This past Friday, September 7th we were once again billed with Chicago natives Local H. We first shared the stage with Local H almost two years prior, at a since defunct venue. This time around was quite different.
We rolled into Palatine around 2pm for load-in at Durty Nellie's; unfortunately, the load-in time was changed to 6pm without us being informed. So (very unlike Model Stranger) we decided to get some much needed zzz's, as our recording schedule has been running us through the ringer. Our dressing room consisted of a table, a fridge and some office chairs; not very conducive for sleep. After wrestling around with some chairs to stay still while I slept, we decided it best to sleep in Local H's dressing room. It wasn't until about 6 o'clock that I woke dazed & confused with Scott Lucas and his entourage above me wondering why we were all in his dressing room...
Conveniently, when we were en-route back to our dressing room we ran into a friend that manages Smith Street Station (a lounge attached to Durty Nellie's). He didn't have to twist any arms to get us into his establishment for a fine cocktail... and let me tell you, they do it right. You have to be 25 years of age (or older) to enter leaving all the douche-bag-bros and skanky fresh-bloomers to the sidelines. The decor is rustic and modern with phenomenal art covering the walls. My favorite though, the cocktails and small plates. I had a Manhattan with smoked Bourbon (they smoke the glasses in front of your eyes with a hand-held-smoker, pretty cool) and some whiskey-glazed nuts, MmmmMmm. So anyway, after getting our lounge-on and feeling pretty spicy we headed back to Durty Nellie's for some rock.
The opening band for the show was Trigger Fish, a bunch of super-rad dudes. I was expecting them to have a heavy-harsh sound and was pleasantly surprised when they took the stage. A Sublime meets At The Drive In musical tones with a soulful (almost Dan Auerbach-esque) voice; you should check them out. Solid musicians, solid humans, good band.
We took the stage next and played one of our heavier-octane sets. Playing to a room packed with some of your fans a majority of another bands fans is interesting. It's one of those moments you need to let go of care; you can't worry what the majority is thinking and just do your own thing. Whenever I would look into the crowd there were clumps of people getting down and the rest of the mass stared with open eyes and blank faces; one of those stares you can't read. As if they are either amazed by what you are doing or bored as shit hoping you will get the hell off of the stage so they can see the band they came for. I would assume it was a bit off all the aforementioned as we had a great response after the songs and at our merchandise table ;-)
Either way, I enjoyed this bill for many reasons. One, it is always great to share the stage with a band that you like (or at the very least respect). Two, it is awesome befriending another band and actually liking their music and stage show. Three, Smith Street Station :-)
Libatiously Yours,
Vincent
We rolled into Palatine around 2pm for load-in at Durty Nellie's; unfortunately, the load-in time was changed to 6pm without us being informed. So (very unlike Model Stranger) we decided to get some much needed zzz's, as our recording schedule has been running us through the ringer. Our dressing room consisted of a table, a fridge and some office chairs; not very conducive for sleep. After wrestling around with some chairs to stay still while I slept, we decided it best to sleep in Local H's dressing room. It wasn't until about 6 o'clock that I woke dazed & confused with Scott Lucas and his entourage above me wondering why we were all in his dressing room...
Conveniently, when we were en-route back to our dressing room we ran into a friend that manages Smith Street Station (a lounge attached to Durty Nellie's). He didn't have to twist any arms to get us into his establishment for a fine cocktail... and let me tell you, they do it right. You have to be 25 years of age (or older) to enter leaving all the douche-bag-bros and skanky fresh-bloomers to the sidelines. The decor is rustic and modern with phenomenal art covering the walls. My favorite though, the cocktails and small plates. I had a Manhattan with smoked Bourbon (they smoke the glasses in front of your eyes with a hand-held-smoker, pretty cool) and some whiskey-glazed nuts, MmmmMmm. So anyway, after getting our lounge-on and feeling pretty spicy we headed back to Durty Nellie's for some rock.
The opening band for the show was Trigger Fish, a bunch of super-rad dudes. I was expecting them to have a heavy-harsh sound and was pleasantly surprised when they took the stage. A Sublime meets At The Drive In musical tones with a soulful (almost Dan Auerbach-esque) voice; you should check them out. Solid musicians, solid humans, good band.
We took the stage next and played one of our heavier-octane sets. Playing to a room packed with some of your fans a majority of another bands fans is interesting. It's one of those moments you need to let go of care; you can't worry what the majority is thinking and just do your own thing. Whenever I would look into the crowd there were clumps of people getting down and the rest of the mass stared with open eyes and blank faces; one of those stares you can't read. As if they are either amazed by what you are doing or bored as shit hoping you will get the hell off of the stage so they can see the band they came for. I would assume it was a bit off all the aforementioned as we had a great response after the songs and at our merchandise table ;-)
Either way, I enjoyed this bill for many reasons. One, it is always great to share the stage with a band that you like (or at the very least respect). Two, it is awesome befriending another band and actually liking their music and stage show. Three, Smith Street Station :-)
Libatiously Yours,
Vincent
