There were not a lot of people there at O'Malleys that night. Soter's friend had a metal-based band called Fusion, who opened up for us. It was also Rich Hoffman's last night with the band. His wife was due to have a baby very soon. Gary Murfee (Doug Murray) was not playing that night. He was studying for a test.
It was Foam Rubber's annual New Year's Eve-themed gig. We decorated the stage with crepe paper streamers in a random and sloppy way. We joked that we hadn't even started playing yet and the place was a mess.
Song list:
Glass Onion
Space Odyssey Theme
See See Rider/That's Allright Mama
Prom Date
Ballad of Old El Paso (Suck You, Suck Me)
** New Years Eve Countdown & Auld Lang Syne
** champagne toast
The Sky is Crying
Mean Mr. Mustard/Polythene Pam
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window/Love you
The End
I've Got a Feelin'
Hoosier Daddy
Down with Disease
Moonlight Drive
Viva Las Vegas
The Last Time
Suzie Q
Sympathy for the Devil
Cooter 69
I am The Walrus
It's Now or Never
Mike Butera's sloppy bongo playing is prominently featured all over the recording from this memorable night.
In the middle of the show, Soter pretended that it was almost midnight on New Year's Eve. He excitedly counted down, "Ten! Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, Happy New Year!!" Then came the cheap champagne toast. Before the gig, he got some little plastic cups and a bottle of cheap champagne at the Jewel food store next door, and passed out samples to people in the audience.
Our last song was "Won't Get Fooled Again." (not on this CD) Paul Frigo had told us at practice that if we did the song last, he would kick over his drum set. When he did, we were all pretty surprised, yet delighted. However, he came dangerously close to damaging some guitars and the keyboard amp. The sound guy, Zack, had mic'd the drums. His first concern was to find his expensive microphone.
After the show I asked Soter, "Well?
Are we invited back?" He said in surprise, "Yeah!"