Charlotte - 10/8, Funky vs. the Queen City Options

[thefunkyredcaboose]

Starting my thread a little early because I am psyched for the show!!

Going to soundcheck and all... madness will certainly ensue. Will have a full review! Anybody else going?

[live2cd]

damn i am so jealous of you guys in the NE and on the coast getting to see them early in the tour. My shows are still 2 and a half weeks away and its all I think about....

have fun!

[thefunkyredcaboose]

If I am able to recollect tonight even partly accurately it will be a post to remember.

[+Ed+]

Come on, maaaaaate!!!!!

[thefunkyredcaboose]

Alright I am dedicating this to +Ed+ because of his desperation. I will also go into some awesome detail just for you buddy.

We arrived for soundcheck at 4 and the owner of the Visulite answered the door. He really had no clue about whether we should be there or not but I've met him a couple of times so we got to come in anyway. He's a pretty nice guy I'll say, stopped and chatted with us about how long the band's tour rider is and how the venue didn't have hardly any of the things they requested.

After an hour or 2 of watching the techs test things out (the drum tech did a great solo) the band came out and soundchecked "Crying Time" and Kevin invited us up front. That was good because we really weren't sure what to do and didn't want to bother them. In between tunes the band tuned and goofed off including Sean playing the riff for "Barracuda" and CT playing "Walk This Way." It was funny to see the guys joke with each other, CG is a trip. Then they played the Depeche Mode cover and it was wicked good. After that it seemed they were done and we were starved, so we got some BOJANGLES (I love Bojangles) and I also got a call about a job. This was probably the best 30 minutes in a long time due to all of those things.

On the way back to the venue we ran into the guys as they walked to the tour bus. Joked with them a little and then headed inside. We got some drinks and settled in for American Bang. They were a lot of fun to watch, but I gotta admit the music really wasn't my thing. It was loud and I had a good buzz going so it was enjoyable enough.

We were able to get a spot right beside Kevin's monitor and in front of Pat and Sean when he did his solos. Great spot to see the show. Crowdwise it is hard for me to say, but I know there were over 100 there and it was a very loud and supportive crowd. The TGF set was off the charts. This is a seriously great show and has really come together since the Summerfest show (which was also great). The jam between CT and Sean during Guilty Fever was a really great touch, as well as his solo before the song. The backporch is great and a really unique idea. I really think they are onto something with the dirty blues stuff and hope that it makes more of an appearance on the next album. Also liked the choir-esque ending of Sing. It becomes important later but throughout the show CT was having a great time and getting his brew on.

I'll go on record as saying that while I enjoy this record a lot, these songs really come into their own live. They were just meant to be heard loud and have improv stuff going on during them. This is easily one of the top 5 shows I've seen from top to bottom, and that is saying a whole lot as I have seen some great shows. I am sore from rocking out, there's a cut on my leg that I just noticed right now, my neck hurts, I can't talk from trying to sing like Kevin. It was just awesome.

Afterwards we went through the line like good people and chatted with the guys. Got our lanyards signed (which works really well btw). Were able to thank Kevin for soundcheck entry. CT... did I mention he had been having some drinks? Well he really liked my wife (can't blame him he has great taste). I told him to "back the fuck off!!" jokingly and he offered his chin for me to give him a right hook. I didn't take him up on it, but that would have made a great story. He then told us several stories about getting punched in the face at various times.

After that we decided to stick around and chat some more and get some pictures. Caught Pat on the way to the bus and spoke to him briefly, then got to talk about drums with CG. We agreed the drum engineering on the new album is fantastic and you can tell he is just glad to be playing balls out rock music again. We had an extended conversation with Sean about a lot of different things, very few relating to the actual band. Then... more CT. CT told a bunch of stories relating to the alcohol, and it was amazing. Dude was telling about all kinds of crazy stuff that I can't even go into because it isn't fair to post a man's drunk talk. The pictures we got with him are amazing. I'm not sure if I can describe it much further, but lets just say he told stories for a very long time. Due to this, we unfortunately missed out on chatting with Kevin but... CT story time was worth it. We pointed him in the direction of the tour bus ("your face is on it") and went on our way.

Truly, a night to remember and can't wait for the next one!!

[livefan1999]

I enjoyed your review ................ a lot! You put a lot of personal details in there that almost makes one feel they were there, yet you also convey the message that the band had a good night on stage. Am hopeful you'll be posting photos at some point and look forward to it as your recent photo postings were excellent.

