DALLAS. February 18, 2005. The Gypsy Ballroom
February 20, 2005 07:37 PM
Dallas FEBRUARY 18, 2005 Gypsy Ballroom
I think it was Sherri that said something like, "...it's so hard; this is home...all our friends are here...I feel like it's so hard to impress you or something..." And now I'm feeling the same thing - I have so much to say, but I don't know how to say it. The Dallas show was the first of a new era. I'm still dazed and confused over the turn out.
But let's not start with my boyDrama. I'll talk about the show:
THE GYPSY BALLROOM
It might have been Eisley's least (worst) performance. The band had hobbled along from the Northwest thru the shortcomings and struggles in Boise and Salt Lake, taken a turn for the ill-worst, leaving the chasmic void in Denver, feeling glum as we traveled down, down, down... It had been almost a week since their last show. With Stacy's on and off again illness, fulfilling great expectations for a home crowd seemed dismal. I worried lil' fem-de-frog would croak on stage - passing the mantle to her brain-sake sister to carry the vocal weight of the set.
I can honestly say she tried her best, vocally. "Best" was perhaps 1/4 control, power, consistency, range, tone. Her performance was plagued by shortness of breath due to a bronchial infection - leaving her choking and pausing several times during the set, missing notes and having all sorts of problems. Still, she perservered and i was proud of her for having "the show must go on" attitude.
SOUND. All 3 bands sounded lame if you ask me. Eisley had moments of beauty, but I'm afraid the opening tune's mix set the stage for some degree of defeat. Levels and eq were off; Feedback was rampant. Yikes. It was rough. Tommy, the club's seasoned, knows-how-to-mix-the-room, house sound engineer told me: "I have to sit back and bite my tongue. Young engineers do their best but honestly, bands shoot themselves in the foot sometimes. The only way I'll intervene is if a a band's sound guy is driving people away because the sound is to bad or if they're about to blow up my system. (laugh's) It's a tough room with many anomalies... you have to be very seasoned to mix in this room. I know there were major problems tonight...but, I don't generally step in. sorry."
I feel so bad - that you guys didn't get the most amazing show of the tour. There had to be so many curiosity seekers that might now be driven away. That's live music. You get the good with the bad. Humans aren't computers. We sometimes suck and there's just nothing you can do about it. It's so disappointing. Aren't we all so disappointing.
But lookee-here. In spite of the problems Eisley faced, YOU guys made the show happen. You turned the evening into something special. Eisley was beaten down, sick, feeling insecure, tired... but you made the night. You understood. You made a covering... an atonement for their shortcomings... you made an oasis in the dessert... you threw a warm blanket over the cold, fragile performance and turned something incomplete into something complete; something fulfilling; something memorable. (boyDrama) Thank you.
Dazed and Confused
I forbid you to say that I'm trying to be reverse-psychotic or draw upon your sympathy. I just have to tell you how I feel. The thoughts might pile up like steamy cow patties on crisp, dewy dandy-lion thistles, but I'm going to attempt to put them into words (sips home made espresso sweetened with Ribbon Cane Sugar) anyway:
(i now attempt to type deep thoughts and will return)
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I fully expected and I'm not lying: 400 to show up; tops 475. I called Russell (promoter/manages Tree's/TeaRoom, etc.) earlier that day and had a nice chat... expressed my concerns about the room size, that it seemed like we'd just been at Tree's - and how turn out could be discouraging, to which he replied:"well, if it's really thin, we can pull some tricks to make the room smaller...Curtains and such; don't worry...." And, on the drive up, the band was saying, "dad...why are we playing here again so soon? Nobody is going to come see us... we were just here.... and why are we playing the ballroom!!? - it's huge; it's going to be so lame with like 200 people in that huge room.." I was like..." I know. I called Russell... I don't get it... it's scary...but whatever... we just do it and hope for the best..."
