Trivalve

see the full Leslie J. Bialik set on flickr

It’s Saturday afternoon, and we stayed to the end of the raffle at Farmer Joe’s, thinking we had a chance to win the grand prize, a new Wii.  Heading home at quarter to five, empty-handed and only a smidge disappointed (our expectations were low to begin with), I got a call from Danny, who had just pulled up to the venue at 39th and MacArthur.

“Some band’s playing and about 5 people are standing around watching.”

Oh. OK. I then learn that the main drag isn’t blocked off, there’s no stage and we’re expected to set up under a popup tent on the blacktop.  Well, I had a feeling it was low key, but we were prepared to play regardless.

By the time I had picked up Gene and driven through the makeshift barricade that capped the back end of the short block of 39th Avenue where the stage was located, we were all resigned to an attitude of “it is what it is”.  A loose knit group of jammers – little structure, but looking like they were having a good time – were running through a set that concluded with “Summertime”.  Lisa, Josh, and family are sitting tight, patient as the set goes on. Only later do I realize their strategy in saving seats for when we play.  In killing a little time, we caught a glimpse of 2 of the  other venues, a really good 5 piece rock n roll group across the street and a one-man-band half a block up.

For as little equipment they had, the jammers on our stage took seemingly forever to pack up their gear and clear out, kind of lingering in the afterglow of their performance.  Danny and I were set up in no time, Gene followed shortly thereafter.

First signs of life: carrying a couple of folding chairs, in walk Shelley and Arnold.  Like a ray of sunshine, the ultimate in friendly faces.  Speaking of sunshine, the timing of our set was ideal, it was still warm out, but shadows had engulfed the space alongside the Laurel Bookstore, keeping us out of direct sunshine, but rendering the tent useless.  Pretty soon more faces, Leslie, Mary Ann, Nat and Eric.  We tune up quickly and jump into the first song, more and more faces, lots of smiles, foot tapping all around.  People dancing – young and old, subtle and unabashed, heads bobbing, more smiles, some knowing nods.  Luann shooting vids!  Ms. G in the house! Mario – paisan! Protege bassist Teo! Swamp dogg! Yes!!

We’re having a great time – playing outdoors is always fun.  I could hear every note that each of us played.  Gene shredded, particularly so on the originals.  Danny thundered on “Big Blue,” his vintage 70′s clear Ludwig set.  I had dialed in just the right amount of distortion for a very “growly” tone through the GK.  I don’t know, summer solstice, pagan ritual, alignment of the planets – whatever! Rock jam supreme with the ‘Valves.

To sum it up, the crowd wasn’t huge, I’d guess 75 tops, but at least 20 came up to us afterwards to express their enjoyment, ask us where we’ve been playing, where’s our next gig, got any CDs?, do you give guitar lessons?.  Our home neighborhood gig, and we killed ‘em!  And what was really nice, this gig looked like the Laurel – genuine, appreciative, mostly working class folks with a sense of respect and admiration toward the community.