almost
while I know so little about the guy, Rick (the R in MSR) has been a friend of mine for about 20 years…I knew he was/is in a band called the Unforgiven, but I hadn’t seen them play for many a year–until tonight…Rick invited me to come hear them play (and possibly sit in) at a place close to me, and the roomie graciously allowed me to use her vehicle to get there…
They started at 9PM…by 9:30 I was thinking of sneaking out…I was seriously thinking of writing Rick an e-mail and telling him truthfully how I felt…I probably woulda lost another friend, and I feel like I don’t have that many these days as it is…Then it belatedly occurred to me that they, either individually or as a band, needed time to warm up–I know *I* do…I suspect some (most?) Musicians warm up BEFORE they hit the stage…I hardly ever did and neither did MSR…As the night went on they got a bit better…I joined in on guitar for a few numbers…I think I might have made them a better band, if only slightly…I’m so glad things turned around…And while *I* thought they were so-so, the members of the audience I talked to seemed to like ’em, as did the guy who hired them…that’s the more important thing–what the audience thinks…I made $10…that was a surprise, but it goes to the roomie, so to ME it feels like I broke even and that’s OK…
ADDENDUM–I DO think a 2nd guitar or keyboard would make a big difference…and it feels like there’s a case of dueling frontmen going on…NOT because he’s my friend, but *I* would vote for Rick, Rob sounds to me like he’s been in Las Vegas too much…or maybe he used to be a game show host–there, I used BOTH metaphors lol…And IMO “Philly” needs to NOT talk between songs–this is clearly a case of the pot calling the kettle black btw…Now, Rob as the main lead singer might work; leave the rototoms and bell tree at home…which leaves more room for a Music stand if ya have to have the lyrics in front of ya…