Gig report! 10/22/2021 Stereo Embers at Darrell's

We were offered this show sort of last minute, another band had to bail. Luckily, the middle band's bassist was a former bandmate of a few of my mates and offered us the opening slot on this show at the family friendly time of 8:00pm up in north Seattle.


Darrell's Tavern was the venue up in Shoreline, a suburb north of Seattle and a stone's throw away from Robert Lang Studios, where a lot of bands you all know have recorded. Darrell's is known for its dive bar vibe and, now that I've finally played there, I can confirm that rep.

If you think the outside is dated, wait until you see the inside. Like a timewarp into the 70s, only minus the smoke (indoor smoking in Seattle has long been a no-no). Walk inside and you are greeted by a pool table, a bar, some tables and a tiny stage in the corner. No TVs, one arcade game and pretty much just a place to hang out and drink drinks.




The night before, I asked my drummer to contact the other band's bassist to see about borrowing his rig. I was lazy and didn't want to load my 3 piece out in the rain from my BL's basement. Luckily, the other bassist obliged and I was fortunate enough to play through this:


with this:


No soundcheck that night, which I found odd, but whatever. We also deviated on our setlist, calling audibles for the first 3 songs. We ended up debuting two "new" old songs. These were tunes that the BL recorded on his own, but we repurposed to spice up our set.

One of the tunes, To The Field, was written a few years ago as a tribute to the BL's dog, who had passed. We did it that night, having learned it the night before, as his other dog was also not well and was scheduled to cross the rainbow bridge the following day.

As a result, in the moment, I found some parts of our show to be a little rough, possibly due to scattered minds and hearts. On a technical level, I couldn't hear my vocal monitor very well and didn't think of saying anything until 75% through our set, so I ended up saying nothing. I'm also trying to pick tunes to play with a, er, pick and am starting to realize I need to practice more. Or practice with more verve. At rehearsals, I can manage fine, but on stage, everything is juiced up and while trying to pick and perform, I find I'm missing strings and generally being less precise.

Overall, our energy was good and the crowd (all masked when not drinking) was appreciative. If you are so inclined, here's a bunch of our set recorded by a fan. If her phone's audio is indicative of how it sounded, we might have been SUPER LOUD.

Next band up was an old Seattle favorite, the Radio Nationals. I don't know much about them other than they sounded really cool and were super tight. Richard, the bassist, I knew from way back, when he was in a band called the Young Sportsmen. He's out and about these days in many other projects, including a Fleetwood Mac tribute that played last night at the Tractor.


The final band was called the Shivering Denizens and I think they were a rockabilly outfit. Regrettably I didn't get a picture of them, which was a bummer, because the bassist rocked an upright. I saw him lug it in, it was huge!

Overall, a fun night. Dry out, so we could talk outside sans masks and still hear the bands well. Unfortunately, that also led to all 4 of us leaving separately assuming the others had gotten paid... which none of us did. Time to reach out to Darrell's to see about getting made whole.

Gig report! 9/17/2021, Stereo Embers at Slim's

Back at it again, another show at Slim's. Couple things to get out of the way.

1. I did not have the chili verde, despite having plans to totally do so. I had a light dinner prior to show and planned on eating after our opening slot and then proceeded to forget to. However, a friend had it and there's my report on the chili.
2. Though planned originally as an outdoor show, due to the most Seattle-like weather we've had since early June (rain and wind), they moved it inside. Masks and vax proof were required and it worked out fine.
3. I didn't take pictures, except for these:

As far as the show is concerned, it was my band, Stereo Embers, followed by the belles of the ball, the Kathy Moore Super Power Trio (releasing their great new EP) and Chimestone.

When playing outdoors (preferred) at Slim's, you play on a flatbed truck and there's a decent amount of room to move. Indoors, not so much. Stage right is blocked by a wall and stage left is blocked by what I think is a beer mascot statue (Hamm's?). I set up in the corner stage right and my singer/guitar had his new Supro amp right next to me. Hanging on the wall at head height to my right is a Mackie PA speaker acting as my stage monitor. Overall, the setup is not ideal; I kept finding myself nearly banging my head into that monitor or losing my balance into my singer's backup guitar on a nearby stand. Nevertheless, I persisted.

