1/29: The Teapot Gallery, Westfield MA
Pro: The venue was a candy shop. Jars of individually wrapped, brightly-colored bits of high-fructose corn syrup lined the walls. It was a free-for-all.
Con: The candy shop had closed down a few weeks prior, and we were the last event before the owner leased the place out. Due to various additional publicity obstacles, including us not knowing anyone in Westfield and computer viruses that send pornography out to all of your facebook friends, the band outnumbered the crowd.
Outcome: We drowned our sorrows in chocolate-flavored licorice and Heineken. Two thumbs up, but now Sam’s diabetic.
1/30: Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Wilbraham MA
Pro: Our first gig at a private school was advertised as an “Enrichment Credit Opportunity.” The kids came out in droves.
Con: In order to fit us into a distraction-free space, the school snack bar shut down until the following morning. Disappointment ensued.
Outcome: The school provided us with large plates of brownies and cookies, which we graciously shared with the kids. Dave accidentally said the word “bitch” during Devil Went Down to Georgia, making good on the enrichment promise of the poster. We left the school knowing we had made a difference.
2/5: The Paramount Theater, Rutland VT
Pro: We were treated like rockstars. Free hotel rooms for two nights, a radio spot, and a gig with our favorite singer/songstress Caitlin Canty in a gorgeous, 800-person historic theater. The crowd was spectacular and the show solidified Vermont as a favorite gig destination.
Con: We had to leave.
Outcome: Wannagoback.
2/6: The Basement, Northampton MA
Pro: Our first show with the Iron Horse Group with our good friend Jay Bethea was a huge success. The crowd was filled with familiar faces and people were excited about the new sound. Pretty girls and cheap beer abounded.
Con: Jay bullied us into going out afterwards, saying that we needed to celebrate and that we could “go home and drink chamomile and talk about our feelings” some other time.
Outcome: We don’t remember what happened last night, but it was good.
One Comment
Having spent a good month of my life there, I maintain Rutland is a vastly underrated destination. Plus, they have the best cult owned-and-operated/unintentionally hobbit themed coffee shop on the eastern seaboard.