Because
there was no way to hide my notebook, I did not take notes during this
show. You will have to rely on my memory which is scary. I am sleep
deprived and I came home to find out a very young member of my family
had died in a car crash. My mind is a little numb right now. But let me
crawl inside myself and dig around for you all and see if I cannot
accurately describe this show for you. Bear with me. Let me start at the
beginning and see what I can do. Here we go.
We arrive at the venue a little after 7 pm; we arrive early so we can
walk, talk, take pictures and be the first in line. We are outside
taking notes and collecting things and Steve walks outside. I call him
to the car and we visit. He tells us we are hard core and really early.
Well, yeah. We are. We are mighty little fans! But it isn't all about
getting to the place at 10, because he will be on at 10:30. It isn't
about, if we go early, we might get to see Steve. It is about the
whole experience. Making friends, sharing stories, working the crowd,
and having fun. He is just the golden coin that caused all the other to
happen.
He liked everything we had written on the car in shoe polish. He thanked
us. (Steve is a very thankful man. And he is good about telling you.
Mom, you have done good with your boy.)
We give him his Twinkie pants and I am so glad we did. Because now we
know. The train wreck that is the Twinkie thread can be forever
stopped and put to rest. He was gracious about the gift. When he pulled
it out he sort of smiled, (maybe it was winced?) and shook his head. He
Thanked us (!!) and said, "But to be perfectly honest with
you, I am not going to lie. That was one of the most disturbing things I
have read in my life."
Now, he did not shame me. He did not need to. He probably knew I would
take care of that later my own self. But the message is clear. Steve
does not appreciate it. He does not like it. And to be frank, I would
never get over the disappointment in myself if all the new fans he is
getting read about it, catch the sick fever (as we all did) and it
becomes what he is known for. If he gets Twinkies at every show,
it will make me sick. It will also not be appreciated by him. It wasn't
my intention for it to become what it did. It became it even so. So let
us give something back to Steve and just drop it. It isn't funny. I hope
it is clear how very much this needs to go away.
True to Steve, though, he did not embarrass us about it but talked a
little while longer. I asked him if he has a Dustmites Tattoo on his arm
and he shows me it isn't a Dustmite, it is a smiley face put there long
before there was such a thing as a dustmite. Now you now.
He went back inside and the lighting guy came out. He took pictures of
Fish's car and we asked who he was. He told us "the lighting
guy." No name, just that. He was very nice. He even has us in
a couple of shots.
Moving on. As the line began to form we girls mingled through the crowds
asking people who they were here to see, The mints or Steve? It was
50-50. One man said that he isn't a fan of either really, but a fan of
Paul Ford's-therefore he was here to see Steve. We told him he would not
be disappointed.
Sound checks ran behind and the doors opened 45 mins late. The place
became quite full, quite fast. We girls mingled around, gathering new
friends and stirring excitement. (Why doesn't the street team pay me
again? I am very faithful to the cause) Steve came on about 10:30ish.
Time is a blur right now, so I am not sure.
The crowd was really playful as Steve and the gang set up their things.
When they left the stage to get dressed a girl behind me bet me they
would come out dressed as B.C. I told her no, spacesuits. I won but she
will never pay up. I am sure of it.
He comes out with some really neat glasses on. He said, "Who gave
these to me?" He said they were cool and struck a pose. (see
pictures) He was playful and really felt how receptive the crowd was.
The show was the same set as the night before, and I am sure it will be
until they can get a day off and work on the video. The slideshow with
Paul sent everyone into fits. The funniest part was when The
Lighting Guy (as he told us was his official title and name) points to
himself and says "ME? Rock and roll is about me?" and begins
to freak out. Good stuff. Well, that and Steve running as
"Steve" from B.C. Man, I love me a doof. When Paul's mite
roars out ROCCCCCCK....the screen says
"Are...you...reasonably...prepared...to...rock!!!." Reasonably
prepared! Hee!
The show begins. We were, of course, right up front. I will try to
convey what that is like. You get a flavor the people in the back don't
get. You see so clearly everything he digs up from his soul to
deliver to you on a golden shiny platter. He does not just sing. He
really gives it his everything. He crawls inside each song and
wears it as skin. That is why on the first night, with all the
difficulties, it was still a good show.
Houston's show was much smoother. The video was elevated so you could
see it better. You were not having to look around him to see it, the
quality was crisp. I don't know if that was due to the lighting of this
venue, something they did or what, but it was really good video.
I am proud to announce that my eyes were actually able to go to the
screen more and see him juggle fire. I also was standing right in front
of Jason and he rocked out. He is good. Really, really good. If you see
him, approach him. He is very nice and easy to talk to. At the end of
SFD he broke his drum stick. I was watching him when he did. He just
kept playing one handed and did a smash up (really) job. I am so
impressed.
The show was not perfect. The band had a hard time a couple times
keeping themselves together. Steve was able to make a joke and blow it
off. Really, I am not sure most of the people knew. Truly. There were
some other glitches but it did not take away from the experience at all.
Steve wants it to be perfect, and one day it will be, just give it
time. Til then it is also nice to see the show progress. Friday's show
was much better then Thursday's.
I must now speak of the mints. The mints have their style. Listening to
them I hear it is not Steve's style. They do a faboo job of letting
Steve be Steve. His album is such a polished studio album I was
concerned how it would come across live. I should have not feared. It
translates VERY well. Jason does justice on the drums and the mints make
it happen for Steve. How wonderful to be able to play with a group you
liked so well, and are as talented as they are.
