Junebug Show Diaries

Sunday, March 26, 2006

3/24/06 - Red Rooster - Aberdeen, S.D.

March 24, 2006
QUADMAN
Red Rooster Coffee House
Aberdeen, SD

Tonight was a showing of the epic lo-fi sci-fi, Quadman. On May 5, 2001 the film was premiered at the Red Rooster Coffee House. Junebug performed at the pre-party and were given VIP status, arriving in the limo and passing the paparazzi on the red carpet.

Tonight was the first time in a long time that it has had a public showing, and Junebug was asked to open for the film again this time around. (Also Fed By Doris played a reunion. Visit their MySpace for more.)

All the songs except one from the 2001 set were played tonight. We brought back the past with our Poison intro to "Next Episode", but reminded them it was 2006 with our "Inspector Gadget / Hall of the Mountain King" interlude in the middle.

We even played "Fargo Gypsy Girl" tonight for the first time since 2001. At the Quadman premiere, Bruce Likness actually sang the song with us, so tonight we played the song in his honor and dedicated it to him. We had two versions of it before; the acoustic version and rock version. Now it seems we've created a new sort of bossa version. I think it was fine. It was fun.

We performed "The Cacophony Trilogy" tonight for our old high school friend Peter. He hasn't seen us for a long time. He wasn't actually there tonight, but he was in spirit. "The Cacophony Trilogy" was always one of his favorite things that we did, so we figured tonight we'd send it out to him.

And to let history repeat itself, we ended our set tonight with "Jumpstart My Rocket", just like at the Premiere. And it makes sense. It's a movie about aliens, isn't it?

Good times.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

3/11/06 - Generation Xtreme - Aberdeen, S.D.

March 11, 2006
Generation Xtreme
Aberdeen, SD

Let me start by saying that tonight was as great as last night was horrible. Did that make sense? As much as last night wasn't good, tonight WAS good. Part of the greatness was the massive amount of positive energy radiating from the general direction of Anthony's mother and aunt who were present and dancing tonight. Not only them, but our long lost friend and show recordist PJ Pearson was here as well, having driven six hours specifically for this show, with recording gear. NICE.

We started out with a high octane powerhouse consisting of "Back in the U.S.S.R." and our straight up funk tunes all jammed together. The audience that was there when V-Twin ended stuck around for our show and the crowd grew as the night went on. There was dancing and it really seemed that the folks enjoyed the rawk we were bringin'. Though there were a couple nearly missed train wrecks, both sets were very solid.

Before the second set began tonight, the bar was still playing the radio from our break. Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" came on and we played along with it. When the bartender turned the radio off, we kept going. How fun.

So to start the second set, we decided to pull out all the stops, as they say, and hit them in the face with "Jumpstart" right off the bat. It worked. The crowd was immediately re-pumped. Yes.

For "Next Episode" tonight, we whipped out an intro that we used recently at the Yapatorium; the "Inspector Gadget" theme song mixed in with some Grieg. It was a totally different crowd so the recycling was excusable.

During "Like a Spy" our video camera caught an extremely intoxicated and creepy old dude trying to hug and kiss a table full of young ladies just as Anthony sang the line "Maybe I'm not the stalker you've been looking for." Life imitates art. It was amusing.

Oh, man. The energy level continued, even grew until the night ended. From "Found My Boogie" on until closing time, the dance floor was taken up by younger and older alike. EVERYONE found their own boogie tonight. It was BEE-YOU-TEE-FULL. We played up until roughly 1:45 a.m. and after our last tune, "Clone You," the crowd was chanting "One more, one more!" Unfortunately, we couldn't play on since Generation Xtreme was closing. So Tony said, "You know how they say 'leave them wanting more'? That's what we're doing."

Great show. Great music. Great people. Rawk.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

3/10/06 - Generation Xtreme - Aberdeen, S.D.

March 10, 2006
Generation Xtreme
Aberdeen, SD

Tonight was the first of a two-night gig at Generation Xtreme with Aberdeen band V-Twin. Tonight, we opened with V-Twin headlining and tomorrow will be a flip-flop.

First things first... this show was not our best show. The sound was really off, sometimes tuning was off and there were other things off too. The crowd wasn't very big and the music just didn't feel right. So, you know, we've had better shows. That being said, I'll continue on.

The set tonight was made up of mostly older-era material. There were only two newer-era songs; "Clone You" and "Bullet in Your Head". We also whipped out for the first time in four years our ode to breasts entitled "Breasts". (The last time we played it was December 1, 2001 at the Last Chance bar.) It went over quite well here too. I mean, really. Who doesn't like boobies?

Sometimes when we play in front of a new crowd, we're not surprised, but mildly disappointed at the lack of understanding that goes along with "Next Episode". Those who are fans realize that any time we begin a cover tune, "Next Episode" might just rear its ugly head. But I could see the drunken confusion on the faces of this crowd when we started "Purple Haze" and Anthony sang, "'Scuse me while I kiss the next episode!" I get it. You get it. And that's all that matters.

