It's Getting Haute in Here (Or, Happy Birthday to Me!)
Hey gang! Well things are in full swing here on campus with the new academic year, and I must say I've reacclimated to working past 5:00 and wearing a tie much more easily than I had anticipated (the booze helps). There have also been plenty of happenings outside of work recently, including of course plenty of Welcome to Florida shows.
One recent WTF highlight was back on Aug. 23 (my dad's birthday), when we played a bar in Somerville, MA, called Razzy's, which just so happens to be only a block or two away from where the other three members of the band live (I choose to distance myself from them geographically not because I worry about band tensions becoming too high if we all live together but rather because Duncan hasn't quite nailed this whole "showering" thing yet). I believe that we were the third band ever to play this particular establishment, which some people might classify as a dive bar (although $7 pitchers and gold spray painted squiggles on the ceiling do have a certain understated elegance). Regardless of any concerns about the ambiance, we packed the place tighter than the owners had ever seen before (don't get excited, that only means like 75 people) and had a great time. We'd love to be back any time, Razzy's!
The following Friday was a very special occasion for both the band and for New London, as WTF was privileged enough to play the afterparty to a great fashion show by two local designers, Jessie English and Cristin Gallagher. Admittedly, my sens de mode is by no means as refined as Mitch's (ladies, you should see his shoe closet), but I thought all the clothes were outstanding! Plus, it was nice to be able to ogle gorgeous, statuesque women and have the people around you think that you're cultured instead of just creepy for once (my horn-rimmed glasses and skin-tight black turtleneck helped me blend in).
The next day we headed down to DC to play the last show ever at the Grog and Tankard (no, Wes didn't burn it down by accident while loading our gear out). We were honored to have them ask us to play this event, and it was definitely a lot of fun, though a little bit of a bummer since it's such a cool place. Hopefully they'll turn it into a strip club and we can keep performing there (you should see JZ work that pole).
This past Friday Mitch and I threw our best party to date (to be fair, I should probably say, "Mitch, the deck, and I..." since it really does most of the work). The occasion was me turning 24 (oldish), and the theme was a case race. It was a fierce competition, but in the end the team of Mitch, Wes, Duncan's sister, and my friend Johnny took first place. The birthday boy's team still managed to get on the podium with a bronze medal, however, so it was not a complete loss. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!
On Saturday we headed up to Dover, NH, for our first show ever in that particular town (we're from the other side of the state), and fortunately a lot of our Boston friends came along to the show since we hardly know anyone in that area. It was a great show, except for the fact that we had to drive through hurricane winds and torrential rain to get there and back (HANNAH!!!!). We kept it slow and safe, though, so everything turned out fine.
Last night I had a rippin' jam sesh here in New London with a few guys I usually play with as well as some newly added vocalists. Check back in soon to see where things go from here!
That'll just about do it from this guy. JZ and I are currently undergoing some tense WTF negotiations in terms of a couple big gigs, so there could be good or bad news in the near future. Until then, keep it funky!
Comments
1. Happy belated birthday
2. I can't believe you played at Razzy's! That place is so sketchy. It's kind of my team's bar for the season. Good people, cheap beer - what more could you ask for?
3. Good luck with the future gigs
Posted by: Marissa | September 22, 2008 06:42 PM