-This is the page where we tell you how we feel about the band, our most recent gig and about you the fans.
 

On Saturday, June 2, 2001, Foam Rubber played at the Blarney Stone in Oak Forest. See photos from that night

The Blarney Stone's management discouraged us from using our confetti cannon. They said it was too messy. What's that all about? We're artists! What about the first amendment?

True, every time Foam Rubber appears anywhere they leave behind about an inch of dirty, beer-soaked confetti-sludge on the stage. Once, after a show, a bouncer simply handed Soter a broom. Soter took the broom and happily made a one-foot-high beer soaked pile of the confetti-sludge in the middle of the stage, then left in a hurry.

OK, no confetti cannon -- tonight.

Boobs for Zeppelin

On this magic night, three - count them - three women lifted their shirts on (or near) the stage! During the Foam Rubber challenge, Soter invited three healthy women to the stage for some seventies sitcom trivia. There were some hard-to-follow questions about Cosmic Cow from "Too Close for Comfort" and Mrs. Roper from "Three's Company."

The prize was a beer spattered set list.

Anyway, after that nonsense, a certain red-haired Led Zeppelin fan in the audience requested that we play a Zeppelin tune. Unfortunately, we didn't have any Zeppelin songs prepared. "Sorry," we told her, "we don't do any Zeppelin songs." She was disappointed. "Awww, come on!" she said, "I'll take off my shirt."

Soter said to the girl, "Really?"

She said, "You probably don't know any Zeppelin." Little did she know that it is required for all guitar players to know at least one Zeppelin riff. The band immediately went into "How Many More Times" from Led Zeppelin I.

The girl seemed a little surprised. While the song was still playing, Soter said into the microphone, "Okay, we played Zeppelin. Now you have to show us your boobs!" Guys nearby leered at her. She seemed a bit embarrassed, but as if fulfilling her half of a business deal, she took her shirt off -- all the way off -- to reveal a sexy black bra. She did not smile. She did not jump up and down yelling "Whoo!! Foam Rubber rules!!" It was like a visit to the doctor's office -- but a dark and sexy doctor's office nonetheless!

Ladies, for the record, here is the correct way to take off your shirt in a bar:
First, you need to get up onstage. It is important that the audience sees you.

Next, you have to alert the audience that something important is about to happen by counting to three. Even better would be to say, "Ready? Set? 1! 2! 3!!!!"

Then, you should lift the front of the shirt and the bra at the same time, and yell something - anything - into the microphone like "I slept with the band!" or "Look at me, mom!" Show some enthusiasm. There might be some talent agents in the crowd.

Then kiss one of the band members on the cheek and thank the band. It is always important to thank the band.

Body paint is also a good idea.

Foam Rubber has engaged a new policy.  We will play any request, anytime if you show your boobs. 
 
 
 

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We've been wanting to play more downtown shows for a while, but it looks like its just not meant to be.

Foam Rubber recently opened for Fusion at Lakeview Links downtown (May 2, 2001).

First of all, it was a Wednesday night.  You know you've hit the big time when they offer you a Wednesday night.

Then, our keyboardist and our bassist back out of doing the show because they were doing a play.  Talk about band commitment!

Our drummer then refuses to do the show for a valid reason: "What's the point?"  Kudos to the band members who bothered to show up!

The theme of the "stripped down" show was "Foam Rubber: Behind the Music."  Soter told stories about the band.  Some of them were true.  Since there were no drums, he played drums with his mouth -- rapper style.

Gary took a phone call on his wallet.  He holds his wallet up to his face as if it's a phone and laughs loudly and holds a boisterous conversation with the imaginary individual on the line.  Next time you see him, tell him you think he has a call and point to his wallet.

The sound guy, Frank, didn't like us.

He thought we were "mocking rock and roll."

DUH!?   I wonder how long it took him to figure that one out.

He turned sound off on us.  He threw silly string at Soter's head.  Soter said, "That fucking hurt!"

A guy in the band Fusion said,
 
 

Yes, that's right.  The two bands made 35 dollars!
That's like three dollars a person.
 

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On the other hand...

Our Sluggers show downtown (April 6, 2001) was fantastic.  Andy played sober for a change, so everything else fell into place and we sounded real good.

The night was marred however when the asshole bouncers who work at Sluggers (on Clark) tried getting people out of the room.

Now, I've been playing in bands for a long time and I've seen bouncers get people out of a room before.   Believe me, it's not a hard thing to do.  You go around asking people to finish their drinks and leave.  Then you start yelling "TIME TO GO PEOPLE!  YOU GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE!"  It's not rocket science.

However, Jeff's girlfriend, Danielle, wanted to hand a set of keys to him while all of this was going on.  The bouncer grabbed her by the neck and thew her up against the wall and touched her boob.  I guess he had to prove that he was a strong guy.  Danielle is about 90 pounds dripping wet.  There was a lot of yelling and threatening going on.  There was almost a fight.

Foam Rubber salutes the asshole bouncers (with names like "Hook") at Sluggers (downtown) for their fabulous display of crisis management, crowd control and sheer strength.  I mean - what would have happened if Danielle had crossed the room to hand her boyfriend a set of keys?  All hell would have broken loose!  Right?  The people who were being ushered out of the building would have started throwing things, breaking chairs and looting the bar.

I've known bouncers all over the city who don't have to act like hard-asses to get the job done.  They don't go around trying to act like they're cops - or above the cops.  They don't have to prove they can "control the situation."  They know their job is to keep fights from happening - not cause them to happen.

Foam Rubber would also like to thank the owners of Sluggers (downtown).  We filled your establishment with hundreds of people and we made you guys a bunch of money.  You guys treated us like shit.

If you have a story about Slugger's bouncers acting like hard-asses, post it here.
 
 

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