Larry (the drummer and vocalist) had his customary 4 beers and 2 rums and coke with no limes before going on. X (the guitarist) also had 4 beers and 4 cigarettes after entering the bar, having drunk 2 other beers and smoked one cigarette before arriving. Lars (the bass player and vocalist) had 3 beers of an imported nature and a light meal. Each used the cramped but adequate bathroom facilities just prior to taking the stage.
During the 38 minute, 20 second set, the band consumed one alcoholic beverage each. Lars had an extra guitar pick duct-taped to the back of his instrument, and Larry used a small, portable fan.
Lars had the tone control on his "axe" set to "mega-bass". He used all four strings adeptly, giving special attention to the "E" and "A". His index fingering on the ninth fret was especially masterful.
X did not break any strings as he sailed thru the 16 song set, although he took tuning breaks a bit more often than would be expected from a "professional act".
Larry picked up the slack with timely quips about the other performers for the evening and such; something referred to in the business as "stage patter". As a quarterback does on the gridiron, he called the plays, launching into each selection with a brisk clicking of his sticks, just about always - 4 times in a row!
This reporter noted perspiration on two of the three band members' brows, precipitating after the second number and becoming increasingly prevalent as the evening went on.
The lighting was appropriately subdued on the 1'-4" elevated stage. A bank of red, green, and blue frenelles was handsomely accented by two 300 watt spots trained on the frontmen.
The sound was generally well-mixed, although the frequencies between 3500 mhz and 4200 mhz(?) went thoroughly unnoticed due to a blown midrange speaker in the club's right P.A. stack.
During the set, an informal survey found 9 of every 10 patrons inebriated, and 5 of 8 admitting to ingestion of controlled substances.
It was definitely "couples night" at the venue. We spotted only a handful of wallflowers, and one hard-drinking loner glued to a re-run of "Banacek" on A&E, who, predictably, became surly during the load-in.
Nevertheless, for the most part, it could be said that "a good time was had by all".
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