"Downtown Liquor Store" always goes over well in the bar setting and tonight was no exception. Same with "Bullet in Your Head".

Alright, so it wasn't the best set ever. Someone was even overheard saying "horrible". Tomorrow will be better.

Friday, March 3, 2006

3/2/06 - Yapatorium - Aberdeen, S.D.

March 2, 2006
The Yapatorium
Aberdeen, SD

Tonight was the big show at the Yapatorium in Aberdeen. On the bill were The Cha-Cha, Junebug, Passions, and Claire de Lune. The crowd was made up mostly of a good number of local teens with a bunch of college students mixed in as well.

Our set tonight was about 45 minutes long and we tried our best pack in the rawk. We opened with a tribute to the metal kids in the crowd; a metal version of the theme from "Inspector Gadget" intermingled with "In the Hall of the Mountain King" by Edvard Grieg. We then, of course, kicked into "To the Next Episode". I think, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's the first time we have ever opened a show with that amazing hit. The end of "Next Episode" was surely a treat as Dustin smashed an acoustic guitar, earning a place in the hearts of the crowd and giving a few eager fans some coveted souvenirs which, I might add, were autographed after the show...yearbook style.

We flew through "Chosen Ones" and rocked it out, flying into a brand new song, debuted tonight; "Underneath the Sweet Love." A funky little ditty about the way a man loves a woman. You know what I mean.

From there we went directly into "Bad Mammajamma". The looks on some of the faces were that of recognition, as if to say, "Oh THIS is the band that does that song." Yeah, that was kind of cool.

We kicked "USSR" and "Jumpstart" in the pants in the usual manner. Elizabeth then joined us onstage for the remaining three songs. On "Place" there was an inexplicable pileup in front of the stage during the beginning. Dustin got pulled in and then got tangled in his cord. Fun was had by all.

"Poet" was started in an unusual manner, much to the chagrin of our violinist. We all played in different keys and Tony played a different tempo and poor Elizabeth looked baffled. Unfortunately, when the song kicked in normally someone was so out of tune that it didn't sound much different. Ah well. It's a good story to tell to the grandkids. Or not.

The Yapatorium was good to us. It was nicely intimate and supremely loud, and it was quite a fun venue to play. We hope to again soon.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

2/11/06 - Red Rooster - Aberdeen, SD

February 11, 2006
Red Rooster Coffee House
Aberdeen, SD

Tonight we played a show after almost two months off to rehearse new material and to break in our new bassist, Josh Rieck. In the middle of the first set, Joel Burckhard called out from the crowd, "What are all those low notes?" Well, tonight was Josh's first show and he was fantastic. Following the show we received many comments about how full the sound was and how Josh added so much more than we could have hoped for.

We opened the show with two brand new songs, never before heard; "Chosen Ones" and "Spring Fever". Both were met with approval. After "Spring Fever" a girl in the audience was overheard exclaiming that it was "awesome."

"Casanova" was like nothing you've heard from us before. It started as a lovely fun little bit of a down-tempo jazz improv. But of course, when Anthony exclaims that he doesn't care if you spend the night, we KICKED it in...old skool.

All in all, the first set was very energetic. Lots of rawk and sweat. And why half the crowd left at the break, I'll never know. It was unfortunate, because they missed a great second set. Anthony had informed the crowd that we were doing something radical and revolutionary in clearing some space for dancing. Not many did, except our newest superfan, Paula. More on that later.

The second set started with "Place", a newer Junebug tune that seems to be a pleaser, and then moved into a cover of Dire Straits's "Money for Nothin'"... "We got to move these refrigerators, we got to move these color TVs...TO THE NEXT EPISODE!" Yeah. You didn't see that coming.

We played the song "Like a Spy." Afterward, Anthony said "Maybe I'm not the stalker you've been looking for." Paula could then be heard exclaiming, "Oh yes, yes you are." Then after "Found My Boogie," she asked to say something into the mic. "Who dares to dance? I bet there must be somebody that dancing better than I do, so...Come on!" After a little persuasion from Anthony, a couple folks got up and danced with her. But no tango, even though Dustin requested one. "Bullet in Your Head" was then dedicated to Paula since she was really inspired by it the last time we played.

We closed with a brand new one, "It" that was pretty funky and went over well. Dustin thanked everyone for coming exclaiming that this was a marathon for all of us; that a few dropped out, but thanks for finishing.

Tonight was the live debut of four songs; "Chosen Ones," "Spring Fever," "The Date" and "It." Tonight was also the debut of our cover of Donovan's "Sunshine Superman" with a little bit of Beck's "New Pollution" thrown in as well.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

12/17/05 - Red Rooster - Aberdeen, S.D.

December 17, 2005
Red Rooster Coffee House
Aberdeen, SD

Soundcheck:
| Raise Your Voices |

We were slated to take the stage at 9pm tonight, but since the crowd was a little slow in arriving, we didn't begin until 9:36. But that's okay. By then there were enough people there to really enjoy the rock we were bringin'.

