Junebug Show Diaries: 1/29/11 - Sixth Avenue Gallery

Encore:
| Eye of the Tiger [Survivor] (tease) | Say It Ain't So [Weezer] |

We had heard about the Sixth Avenue Gallery before. Some of us had been to shows at the Gallery, and some of us know some of the guys who are running the place. What we didn't know, however, was how much fun it would be playing a show there.

The Gallery is a little bit different from any other venue we've played, in the sense that shows go until 4:00 a.m. Not only that, but it's a facility that encompasses a mattress store, an art gallery, a bar, a tie-dye supply store, a tattoo shop, a music venue and more. It's very unique. The bar stops serving at 2:00, but the party continues all night long. When the other bars in town close, the patrons make their way to the Gallery and the good times keep rolling.

Rad Jackson got the party started a little after 10:00 and the night promised to be epic. After he pumped out the beats for awhile and got people's grooves rolling, it was our moment. Rad Jackson threw on some Jock Jamz and the announcer (me, tony) introduced "tonight's home team -- yourrrrrrr Juuuuuuunebuuuuuuuuug!" We sprinted out into the crowd in our athletic gear, high-fiving the patrons and shouting things like, "Let's do this!" All the while, the Jock Jamz were pumping and the lights where flashing. We jumped on the stage and ripped into "Pay the Toll." The event had begun.

We continued on with an uncharacteristically high-energy first half of the first set and Anthony told the crowd, "Rock and roll never dies. It doesn't rust." Dustin added, "But it does stay in shape!" and we encouraged more exercise from everyone. "Work out with us! New Years resolutions start now!"

Tonight Aberdeen heard "On the Sidewalk" for the first time -- a new version of "Chosen Ones." "Imagine if Paul Simon decided to do a Junebug song," Anthony explained. I added, "What if Junebug decided to do a Junebug song." "You're freakin' me out right now, man," Dustin responded.

Anthony introduced the next tune saying, "We're gonna take you to a place now. That's the name of the next song." He struck the first chord and abruptly stopped. After recoiling, I said, "Let me take you to a place where we're in tune."

After rocking a bit, we took a moment to address the die-hards that were present tonight. "I know a lot of you have loved Junebug for a long time," Anthony explained. "It means the world to us. So let's celebrate life and liquor stores!" Bam. Next song. Because we're that clever. Then, after the song was over, a voice from the crowd shouted, "Junebug is your mom!!" Whatever that means. Shortly thereafter, someone yelled out, "Wendy's!!" Anthony replied, "No, we don't play that song any more." A great sound of disappointment went up and it surprised me. First, it seemed that people believed it, and secondly, it seemed that people were truly upset. Classic.

We wanted to move on with the set, but sadly, my piece of crap kick drum pedal came apart and I had to perform some emergency maintenence. Being the pros we are, however, the others kept the show moving with an improvisational loungey jam. Lyrics included; "Has Tony figured out his technical issue? / He's really making me look like a jerk trying to kill some time / I gotta talk about something interesting." I fixed it, hooked it back up and joined the jam. When it finished, the crowd applauded, but Dustin forgave those who didn't, saying, "You don't have to clap for that. It wasn't actually anything."

After an impromtu Doors medley, we launched into a brand new song from our upcoming Beards project called "Destiny, She Drives a Rolls." This Aberdeen audience was the first crowd to hear this song. It's been awhile since Aberdeen has heard any new material from us. We hope to change that the next time we're in town (March!).

Before playing the last song of the first set, Anthony announced that he'd better see everyone back for the second set, because we are going to rock it to the next episode, possibly into next season. "See what he did there?!?" I interjected. "He referenced a song of ours!!" A collective "Ahhhh" went up from the crowd. "There are clues hidden everywhere," Anthony said.

Then we played "Bumblebee," and afterward, Anthony shouted "Don't go anywhere! This is a marathon!"

We returned for our second set at 2:00 a.m. Yes, that's right. The time in which we're usually finished and packing up was the time our second half started. This was actually pretty perfect, because the bars had just let out and people still wanted to party. Not to mention the bartenders. Those cats get off work and now they have something to do. And the local strippers. Don't forget them. They gots ta party somewhere, sometime as well.

The second set started with us jumping back onstage with a cry of "Are you ready to get physical??" Then, "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John was supposed to play, but it didn't work out. So we all ended up doing stretches and lunges on the foot of the stage in silence. But I think the effect still came off.

Further technical difficulties plagued my kick drum pedal tonight. It just broke. It literally broke. In a different place than the piece that tormented me earlier in the night. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if Anthony was fully aware of the situation, as he attempted to perform "Dr. Phunk" even though I wasn't playing. It sort of fizzled out painfully. But being the resourceful S.O.B. that I am, MacGyvered that sucker with a safety pin. The drums kicked in and it made everything a-okay.

We were joined by a special guest tonight on "Casanova." It was none other than the Hub City's own ShubRock. The crowd was groovin' and we kept it going with "Bad Mamma Jamma," followed by "The Date." After all the dancing I reminded everyone to make sure to drink their electrolytes.

We played "Last Night" next, and it was a super-long extended jam out version. Our good friend Rory gave some important crowd participation tonight. It's our dream that someday everyone in the crowd throws up their middle fingers on the line, "Yeah, they stuck up the middle finger to gravity." Rory helped us out tonight. Won't you join him in flipping us off?

Next, Brandon wowed the crowd with the hottest bassline ever in rock and roll. That's right. We busted out "Runnin' With the Devil" by Van Halen. The HOTTEST and most intricate bassline ever. But it was all a ruse, as "Next Episode" reared it's ugly head. Isn't that just your luck? As "Episode" ended, however, an interesting and unplanned jam was born from the ashes of the previous tune. It was one of those beautiful, spontanous moments that comes from having such a great time in a great place with a great crowd. We jammed, we rocked it, the crowd danced, and rocked it. How far? To the next...? You decide.

After playing "Jumpstart" we noticed that we only had one song left on the setlist. But these people weren't in any mood to stop partying. I said, "If you want to keep rockin' we'll see what we can do." Many cheers. Then came the dilemma of what do we play, since we played most of our songs already. I turned to the audience for help. "Do any Junebug fans have any requests?" This was met with very loud laughter from one audience member. I didn't get the joke. But someone called for "Cake," which we then played. It was a little bit of a rocky start since we haven't played that song in ages, and I'm not sure Brandon has ever played it live. But we made it happen. Gotta keep the peeps happy.

After giving the people what they wanted with "Sledghammer" and an extended jam out version of "Moon Over the Water," we left the stage. But we were met with chants of "one more song!" So we decided we'd "slaughter one more," in Anthony's words.

So, in keeping with the athletic theme of tonight's show, we ripped into "Eye of the Tiger." This, of course, was not our true encore, as we don't actually know the song. So they got "Say It Ain't So" instead. They were satiated.

As the song ended, Anthony summed up the night. "Good night ladies and gentlemen, we love you. We are Junebuuuuuuuuug! Baseball, Football, Soccer and Track & Field, TOGETHER!"

It really was a magical night. We really loved it and we look forward to our Gallery show in March. This show was our latest running show in Junebug history. We ended at roughly 3:45 a.m. and after all the mingling and schmoozing afterward, I didn't get to bed until around 5:30 a.m. I love it. Aberdeen should have had a place like this when we lived there.

Fan video, uploaded by Marisa

Fan video, uploaded by Marisa