11/22/24, Planets in the Ocean at the Central

Big show at the Central as part of something called the Cloudbreak Festival. Evidently a group is putting on shows all over Seattle during November. I guess the hook is any tourist staying in a participating hotel gets free admission to the club or something. Good for bands,we all get paid, but with so many great shows, it sort of cannibalizes itself.

Last night while we were playing, across town was Smokey Brights playing one of two nights at the Tractor, and then Riffbrokers and Braly/Sangster playing at Tim's. Other bands in other venues as well, so we were a little iffy on how many people might show.

The Central has turned it around the past few years. It's actually a cool place to play again, but the Pioneer Square location is a little sketchy at times, though I've never had problems there. I love it also because it's the closest club to home, about 20 minutes to get there. I found great parking and in I went about 6:30.

I brought the Hog and Goldie, variations on a theme. I spent some time earlier getting tones dialed in and ultimately liked what I heard. I set my Spark Booster to be a clean signal and matched the output on my Tone Hammer so that when AGS was switched off, I had the same output. However, if I had SB on with AGS, it would push a little harder.

At the Central, they had a GK amp and 410 that I used. Once we got it on stage, I got dialed in and was pleasantly surprised at how it sounded. Last time we played there, almost 2 years ago, I used the same rig, but with the old T-bird and I did not like how it sounded and couldn't get comfortable. I also used my IEMs with Planets for the first time. The sound guy gave me the monitor signal and it actually worked out really well. I think I've been getting used to hearing more definition on my bass from using IEMs at SG practice. I may need to try doing it at Robb's house too, as having the IEMs and some ambient stage sounds bleed through via the wedges and amp at the Central was a nice combo.

Terrible red lighting

As we got dialed in, the other bands showed up. We thought the club would backline, but both bands brought drums. Dragontail Peak (love that name) brought a bass rig of doom, a 410 and 115, powered by an Ampeg something or other. Jim from The "NO" 3 brought an Orange head, but used the house cab.

Speaking of TN3, it is always cool to play with local legends. Kurt B. on guitar and vocals, Jim on bass, with his Ric, and then Dan Peters from Mudhoney on drums. I've played with Kurt and Jim before, but never Dan, so that was cool.

Anyway, before long we got started. 10 songs and 42 minutes later, we were done. I think we played quite well, with a couple of goofs at times. Robb went into his guitar solo a little early in the first song, but Cass and I were able to latch on and follow along. He did something early again in Panic Attack, so Cass and I had to watch each other and count through the bars.

Tone-wise, I really liked what I heard in my IEMs. Vocals for me were nice and bright, but as the gig continued, I had a harder time hearing myself, not sure what that was about. I did set my phone up to record on the side and after the show, I took a look and we sounded pretty good. Really good performance.

Off stage, I had an old friend/co-worker show up, so her and I chatted for nearly all of the Dragontail Peak gig. I didn't even get a picture of them, but tried to listen during our convo and what I heard was blusey, articulate, precise and a little proggy. They have a video online from Darrell's that didn't well represent what I heard last night. I don't even know if it was the same dudes. But they were tight and sounded good.

Side note: was great to chat with Whitney. She is one of the OG's from the MS Store and we've kept sort of in touch over the years. Her husband, Taylor, has been to a few shows, and now it was her turn. I know how tough it can be to get out with 2 little ones, so for her to show up by herself in her badass leather jacket and lookin' tough, was appreciated. Loved seeing her.

We were also graced by Tim, fresh off his tour with Duff McKagan in Europe and the US. He just played a triumphant show on Wednesday at the Showbox and I'd asked him to come, but wasn't sure if he would. Turns out, he and Kay came, as well as Muzz. I'd seen Tim a few times and talked with him on the phone a bit, but this was his first time seeing Planets and he said we were great. We all had a great time catching up outside and hearing his tour stories, as well as a really cool life update that we couldn't be happier about. Just great stuff. Talking about dusting off some Embers stuff in 2025, so we'll see how that goes.

After chatting, we went in and caught the last couple songs of TN3. I could hear a bit outside and it sounded great, but inside it was loud and muddy. I would have liked to have heard more songs, but catching up with Tim was worth it.

The "NO" 3

All in all, another great night. Playing live music, seeing old friends, hearing wonderful tunes, can't wait to do it again.

Next up: Sunset Grooves at the Aurora Borealis. Stay tuned.

Bomb Cyclone 2024 thoughts and news

Tuesday 11/19, we had a bomb cyclone. Big winds, mainly. I also have bronchitis and pneumonia currently and as a result, I got out of having to pick Mom up from the airport that night. She was scheduled to arrive at 6:00pm and luckily, Knight volunteered to pick her up as we didn't want to give her any illness.

He had a rough go due to the winds and forgetting Mom's key for the umpteenth time. Her flight got delayed, diverted and finally got in at 11:30pm. Better him than me!

Marci and I were able to make dinner and the lights flickered on/off a few times, before finally kicking the bucket around 8:30 or so. I had stopped at REI earlier to pick up camp stove and some butane. We tried to stay warm and just hung out, then went to bed pretty early.

