By Eric Ott
Thursday, the night before the show, I was getting nervous at about noon time. I got home from work and as I climbed the stairs my chest was hurting really bad. I knew it was not a heart attack. The pain in my chest was a thing called anxiety. You kind of feel like a dork when you have your first anxiety attack and you go to the hospital and tell them, yeah, I think that last double cheese pizza may have clogged up and artery and I am having a heart attack. So, in great efforts to calm down I had a few cocktails. . As I was surfing around on FaceBook I was receiving amazing support and encouragement from friends like Jenn and Marty England. (Marty from the cool band Pondering Judd). Steve called me up to meet him downtown. I felt that it would not be wise to get into a car so Steve being the amazing cool person he is, picked me up. Steve told me not to worry, all will be great. It was nice to get this thing out of the way on Thursday although my stomach was in knots all day Friday.
We got to Biddy’s at around 6:00 and started to unload all the gear. We then did our sound check and I was not nervous. I felt great. I am not sure if it was the not eating before the show or the just a few beers before the show rule, or it could have been the do not look anybody in the eye thing that I looked up on Google earlier that day. Anyway, after the sound check we sold two CD’s from the two songs we did. All was cool and calm.
People started coming in and it looked like it was not going to stop! At 9:15 the great “Before the Crash” started their set and people were totally stoked. I have known Curt the lead singer for quite a while now and he is a great musician and great friend. The band was truly amazing as usual. They are by far one of the most different bands around this area. They truly have their own sound. I guess they sound kind of like the Cure on acid. Curt’s voice is really unique and the bands guitars just swirl around adding this amazing sonic imagery with Curt’s voice. Check these guys out!
So we started our set and here is the scoop. I opened my eyes or looked at the crowd maybe 3 times? Why I say this is that one of my best friends was in the audience. Not only that but, he was the dude that played drums on the new album. Mr. Christian Berling, a man that does need an introduction. He had been playing in Mercuryhat for about 2.5 years or so and had to leave the band for the sole reason of taking care of his family. He already had a little girl and was expecting another one while we were in the studio. Christian basically knew that between his two baby daughters and the demands of his job it would be unfair to try and juggle all of that. Anyway, Christian had arrived from a 7 + hour flight with a time change difference of 6 hours (ahead of eastern standard time) to come out and see the band. Me; being the total nervous dork I am did not see him seated in front. My eyes were welded shut. When talking with Erin later, I said: “I am surprised Christian did not make it”, she said, he was there; he was sitting right out front! ! I never made mention about him and I felt really bad. So Christian, I know this whole dissertation is unnecessary but I thought I would tell you that your amazing drumming and arrangement contribution on the album has not gone un-noticed. I also feel bad because they spelled his name wrong in the newspaper article. Christian you rock!
I will be short about the two sets. Mark, on guitar: Amazing, truly amazing. Between him giving me guidance and then just burning up the whole place with guitar, I cannot be more blessed then with playing music with this guy. Steve: Again, how do you end up with these amazing players? I have known Steve since 1985 and he is one of the best drummers around. He truly takes everything he does serious but he is one of the funniest guys to be around with. Tom; as I said on stage; this guy is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He is the man that just fills and sprinkles sounds on everything. He is a plethora or 70’s musical trivia. Chris, (aka bass-love); I would not be here playing music if it was not for this dude. He is a best friend and my musical compadre. He is one of the best bass players around no doubt. This guy writes such amazing bass lines.
This is truly a cohesive band that is looking forward to playing more and recording more. Everyone was so nice and it was one of the best nights I have ever had. Thanks so much for coming out!
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