Jul
04
2010

Fourth Of July Part - 2

Fabulous Phoenix Fourth

(Add / View Comments) (0)PhotosSunday, July 4, 2010 - 11:48:45 pm
(Posted Under: No Category)
After Iguana Macks we headed to Fuddruckers for dinner. Which wasn't really planned, but Katie had the idea while we were watching the guys play, which sounded like a fantastic day - it was fourth of July after all, what could be more patriotic for us than eating at Fudds?

So we headed down to the one on Priest, and ate pretty quickly to head back, as we had plans to go down to see the Phoenix fireworks - where both Shelby and Los Guys were scheduled to play. Our plan was to take the light rail down, so that we didn't have to worry about parking. Additionally it meant that we could ride the light rail, which was haven't done the whole time since living here.

It was definitely something, effectively riding a tram again. Something we used to do every day, but haven't in over a year. Since we were having so much fun at Iguana Macks, we were running a bit late, because we'd actually planned to leave before the end of Josh & Bobby's set. And the light rail took longer than we expected to get to downtown Phoenix. All the same, we were both glad that we stuck with our plan.

By the time we got to Steele Indian School Park it was close to 7:45pm, and hence likely that we'd missed most if not all of Shelby's set. By the time we did get to the lake stage, we caught the end of Starting To Hurt and one of Amos' songs before the ended. We had doubts about Los Guys playing, since Katie had noticed that Zub's dates said they were playing in Prescott at 9. Unfortunately for us, our thoughts surrounding that were confirmed. So instead we took the opportunity to take a look around the park at the festivities that were going on. There was certainly no shortage of people there.

Definitely a highlight of the whole thing was the "mister" area, which was basically a huge back hoe, with a nozzle connected to it spraying water. I'm not sure I would have called it a mister as much as I would have called it a giant fire hose! Of course, it seemed like it'd be nice to cool off, but as we made our way around to it, it became obvious just how much water it was spraying, by the massive mud pool around it all the way down to the lake. Interestingly, especially after night fell, with the spot lights behind it, and kids screaming (but running towards it, not away from it), it looked a hell of a lot like a scene out of Terminator. I can certainly say that I've lived in two severally drought affected places, and the differences in how that is treated is pretty remarkable.

Photobox ImageIn any case, as it got closer to the time for the fireworks, we found a quite place by the lake and waited. Which was a good opportunity to take some photos across the lake. The fireworks themselves were quite impressive and definitely worth the trip down there, lasting for at least half an hour. The first two songs played during the fireworks were Beautiful Day (U2) and...well, some Coldplay song. I can't be expected to know one Coldplay song from another. [wink] The point being, could they have chosen two songs slightly more American for 4th of July than one from an Irish band, and one from a British band?!? It was kinda amazing to me! But I digress. The fireworks were great, and despite not taking my tripod as I didn't think I was going to bother with photos, I ended up getting some cool shots!

Photobox ImageAll in all it was a fine night, despite missing Shelby. Which was finished up with a light rail ride back to Tempe. Which was kinda less fun and novel than on the one down, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't partially wish that we had the car when we were leaving. But of course, we didn't have to worry about drunk drivers.
Jul
04
2010

Fourth Of July - Part 1

Josh & Bobby @ Iguana Macks

(Add / View Comments) (0)Sunday, July 4, 2010 - 05:16:54 pm
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music)
The celebrations for this 4th of July, my second one in the States, more or less started with seeing Josh & Bobby at Iguana Macks. Largely influenced by my DR-07 purchase yesterday and wanting to give it a try out. Not that it isn't conceivable that we wouldn't gone to see the guys play anyway.

Getting to Iguana Macks was equally dubious in the middle of the day as it is at night. Our saving grace being that I had the address on my iPod. We were kinda late as it was, god knows how much later we would have been if I hadn't thought to check my iPod calendar for the address!

What followed was an awesome two hours. The weather today was awesome. Cooler than it's been lately, around 93, with a nice breeze. It was a perfect day to be outside on the patio watching the guys do their acoustic thing, with a cold Corona in hand! We were greeted when we walked in by Bobby asking us if we had any illegal fireworks - mid song. [smile] We actually showed up two songs before the first set break, and when they came over to shoot the shit, I cleared recording with them, which they had no problem with.

Really fun afternoon, can't think of better way to have spent it actually.

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