Nov
11
2009

Josh Kennedy & Friends @ Yucca Tap Room

When A Band Member Is A No Show Is When The Magic Happens

(Add / View Comments) (0)Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 11:49:04 pm
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music, Live Shows)
Wow, tonight @ Yucca was absolutely amazing.

Tonight was supposed to be Violet Wild - Katie and I showed up at 10, both Josh and Rich were accounted for, bot no sign of Bobby and Chris. Once Aaron turned up, minutes after us, he found out that Bobby was a no show. The opener, a guy on keyboards and Scotty's drummer played until 11. And then no-one knew what was going to happen, although there was word that Norman was coming down.

Early on I noticed someone who I considered was Jason Longo, which was confirmed when he tore down a Muddy Violets flier, replacing it with a newer one, which helped us learn one thing - Strange Young Things are playing with them the Saturday after next. Awesome news! I was already excited to see the Violets - SYT being on the bill is even better. On the way out for a smoke, I took a look at the flier and it got better - Joe Pena (Greyhound Soul) will also be opening. Sweet! After getting tackled by Josh for a hug on the way out, I chalked up before he hit the stage, as not to miss anything.

Josh took the stage (Violet Wild were apparently going to play acoustic), and immediately broke into Black Moods classics - right into Sick In Bed and Frontline. Too cool! While I've listened to a some acoustic performances a lot, I have not witnessed an acoustic Black Moods set in person - awesome! I was already completely satisfied with that. Then Marc Norman took the stage, and the two belted out a bunch of Velvet Elvis songs. Wow! At some point during this Mark Zubia and Emmett walked in, no doubt after their set at Murphey's Law. It wasn't long before Mark was up on stage with Josh.

The was an absolutely awesome thing to see, and the sort of pairing that I wouldn't expect to necessarily see. The idea of Josh laying down leads over Mark's songs is such a good one, and what was delivered so didn't disappoint! At some point PC was also on stage when they belted out such an awesome version of Sara Says. Terry Garvin was probably up there at this point to. Actually, he was up there the moment Mark got up on stage, so yes. In the final verse, when the guitars stopped dead and they all harmonized the "out of Tempe, Arizona" it was really a sight to behold - and hear. Wow, it was too good.

Following this was an absolutely amazing tribute to the guy that started it all. Coming immediately off Sara Says, which already had us fired up was pretty intense. And while I've known for years that it's something that does get performed, this was my first time witnessing the old school Doug song in person, and not on the end of an international phone call. It amazes me that the first time I've gotten to see these guys do it was such an amazing version, especially with Mark sitting in on it. Really amazing, and not a common occurrence I don't think, was the fact that everyone involved took a voice in it. Just amazing hearing Mark and Josh sing it in addition to PC. For me, I can't think of a better setting or rendition for hearing it live for the first time. It was also amazing hearing it sung, and completely working as a tribute, unlike the original. Wow. It was definitely voices.

After that, Mark came and hung out with us at our table for a bit while Josh did his solo thing, breaking out Virgina, which was really cool, especially since I'd figured that the Black Moods portion would probably be done. Condolences to Roeder who had to leave at 12 and missed it. [wink] It was pretty cool that it got the girls at Yucca Tap dancing. Ironic that it's Sweet Virgina that gets the girls dancing. [wink]

And some point earlier in the night I'd been out the back having a smoke, and Aaron noticed Glodie showing up. Which I thought was cool, but then was really excited when I saw him walk from his car with a pizza box in one hand, and guitar in the other. ROCK! Could this night get any better?!?

He took the stage with Josh and belted out some originals (Left Breast Pocket, Suitcase) and some covers including Everything That's Rock N' Roll. Emmett stopped past our table for a nice long chat. Apparently I really hit it off with Emmett by requesting the Tramps song the other week, and we had a long conversation about that, and many things. We got to mention that we noticed him backstage at the Blossoms show in Detroit, and it was cool hearing the circumstances that lead to that. Since we'd started out the night with $8 between us, which went with the first round of drinks with Aaron, his insistence on getting me beers was pretty damn nice too! Later on I we chatted more over a smoke outside, got the back story on the lyrics of Whiteout which was very cool. He also hooked me up with a copy of Perinnials which is something we haven't yet seen at Zia. And then insisted that I let him know if I'm up for another beer. Emmett's just such a great guy.

When we headed back inside, Zubs was back on stage for a few more songs. I also got to witness the nutyness that is Terry Garvin. He's by far a familiar face to me, but shockingly, I think tonight was the first time I've seen him on a stage. Which is shocking purely because of the ridiculous amount of times I've seen him at Yucca. In any case, his playing the tambourine against his genitals with a shot glass as protection was hilarious, in a completely kooky way. One thing that was funny to me was hearing him talk, particularly when he jumped up on stage earlier with Mark to sing You Are Not Alone - because I'm so used to his funny exploits on the Cryin' Shames show I have, and hearing that distinctive, Spinal Tap formality voice.

As it got closer to 2am, things started to get shut down, however, Corey jumped back on stage, trying to squeeze some more stuff in. There was something very familiar about this (see: Frock N' Roll). Unlike Frock 'N Roll, Venus didn't shut him down, actually the opposite - encouraging him by saying that it wasn't yet 2am. [smile] He played one song before deciding and declaring he was over it abruptly, making it the finale of the night.

After assisting with a bit of the clean up, we retired out the back, tracked down Emmett to say adios, and got much love from Josh for "saving the whole night good". Josh's graciousness and overall enthusiasm is (as always) larger than life. I made a point to ask him if there was a Violet Wild EP - indeed there is, and he was immediately rumaging through the back of his PT Cruiser, before emerging with a copy, saying that he "should have been handing them out tonight". So I'm not sure if he was handing them out, or they are selling these (it appears to be a best of sampler, with an acoustic Concrete Lake), but either way we scored a free copy - I'm glad I asked about it.

We left at some point after 2am, and were home by 2:08 - we're both in love with how close we live to the Yucca Tap. Especially on nights like this, when there is no question that we're staying until (and I guess past) last call! [wink]

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