Paulvis has entered the building
     On October 30, 1999, Foam Rubber performed the "Elvis Live From Madison Square Garden" concert, almost in its entirety at Joe Bailly's on 109th and Western. Paul Frigo, Foam Rubber's drummer, did not play drums that night. Instead, he fronted the band as Elvis as Rich Hoffman played drums.
     Wearing the Elvis wig and glasses, it was weird to see Paul with hair. Actually, he looked more like Carmine (the big Ragoo) from Laverne and Shirley. Paul doesn't have a "sweet" voice, like the King, but he is overweight, making him the perfect choice.King
     This show was the first time I played the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey on my keyboard. It was later used at many Shades Of Grey shows. Paul-Elvis came through the crowd at Joe Bailly's like a true king in his white, sparkled outfit. Everyone in the crowd was dressed in costumes as well. There were sexy French maids and a pussycat and… well, I don't remember any of the other costumes. Paul-Elvis gave away colored scarves to lovely ladies in the crowd and began to sing "That's Alright Mama."
     The rest of the band was wearing jump suits. At least they were supposed to be jump suits. They were all too small for us. Gary's ass was huge. It was like a wall of flesh wrapped in polyester. The outfits looked like Star Trek Next Generation uniforms, except they had 70s collars, bellbottoms and hoods. Hoods? Yes hoods. Don't ask me!
     Next on the song list was "Proud Mary." Soter and Jeff did black lady back-up vocals. It ended with lots of horns and some Karate chops from the King. Then the band took it down a notch for "Never Been to Spain," then "Heartbreak Hotel." Surprisingly, it sounded pretty good. Paul was getting into it. He was no longer the complaining, moody bastard I knew. He was becoming Elvis. "Hound Dog" was next, then "It's Now or Never." The band sounded great. Paul was off key.  The next song was "Hunk of Burning Love."
     Toward the end of the set, Paul-Elvis sang "American Trilogy," which goes into "Glory Glory Hallelujah." At the climax of the song, horns blared, it rained confetti and the King got down on one knee and Jeff draped him with the American Flag. I cried. American Trilogy

     The band kicked back into a jumpy rhythm while Elvis blew kisses to the crowd on his way out of the building. The band threw tampons (stolen from the ladies room) into the crowd.
     The second set was a "normal" Foam Rubber show. You know, with Rolling Stones songs. Paul was behind the drums. The band started playing, but there was no sign of Soter. Then all of a sudden, a guy in a big banana costume came running up to the stage. Just as the banana began to sing, the real Soter came out of nowhere and tackled the banana! Soter and the banana guy wrestled on the floor of the stage. What was going on? The banana was not Soter at all! It was an imposter-banana! Soter kicked the banana-guy (Rich Hoffman) offstage and began to sing.
     Please don't ever miss a Foam Rubber show unless your grandmother is like, really sick or something.

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