Original Town Pump Flyer

This had been a show that I had looked forward too for quite some time.

The reason why was the opening band Phrenik, who've like the group Victory Gin, with whom we've done several gigs, have managed to become somewhat prestigious in the Sacramento and Northern California Area. Victory Gin had won this years SAMMIE (Sacramento Music Awards) for best Rock Band. Phrenik after two years of local performances had managed to win an endorsement from Budwieser True Music, had been included the third time on local radio station 98 Rocks, "Sac Rocks" compilation of local music, as well as recently win the Sacramento News and Reviews "Best Live Band" award during their yearly "Best of Sacramento" Issue.

These are all good things.

Personally, I'll pretty much play with anyone - I really don't care, but at the same time I'm well aware of the reality of the situation. Whether people like to admit it or not, the quality - or at least the perception of quality - of the bands you play with does a lot to help cement your own reputation as a strong band. Also, playing with other bands with a strong reputation and strong draw helps you network for bigger and better future shows. Again, speaking personally I don't want to have to worry about being able to get a show, I'd just like to only worry about my own responsibilities - getting up on stage and rocking - period.

However, the reality remains.

It's not like you can simply concentration on your performance in the real world of rock and roll. You have to smooze, you have to network. You have to play gigs that have people in the audience, in order to help build a draw and get into many venues just so you can play to a show and have people in the audience. It's a tragic catch-22. You have to have people there - to get people there.

Those are the breaks.

So - with the possibility of a mildly improved future in mind - I was really looking forward to playing with Phrenik. Plus - I hadn't seen them live, and most of the time the only chance I have to see other bands is when we gig with them. The songs I'd heard from them via Mp3.com and their website - I loved - I expected it was going to be really something to finally see them. Also I want to point out that the week before this show, with all the recent problems with the economy and state budget deficit (I've been a technology contrator for the state of California for the last six years) have forced me to relocate to live with some of my family in southern california, so I have to now commute 460 miles to do a show like this - and still I was glad to do it in order to see Phrenik.

But, it was destined not to be.

At least, not yet. You see, Amp (aka Anthony Gouvea - Phrenik's guitarist) and his wife were expecting a baby either on or very near the show date. [He eventually had a girl] So they never really were able to completely commit to the show - and because of this it seemed their drummer had made other plans for the same night in San Francisco. We we aware of the baby, and I noticed that db (aka Dennis - Phrenik's singer and web designer) hadn't included this particular show on the website, so I wasn't entirely surprised when we arrived at the venue and Phrenik was off the bill - but I was disappointed. Very.

The band that came in at the last minute to replace them was a local Yuba City Punk band by the name of Out of Hand. I'm not a big fan of what passes for punk-rock these days. There are just too many Green Day/Sum 41/At the Drive In wannabe's running around to really make that musical form mean something the way it did when it started out in the 70's with the Ramones, Blondie, Television, Talking Heads, Sex Pistols, Black Flag and the Clash. Nowadays, it's all about making money - but it used to be about something more. I have no problem with the idea of making music in order to make money - none what so ever - it's just that I don't think you can make "real" punk rock that way. I know, some people agree with that - and some don't. That's fine. It's just the way I feel about it.

(Please remember, most of the opinions I express in these show reports are *mine* - not necessarily the opinion of each member of GliTCHeD! We are individuals, and although we share many of the same musical roots and views - we do not agree on everything - far from it)

Keeping all that in mind - I have to say that I like Out of Hand, both as a band - and as a "Real" Punk band. They've got a pretty good thing going, without being derivative and without trying to use sloppiness as a way to legitimize their "punkness" the way far too many groups. They had a real fresh feel to them, with some pretty good riffs and nice hooks. I've heard many people say that Out of Hand, is probably the best punk band in the Yuba City/Marysville area - and I think they might be right. They're not Phrenik, but not bad - not bad at all. And they were super-special cool to play on such short notice, so you have to give big props to 'em.

Our own set came up next, and I have to admit we were actually a little nervous because due to other concerns (family, work, etc.) we hadn't practiced for some time prior to this performance. Our last "practice" had really been our last performance at the Town Pump about a week previously. Consequently we hadn't really done full bore promotion for the show - sure we wanted it to be successful, but we also didn't want to embarrass ourselves in front of all our friends. So - things were kind of informal - plus the group with probably the strongest draw, Phrenik (at least in Sac - it remains to be shown that they can draw as well in Yuba City) was off the bill.

So, whoever showed up, well - just showed up because they wanted to be there, and that was fine by us. One thing that's great about The Town Pump, as opposed to a lot of other venues, is that people tend to just stop by and show up all the time - yes, you should promote - but even if you don't, you can still have a great show with a good crowd.

The really funny part was that once we started playing - everything just gelled - rehearsal or no, it was all there, effortlessly. For me, it was a lot like being on autopilot. I didn't have to think, I didn't have to try and remember lyrics - it was all just THERE. This is really only our 12th show, but it was all right at my finger tips right when I needed it. We'd done enough rehearsing and gigging previously that these songs are in my skin now, and the rest of the guys in the band were always tight, even from the very first day that I'd seen the band. This was the first time I'd really felt that way - and when you have that going on, it can your confidence level to a new heights. I found I didn't have to worry about the performance, that was taking care of itself - I could just focus on the crowd and getting them into the show, or simply put - just having fun on stage.

It was really surreal, and I suspect many of our future shows are going to be similarly smooth and almost effortless, which is hella cool.

We're in The ZONE now baby!

Still, I won't claim that not rehearsing didn't have an impact. We did have one false start on a song... but the recovery (jumping right into Iron Maiden's "The Trooper") was impressive and completely spontaneous. Even I was shocked. ("Hey, where'd that come from?")

Eventually though - fun time was over, and it was Void's turn to take the stage.

Void has apparently been around for quite some time, in the Yuba City area. Jay (our guitarist) even told me that they were the main reason that he was even in a band. And when you watch them, it's easy to see why.

These guys have got it down.

I could hear what sounded to me like a mixture of Faith No More and Slipknot in their sound, but mixed together with some unique elements that made them really stand out. Strong, killer, crushing riffs - great vocals. Definately a band to be reconned with along the lines of Sacramento Area groups such as Thend and Rezyn.

Hardcore?

Yes, but also quite awesome in their hardcore-ness.

We didn't have a capacity crowd this show, and a lot of our regular fans and friends weren't there - but it was still a great show and a lot of fun. Dave (from Zero Ground) told me later that we "just keep getting better and better" - and I think that's a good thing. We're still a "baby band" in my mind, with only a few shows and a few months experience, we have a lot more that we can do - a lot more that we will do - and I plan to enjoy every minute of it.

Vyan