Steve made a comment about the Unified Field Theory and it absolutely
geeked out the physics students behind us. The went totally apart with
glee and rapture. Silly kids. Nice to see these things get appreciation.
Steve fans are smart.
He took a drink from his beer and it must have warmed because when he
put it down it spilled out the top. Steve quickly moves it and says,
"Man that isn't funny. We spilt a beer on a computer last
night." Bummer.
When the album lists Steve as playing the thinking chair, he means he
honest to goodness plays the thinking chair. On >1 the whole video is
him playing it. Typical Steve. Hang the mic on the chair, put on his
ears, turn on the video and drum your little heart out. Nice. Sweeter
still because the song is about (I am assuming) he and his sisters
growing up. And he plays the thinking chair. Awwwww. Really, nice touch.
The cellist needs a hug. I don't know his name, but watch him when he
sings the Dustmites part in SFD. He is such a good mite. He seems to
really enjoy it and the crowd went nuts both times he did it. Note to
him: wear the bowl, ok? Every time. It is becoming.
True to my belief you must share the Steve love, lil Kris was called and
the phone was handed to me to hold out for her to hear. After a couple
songs Steve stops and says, "I really must do something, who is on
the phone?" Fish yells, "Lil Kris." He says "give me
the phone." He then tells her hi. He tells her to say hello to
Houston and she does. He held the phone to the mic but she didn't come
across. He then tells everyone to say hi to Kris. We all yell hello. He
then tells her good-bye and hands the phone to me. I will say right here
that one of my fondest memories is when Manilow did that very same thing
at a concert, asked for a request and then sang it for her into the
phone. Those things make a concert really memorable. Nice to see he can
roll with the punches.
Steve sang so hard he was sweating. Sweating isn't the right term. We
were all in very grave danger of drowning in it. He apologizes and asks
for a towel from the back. I reach into my purse and pull out the shirt
that was bought for Kris. (which BTW, is good that I did because they
never did bring him a towel) I yelled "Here Steve!" and tossed
it to him. He said "awww...she gave me her shirt. I can't use this,
I will ruin it." I told him go right ahead, it wasn't mine. He
wiped his face, head and neck with it and told me he would get me a new
one because he ruined this one. I don't think so Steve. And so you know,
Steve is natural on stage. No make up. Not that you had wondered, just
sayin. Proof is on the shirt. And also just so you know, I did
almost have to have a knockdown, drag-out with a big man who about had a
kitten when I stepped up on the stage to get the shirt at the end of the
show. This is the conversation that ensued:
Mean Man: WHOA! What is going on here?
Sweet Me: That's my shirt ::Points::
MM: WHAT?
SM: THAT'S MY SHIRT!!
MM: Shirt?
SM: yes, can I have it?
MM: What?
SM: ...Now trying to lean over and grab it..."MY SHIRT??"
MM: Whoa! What's going on here?
SM: That's my shirt!! :::::points::::
MM: Shirt?
SM: YES!!!! My shirt, give it to me. :::pointing quite insistantly
now:::
MM: Shirt? Where?
SM: RIGHT THERE!!! ::::really trying to just bend over enough to grab
it::::
MM: WHOA!! What's going......
At which time one of the mints who had been watching this walks
over, snatches it up and hands it to me. "Here you go"
SM: Beaming at him--THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
And for the record, Kris thanks you too. Steve signed it with a heart
and his name on the tag. Nice for her.
My favorite moment (besides that story) was when spot lights lit Steve
up from behind and they shown all around him giving him a very
Jesus-like hue. Yeah, Steve. Do that. Fish was in such awe I had to
scream at her to take a picture. She got one. It is enough. See picture
page.
Another part I really like is on SFD when he sings "smaller than a
tear," he pinches his fingers together to show you how little.
Sweet touch. Again, see pictures.
The crowd was very diverse. Many young, many my age, several older. All
were unable to just stand still. Lots singing along. (Note to you all,
just because you know the words, doesn't mean you should try to sing so
blasted loud that everyone around you can hear you, and maybe, just
maybe, you can get Steve's attention. It isn't about you. It is about
Steve. Give him that.)
Here is another piece of advice passed on to you. Steve is interested in
knowing who we are. He really cares. He will give you the time, and be
gracious to you. Tell him who you are. When meeting him, don't paw at
him. If you are intuitive, you will sense he has a boundary set up.
Don't cross it. He doesn't want to be groped. Be respectful. Don't
go blowing it for the rest of us. Because have no doubt, if you do cross
the line, he will let you know about it and why do that to yourself? Why
do that to him? Just sayin'.
When the show ended I took Happy mom (who drove 5 hours to see him and
arrived for the last two songs only) to the merchandise table. We bought
her the cd and then Steve came out to sign things. He of course
was kind and thankful for us all and signed all we had. We took several
pictures and then left to work the crowd some more. A group of us went
into the parking lot and laughed til it hurt, told stories and enjoyed
the love together. We took some pictures, grabbed some body parts and
laughed some more. Steve and company began packing the van and besides
making one comment about "where are your people to do that for
you?" we left him alone. The man deserves to not be afraid it will
be "fan attack" every time he sees one of us. Besides, the
"Steve" part was over and it was time for more Unifying Steve
theory love. The friendships will last a lifetime. We finally packed it
in and drove away. Leaving behind the venue but not the experience of it
all. It was a wonderful time. Steve, you are doing a really good job.
See you in Seattle.
Shalagh
Knight
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