Sitting on a stand next to the microphone stand labeled "Frank" was an odd looking electronic device. Could it be? Yes, it is a theremin! This thing is very cool, it produces these strange sci-fi sounds that you control by placing your hands in between the antennae and not touching it. You have probably heard it before and didn't know it, it was featured prominently in the score for the movie Ed Wood. In any event the stage was set and ready to go.
Just before the clock struck 9:00, there was a sighting. Jeff Keith, Frank Hannon, Tommy Skeoch, Brian Wheat, and Troy Luccketta took their positions on the stage to loud applause from the crowd which had filled the venue. For the next nearly two hours they played old favorites, rarities, and a few songs from their latest album, "Into the Now."
Something that surprised me as they played was just how many songs I didn't recognize. It had been awhile since I listened to much of their music, but I thought I had remembered more than I had. I recognized the big ones, singing along with "Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)," "Hang Tough," "What You Give," and others, but there were a bunch that I grooved to, but couldn't sing along. They even played a song, which I forget the name, which they had never before played live, requiring Jeff to have a lyric sheet in front of him!
The performance was fantastic, not perfect, but it was live. The atmosphere was very loose, the guys loose onstage, laughing at the occasional goof. Jeff Keith at one point commented on how this was like "Tesla band practice," but no one cared, it was just part of the show.
Jeff sounded as strong and raspy as ever, projecting with his incredibly skinny frame sounding just as he did 15 years ago. Brian Wheat sat in the back keeping the low end groove going. Troy pounded the drums. Tommy Skeoch played the rock star with his hair pulled back and large dark sunglasses on, playing his acoustic, with occasional electric interludes. Frank Hannon had the busiest night playing 6 and 12 string acoustic, electric, occasional theremin, and a little talk box. He might as well have been juggling up there with how often he was switching instruments.
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
I admit... Bust a Nut was a guilty pleasure of mine for a long time.
2 - Chris Beaumont
What? It's not anymore? :)
That is a good album, though.
3 - Temple Stark
Chris,
Launched this on the world - or at least the part of the world that scours Advance.net for the (family-friendly) cream of the BC Web log.
Here's the link. Sorry here.
- Thanks. Temple