I played with the Telepaths last night at a hipster place called The Spot. A Thursday night and it was hopping. Early in the evening there was some kind of comic burlesque show, women in black leather, feather boas, beehive hairdos and tattoos. The place was packed for that show.
I arrived early and got shuffled to a side bar where Peter Special the opening musical act was cooling his jets. Peter sort of looks like Tom Waits. He's got a nice worldly demeanor. He used to be in a band called Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows. Peter was one of the main Mellow Fellows. I actually saw those guys play way back when. Peter played with Big Twist for 17 years. The band fell apart when Big Twist gave up the ghost in 1991.
Anyway, Peter followed the burlesque show with a superb set, some originals, some Dylan covers. He did it all with an acoustic guitar and a voice that reminded me of Dylan as he sings now, also, Waits, Louis Armstrong and Dr. John. It was sublime.
A tough act to follow. And the Telepaths had not rehearsed as a full band in a long time. But you know, we blazed through our set, and filled that room with unholy noise. I think I kind of pissed off the sound guy, my Bassman Amp was cranked up and my Telecaster sounded monster - it's the same set-up Keith Richards uses - and I thought it sounded great. I may have been the only one in the place that loved it. But you know what? I loved it.
Peter V. our drummer matched me with massive sonic blasts from his drum kit. That kid is a heavy hitter, not so much about technique but more like an amazing physical graffiti! It was a long set, a long night. The band got paid in free Pabst Blue Ribbon Tall Boys - and I ended up quaffing my fair share. Home late, up early.
Rock and Roll!
