Show report by Vyan

I don't think I've ever done a show where not only did I not know when we were supposed to play, but also how many other bands were playing or who they were until I arrived at the venue.

Until now.

Frankly, we had no idea what was going on. Pretty much we showed up at Jersey's, and just winged it. Our good friend Scoobie (bass w/the Council) was there and had been the person to bring us to this club in the first place, so he went to find out what was going on. It's not so much that we needed to know, but it simply helps everyone feel comfortable knowing what's expected of them, when their performance time will be - stuff like that.

At least when all knew when to arrive because we had to be there first no matter what though, because we had brought the P.A., although Jersey's actually has a P.A. (at least some power-amps and main speakers) we have a better one, including some nice monitors, effects, eq and mixing board.

Once we did get the PA up and running, the first band up was Pocket Fox - who've I've actually heard of before, although I hadn't really heard anything descriptive. A good band, with a definate nu-school hardrock vibe, clearly influenced largely by groups such as the Deftones. They also seemed to have themselves fairly organized with upcoming gigs at The Pound in San Francisco, which is notoriously difficult to get into. They performed a good strong set that kept my interest all the way thru the end. Nice.

We (GliTCHeD) we're up second as it turned out. Our set ran fairly smoothly, with a nice easy familiarity. The setlist was the same as our last Town Pump Show (utilizing our brand new tribal intro for the song "Irrelevant"), only that we decided to leave out our semi-instrumental ("Human Pinata") in order to make time for the two other bands (yes, two) who had to play after us. Also like our last show, everything felt very natural and smooth - and we didn't have any false-starts this time, so it was even smoother than last time. It just keeps getting better and better...

I like playing Jersey's, the entire building is "L" shapped with a bi-level triangular stage which is placed in the corner of the "L". To the right is the main bar (with large green carpet with football yardage stripes drawn on it), to the left several chairs, the pool table and restrooms. Directly in front of the stage, is the door to an outside patio (presumably for smokers, since California Law prohibits indoor smoking in public places such as bars).

Sometimes I feel a little restricted on that stage because of it's shape (and the three other guys who are sharing it with me - not counting the drum kit of doom in the back), so at least twice I ran out into the audience area (as far as my microphone would allow) and got out in the crowds face. We didn't really have a chance to advertise, since Vacaville is so far away and most of the people there were actually in the venue to see one or more of the other bands - but still I was happy to see we had more people up on their feet and in the center section of the "L" watching us when we finished than when we began. A small, but significant mark of success I think - because quite often, you have to win the fans one by one.

I think we won a few more fans this time. "Yay" for us.

Anymore, was the band up third. These guys had lots of stage energy. Also a five peice with two-guitars like us, I noticed their singer spent quite a bit of the show down in front of the stage on the floor as well. It was probably safer down their with all the flailing arms and elbows from his guitarists and bassist. Definately a band that made for interesting and unpredictable viewing. And they sounded good too, owing a bit of their style to the newer alternata-core sound that I've noticed a lot of local bands, particularly those affiliated with local label 720 Records adopting. Groups such as Long Drive Home, Red Top Road and the latest incarnation of Shortie. It's a somewhat punkish sound, again with Deftones ties - sing-song vocals punctuated by occasional screams of post-teen angst. Engaging stuff.

The last group of the evening was called Sap, I guess like the stuff you find oozing out of trees - or that audio button that let's you listen to your favorite programs in spanish or iranian or whatever. These guys were a bit different, with a much more radio-ready sound. It was clear that they were the strongest drawing and most experienced of the local Vacaville bands playing that night. A very confident performance. I wouldn't say that they sounded like Nickleback, more like Live - but really they reminded me of another local and from Sacramento called Dead on Planet Earth, because of the types of 16th accented grooves and melodies they used. Great show guys.

Jersey's is definately a fun place to play, one that like Yuba City doesn't seem to have that 12pm Pumpkin syndrom of Sacramento. I don't know why, but at 11:30-12pm usually the live music clubs will loose 40-60% of all the of the fans. They just leave. I don't know if it's because they need to work in the morning (even on a Saturday), or it if's because the police have cracked down on drinking and driving so heavily, or their worried that the evil alcohol wicked witch of the mid-west in is gonna spoil their night of drinking, dancing and trying to their mack-daddy flowing - I just know that if you're playing last or after 12pm in a Sacramento venue you can expect a significant drop in attendance before you hit the stage. Sometimes it doesn't happen if the headliner band is truly a strong draw, but usually it does.

I've seen situations when the lineup wasn't previously arranged before the show - where the arguement over who was going to play last almost came to blows. More than once.

I'm glad it's nothing like that at Jersey's - and that, plus the cool staff and appreciative fans, is why we'll certainly be coming back to this venue again, and yet again...

Vyan