I ran into Tommy while unloading; "hey, I shrink to ask about advanced sales... do you really think we should play the ballroom? We're worried about turnout dude...we were just here for the New Years gig... yikes..." Tommy: "what?! Didn't somebody tell you? You guys have 550 advanced sales already... realistically, with 150 walk up, you're looking at a crowd of 700." (??@#$!%??) I couldn't believe it. Neither could the band. In the end, there were probably 1000 in the house with comps, vip's, staff and crew. (that's not paying customers, but...that's what the room felt like)
But let's back-track if that's ok. You have no choice really, but to stop reading. You should STOP your incessant reading. My drivelous spew is tiresome.
The Moment
At one point, I'll never forget... People were filing in like crazy. Kyle at the door tearing off those little tickets (for giveaway's) and trying to make sure the duplicate #'d ones in a little box on the floor; People were coming in so fast, he couldn't tear them apart fast enough so he asked me if I could separate them into single tickets. At first, I squatted and began tearing them apart but... there were dozens and dozens of long strands piled up and hanging out of the box. This was going to be a big job... so I committed further by sitting indian style to take on the task.
It was there that I entered my own cone of silence... drowning out the noise of the staggering crowd that was already pressing in on me at the back of the room; i just began ripping the little tickets off and placing them in a box until the repetition required no thought. I'd glance up - toward the door; I could see feet... all kinds; converse... high heels; i saw jeans, dockers, nettings, boots, so many styles, I can't remember.
I went into this kind of dream state; i began remembering the early days - how I'd poke my head out the door at dusk and peer down the long walkway outside BrewTones - hoping there were just a few more coming; but being relatively happy that 65 or so patrons decided to pay $3 - 5 to see the Towheads... then MossEisley...then Eisley play... They kept pouring in. It was misting - now drizzling outside. Occasionally, I'd look up and see people coming in - debutants with bleach blonde hair, guys with grey hair, 20-somethings, 30-somethings, guys with long hair... who were these people? Oh wait, there's Tim - my 27 year old friend that I met at a Towhead show in '99... he saw them cover "Zombie" by the Cranberries. He'll be yelling up at the front. Life seemed normal for a second.
I folded and tore and folded and tore those tickets - wondering why people were still coming in... it was at that moment that I...
I'm sorry. All of my "moment" is being squelched by a movie playing in the bedroom - Sherri and Kim rented "Almost Famous" so we could see the guy we met in Salt Lake - Patrick's flick. It's captivating. And I think it's going to save me from revealing my embarrassing revelations... ones I can't quite pull out of my head. I guess I was just trying to say - things are changing and it's taking me by surprise. Thanks for coming to the show.
My favorite moment of the show: When someone screamed out a song. (for the band to play) And Sherri said, "what? I can't hear you..." and someone else screamed out another song... and another; and she kept laughing and saying, "I don't know what you're saying! I can't hear you!". Eventually, it sounded like a mob - with indistinguishable shouts coming from all over the room - requesting songs.
SALT LAKE. Feburary 13. 2005. Lo-Fi Cafe
February 14, 2005 08:13 PM
SALT LAKE FEBRUARY 13, 2005 Lo Fi Cafe
Salt Lake is an interesting market. What potential... but Eisley has not tapped into it yet. The question is: will they. I say yes.
But now, we have to eat. Man, are we in home heaven. I just wish I could focus. Recovering from massive sleep depravation is harder than you think. Re-entry is tough on a guy. I'll finish this riviting report after food.
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SALT LAKE The Novelous Conclusion A Driving Epilogue
Other dates aren't so detailed. this is purely random. More drive-time allowed for wordier copy.This is for the inquisitive mind.
We're leaving Salt Lake - heading up and over the surrounding mountains through the thick mirk of winter. We're driving like 40 mph through scary, winding, wet roads. Salt from the road is being kicked up on our windshield and is getting gunked up with every frantic wiper pass; semi's are barreling past us - spraying sludge back up into the misty, floury-ous chill. Visibility isn't good; there are patches of black ice on the road and the side of the road is hidden under snow.... I'm not feeling good about this route at all. The only other option was to head SW back to Las Vegas. There are no SE routes toward Texas. We're half an hr out. Poor Kim is falling asleep. Time for Komokasi-Road Warrior to take the helm! (well, she's a Road Queen in her own rite). We've dropped from 32 degrees to 12 degrees in on hour. But enough about the weather.