We've been doing this thing lately, starting with a slower tune that opens with guitar and vocals, before drums and I come in for the second half of the song. After that, we blow the place up with a big rocker and then continue from there. There are a few vids on FB of the songs, but they are private, so I can't share them, but to my eyes they had a lot of energy and power.

Kathy Moore Super Power Trio followed and they were excellent. They are relatively new but are gaining notoriety quickly. I shared my rig (TE GP-12 > 2x10 > 1x15) with their bassist Alyssa and her Fender PJ (seafoam green!) and it and she sounded great. Really nice tones and effects that she used. Her playing was super tasteful and technical and she had a great feel on when to just lay low and when to light it up. Just love seeing bassists who make it look effortless, when we all know it's anything but. Kathy on guitar and Faith on drums rounded out the trio and their set was well received by the good sized crowd.

Closing the show was a band called Chimestone, which I'd never seen or played with, but was familiar with as all the members are alums of my high school. We are all 30 years or more removed from good ol' NHS, so not only were they there, but other friends from back then. Though those guys were all a few years ahead of me, one of the band members is dating my band's singer's wife's sister (you follow?). And I've also kept in touch with that guy over the years as he owns a local recording studio that we've all recorded in at one time or another.

Their music was pretty 90s rock tinged, with some Brit pop thrown in for good measure. They've been friends since HS and have kept the band going through all the years, even enduring the death of one of the band members (as well as a brother of 2 of the band).

Really cool connecting with one guy who I hadn't seen in over 30 years. He was 2 years ahead of me and we played in a band in HS. We did some Police covers and rehearsed in his parents' house. Then he dropped a recording bomb on me, some songs we recorded that I LITERALLY HAVE NO MEMORY OF. It's pretty crazy, absolutely no recollection. I had a great laugh listening to a cover of Bang a Gong (Power Station version, complete with a rough slap bass line), Jet Airliner and two originals, including a song called "Private School Girls" about the private school by my friend's house.

He also shared 2 pictures of us playing at a local Boys & Girls Club talent show, which I also have no recollection of. But there we were and he had pix to prove it. Check out the little Steinberger copy (Hohner). No longer have that little guy.

Was a fun night, really happy to have played and reconnected with people. Happy also to see the vax/mask requirement and compliance by everyone in the crowd. See, we can get along!!

Gig report! 8/7/2021 Stereo Embers at Slim's for STAGFEST

There's a wonderful glam/pop/rock/dad band in Seattle called STAG. They have their Summer Stag Party on a yearly basis and we were added to the bill for this year, along with relative newcomers (as a band, but not individuals), the Kathy Moore Super Power Trio, as well as Mark Pickerel and the Peyote 3 (local scene legends in a super group).

Slim's is a biker themed bar in south Seattle, 3-4 miles from the stadiums. The bar/seating area does have a stage, but the cool thing is in the summer, they host shows outside in their "backyard," where the outdoor stage is an old flatbed truck.

Usually they backline equipment and this time, I was glad they did as my Trace Elliot amp took a dump last show. For this gig, I had an Orange Bass Terror and an Ampeg 410 at my disposal and needless to say, they functioned loudly and I left quite satisfied.


The first band up was the Kathy Moore Super Power Trio (please excuse the sound guy and obscured bassist). Aside from an excellent band name, the three women that make up the SPT are stellar musicians as well. Kathy is quite the shredder and threw down on many of the songs in their set (including one in 7/4!). The matching outfits were the cherry on top!

We followed with a powerful set of our own. As I was sharing equipment, I left the amp where it was (high hat side) when usually I'm on the ride side. It doesn't affect me much, but my guitarist is not a fan of being on the opposite side of the stage.



As we started our set, it wasn't dark out yet, so I could see fine. Trouble was, just in front of me on the floor was a LED light that was blasting on and off and was in DIRECT LINE OF SIGHT to my fretboard. It really became an exercise in muscle memory and hand/arm placement by feel for many songs. Add in the fact that I wear my long hair down at shows (not in practice; i should change that!) and I had a definite recipe for not being able to see much of my fretboard.

On a couple of our songs, we hit certain points and I get a little hoppy. The suspension on the aforementioned flatbed truck definitely took the hits of me jumping up and down and transmitted directly to my drummer, who said he had to bolster the snare by squeezing it between his knees! Oops!

We finished our set and reassembled in the crowd to many handshakes and backslaps and selfies. 99% of us were mask-free and going with the flow. I must admit it is a little weird, but I'm getting over it, being so close to everyone and yelling in their ears to be heard.


