14 September – 10 High (Atlanta, GA)
CD Release Party
I have always believed, since the days of my old band, that for your CD release party what matters most is not the location but having control of the evening. I have gone to too many CD release parties that were at nice clubs on a Wednesday night, sandwiched between two bands who, not only are unaware the night means anything to anyone in particular, but also bear little to no resemblance to the band in question musically. In other words, it’s just another Wednesday night show to everyone else, and then the band in question wonders why they feel let down afterward. It’s a party, goddammit. You just spent months (or in some hypothetical cases we won’t mention here, years) making this thing, you’re supposed to be celebrating. Go with whatever club will let you do whatever you want on whatever night you want.
I have been lucky enough to have had two CD release parties prior to this, both of them were very crowded. Both of them were at less than savory clubs. But they were also both on a Saturday, and both were full of bands and people I loved. This time I got luckier still and managed to have all of that at the club I would have chosen.
Oh, I stressed beforehand, believe me. Though these things have drawn well before, I never believe that to be any indication that it will happen again, and so I was nervous about turnout for the show in a way I haven’t been in a while now. I really had no way of knowing if people were going to make it out.
The day was overcast and wet, perfect for the mood of the CD. I should have known.
All three bands were outside waiting for load-in, we all chatted. It felt good, I always love playing with other bands I know, since that eliminates one variable, the one of “band-with-attitude.” We loaded in, set up. Sound checked, it went well. Daemon was throwing a pre-show party starting at 8pm for the press and such. Around 8:45 or so we got up and played three songs for the glitterati. Jeff Clark, who some of you may recall is the person who banned me from his magazine at one time, not only mentioned me recently in glowing terms but came out for the little pre-show party. They cheered, it was a decent sized crowd of people, a bit more than I had expected for that part of the show.
Afterwards I felt great. I came to the conclusion that I should do a pre-show show before every show. It completely eliminates the usual antsy feeling I get, wanting things to get moving, wanting to go ahead and play. Beforehand I kept telling people I was really looking forward to being on the other side of the show, I just wanted it to already have happened and have been a success so I could just get on with basking. But after playing a few songs it was sort of like that mood got expelled, and I was able to be at the show and enjoy it waiting for my turn to play the regular set.
The Ether Family Presents… went on first. I have gone on about them at length before. So, all I really want to add is that this was the first time I have ever seen them live. The lights went down, the background music went off, and they struck the first chord. I remember being stunned, just by the first chord. I don’t know what I had expected, but it was so full I was completely caught off guard. They were amazing, and it’s a damn shame they haven’t played out more often. When they started playing the crowd was already huge. The club was packed, and I experienced mocking at the hands of people who had to suffer through my worrying beforehand. The crowd stood up against the stage and filled the entire room, and a lot of them were singing along, something that threw Jimmy at one point.
By the time weaklazyliar went on it was as crowded as I have ever seen the place. I have gone on about them at length before. So for them suffice to say that, this was their first show with a new drummer. I know they were stressed about it. And it was amazing. It was different from when Joe played, it had to be. But it was just as incredible. They were ON. And again, the crowd up front was singing along. Between songs Gerlinda would get a silly sort of smirk on her face, like she just didn’t think these people should be so satisfied.
For nothing else, I am glad that I could freak out bands I love by having them play a show with such a huge, appreciative crowd. If there’s one time I can take credit for something like that, I would like to think this is the time.
Then we took the stage. There was a moment, before I started, when I just said, “hey, I’m Paul Melancon.” And everyone cheered. And cheered. And cheered.
I couldn’t speak.
Curtis was running sound and lights (he’s in a band called the Bibles, who also kick ass), and, like the club, is the person I would have chosen all along to do so. We opened with “Hey, California,” me playing acoustic alone up until the very end of the song when the band kicks in. Curtis just had a spot on me until they came in, and it felt like a moment of rock concert high-cheese in a way, and it was great, to be honest. We ran through the set, I babbled incessantly (knowing we weren’t going to fill up the amount of time the club normally likes). The crowd was packed, and singing along. There was a moment at the beginning of “Slumberland” where I nearly stopped singing because so many people were singing the words in front of me. Just to hear it. But I didn’t. I played a melodica solo on “Sherman.” The crowd was so loud after every song, it was just unbelievable.
At the end we finished the set with “Hitchcock Blonde.” I can’t say enough things about the people who agreed to back me for these shows. Rob Gal, John Cerreta, David Henderson, Pete McDade, and Lee Cuthbert are all amazing musicians and they honestly make me sound much better than I would otherwise. I am extremely lucky to have had them there.
They left the stage, and the final phase began. When I realized that I wouldn’t have much opportunity to rehearse with the band before the show, I tried to figure out something special to do after our set. Over email Jimmy (from the Ethers) and I decided to slap together some covers. They were all suggested by him, lovingly endorsed by me. The closest we came to rehearsing was all of us having copies of the originals and Jimmy sending out mp3s of him playing them by himself. We knew it would be messy but hoped it would be fun.
We started with “Turn to Stone” by ELO. Chris (from the Ethers) and David played, too. Somehow we made it through, and it sounded much better than I had figured. Then it was “Picture Book” by the Kinks. Adam McIntyre hopped up to play bass and David switched to keyboards. Adam drove all the way in from Nashville just to catch the show, so it was great to have one of those rock ‘n’ roll moments of having the visiting musician hop up suddenly to play an impromptu song. He nailed it, better than the rest of us, I think. It was a blast. Then we did “Barbara Ann” by the Beach Boys, David back on the bass. I think I can say we played the song. More than that might be too much. Lastly we did “Let ’em In” by Paul McCartney. By this time I had noticed that Lyle Bufkin had made it to the show (he was playing with Kenny Howes elsewhere that night but had managed to make it over to our show afterwards). So David called him up to play bass and went back to the keyboards. I think I had been most worried about that song and it may be the one we almost nailed. Ryan and I did the horn parts vocally. It was a hell of a lot of fun.
I sold a lot of CDs.
The place was packed all night.
Lauren and Rama at Goodsforyou.com (they designed the CD and the new website) had blown up the cover of the CD onto a giant vinyl poster as a gift. They announced it during weaklazyliar’s set and had the crowd autograph it throughout the rest of the night.
John Brand, who used to be at Daemon and in a band called Belloluna, came up to tell me he loved the CD and thought it was in the top five of CDs the label has ever put out.
So many people came up with congratulations, so many people came out who I haven’t seen in so very long. There are people who came who I only found out they were there afterwards, from other people.
I signed a lot of autographs and felt generally silly about it.
I felt like a rock star. And you guys did it to me.
Every one of you. Bands, fans, friends, I love you all.
Good night.