wasn’t the last. He used a fake accent between songs and that amused me.
9. Willie Tapps – This born entertainer put on a great performance, despite a family tragedy.
10. Pat Rich – Just landed a recurring gig coming up over at Coffee Works in Vorhees. I laughed when Anthony’s fans said to Pat, “You’re my boy Blue! You’re my boy!”
11. Anthony – Anthony had a crowd of at least 15 to see him. Some were tossing underwear and giving him the rockstar treatment. It was very odd.
12. Cathy McCleod – I always thought her song, “Jack and Jill” was called “Awfully Nice.” That shows how much I pay attention. It’s still a good song and her voice was great last night.
13. Keith Lewis – Eventually Keith’s new guitar will just become his guitar. Until then, it needs to be repeatedly mentioned how awesome it sounds.
14. Dom – Popped in to play a few songs and plug his Thursday open mic at Port City Java in Deptford.
I want to thank everyone for coming out. I can’t believe how lucky I am that the regulars are so talented. So far everyone who comes each week can really play, and I’m sure you’ve been to open mics where this isn’t the case. I hope it lasts!