 |
|
 |
Aug. 04, 2008 Friday night's show at The Sands was perfect: cordial crowd, refreshing requests, pat repartee; it was the kind of gig that keeps a performer going. Jason and Tina, full of life, bought a couple rounds after the show; and our ensuing conversation revealed so many commonalities, it felt like friends in the making. Saturday night, Dewy's got boozy, then boozier...par for the course with Andy at the helm. It was good to see Mike, Val, Karen, and Ryan again; they're good people. Later, Andy and I hit the town and kept drinking, like we needed it (smirk). I've made some schedule changes in August; check the shows page for details.
Let's face it; the fan community isn't coming back anytime soon. My latest journal entry: January 8th Facebook is a trap; sign our guestbook! Legend:
Jul. 28, 2008 There was a little more legroom than usual at The Pump House this weekend, but we made fans. We talked with Phil at length about music and the state of the biz; thank you for taking an interest in Sandcastle Theory. Thanks to Phil, Dom, Steve, and Rae-Lynn for buying CD's.
Jul. 22, 2008 The Elephant & Castle's crew came out for a nightcap at The Foggy Dew. It was fun to see everyone off duty for a change; and by "off duty", of course, I mean tanked. Our master tapster, Tim, joined us onstage for a little Seven Bridges Road; he's good! We're thinking trio... The Pump House is on deck; be there!
Jul. 14, 2008 Thursday night was yet the busiest I've seen The Elephant & Castle; it must be the music (grin). Dewy's became a shooting gallery, Friday, and Riche and I were the targets: eighteen shots of tequila later, we fell down and someone got a giant teddy bear. Mike, Val, Karen, and Ryan returned, Saturday night; perhaps to see if we had a pulse... It was a good weekend.
Jul. 07, 2008 It seems obvious to me that harmonious acoustic music and the IFL don't really belong in the same venue; yet there we were, like jesters.
Jul. 02, 2008 The long weekend is in our wake, and what a weekend it was! The open jam at The Rusty Gull, though fraught with dissonance and disgrace, was a good time overall; I mean, you don't see someone beatbox with a didgeridoo everyday. And there was drinking, of course. Na zdorovye, Alex and Volodimir! It was business as usual in Port Coquitlam: tequila, Sir Mix-A-Lot, and the shame of it all. There's talk of a Tuesday night house gig at Dewy's; call the bar, tell them you want it.
Jul. 01, 2008 Happy Canada Day, eh!
Jun. 12, 2008 Sorry for the media blackout, folks; sometimes a little cyber-vacation is necessary for the sake of one's sanity. Thanks for all the concerned emails though; it's encouraging to know someone actually reads this claptrap. OK, so we played and we drank...and we're all caught up (grin). An international crowd, here for the 2008 Triathlon World Championships, breathed new life into The Sands, last weekend. I met José, Pablo, Aaron, and Team South Africa; all of whom were passionate about music. For the sake of open borders and trade, however, we're dismissing José's opinion about our beer. This weekend is a musical marathon: The 24 Hour Relay bookended by The Pump House, Friday and Saturday night. Booze, coffee, booze, coffee, booze... What could possibly go wrong?
Mar. 08, 2008 I may be growing on the mob at The Sands; Friday night was a great gig...right up to the point where some punk-ass-crack-head broke into my car and used a crowbar to open the unlocked glove-box. There was nothing in there to steal but my good mood, and I recovered it behind the bar shortly thereafter.
Mar. 07, 2008 Raised a few with Brad and Linda between sets at The Delta; we toasted small-town living, Canadian music, and their leaving for Puerto Vallarta. Thanks for buying a CD. Tiene un buen vacaciones en Mexico. Jules, Don, Peter, and "Waterloo" Keith all came ashore like clockwork. The character of The Elephant & Castle is without doubt in its patrons and staff. I later closed the place down with Rob, the barkeep, over a snifter of Maker's Mark. Cheers!
Mar. 03, 2008 After only two weekends, two months apart, it was nice to see so many return faces amidst a notably larger crowd at Dewy's. Here's hoping the trend continues. Of those present, Leland gets the first nod of approval for supplying the hooch; crucial for the near two hours of winging-it that followed. Shannon (les purr) joined us onstage for some Tracy Chapman and left us panting. Stacy made changing the chalkboard better than Showcase (grin). It was good to see Andy on our side of the mahogany, Friday night. We met waitresses Janelle and Deanna for the first time; and of course, props to our returnees: Wallace, Jenn, Josh, Steph, Martin, Tiffany, James, and Devon (the drummer). Thank you for buying albums.
Feb. 25, 2008 The Foggy Dew is truly our room. Another great weekend had by all. Many thanks to our lovely dancing girls; of course, we are going to need copies of those pictures (grin).
Feb. 18, 2008 More tequila! Six shots hit the stage before the third song... Erik, Kyle, Elaine, Drew, Kelly, and Kayla were the core of a modest group at The Great Bear, Saturday night. Yet more proof that you don't need many at hand to make a show worth while, as long as they're listening. Enjoy the CD's, and thanks for the support.
