Why I Do It

So my band, Achalachia, played a show last Friday at Pop’s, and the show went really well, but more importantly, I met some really cool people.

Let me start by saying I felt horrible Friday, I had one of the worst headaches in years, was tired, and not in the mood to sit at a bar for 8 hours. But I made it through and survived.

No one looked at me twice the entire night, except for the people that knew me, until after I got off stage, which was nice. I like sitting quietly before a show, I guess it’s to prepare myself. It’s strange; it almost feels like I’m getting into character. I’m normally a quiet guy, when around people I don’t know, and have no desire to be social. But after my quiet time, and the show starts, I notice a change. I’m more outgoing, more of a social butterfly.

Once I got off stage, or better yet, finished the set, people started to notice me. It’s one of the coolest feelings and why at my old age I’m still doing it. The second I leave the stage people are coming up to me and shaking my hand and telling my and I band how cool we are. Granted, this is by no means the entire bar, usually a dozen or so people, the rest sit back, continue drinking and wait for the next band to play, but it is a cool feeling none-the-less.

So while playing the show, there was about a dozen or so people that I didn’t know standing in front of the stage. Most were head banging and yelling along, but a few just stood there. I don’t mind them just standing there, least they’re not sitting at their table yawning and drinking (I’ve had a few shows like that). But even the people at the tables were hooting and hollering after every song, and sometimes in between lines when I’m searching for a breath.

When we finished our 25 minute set, we started packing up our stuff so the next band could set up for their show, and a bunch of hands came flying up at both my base player’s and my faces. Poor drummer is stuck in the back, but he got some love too by the end of the evening. Anyway, this one guy, who was the most active throughout the show, came up and starting telling us how he really like the band. I told him thanks and the drummer gave him a stick. I think he also got one of the last stickers we had (mental note: order more stickers).

So we pushed our junk off stage and quickly went out back, where only bands are allowed. We drank a cold beer and smoked too many cigarettes and talked about the things we did right and what we could do better.

Eventually we went back inside to talk with our friends that paid money to come hang out with us. I start to feel bad, but then I don’t, it’s strange. We ask our friends to come pay money to watch us play a show and drink a beer with us. I feel slightly guilty making a friend pay to hang out with me. But, some friends complain about having to pay to see live music and drink a beer, but end up going to the disco and paying double the price to get in, and listen to music that is twice as loud and half as good. I’m told all the time that they are not fans of rock music, but they also tell me they don’t like techno/disco music either. So what’s the difference, if they are going to a bar to get drunk and hit on girls, why not support me in the process.

OK, I’m done, on with the story.

While talking with my buddies, the guy from the stage found me, introduced himself, and started talking with us. We started talking about the band, and he asked a ton of questions. I didn’t realize someone could be that interested in us. Eventually I found out that his name was Lurch and his buddy was Dustin (I think), and they said they wanted to see us play again. I tried to sell them a ticket to the next show at the Fubar (shameless plug) on July 1st.

Throughout the evening I heard him tapping his drum stick, and hooting every time he passed my table. Again, it was a great feeling, and almost made me feel like a rockstar. But more importantly, he paid good money to see a rock band, and he enjoyed it. That’s why we do it. I know I’ll never become a big rich and famous rockstar, but if one guy has a good night because of me, I already am. (poor that sap on)

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