A number of these songs haven't been played or practiced for awhile, so there were minor instances of fogetting how the songs went now and then. Case in point; the set started with "Poet Who Didn't Know It" and Tony didn't remember the part in which it goes to double time and then when to come back. Other than that, the song was great.

On "Casanova", Anthony invited some kid in the crowd to come freestyle along with him. I (tony) didn't catch his name though... They brought down the house and then Anthony beatboxed us home, as you can probably guess. God bless 'im.

"Like a Spy" was really solid tonight, as was the BRAND NEW song, "Damn the Man". The crowd perhaps didn't know what hit them with kick-ass rock grooves that were NOT crunchy. The four rock endings to that song left them wanting more... endings. We pulled it off.

Tonight's second set was the better of the two. To start off, Elizabeth Andrews played violin on the first four numbers. "Cake" sounded amazing, "Place" was very strong and even gripping with the violin, and the BRAND NEW song "Breathe You In" reportedly brought tears to audience members' eyes (for real). Then, in celebration of the Holiday spirit, Dustin and Elizabeth played a duet; "Christmas Time" from A Charlie Brown Christmas. But of course, as no one expected it to come from something as smooth and lovely as that, we very prettily sang "To the next episode..." and bang, we nailed right into it, Elizabeth and all.

After Elizabeth left the stage, we began "Bad MammaJamma" and in the midst, Anthony invited local rapper, BJ Campbell to freestyle a little bit. Or a lot bit, really. The song clocked in at over twelve minutes. About the time we figured BJ was winding down, he called up another fellow, whose name I did not catch, to join in the festivities. We didn't quite know what to do, but finally Anthony leaned over to Tony and said, "Let's end it." And when Anthony, the jam-band-man, says let's end it... then boy, it's gone a little long. Anyway, it's always interesting to showcase local hip-hop artists.

"Clone You" was next and it was another case of Tony forgetting how the song goes at one point. Oops. After that, we debuted a BRAND NEW cover of the Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." That was a good time. The show continued solid right upto the end of the set. Stacy, an old school Junebug fan requested "Downtown Liquor Store" and we HAD to oblige. I mean, why wouldn't we?

After that, it was time to spread Holiday cheer once more with our original holiday song, "A Junebug Christmas". Good times were had by all, and yet another Junebug show was pulled off successfully.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

11/18/05 - Red Rooster - Aberdeen, S.D.

November 18, 2005
Red Rooster Coffee House
Aberdeen, SD

Tonight's show at the Rooster was a really good time. There was a good cross-section of old and new fans, including old school Stacy and her son, Ethan who has actually been listening to Junebug all his life. We were told that we are seriously his favorite band and "Bad MammaJamma" is his favorite song. It blows our minds.

Our first set was solid from the beginning all the way until "Punktry" as can probably be assumed. That frickin' song. We didn't quite "end" it per se. We pretty much just stopped playing it, much to the joy of the crowd. Dustin said, "I always feel the need to apologize for that."

Tonight was our second performance of "Potion", the first for the Rooster crowd. It went over well, garnering applause at the quiet section. Perhaps they just thought it was over, who knows. At any rate, it was good.

Tonight, we also performed out barbershop rendition of "Hello Ma Baby" for the first time at the Rooster. Again, it went over well, though some thought it was a little shaky. But the only way to get better is to KEEP DOING IT.

At the start of the second set, we were introduced by little boy Ethan who introduced the first song of the set, "Bad MammaJamma". Throughout the rest of the show, Ethan was dancing like crazy and having a great time. Afterward, Dustin said we should hire him to make appearances at all our shows.

We decided that since AC/DC went over so well at our last show at Generation Xtreme, that we would do some more here. Dustin played the riff for "Thunderstruck", perhaps a little more choppy than usual, perhaps due to the Newcastle that Dustin slammed during the break, and I think that Tony may have come in at the wrong place. Things were delightfully crappy and it fell apart before it even really got started. Anthony shrugged and chuckled and shouted "To the next episode," and we were off. In the midst of "Next Episode", in his guitar solo section, Dustin played a very pretty version of "Silent Night".

Tonight saw the return of a classic, "Jamming Out in a Soundproof Room". Dustin said beforehand that he wasn't sure he remembered how to play it since he hadn't practiced it. Afterward, Tony said, "Whew. We made it."

The second set was really strong and I think the three of us really felt that old chemistry that we all have always held. A couple folks said that our rapport was totally evident and that it made the performace intense. Elizabeth Andrews also said that the show was nostalgic and fun. We got a lot of great comments after the show from people who hadn't heard us yet this time around. They were consistent in praising the new songs and really encouraging us to keep doing it. We were told that there is an audible difference between the old stuff and the new stuff and that it's a good thing.

Tonight's poster was designed by Paul Lundstrom and it is one of the most amazing posters we've ever had for a show. Some people are grossed out by it, some love it, and some are just confused. No matter what you think of it, it's eye-catching and people noticed it. We really want Paul to do more posters and flyers for us in the future. That guy is warped.