STAG followed us and, as always, they blew the joint up. They have very finely crafted pop/rock songs and, for Stag Fest, bust out a couple of horn players to supplement. So cool and so well done. So well, in fact, they blew the power for a second and had to source different power about 3 songs in. After that was done, the show continued with more lights, fog and high leg kicks.



Rounding out the night was Mark Pickerel and the Peyote 3. Very excellent alt-country story rock with a very vintage, thumpy bass offered up by Drew Church. They were a nice little post-rock dessert with their pompadour and professional delivery.

Great to be back amongst the hopefully vaccinated masses. Luckily where we live and perform, that is most people and so far, no one is making a big deal of it at the venues yet.

I did get a wildly effusive compliment (possibly enabled by several adult beverages consumed by the complimenter) saying that my playing reminded him of Ronnie Lane, Jack Bruce and Paul McCartney. I can't say I'm influenced directly by any of those men (didn't know who Ronnie Lane was; never got into Cream; only know the big Beatles hits as a casual fan), but was quite humbled by the compliment.

For 18 months away from the stage, I missed it a lot. Having 2 shows in back to back weekends is a great way to get back in the game. We're doing it again in Sept, with back to backs once more. Maybe next time I'll remember to take more pictures (and of food) instead of borrowing off of friend's facebook feeds.

Gig report! 7/31/2021 Stereo Embers at Sleight of Hand Winery

It's been 20 months, but we're back out there!

Last year P.C., we were booked to play at a local wine room and of course, that got sidelined. The owner of the wine room is a huge PJ fan and got acquainted with us as our guitar player is a close friend of one of the PJ guitarists. Long story short, the gig was still on the table all this time later and we played yesterday.

The show was sold out and SRO as it is not a traditional music venue, but a tasting room. As a result, when I showed up for load in, there was a solitary sound guy setting up the PA. But what the room lacked in amenities (sound baffling, carpet, free drinks, lighting, multiple monitor speakers), it made up for in heart and kindness and support.

It was a 2 band bill and 120 tickets were sold. For many of the people, it was their second night out in as many nights as there was another shindig the night before just up the street. Many of our fans are huge fans of music and they go wherever there is music playing. That said, it was wonderful to see them all.

Performance-wise, I think we did well. Admittedly, I was sort of in my own space as I was processing so many things:

• The physicality of playing. We have had 6 rehearsals or so the past few weeks and at sound check, I felt great. Muscle memory is back and the tunes were sounding on point. However, there's nothing in rehearsal that simulates playing for 100 people in a tight space. Movement, guitar moves, dodging/weaving with other bandmates all become a thing and must be handled. Luckily, no falls, clunks or otherwise.
• The emotion of playing. During said sound check, I was watching my guitarist and I started getting a little choked up. Realizing it had been 20 months since a large part of my identity and life had been put on pause sort of caught up with me. I thought I might lose it when we played for more people, but I didn't.
• The logistics of playing. Since the pandemic, I have acquired a new bass (Reverend Thundergun), new DI (Aguilar Tone Hammer DI) and new compressor (MXR M87). Also, I started to learn how to play with a pick and brought some to the show. All 4 components made their debuts last night. I will have to learn how to use the compressor as it does make things sound more "present" but I felt like the sustain was too long and boosted during our quieter moments.
• The return of playing. Just being on the floor (there was no stage, just the drummer's carpet) and multi-tasking on the live element was enough to make me not actively listen to my mates. I knew what we were all doing as a whole, but I can't remember any points in the songs that jumped out at me as WOW moments because I was so focused on myself/not focused on them. And then, to top it all off, my old TE GP-12 decided to start buzzing/shrieking intermittently during the second half of the set. At first, I thought it might have been power related, so I tried a different outlet. No dice. Then, maybe my phone causing interference (I had placed it in my gig bag on the floor behind my amp), so I moved that. No dice.

What I had to do was turn the amp off between songs and then during songs, give it a solid whack at times, which would cause it to stop. For the most part, because we are a LOUD ROCK BAND, the sound was mostly camouflaged, but still annoying.

Anyway, there was food (lousy pizza) and drink (a wine room, after all, but water for me (don't drink)), and most importantly, friends, family and lovers of music.

It's good to be back... and we get to do it all again next weekend!


my POV before people started coming in.


my office and supplies for the night.