Feb. 14, 2008 Kamloops is being rescheduled; avalanches have the highway closed. Time to hit the slopes!
Feb. 11, 2008 Friday night at The Pump House was jammed but docile. Saturday night, on the other hand, an unassuming audience of fifteen people would see us smashed on tequila before the witching hour; their treat, our undoing. I lost count after the tenth shot; it's all a little hazy.
Feb. 08, 2008 I brought a new set to a generous crowd at The Delta last night; I'm slowly working up a whole new show. Met Jules and Lady George; talked about their many crusades, cheating death, music...and how it all comes down to sex. Tonight, it's back to The Pump House.
Feb. 04, 2008 Came out of hibernation early, Saturday night; some band got fired at The Pump House (single tear). We had friends visiting from Australia, wanting to catch a show; so the last minute gig was opportune. Safe flight home, Lauren and Andy...we'll miss you dearly.
Jan. 23, 2008 No phone, no computer, but there was whiskey; you could fill my head with water, roll me around, and make swish. I'll be taking the rest of January to write, rehearse, and recover from my vacation. Chinese New Year, it's back to the grind.
Jan. 06, 2008 Happy New Year, all and sundry! So many gigs over the holidays; what a blur: The Foggy Dew, three in a row, leading up to and beyond the onset of `08; an impromptu appearance at The Delta, so much so that the show posting went straight to the tour archives; and a new room in Port Coquitlam called Dewy's. Crammed the big show into The Foggy Dew, New Year's Eve! The stage ranneth over; drums on the dance floor. Still they danced, drank, and took a rather uncoordinated stab at counting backwards from ten. A rapt audience at The Elephant & Castle kept me onstage, encore upon encore. Met fellow pilots and guitar aficionados, Chris and Sean; discussed the pros and cons of the two jobs and the obsession that drives one to both. Got hopelessly lost on the way to Dewy's and just managed to hit the stage on time. Doughboy and his sidekick Blockhead picked a fight, but we subdued them with love songs, tequila, and peer pressure from the peaceful masses. A great gig overall, thanks to Andy (recently immortalized in a hand-whittled bobblehead), Shannon (les purr) and her family, and all who bought disks. Having worked through the holidays, I'm dropping off the grid for a couple weeks; Ontario bound, for a belated Christmas. I'm very much looking forward to joining my Dad and Brother at the cabin, for an icy-bearded soak in the hot tub, scotch, backgammon...
Dec. 25, 2007 Merry Christmas, everyone; feast, drink, and all the rest!
Dec. 22, 2007 The Sands can be a tough room; the regulars there are a wee world-weary. Nevertheless, whether it was the Christmas spirit or just the spirit, some hard-earned applause did come my way. Pleased to have met fellow musicians, Clayton and Sonia.
Dec. 21, 2007 An animated cast at The Delta last night; we tested my aptitude for ad-libbing and the theory that one can never have too much Christmas cheer to air-guitar convincingly.
Dec. 20, 2007 Thank you to the crowd at JP Malone's for being so appreciative; folks lined up, between sets and after the show, to talk to me...I've never received so many compliments. It was all very flattering. The bar owner hated it. Much success in all your musical endeavors, Britney!
Dec. 17, 2007 Home from a long weekend on the road; it felt good to get out of the city for a stretch. Driving the interior can be stressful in the winter, but thankfully the weather on the Coquihalla was in our favour. The Thirsty Dog turned out to be well worth the journey. There's a real sense of community in Kamloops. Thanks to Geoff, Shaunda, Terry, Jen, Annie, Shaye, James...and everyone who bought CD's. Grunge is alive and well at The Pump House; good times, but the Three Wise Men...nasty!
Dec. 10, 2007 The Bridge Between has real potential as a live music venue; they just have to get the word out. Here's hoping the Sunday night jam catches on. Good to have met Terry, Curtis, and Lance. Kamloops is confirmed...road trip!
Nov. 30, 2007 The Delta lifted my spirits; between the staff and the locals, The Elephant & Castle has become one of my favourite rooms to play. Reese, too smart for two, charmed me out of a pick and a CD...what a cutie. Thanks for the brew and sharing of stories, Don and Peter.
Nov. 29, 2007 Wednesday's @ Westside Bean will no longer be happening; proving you can lead a horse to water ackhem!... Don't worry Kerrisdale, we'll bring the music to you yet...somewhere we can stay up late and drink!
Nov. 25, 2007 We had a great time in Whistler, Friday night. The Crystal Lounge is perfect for acoustic music and pints. It was a spirited crowd with good requests. The highlight of the night was John Doe, with the best drunken wipeout ever...happy hangover! Thanks to Jono, for having us on short notice; we asked for this one. Love that little town when it snows.
Nov. 23, 2007 After 48hrs of tea, sleep, and enough ginseng to raise the dead; I seem to be in decent shape to play Whistler tonight. See you at The Crystal Lounge, 9pm - 1am.
Nov. 21, 2007 Tonight's show @ Westside Bean is cancelled:
Nov. 17, 2007 BCIT w/ Angie Nussey was a success:
|
 |
|
scroll, access page archives, etc.