Junebug Show Diaries

Friday, November 11, 2005

11/10/05 - Generation Xtreme - Aberdeen, S.D.

November 10, 2005
Generation Xtreme
Aberdeen, SD

So here was our first ever headlining gig at a bar. You may remember years ago when we opened for Five Point Theory at the Last Chance bar and there were five point three people there. Yeah. This was better than that.

Starting the night were local band, Almost Gone. They were really good and they also were so kind as to lend us a bunch of their gear, including mics, monitors, and drumkit. After putting forth a fantastic set, they gave the stage to us.

We started the first set with the new hit, "Bullet in Your Head". As anticipated, it went over well in a bar setting. We ripped through some old favorites, "Piper", "Cake", "Modern Day Fairy Tales". On "Casanova" we invited Almost Gone frontman, Fat Cat to get on the mic and freestyle alongside Anthony. It was an amazing display. We lament that there was no audio recording of this show because "Casanova" has never sounded so good before. It was a real treat.

Next was our cover of the old hit, "Li'l Red Riding Hood" which was fun and went over well. We, of course, had to play our experimental mixture of Punk and Country called "Punktry". After it was over Tony said, "Don't judge us based on that. But DO judge us based on this." Then we sang our newly worked-up a capella rendition of the classic 1899 tune, "Hello Ma Baby". We thought it was good. A couple people in the audience said it was a little "off". I guess you'll have to ask them. We closed the first set with the immensely appropriate "Downtown Liquor Store". How could we go wrong with that?

The second set started with the classic "Vacation to Oblivion" going into the new "Clone You". Afterward, Dustin said into the mic, "That's a hit right there." Earlier in the night, Paul was in the crowd requesting AC/DC, so we decided to play "Highway to Hell". But, as you may have guessed, half way through we sang "Highway...to the next episode!" And oh yes. We rocked it, yeah. Dustin then said, "Two hits in a row! Get ready for a third." "Bad MammaJamma" was next and it hit indeed. And we dared to throw "Jumpstart My Rocket" at them next. And yes, another NEW hit, "Poet Who Didn't Know It".

An intersting thing happened before we played. One of the guys from Almost Gone broke a string, and he hadn't broken a string in over year. So Dustin decided that before we played, he was going to run to Pauer Sound and get a set of strings. Tony said he should probably get another pair of sticks as well. When Anthony was asked if he wanted a spare set of strings, he said, "No. I never break strings. I have a technique." As it turns out, Anthony broke a string during "Place". Dustin and Tony took this opportunity to go pee while Anthony changed his string.

We played "Like a Spy" and then it was on to "Found My Boogie". The feel of this song has changed a little bit. Instead of a faux disco beat, it has a bit of a surf-rock/cheerleader beat. In fact, the song started with Anthony and Dusting cheering, "We've got boogie, yes we do! We've got boogie, how 'bout you?"

We debuted a brand new song tonight that we just learned last week called "Potion". It turned out pretty well, though a little bit rocky. So we closed the set with "Bumblebee".

We ended the set at about 1:50am, just when everyone was supposed to be kicked out. We played long and we played hard. We drank some beer and Tony even spilled a little. And to our surprise, Heather and Bryna drove all the way from the Twin Cities to see the show tonight - after they told Dusting they weren't going to make it! So that was nice.

All in all, it was a great show. I'm glad I was there.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

10/29/05 - Red Rooster - Aberdeen, S.D.

October 29, 2005
Junebug Reunion Show
The Red Rooster Coffee House
Aberdeen, SD

Set One:

Set Two:

At long last, Junebug has returned. It's been roughly three years since the last time we played a show. Children have been conceived, born, and have learned to walk and talk since the last time we played a show. It was good to be back.

There was a pretty decent sized crowd - over 75, which doesn't sound like a lot, but for the Red Rooster it's pretty good. There were fans present from the old days. Melissa Kindig, Mike Bowser, Alex Forred, Drew, just to name a few. I don't know why I don't know Drew's last name. But he's one of the baddest mammajammas ever to don a Wendy's uniform.