Well, we were finally bit hard enough with sickness to have to cancel a show. We feel SO bad. Horrible actually. I just want you guys to know - this wasn't some whimsical, irresponsible decision... and Stacy is really sick. Not like - oh, she's running a mild fever and just doesn't want to do the show; No way. She performed at plenty of those kind on this very tour; I just don't want you to think it was like..."ahh, we're tired, let's just blow off Denver and go home. Actually, we still have to go thru Denver! (and that's painful) I just think of fans showing up at the venue after driving miles and miles - and seeing "Show Canceled" on the door. (stab in the heart)
By the time this post goes up, we'll be closer to Texas... unless the stupid host still has our forum down. Anyway, Stacy is all bundled up on row 3 - coughing with fever next to Christie, who's now throwing up. oh Lord, we're in trouble if this is the Flu, It's pretty bad.
Anyway, I tried to post the Salt Lake saga 3 times, but lost it to the demise of the forum's issues several nights ago. We had an amazing rest. But let's retrace our steps for the journal... for the sake of history:
After the Boise show, we cruised to a fine grocery store where we bought healthy party food...only i stayed and slept in the van. !/2 an hour later, they woke me up by knocking on the window. I couldn't figure out how to unlock the door. I was in a complete stupor. I fumbled around, knobbing and pawing at anything and everything... they kept looking at me like i was crazy..."open the door".... finally I found a way.
A big food party in the girls room led to a sleepy party of weary travelers. Weston crashed first, then me... that's the last thing i remember (around 3:30am). Alarm set, load out at 8am but the girls were out cold when I knocked on their door - the traditional, "we're heading down...". (no noise from inside) So, what - we were 1/2 an hr behind schedule. Later I would add another 1/2 hour by taking a wrong turn in the middle of nowhere - where I penned these words for the e-blast:
"Right now we're somewhere between Boise and Salt Lake. The Winter West tour has now been authenticated (so I say) because we're driving through a winter wonderland of snow...while in the West. Ok, so it's already on the ground... but it's beautiful. We can't tell where the mountains stop and the sky starts...whites, greys, ceruleans - 360 degrees. As I look backwards, I note that the band appears to be in total sleep heaven so - they're missing it. Speaking of sleep, what's that? - ever tried to sleep with 11 people in a van? Piece of cake but you can kiss off "personal space". Think: pile 0 puppies. Anyway... we're tired and a little beat up, Stacy's head cold has now turned into a wicked chest cold, but everyone has enjoyed the tour in spite of the hardships and we're looking forward to tomorrow's much-needed day off."
We landed at the "Lo-Fi Cafe" dead on target...straight up 4:00. How do I plan these things so perfectly? (jk) The Club manager was late, but his guy Adam was out standing in the cold so we invited him into our cozy van. !/2 an hour late, I wasn't feeling so good about this show. The entrance to this club was so obsucre... and down the side of a street where cars had no passage.Mke arrived, opened the doors and we loaded in. At 7:00, Eisley was still on stage trying to get a line-check... they never really got it. Problems with rebuilding the stage ( wired up) threw the frenchman/soundman. I was really feeling insecure. There were feedback issues and they couldn't figure out how to hook up Weston's ear pack for click and ipod. Few were in line outside and I worried it would be the worst night ever.
But then we found out that the opener - a local band- - had requested to play with Eisley and were fans. Hey! nice...someone knows of Eisley here! Turns out, the band is called "Mushman" and it's the Patrick from "Almost Famou's" band. ("White Oleander" and "Saved" also) He and an actor/friend and a girl drummer with blonde dreads and a bassist decided to make some music together. We talked to them early on - and they were serious Eisley fans. They were humble and all into sensitive, music. Even from stage, they were talking about how amazing Eisley was... And their music was REALLY cool; very folkish, two acoustic guitars - long musical interludes flanked by creative, minimal lyric; they were admittedly nervous - first show, a little shaky vocally, but I totally enjoyed it and really think they're on to something. The vocalist reminded me of Jeremy Enigk.They offered a fresh perspective to 60's folk rock - dipping into modern indie renditions like Iron and Wine. Young and wobbly like a fawn, but I suspect they might find a big forest to inhabit. Anyway, they were nice; we exchanged info and expressed mutual admiration.
