It took a minute but things are definitely happening on this tour. Rick Nielson joined us onstage in Beaumont, Texas when we did "Kick Out the Jams". I don’t play the song often but we did that night by special request and when I saw Rick standing in the wings, I put him to work. It was big fun.
I've noticed that the audiences we're playing for are not as MC5-obsessed as the usual punk club crowd. Some folks seem to be aware that I used to be in the MC5, but most of the crowd never heard of me, and this is a great thing. It means that I get to present what I do to the crowd and they can decide right there and then whether they like it or not. So far, so good.
When I go out to the merchandise table during the intermission to talk with the fans, I’m meeting many people who say things like, "Who are you? Where did you come from? I never heard music like this in my life." It’s very humbling to be afforded such spontaneous appreciation. They’re asking, "Which records should I buy? Which one has those songs you sang tonight on them?" I’m getting to play for a whole new crowd and this is a good thing. Both Cheap Trick’s and our message boards are lighting up.
Last night in New Orleans at the House of Blues, Cheap Trick broke into a impromptu version of "Rambling Rose," complete with Rick singing in a falsetto. I loved it, as did our whole touring party.
Cheap Trick are truly one of the premier touring bands today. I love the fact that they operate with amazing success outside the world of MTV and KROQ-type radio. They give 100% every night, night after night, and enjoy a huge following. They are truly a great band. It’s all there: The solid, sexy bass, flash lead guitar, knock-out handsome and great-voiced lead singer and their deadly secret weapon; Bun E. Carlos on drums. A band is only as good as its drummer, and Cheap Trick have one of the best in the business. Great rock songwriting, and a few mega-hits, and they’ve built a brand that will continue to be important to their fans as long as they want to keep doing it. Their new record is outstanding. My favorite track is "Scent of a Woman." Both the band and the fans are having a ball.
I also must acknowledge the fact that they have shown a degree of courage in inviting me to join them on this tour. My work sometimes stretches beyond the "pop music" format and, in a sense, they are taking a risk putting me in front of their audiences. I believe they respect their fans enough to give them credit for being able to think for themselves and that they may enjoy what I’m doing. If you know me at all, you know I come to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
The Road crew that works for Cheap Trick are first class and have made going to work every night a pleasure. The sound is superb and everything goes with out a hitch. Real professionals.
Saw an alligator crossing the highway. I don’t see things like this often in my day-to-day life. I’m a city guy. I know a few sharks and weasels and a few true canines, but alligators are a rarity.
I’ve just relinquished the wheel to E-Rock Gardner. Eric is our champion driver and is steady as a rock on the highway, much like he is on the drums. I enjoy driving myself, after all I’m from Detroit. Today I enjoyed it a little too much. Heading out of Louisiana west on US-10 I was clocked at 81 mph in a 70 zone. The trooper was polite and business-like and set us on our way with out any extra hassle. I phoned the number on the back of the citation to see what the fine might be. $189.00! Ouch!
We were cruising along listening to a Charles Bukowski CD and I just lost track of my speed. I can’t say I hadn’t been told. Cheap Trick’s bus driver warned me at the beginning of the tour. But hey, what’s a tour without a little puking, speeding and general merriment amongst adults? Now we’re really touring.
The revelations in last week’s New York Times regarding the days before the war and the Iraqi efforts to avoid the invasion and the administrations failure to take a course of persuasion and diplomacy in favor of violence and destruction are chilling. If you ask a solider, he will tell you that war is the last thing you want to do. War means a complete failure of all other courses of action. Now we find out that there were alternatives presented to the White House and they dismissed them out of hand. At least they’re consistent in their pattern of ignoring the best plan and opting for the worst possible one.
None of this matters much now. The real question is can Bush be dethroned? Regime change indeed.
Just saw a roadside sign that read "Terrorists…Don’t mess with Texas. Remember the Alamo." I feel much safer now.
More news as it happens…
w.
I've noticed that the audiences we're playing for are not as MC5-obsessed as the usual punk club crowd. Some folks seem to be aware that I used to be in the MC5, but most of the crowd never heard of me, and this is a great thing. It means that I get to present what I do to the crowd and they can decide right there and then whether they like it or not. So far, so good.
When I go out to the merchandise table during the intermission to talk with the fans, I’m meeting many people who say things like, "Who are you? Where did you come from? I never heard music like this in my life." It’s very humbling to be afforded such spontaneous appreciation. They’re asking, "Which records should I buy? Which one has those songs you sang tonight on them?" I’m getting to play for a whole new crowd and this is a good thing. Both Cheap Trick’s and our message boards are lighting up.
Last night in New Orleans at the House of Blues, Cheap Trick broke into a impromptu version of "Rambling Rose," complete with Rick singing in a falsetto. I loved it, as did our whole touring party.
Cheap Trick are truly one of the premier touring bands today. I love the fact that they operate with amazing success outside the world of MTV and KROQ-type radio. They give 100% every night, night after night, and enjoy a huge following. They are truly a great band. It’s all there: The solid, sexy bass, flash lead guitar, knock-out handsome and great-voiced lead singer and their deadly secret weapon; Bun E. Carlos on drums. A band is only as good as its drummer, and Cheap Trick have one of the best in the business. Great rock songwriting, and a few mega-hits, and they’ve built a brand that will continue to be important to their fans as long as they want to keep doing it. Their new record is outstanding. My favorite track is "Scent of a Woman." Both the band and the fans are having a ball.
I also must acknowledge the fact that they have shown a degree of courage in inviting me to join them on this tour. My work sometimes stretches beyond the "pop music" format and, in a sense, they are taking a risk putting me in front of their audiences. I believe they respect their fans enough to give them credit for being able to think for themselves and that they may enjoy what I’m doing. If you know me at all, you know I come to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
The Road crew that works for Cheap Trick are first class and have made going to work every night a pleasure. The sound is superb and everything goes with out a hitch. Real professionals.
Saw an alligator crossing the highway. I don’t see things like this often in my day-to-day life. I’m a city guy. I know a few sharks and weasels and a few true canines, but alligators are a rarity.
I’ve just relinquished the wheel to E-Rock Gardner. Eric is our champion driver and is steady as a rock on the highway, much like he is on the drums. I enjoy driving myself, after all I’m from Detroit. Today I enjoyed it a little too much. Heading out of Louisiana west on US-10 I was clocked at 81 mph in a 70 zone. The trooper was polite and business-like and set us on our way with out any extra hassle. I phoned the number on the back of the citation to see what the fine might be. $189.00! Ouch!
We were cruising along listening to a Charles Bukowski CD and I just lost track of my speed. I can’t say I hadn’t been told. Cheap Trick’s bus driver warned me at the beginning of the tour. But hey, what’s a tour without a little puking, speeding and general merriment amongst adults? Now we’re really touring.
The revelations in last week’s New York Times regarding the days before the war and the Iraqi efforts to avoid the invasion and the administrations failure to take a course of persuasion and diplomacy in favor of violence and destruction are chilling. If you ask a solider, he will tell you that war is the last thing you want to do. War means a complete failure of all other courses of action. Now we find out that there were alternatives presented to the White House and they dismissed them out of hand. At least they’re consistent in their pattern of ignoring the best plan and opting for the worst possible one.
None of this matters much now. The real question is can Bush be dethroned? Regime change indeed.
Just saw a roadside sign that read "Terrorists…Don’t mess with Texas. Remember the Alamo." I feel much safer now.
More news as it happens…
w.
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