Our first set seemed a little rocky and low-energy. A number of the songs were a little slow, but we plowed through. We opened with the classic "Vacation to Oblivion" going right into a rockin' faster version of "Modern Day Fairy Tales." "Punktry" nearly derailed, but what surprise is that? We made it a point to NOT practice it. "Piper" went well with the new intro (that possibly wasn't noticed since it's pretty subtle).

We took a break after the first set and it apparently was what we needed. The second set rocked from the outset with "Pay the Toll" going right into "Bad MammaJamma" with no break. That got people bouncing in their seats and Drew was dancin' the night away in back and singing along. It also gave us a chance to try out the new ending to "Bad MammaJamma". Yes, after all these years, the song actually has an ending. The rock continued with a high octane version of "Jumpstart" and I think the crowd really found the groove after that. We paid tribute to our hero Bon Jovi with a cover of "Wanted Dead or Alive"... or did we? We slammed right into "To the Next Episode" from there and the new fans seemed a little confused. But the old fans were hollering and cheering and singing along.

We debuted a few new songs tonight; "Poet Who Didn't Know It", "Place", "Clone You", "Like a Spy", and "Bullet in Your Head". We got great comments from old and new fans. Sarah Ernhart, and oldschool fan, said it was like going back in time. Liza Johnson, a new fan, said that it was all very original and really great.

Tonight was the last party night before Halloween, so of course people were in costume all over the place, including onstage. Anthony was a highway patrolman, Tony was a biker, and Dustin was a Rock 'N' Roll of Toilet Paper. However, after the break, the toilet paper was gone. Dustin was quoted as saying, "When you gotta go, you gotta go." Classic.

Junebug is back, baby. The rawk continues.

Tuesday, December 31, 2002

12/31/02 - Red Rooster - Aberdeen, S.D.

December 31, 2002
New Year's Bash, 2002/2003
The Red Rooster Coffee House
Aberdeen, SD

At long last, Junebug has returned. It's been roughly nine months since the last time we played a show. Children have been conceived and born since the last time we played a show. It was good to be back.

Tonight was the annual New Year's Bash at the Red Rooster Coffee House. Other bands included The Dimbulbs, Jeremy & Leslie, Ella, los hermanos muertos, the comic stylings of Tom Seth Whitman, and FBOPSTOP (a Fed By Doris tribute band).

We took stage after performing our old pre-show ritual backstage and the crowd was restless. We started with a soothing version of "Last Moment of 2001". (Yes, 2001!) We teased 'em with the beginning of "Pay the Toll..." and cut right into Piper and they didn't know what hit them. The hits kept coming through the night and the crowd got even more into it as the night went on. Songs began and the audience recognized them and cheered.

Alex "Forehead" Forred played bass with us tonight, and gave an admirable performance.
All in all, this night was a blast. It was a fine moment in Junebug history.

Sunday, March 31, 2002

3/30/02 - Red Rooster - Aberdeen, S.D.

March 30, 2002
The Red Rooster Coffee House
Aberdeen, SD

Set:

We weren't sure Anthony was going to make it to this show. We thought it was either he play the show or quit his job. Well, it turned out that he was able to pull some strings and make it anyway. Woo!

Fed By Doris opened the show for us tonight playing a little longer so that we had time to all get assembled. Dan Cleberg also played bass with us tonight for the whole show. Yay Dan!

Things were a little weird tonight. We had an odd setup and some of the sound balance was off. There was a lot of flopping around and kicking over of mic stands and some drums, cymbals, etc. In the words of Anthony, "There were some truly brilliant moments tonight..." but there were also some awful moments. Such as Jumpstart My Rocket... Tuning was off, people were playing in different keys, and then Tony's kickdrum pedal fell apart in two places at the same time. We had to stop. Heather (in the audience) mouthed the words, "What the hell is going on?" We left it up to the Junebuggers whether or not we should continue. The vote was in favor of abadoning it. We did.

Elizabeth joined us on "Like a Dream" tonight. Yay Liz!

