John Hendow

Last night’s gig was our best yet. We’re locking in on some great elements within our music and the internal focus is really improving. There are lots of external factors that influence the quality of a show, and among them are the other bands on the bill. Last night The Preons were the final performer in a night of four bands. Note to promoters out there: it’s really crummy to book four bands on the same night. The agreement among the bands, and with the bar, was the each band would play a 45 minute set in order to avoid having the last band (us) starting so late. Someone (sound operator usually) really needs to be the big meanie and enforce set times.

When I arrived at the bar at 6:30 last night I represented 25% of the total population of the room – including the bartender! The sound operator arrived about 20 minutes later, followed by a few social drinkers stopping by to get a quick cocktail before heading home. I left at 8:00 to run down the street for 1 Uppers rehearsal. At that point people and musicians were still drifting in. There was no indication the first band was ready to begin, but I assumed they’d be underway before too long. When I returned from my rehearsal shortly after 10:00 I discovered that the second band was only just starting their 45 minute set. One hour and ten minutes later they finished. The next band started ten minutes later, and they played an hour-plus set. Note to other bands out there: as much as it sucks to be slotted on a four-band bill and have your time restricted, please remember your brethren… starting late and playing late will impact everything that is scheduled to occur after you. And so some time around 12:30, The Preons began our 45 minute set, playing to the faithful handful of people who had stayed long enough to hear us. Two friends of mine stuck it out and stayed until the end of our set (thanks Chris and Don!).

The set was pretty standard for a Preons gig, but we really had a good lock on the music. Josh seemed very relaxed and comfortable, and his vocals had an unusual urgency. Janie was supremely confident. After our set, two people from other bands came up and complimented her on her playing. That’s especially gratifying when it comes from fellow musicians. Brad, as usual, was great. He plays with a consistently high level of musicianship and awareness, which raises the overall experience for the balance of the band. I was very satisfied last night with my playing, despite a couple of minor spots where my rhythm was a little loose. The Ashdown rig delivers such immediacy on the low end of my bass that I found myself tempted to dial down the lower frequencies a bit.

We hit our stride from the first notes of the opener “Cobra Kai” and cruised through the set nicely. I had a lot of fun playing big chords on the bass. I think my brain is already absorbing the idea that I’ll be using the Warr Guitar, and my patterns are opening up into wider voicings and two-handed parts. After the show I had a nice conversation with the young woman who played bass in the band before us. She played both electric bass guitar and 7/8 acoustic (upright) bass, and it’s obvious she has classical training. It’s probably one of more satisfying post-gig bass summits that I’ve had. That conversation probably lasted 15 minutes and by the time I loaded up the car and headed for home it was already close to 2:00 AM. Four hours of sleep, and I got up to head for work. Thank goodness for the awesome power of caffeine!