Yesterday morning, I had to be up earlier because I had an earlier work call-time. No big deal. Just cold in the morning. Luckily we had hot water and could make coffee with the stove. I got into work and aside from some stop lights without power, it was fine. Work was warm and had power and at the end of the day, Brooke let me take home some big battery packs and the plan was to use to power the fridge and things.

I was able to get home in decent time and plug in said fridge. I used the other to see about powering a space heater as the house was 55-58°, so a little cool. And poor Kodo is stuck at home, no heat, little light, but he's doing ok.

Backyard is full of branches and tree debris. Crazy part is none of the trees are on our property. Luckily, no damage, just a giant mess.

Power is out. Comcast is out. Cell coverage is spotty. It's been pretty extensive. A bunch of neighbors have generators, but we don't, so we're at the mercy of batteries, etc.

Last night we headed into Bellevue for dinner as there is power there. Driving there was a mess, but once we got there, Marci had Just Poke and I had dumplings. No wait and not many customers at the restaurants. Afterwards, though, we tried to find some bags of ice to help with the fridge and freezer but everyone was sold out. It was a mess in Bellevue!

We got home and I went for a run in the dark. It had been a few days and what else was I going to do? Marci started packing for her trip to SoCal anyway. The run was uneventful. Dark. It's crazy how dark it is without streetlights. Even with head lamp and handheld flashlight, it was so dark!

One good thing about no power is not staying up all night goofing around. Plus, it's just too cold! We were both in bed by 10 or so reading and snuggling.

I'm on my own the next few nights. Have rehearsal and a gig tomorrow night, so it'll suck for Kodo, but oh well. I'll plug in a light for him and he will have to tough it out. :(

For f's sake

How could this a-hole get elected president again? Why can't the good guys win for a change? Now I just sound like I'm whining.

My goodness, for all the excitement, hope, joy, happiness and expectations around Kamala's run, for it to just lay like a wet turd last night was very surprising. Even more surprising (or maybe not), is how many people in this country are willing to vote for a convicted felon, adjudicated rapist, known racist, proven misogynist, and all the other -ists that that a-hole is known to be.

I keep catching myself thinking, "we did it once, we're gonna do it again and be OK at the end of 4 years." But this time, he has no guardrails, no parents in the room to guide him. He has a bunch of yes men and women ready to do his bidding. And he has presidential immunity and a conservative leaning Supreme Court to back him up also.

And then, best case scenario, he dies or his mind continues to deteriorate and he has to step down, only to be hit with the worst case scenario, JDV steps in and assumes the mantle. Younger, smarter, just as awful, and all the pieces in place.

Just the worst people at the worst possible time.

I went to bed knowing the outcome, after staying up to read and watch. Marci went to bed a little earlier; I think she knew what was gonna happen, but it wasn't confirmed yet. I woke up today to her holding me and crying because she finally got confirmation that TFG won. She's scared and upset for women's rights, both in general and health related. She's upset that so many people voted for someone so awful. And she's scared for the future of our kids and all the youngins.

Today at work, it's just been "get through the day." Everyone's a little off, myself included. I talked to the kids here, Ruthie and Chelsea, and they are definitely not happy. Brooke is also mad, but she took most of the day off to self-soothe/run errands.

I've been checking in on friends and Marci and the kids. Everyone is doing their best, but we all have this ominous cloud hanging over our heads. The way I see it is that we will likely be OK, but there is this giant unknown quantity that is yet to happen.

Will Haley's health be affected? Will Marci's? What about Riley's future? Nieces and nephews? What about our healthcare? Or retirement? Will prices of necessities increase? I feel like we're finally stabilizing and now what? Higher prices?

How will someone like Austin, or shoot, Hay or Riley, afford a home in the future? How will any of these young millennials or gen Z manage to get ahead? It was already bad, now it's likely going to get worse?

I'm feeling like I need to at least get off Twitter for a spell. I like to stay informed, but I am spending too much time hitting refresh to get any new nuggets. Or, maybe I stay on until January and then jump off. I just don't know. There has to be a better way.

I like to be optimistic but I'm also realistic. I am not 100% freaking out, but I am concerned. Haley's been reaching out, I think she's really concerned as well. I am happy to see she is staying informed and learning, but I just wish she could do her thing and just "be." Since 2020, it's been so challenging for her either at school or at work. Most recently it's been money and time related. Too much time working to try to make money to pay for school and stuff. And now this election? It never ends.

Riley may be concerned, but he hasn't really said much via text. I think he is pretty even keeled and he may be the touchpoint for his friends at school. He's an ally and a good bellweather for what's going on. Assuming he has the knowledge to be informed and support.

For now, I want to stay informed, support Marci and the kids, and see what happens. I refuse to assume the worst will happen (naivety, defense mechanism, call it what you will), so I will cross that bridge when I get to it. It's weird being in this position. We are the USA. Things happen, we move past it and persevere. But this has never happened before, esp with this democracy, so will we persevere? Stay tuned.