Near the end of the show, Dustin ripped the setlists off the floor and shoved them in his mouth. He also rolled on the stage knocking over the water-filled Farah Fawcett cup. He also lept atop Tony's kickdrum and jumped off. He then rolled on the ground throwing over mic stands. Then Tony stood up and meagerly pushed over his cymbal stand. He then gingerly tipped over his floor tom. Finally, he tossed his sticks at the floor where the cymbal lay. An audience member was heard saying, "Go Keith Moon."

At the very end of the show, Dustin gave some advice; "Don't drink and play music, kids."

Monday, December 31, 2001

12/31/01 - Red Rooster - Aberdeen, S.D.

December 31, 2001
Big New Year's Bash
The Red Rooster Coffee House
Aberdeen, SD

We didn't know we were playing this show until the proverbial "last minute". Anthony had planned to go to Minneapolis to see Wookiefoot, but his plans fell through. He knew there was a big show going on at the Coffee House for New Year's so he called Tony (at 1:00am Dec 31) and asked if he thought we could get on the bill. Tony then called Dustin and he talked to Dan. At 1:00pm, Tony got a call from Dustin and Dan saying we were on. Anthony received a call from Tony at 2:00pm saying "We're on for tonight. We play at 8:00." Anthony replied, "Sh*t, I guess I better move my a**!"
So six hours before our stage time, Anthony got in his car and drove to Aberdeen from Fargo and arrived in time to play the show. Well, we took the stage and Anthony played "Last Moment of 2001" which was his New Year's song. Then we played a typical high octane, party down, rock and roll to the next episode until everything seems like a dream type of show.
At one point, Dustin refused to play. Dan Cleberg played bass with us tonight. Tony claimed to have almost fallen asleep. Some kids were making out during "Bad MammaJamma"
So as you can see, there were some bizarre moments.
God bless 2001. Or something.

Wednesday, December 5, 2001

12/4/01 - Dustin's Imaginary World - Aberdeen, S.D.

December 4, 2001
Def Leppard Tribute Show
Dustin's Imaginary World
Aberdeen, SD

Encore:
| Pour Some Sugar On Me | Jumpstart My Rocket |

Tonight, we paid homage to the true heroes of rock and roll, Def Leppard. This was our biggest show yet. There were approximately 43 billion screaming fans chanting, "Rock and Roll Legends!" We knew they were actually chanting for us, but we gave the credit where it was due. Threw it right back to the boys, not to mention the drummer, who's only GOT ONE ARM!

By popular demand (and numerous death threats) we decided to cover the album Euphoria in its entirety. You, the fans, couldn't have chosen better. It was a blast learning this music and playing it the one and only time we'll ever play it. We finished off by playing the hit song "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and finally "Jumpstart My Rocket" which was popularized by us, but actually written by Def Leppard. A lot of people don't know that. If you missed this show, sorry. You'll never see it again.

All the proceeds from tonight's show go to the American Endowment for Wheelchair Mimes and boy, they're rich now, let me tell you.

Sunday, December 2, 2001

12/1/01 - Last Chance - Aberdeen, S.D.

December 1, 2001
The Last Chance
Aberdeen, SD

Tonight was the first time we played in a bar and it was also the first time we played with amazing Aberdeen band, Five Point Theory. It was suggested that we play a show with them and we absolutely jumped at the chance.

We used their system and lights and Tony used Matt's (5PT drummer) kit. There was no one there at first so we waited around for people to show up. We started a half hour late, but it was cool.

We played a classic set with our traditional mix of humor and ROCK.

We also played "Da Bomb" tonight. This is the first time we played it without any members of Fed By Doris playing with us. Tony did lead vocals and drums, Dustin and Anthony did guitars and backing vocals. It was pretty sweet.

"Cherub Rock" was the lead-in to Next Episode tonight...a little shaky, but it was okay.

Bryna came all the way from St. Cloud, MN to see the show tonight, so we played "She Don't Love Him" especially for her (one of her favorite songs).

It would have been a perfect opportunity to play "Downtown Liquor Store" and it WAS on the setlist, but unfortunately time was running low and we got cut short.

It was a great show and we look forward to possibly playing with Five Point Theory again in the future.