The Cosmic Break Tour
The Nestor Bar
Fargo, ND
Set:
| Jumpstart My Rocket | I'm a Bad MammaJamma (Who Works at Wendy's) | Clone You | Spring Fever / The Date | Back in the U.S.S.R. [The Beatles] | Chosen Ones | Place | Damn the Man |
This was the big night we've been gearing up for. It was the Cosmic Break Tour's stop in Fargo, N.Dak. at the Nestor. It was a competion amongst four bands; The Public Market (Bismarck, N.Dak.), WBPN (Fargo, N.Dak.), The Legionnaires (Fargo, N.Dak.), and of course JUNEBUG. The winner receives a "substantial" package from D'Addario strings and Evans drum heads and a slot on the Saloon Stage at this summer's 10,000 Lakes Festival.
The night started out with an amazing surprise for us. Our dear friend and chief Junebugger, Danny Ch. lives in Colorado, as many of you know. But somehow, some way, the gods smiled upon us and Mr. Ch. was at the Nestor tonight. He and Bryna schemed to not let us know he was going to be there with her and other friends of ours from high school. It was great to have a bit of a delegation at a contest out of town. And having Danny Ch. there pumped us up incredibly.
We kicked off the set with "Jumpstart My Rocket," a tune we usually reserve for the ends of shows. But we decided the best kick to the face was to open with a high-octane powerhouse. And this was a good decision. "Bad MammaJamma" was next and folks, they were a-dancin'. The groove was tight and the balance was solid. We were off to a great start.
Dustin tried to make a deal with the crowd. He said, "I have a special offer for the audience: Anyone I don't know who comes up with a ticket that says 'Junebug' on it, I'm gonna shave part of my beard." He held up the shaver and turned it on to prove it was for real. Surprisingly, shockingly, there were no takers. It's a mystery. After "Clone You," he said, "No takers on the beard yet? I just grew this for Lent. Lent's over now." Still, no dice.
Really the only shaky portion of the night was "Spring Fever." Dustin and Anthony had a difficult time hearing each other and on the beginning part they were a couple beats off. But really, if that's the worst that happened, we played a good show.
Before "Place" Dustin said, "The one is dedicated to our friend Pete. The end."
Tonight was the first time in a long time that we actually played all the way through "Damn the Man" beginning to end. And if I may say so, it rocked. We were on tonight. And at the end when Dustin jumps to cut off the song, all four of us jumped (and Tony even landed wrong sustaining an injury to his ankle - now THAT's rawk and role).
Tony used his new cymbals for the first time tonight. They were a welcome addition.
The crowd was great tonight. This was the first time since January 26, 2001 that we have played in Fargo. Five years was a long wait, but Fargo was good to us again. This was also the first time Danny Ch. got to see the new incarnation of Junebug. The fans present who had heard us in the past had nothing but wonderful things to say to us and left us feeling amazing. Some said it was the best they've ever heard us.
This was a contest, but even if we didn't win we've planted the seeds for a solid fanbase in Fargo. It was fun. And regardless of the outcome, we can be proud of ourselves for a rawkin' show.
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