friends and family

just got back from playing our first private party/wedding reception for the illustrious trumpet player andrew duncan (cat hair ensemble, the wedding's off). playing shows for other musicians and their families is always fun, and this night didn't disappoint. parking was hilarious, once we dropped of the equipment it was a few shuttle trips up and down the hill to assemble the band and after a few beers we got our energy back and were ready to go. its nice to be playing again after spending the spring recording. as promised a few of the tunes (cheap admiration, myinnersatan) are now online in their premix demo form. we have never played any tighter and this is the best lineup of the pbe. i'm not going to give you that sob story about how hard it is to run a group. that is part of the game, the vig you pay to get on stage and if it were easy everybody could do it. there have been far more accomplished players that have played in every chair in my group, but it took me a long time to realize that technique is overrated compared to the chemistry between players.

i think i'm a performance junkie. getting back on stage makes me start planning when and where we can perform again. i sometimes wonder if i write music just to get on stage. no, its not a "look at me thing", but a desire to be a part of that energy that only comes playing live. i know it fills a hole somewhere, watching other great bands performing live does the same. the new cat hair tune "company time" also filled that hole tonight. unfortunately tomorrow the glass is turned over and we start again. right now i'll take being a glass is half full guy. life is meant to be endured (to make us appreciate the small moments of happiness)

anyway... our next show is at csuf this thursday night at 8pm with the lloyd rodgers group.

program notes are up.