two more in the books.



WE had two shows last week. Thursday night we were at The Keltic House in Fishkill and Friday we were at The Chance in Poughkeepsie.

two shows in two nights.  Now thats rock n roll.  We were living like rockstars on tour except for not having a bus, hotel, groupies, money, rabid fans wanting autographs and ………. umm ……… well …….. I guess the term “rockstar” was a bit of a stretch.

THURSDAY @ THE KELTIC:
Mike Polito (yes of Freakswitch) with the help of the Keltic House put this event together.  This is an effort to support and help keep local music alive. Now the problem with asking venues to support local is that there is quite a bit music out there that is just terrible. So the best foot had to be put forward when coming out the for the first time.  So Mike asked Downfire & Hyngd to play that night.

As the night started, the crowd was pretty decent. Especially for a Thursday night. Downfire was first to go on.  These guys are no strangers to the stage.  They not only have nice tight, well rehearsed material, they are a group of nice guys all around.  How do I know? I was able to shoot the breeze with them and I love it when musicians just enjoy what they do and not worry about ego’s or anything.

Next up, Hyngd.  I didn’t have the opportunity to talk with them but listening to them, it sounded like the second coming of Godsmack.  So if you don’t like Godsmack, then you won’t like them.  Fortunately for me, I’m a Godsmack fan.  So I thought these guys were great.

Last up: FREAKSWITCH! WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!  It seemed like forever for us to get up on stage.  But thats how I am, I want on stage as quick as I can and I don’t ever want to come off of it.  Its ok, my shrink says I need to learn to share and I’m getting better with it. 

Ahhh, the joys of a Thursday night.  Remember I said how there was a decent crowd there.  Well now its about midnight-ish and we are getting ready to hit our first note.  Look into the crowd and what started off as a good crowd turned into Cinder-freakin-rella and that damn pumpkin.  There was about 10 people there.  And half worked there.  Oh well, what can you do.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON!  So we gave it all we got.  Why? Because it doesn’t matter if two or 20,000 people come see you.  Everyone deserves your all.

The show went off without a hitch.  Well at least not a major one.  After, we tear down, load up and head home so we can get ready for the next night at the Chance.

FRIDAY NIGHT @ THE CHANCE w/Z02:
Four local acts before the headliner.  Freakswitch is the fourth to go on.  SWEET! That means we go on right before Z02.

It was nice hanging out waiting to go on.  Its cool to meet new people at shows that are actually there to see your band.  Not to mention theres always a new family member or two there.  Polito’s sister and father were there as well as some of his friends.  How bad ass is it that his old man shows up.  Scratch’s brother accompanied him to the show.  Brian had so many friends show up.  AND THEY WERE WIRED TO GO TOO! You can tell that it was going to be a good show.

Ok, three down and we’re up.  Time to go set up.  Now for those of you that have read these blogs, you know that the last time we played at the chance I had major technical difficulties.  Well it seems that this is going to be a new tradition for me when we play here.  It wasn’t as dramatic as last time but it was still enough to piss me off.  At least my talk box worked this time.

2-3-4………. I look up and it was packed in front of the stage.  SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!  So after I make my visual rounds looking for my comfort zone (meaning my wife), I scan the crowd and begin to see a lot of people really enjoying our music.  They were dancing, be-boppin, head banging and just flat out enjoying our show.  And when it comes down to it, thats all you really want.

The worst critics this band has (family & friends) told us that we were spot on.  We were even better than the last time we were there.  Now I don’t know if they are trying to tell us we sucked the first time around, but at least we are making steps in the right direction.

As soon as I get pics from the show, I will post them…

Thanks to all that came and checked us out.  Until next time……

I’m out.
MK