I am going to have to hand it to all of you TGF fans. If others out there have half as much a commitment to helping make TGF successful, then they should definitely become a long-term group. I have noticed that Ed's threads have all but dried up lately. Not many postings giving reviews on his shows. The publicity articles seem to have lightened. That worries me a little in terms of his solo success. He might have to take a different direction. TGF, on the other hand, at least on this site and on the Gracious Few fans website, is receiving a lot of enthusiasm for their new sound and stage performance. I haven't been out to purchase TGF's cd yet as I am one to like vocalists more on the line of Ed's sound. I have always enjoyed many styles of rock, however, and am now willing to give TGF a chance. I'll likely get out today and purchase their cd. Even if I don't enjoy it as much as I'd like to, I wish them much success and I applaud their fans for cheering them on.....

[SJN1279]

Not many postings giving reviews on his shows. The publicity articles seem to have lightened. That worries me a little in terms of his solo success. He might have to take a different direction.

There is a lot of show discussion on Ed's Facebook regarding his shows. The first leg of Ed's US tour is over, and that is why the publicity articles have dried up. I'm sure that they will pick up again with the Australian tour in a couple of weeks.

[Wambangalang]

There is a lot of show discussion on Ed's Facebook regarding his shows. The first leg of Ed's US tour is over, and that is why the publicity articles have dried up. I'm sure that they will pick up again with the Australian tour in a couple of weeks.

soooooo anyway, what else did CT say in the way of juicy goss??? The guy sounds like he'd be fun to knock a few back with

[+Ed+]

Funky, that is Priceless!

[OutToDry]

Funky, so very cool man. Excellent insights!!!!

I have to let you all know that I will be giving a review of Handlebar when I can get my thoughts on the page. Full multimedia too.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

A few responses:

1. No Ed talk on this thread please. This thread is better than that.
2. livefan1999, I recommend going to see the show no matter what you think of the album. If you are truly a fan of Live, you will in the least get a huge kick out of seeing CT, CG, and PD really rock the stage again. That is worth the 10 dollars alone.
3. As for more CT stories, like I said its wrong to share a man's drunk talk. But a few of the things talked about were frat parties, getting taken back to a hotel room on a luggage rack, and teleporting randomly through... London I think? That is really only the beginning. Some really intense guy told him "YOU DON'T NEED ED" and CT patted him on the shoulder and said "let it go man." He did have self-control in that one moment.
4. There are some pictures, I'll see if any are good enough for posting. Our camera isn't great so we mainly took it for entertainment, post-show pics, and to document the soundcheck.

[Heather]

Great review! I just love reading everyone's reactions to the shows after they see them. Seems to me there hasn't been one person that wasn't blown away! I just hope we can all keep spreading the word and getting more peolpe to the shows. I haven't believed in a band this much in so long! They really can do no wrong in my eyes at this point. I just hope they catch on and stick around because, damn, this could be a great ride!

[SctSamadhi]

There is a lot of show discussion on Ed's Facebook regarding his shows. The first leg of Ed's US tour is over, and that is why the publicity articles have dried up. I'm sure that they will pick up again with the Australian tour in a couple of weeks.

Please go back to your Ed threads, guess what most of us over here no longer care about Ed!!!!

[Pokey]

Awesome review man! Sounds like you had an absolute blast!

[livefan1999]

A few responses:

1. No Ed talk on this thread please. This thread is better than that.

Sorry. I think everyone here knows that I am a big supporter of Ed as well as wanting to help TGF along, too. My comments were casual and of concern, in no way a put down. Also, it was a compliment to TGF in that they are picking up speed, it seems, as their tour continues.

A few responses:

2. livefan1999, I recommend going to see the show no matter what you think of the album. If you are truly a fan of Live, you will in the least get a huge kick out of seeing CT, CG, and PD really rock the stage again. That is worth the 10 dollars alone.

I hope at some point to see TGF in concert. I don't think, however, that there is anywhere near enough right now that I can take advantage of. Recently spent my budget allowance for extended travel shows on the Chicago (can't mention) concert. I am definitely going out for their cd, hopefully today. When my situation allows, I will catch them live. Yes, I enjoy all of the three you mention. Have been a long-time fan of CG with other drummers in the family. Others in my family are big fans of Patrick. So, yes, someday I hope to cach them live.

A luggage rack you say?! Sounds like his life has been colorful/fun.

This post has been edited by livefan1999: Oct 10 2010, 8:13 am