Monday, July 14, 2008

7/13/08 - Clebergs - Aberdeen, S.D.


Fallout 1k Run
Prelude:

| Chariots of Fire [Vangelis Papathanassiou] |

Set:
| Downtown Liquor Store | Fargo Gypsy Girl | Cake | Place | Rocky Raccoon [The Beatles] / To the Next Episode | Good Vibes | I'm a Bad MammaJamma (Who Works at Wendy's) | Casanova |Share | Bumblebee | Rockin' Out in a Soundproof Room | Crystal's Answering Machine | Like a Spy| Spring Fever | Last Night | Jumpstart My Rocket |



The Fallout Creative Community put together the Third Annual (even though it was only the second time they did it) 1k Run. The concept was involved the participants meeting at the Red Rooster Coffee House and running a daunting one thousand meters to the Clebergs' house. Since it is such a gruelling race, there were rest checkpoints set up where participants could chug a Mountain Dew and smoke a cigar. Anyhow, when the race was over, the runners were met by Junebug at the finish line playing our rendition of the epic "Chariots of Fire."

This show was pretty informal. We had no established setlist, but rather took requests and took songs as they came to us. We played a number of older songs that haven't been heard in awhile. This included "Downtown Liquor Store" and "Fargo Gypsy Girl," among others. Happily, "Fargo Gypsy Girl" was supplemented by the talents of our old friend Bruce Likness.

We didn't have a bass player booked for this show, but a guy we know named Brian Hoesing sat in on a few tunes for the beginning portion of the show. Add another name to list of bassists who have played with us.

At this show, we announced that this was the start to the Junebug backyard tour. We may be coming to YOUR backyard soon, but the catch is you can't ask us to come to yours or you're out of the running. It's just random backyards. Yours may be the one. Or not.

We pretty much HAVE to mention the fact that we played The Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon." Or at least part of it. We played our own version of it, totally Junebug-ized, but then after the shot rang out, "To the Next Episode" took over. Jeremy Burckhard was visibly upset.

The show continued much in the same fashion, ending with a special performance of "Jumpstart My Rocket" dedicated to a departed fan by the name of Denae.

To illustrate the magic and power of Junebug;
Anthony: "This band is going to make you believe again."
Audience member: "I'm not afraid any more."

Saturday, July 12, 2008

7/12/08 - Great Aberdeen Pigout - Aberdeen, S.D.

Set:
| Poet (Who Didn't Know It) | Modern Day Fairy Tales | I'm a Bad Mamma Jamma (Who Works at Wendy's) | Refrigerator | Clone You | M'Lady | Spring Fever | The Date | Last Night | Chosen Ones | Jumpstart My Rocket |

Encore:
| To the Next Episode |


Today was the Great Aberdeen Pigout in downtown Aberdeen. It was also the first time we've played in Aberdeen since moving to the Twin Cities nearly a year ago. We were asked a while back if we wanted to play this show and we took a long time to work out schedules and see if it would work. Luckily, there was still room for us. However, we were scheduled to go on at the same time (different stage) as Snakebeard Jackson. This was a problem, because Snakebeard's mandolin player is Josh Rieck, our former bassist who would be guest performing with us today! Well, the scheduled conflict was fixed and it all worked out.

That's right, Josh stepped up on stage with us after having not played with Junebug for nearly a year -- rehearsals included. No practice, just Josh's musical and muscle memories taking over. He didn't skip a beat. It was as if he had been with us all along.

We performed on the South Stage, which was set up near the Capitol Theater on Main Street. I (tony) was allowed to pull my van into the restricted area so I could unload my gear conveniently. Although I brought my entire kit, I found out that I would be using a backline kit. It wasn't a problem, though, since it was nearly identical to mine. It was the same brand, color and finish, just a newer model. It was a very nice day, but it was quite windy as well. When I was setting up my cymbals and stands, a gust of wind came along and knocked one of my cymbals to the asphalt below. The cymbal is dented, but still usable, thankfully.

Outdoor shows are always fun. There's something really fun about the sun shining down on you as you play, with the breeze in your face. We took the stage and Dustin welcomed the crowd saying, "We're happy to be here! We're happy to be anywhere."

We had this idea that it would be funny if, after our triumphant exit from Aberdeen, we returned and sounded absolutely horrible. So we started the set with "Poet", but intentionally played the intro horribly. I have to admit that it was pretty amazing, though I fear it was lost on some.

When our set was over, there was still a little time left and the people wanted to hear more. So we played a nearly impromptu version of "To the Next Episode". We hadn't rehearsed it, so we didn't know what Dustin was going to do in the middle portion. He usually teases a well-known song and then we kick back into "Episode". He played "Enter Sandman" by Metallica, but we were all horribly off. It was the epitome of trainwreck. We completely fell apart. So Anthony just yelled, "EPISODE!" and we all kicked back in. So we bookended it. We started horribly (intentionally) and ended poorly (unintentionally).

The Pigout was a lot of fun. It's nice to see a local festival with local and regional bands get so much support. We hope to be a part of this again. This support for local bands and bands with ties to Aberdeen is invaluable to the Aberdeen music scene.