March 25th, 2004

      This was our first foray back down into boston since death weekend, and although it didn't go really well, it was Jesus and half better than last time.
      This wasn't as much a "show" as it was the Emerson College WECB Battle of the Bands, a showcase of sorts for bands with at least 1 member hailing from Emerson College (that member being me, in our case). Anyway, we threw in a demo earlier in the spring without really planning on making a weekday trek down to boston (for the maine guys, of course. i make the trek every day, but it's like 12 blocks for me). When i told the guys we were one of the bands selected to play, Blackbeard McConnell got so pumped that we couldn't turn it down.
      Anyway, back to the present day, we were scheduled for soundcheck at 6:20, but there was no way we would be ready for that, as the band wasn't leaving Bangor ME until 3pm, or so i thought. Turns out they didn't leave until 5pm, which means they made great time considering their Boston arrival of 8pm, (more commonly known as showtime). I was taking quite a bit of heat from the WECB people, but at least they got there.
      Anyhoo, we were given a 20 minute slot (which means 3 songs for us) and we were slated to go on 3rd of 7 total bands. By the time we went on, we were still kind of out of it from the rapid drive-in, load-in, cram-in fest we'd just been through. We had to set up quickly and get cranking, as the BOTB was running a little late and we were short on time. We played Ardent, Tourniquets, and Calico -- which i guess are our best 3 songs, although i would have played them in a different order.
      The set went fairly smoothly i think, although i was a bit distracted for the 3 songs because my Moog kept shorting out (mad faces!!!) and i couldn't really pay attention to rocking out, both on my own part and also on the behalf of the band. I had things under control in time for Calico, which went the best of the 3 songs.
      Directly following our set, one of the most interesting/frightening things that's happened to me in a while... happened: several "old" guys (between late 20s and early 40s) ran up to the stage and started shouting at me offering to pay large sums of cash to get a picture with us onstage. i didn't even know what was going on, but trusting my Evil doctor roommate, Nick Tully PhD, i invited them up for a photo. Turns out these guys needed a picture so bad that they paid out over $200 just to get up there. The worst thing is, i have no idea who they were or why my picture was worth so much money. After talking with some people afterwards, those dudes were running all over the building handing out crisp Andrew Jacksons to anybody who had any info about me! Doc Tully didn't care though, cause he pocketed a cool $120 just for leading those mysterious (but loaded - possibly in more ways than one) gents my way. Tully didn't even ask what they wanted with me, and that is why i hate him. For all he knew, they could have been the Mob, and he'd sold me out for $120. I sincerely hope those guys weren't the Mob.
      Anyway, directly after us was a band called The List Exists. We were busy moving our gear for a quick load-out, and i didn't watch much of their set. However, at one point, i thought the house music was still playing, and it turned out to be their set. So i liked them pretty well is what i'm saying. After TLE got done using Ian's drum kit, we loaded up and all the boys (plus Jess and save Gabe) headed back up to maine, leaving the 2 of us there to watch the rest.

      I was only looking forward to seeing The Lido Venice, as i really liked Ben when he sang for The Receiving End of Sirens. They put on a really good show, and were my favorite of the night. Coincidentally, they were also the judges' favorites of the night, as they tied with The List Exists for victors in the epic battle - All winnings were well-deserved!
      Other highlights of the evening: knowing full well that Sal Garro has a great set of apples.... cause i bought them for him at the C-Store! He loves apples!!!!

caleb.


SETLIST
Confessions of an Ardent Heart
Tourniquets & Treachery
Calico