Frank Black/David Lovering/Bennies @ Little Brothers
So, I got a call from my buddy Todd in Shippensburg, PA that he had some friends coming into Columbus looking for a place to crash the next day...could I help them out. No problem...how many? 3 guys, one's in a wheelchair...they're in a band called the Bennies who are opening up for Frank Black. Can they get me on the guest list? I don't see why not. So began my fun.
Brett, Jack and Jeremy of the Bennies showed up and were super cool. We hung out and listened to music all afternoon. This made me realize that I need to make more friends who are as nutso about music as I am.
Got to the show early to see my newfound friends set. I was sutiably impressed. Not having heard the Bennies before I was surprised to see who played what...Jeremy was the guitar player and sang lead on much of their material! A frontman in a wheelchair was a first for me. I really dug their set and have been listening to their CDs a lot ever since. Rick Allen reviewing the show in the Other Paper said they were like a "young Guided By Voices on a good night". High praise, IMO. They sold out of CDs the brought in and were psyched at the reception. Seems they've opened for Frank on prior tours and the "Blackheads" are familiar with them and their material. Signing autographs and meeting with (mainly female) fans...damn, these guys are rock stars
Next up was David Lovering. I listen to the Pixies, but wasn't that familiar with the other members of the band. Until he started taking questions from the crowd, I was unaware that he had played with Frank in that band. He put on a science based magic demonstration that was pretty cool. He caught a pickle on fire by sending some kind of waves through the air and similar stuff. No music was played. Unique to say the least. He told me later that someone had him autograph the pickle.
Then came Frank Black. I wasn't that familiar with most of his solo stuff but was blown away by his set. Rocking out! I weazeled down to front-and-center just before his set and was just having a blast. The girl who moved in and started 'dancing' with me certainly didn't hurt my enjoyment of the set! Though the guy she was with didn't seem as pleased that she kept grabbing my hands and putting them on her waist
I looked over at one point and Jeremy was right next to me with a female admirer digging the band. I'm now in the market for all of Frank's stuff.
After the show I ended up down at Hounddog's with the Bennies guys and David Lovering and his date. David really is a good magician and was pulling off some great close-up card tricks. At this point things begin to get hazy but I gotta believe the staff of Hounddog's is used to such drunken behaivior.
My buddy Todd called the next day to thank me for helping out his friends. I had to thank him for setting me up for one of the funnest times I've had in a long time. The Bennies packed up their van and were headed off to open for Frank that night in Pittsburgh. Hope they got there on time...they were cutting it close hanging out listening to music.
Bram
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