(Editor's note: this was posted to the Slacktone Yahoo Group by bksmithey@yahoo.com)
Colorado enjoyed its first ever Slacktone show last night. The show was opened by local instrumental band "Get 3 Coffins Ready". 3 Coffins played a nice set of reverbed, surf-y instrumentals with a bit of a Link Wray-ish rebel vibe. This was my first time seeing them, I thought they sounded great and kicked off the evening nicely.
Slacktone started off with "Coffin Closer" and flew through another couple of songs in quick succession. I've see Sam with Dick Dale a few times, and Dusty with DD a few years ago and also recently with Agent Orange, but I think they were playing last night with more energy than I've ever seen (not easy to do in this thin air!). Those in the crowd who hadn't seen Dusty before couldn't believe their eyes and ears; after a few songs were played some guy from the crowd jokingly yelled "play faster!" which brought a laugh from those around him and a smile from Dusty.
They played through a bunch of Slacktone favorites, and everything sounded great. We got a nice little run of cover tunes in the middle of the set: Hawaii Five-O, Mr. Moto, and Penetration -- I think Dave said that Mr. Moto was written in the 50's by Agent Orange :-) Late in the set they played an absolutely beautiful Rell Sunn Aloha, one of my favorite Slacktone tunes. Blast Bolero, Mysterioso, The Bells of St. Kahuna, Brian's Beached Piano, Hit Man, Tiki Bar Crawl -- I can't remember all of the set list, but we got all of the classics in a LONG (1.5 hour) set.
My wife and I were at the front of the stage right in front of Dave for most of the show, and it was incredible. And not only it is amazing to watch and hear him play, but between songs he's making dedications to the opening band, and the venue owners, and the crowd, and talking about the songs, and making the audience feel like we're old friends. The entire band are not only great musicians, they are great performers, and I mean that as the highest form of compliment.
The show closed with a ripping Miserlou, and I guess that meant we had to send them back to California. It was really special for me to finally get to see Slacktone, I've been wondering for years if I'd
ever get the chance. Thanks so much to the guys for making the trip to Colorado, I hope we made you feel welcome. Wishing you a safe trip home, and hoping you are already talking about "when we go back to Colorado ..."
the live recording of this show peels the paint off my walls.
That paint needed killing.
Cool that there's a recording out there. Hope you guys are on it, too.