Surprisingly, about 150 people showed up for a show with no evidence of promotion - though I can't be sure. Eisley fans were rampant. Stacy was very sick and could barely get thru a song without choking or losing her breath. She was weak and didn't sound like herself at all. Many of her songs had to be scrapped. Often, during the set, she'd stop singing and turn to Sherri to cover her part. The stage banter was interesting.... as Sherri constantly referred to Stacy as "the kid" and, "the snot nosed little kid"..... begging her to try to sing certain songs. It was entertaining; alluring. The crowd was very, very responsive. The set was tight and the sound was....well, great, except for that Frenchie Flange he kept dialing in. I told him twice to cut that out, but he kept inching it up as I'd walk away. And yikes, he must have blown the highs out of his ears earlier in his career. The mix was piercing in the upper db level... hot enough to fry the pork loin off a goat's butt. Other than that, the mix was sweet. A great show in spite of all of the hardships and problems. I had lots of good conversations with indie kids there who were huge fans.
I tell you, it's strange how diverse this crowd is.... I'm seeing more and more kids, more and more adults.... more and more punkers....more and more metal lovers, etc. We even had a family show up - friends of Thomas, very influential, CEO of a large corporation with high school age kids who, I think, really loved the band and said they would be telling everyone at their school about Eisley. crazy huh? They were so nice. Everyone is always so nice.
We loaded up, loaded out and headed to Thomas's house where we proceded to recover, chill, watch movies and eat food for 2.5 days. It was amazing.They took us out to eat, bought exotic juices, had a gourmet mexican restaurant cater food, bought us coffee... all kinds of things. What did we do to deserve such hospitality? Nothing. Thomas already helps me so much with everything else, as you guys know. Anyway.... everything was great - except Stacy got worse Tuesday night. But that's another story. The end
Boise, ID. February 13, 2005
February 13, 2005 10:43 AM
It's 7:40 and we have just a few minutes to grab our gear and get out of here. I wanted to leave Boisians a place to visit and comment. I surely have my own words about the show...but, alas - I'm getting sucked out!
Talk soon. bd
BOISE FEBRUARY 13, 2005 The Big Easy
It's hard to concentrate right now. Hard to recreate the experience. We're now stove up in Salt Lake... not actually in the lake, and our friends (Thomas and fam) are playing a bunch of eisley stuff...like video's and the Launch thing on a big screen - surrround sound. I finally got a little sleep so my brain is thick; and, i haven't had any coffee.
THE BIG EASY.
The small room. It's this fancy club - you can get food, there's a nice bar, and there's a big venue downstairs. Lot's of huge artists have been there - like Creed.
But first - it took us 11 hours to get there. Wait before that - the night before - we got in at 3:00am from the Crocadile Club in Seattle. I finished mapping the next days journey and dealing with TM stuff - and fell asleep on the hotel floor, eventually climbed into bed after 4:00am, set my phone alarm for 6:00am and crashed for a few. Tours are not as glamorous as they might seem.
Anyway, we pulled out at day break; Kim drove the first few hours through the mist, I took over and drove 9 straight to arrive in Boise in just enough time to get a line check; At first it was awkward. Nobody was very friendly. But we sure were warmed up when the venue fed us some sweet gourmet food. They even fed our famiily. Yum. Then later, we met up with Antrider and Nicole...we had coffee at a nice little shop next door, the venue filled up with maybe 150 people or so (very small room) and...
It was rough. Eisley was rough. The PA was rough. The Colour somehow blew out a powered monitor... omygosh, the burnt wire/smoke filled up our senses... the entire room smelled weird. It wasn't a great night for the band, but that Boise crowd was really, really, enthusiastic. I'd rate the crowd at 8. The band was so shocked. It turned out to be a great experience and the venue was super glad we were coming back for the NFG tour in the big room.
We pulled out, drove to a grocery store and bought healthy party food; I crashed in the van; when they returned, I was so out of it, I couldn't figure out how to unlock the door. Anyway, we found our way back to the amazing Red Lion Hotel, had our food party and crashed.
the end.