Going back to Cali again
Last time I saw Nick play, it was at the Greek Theater. The band had massive production and a fancy food-and-booze spread backstage. It made for a beautiful summer evening under the stars. This time, he was at UC Irvine's basketball gym. What was lost in fanciness was made up for in atmosphere, with lots of screaming students crammed up against the stage. We sat in the bleachers and watched from afar. The sound was actually pretty good, and the band was actually more rocking in the OC suburb than it was in the Hollywood Hills. It was a great set, and they had the sense not to play that song about L.A. beyond the Orange Curtain.
Afterward, we talked to the rock star/closet indie-comics nerd in the hall outside the women's locker room, where the band was camped out. You'd think it would smell like Pledge, but Nick said that it actually reeked. He always has good tour stories and recalls the most minute details about GR back issues, too. One of the nicest dudes you'll ever meet.
Chris said hi. He was wearing a huge backpack, and I thought it might be for indie rock street cred, but Nick said that it was because he stuck around Long Beach the night before to tend to some business in L.A. Music production, I'd guess. He's an awesome knob turner. We also met DCFC's production dude, who has been reading GR since the first issue. I knew he was all right as soon as I saw his Dodgers cap.
After pushing hard for Plans and Directions, the band is going to take a break from touring. So if you live around Santa Barbara, Oakland or Seattle, try to catch them tonight or tomorrow. That'll be it for a while. The only show coming up will be with the Philharmonic in NYC. Sounds like a great way to use some Southwest miles, doesn't it?
On the way home, we dropped by our favorite 24-hour, dirt-cheap, super-good Vietnamese sandwich place that serves faux ham. A perfect night, even if it was a Tuesday. Hey Martin C. (center), what are you doing out on a weeknight? Get back to making work for the January show at GR2!
Afterward, we talked to the rock star/closet indie-comics nerd in the hall outside the women's locker room, where the band was camped out. You'd think it would smell like Pledge, but Nick said that it actually reeked. He always has good tour stories and recalls the most minute details about GR back issues, too. One of the nicest dudes you'll ever meet.
Chris said hi. He was wearing a huge backpack, and I thought it might be for indie rock street cred, but Nick said that it was because he stuck around Long Beach the night before to tend to some business in L.A. Music production, I'd guess. He's an awesome knob turner. We also met DCFC's production dude, who has been reading GR since the first issue. I knew he was all right as soon as I saw his Dodgers cap.
After pushing hard for Plans and Directions, the band is going to take a break from touring. So if you live around Santa Barbara, Oakland or Seattle, try to catch them tonight or tomorrow. That'll be it for a while. The only show coming up will be with the Philharmonic in NYC. Sounds like a great way to use some Southwest miles, doesn't it?
On the way home, we dropped by our favorite 24-hour, dirt-cheap, super-good Vietnamese sandwich place that serves faux ham. A perfect night, even if it was a Tuesday. Hey Martin C. (center), what are you doing out on a weeknight? Get back to making work for the January show at GR2!
posted by gr at
11:10 AM
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