Apr
08
2005

Scotty & Troy @ Last Exit

PhotosFriday, April 8, 2005 - 11:45:57 pm
(Posted Under: Travel, Arizona Trip, Music Music, Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene)
Tonight Katie & I headed out to Last Exit to catch Scott & Troy, Velvet Elvis and Charmer's Green.

This time we showed up before they were up on stage. We spotted Aaron almost immediately, it was nice getting to chat with him more tonight. It was cool getting a nod from Scotty as he headed to the bar before the show.

The show was really different tonight. It was easier to listen to the songs, haven been in Tempe for almost a week now, and having seen Scott before. It was less like standing 5 feet from Scott Johnson, and more like being a local, seeing the local acts. In addition to that, having seen Scotty last week, the songs were familar this time around, which makes it even more enjoyable.

At some point Scott broke the bad news that they were going to be at Pranksters Too again tomorrow night. Bad news, because we're driving up to Flagstaff tomorrow to see the Peacemakers.

As I said, it was even better being familar with the songs this time around. Listening to them, and particularly Scotty singing was quite impressive, and I really enjoy it. I totally need a Scott & Troy live recording, because it's going to suck not being able to hear these songs after I leave.

After the set, Scotty walked off stage, and immediate came over and said it was great to see us, and thanked us for coming out. Talked briefly until he had to go somewhere.

Katie pointed out Lance Wilson, who I totally wanted to introduce myself to, but couldn't bring myself to it. Later while the second band were setting up, we wandered out to the porch of Last Exit to have a smoke. Scotty caught us right out the door, and we got to have a good chat to him. He mentioned the show tomorrow, which prompted telling him that we were going to Flagstaff to see Roger. We talked briefly about the Tempe Music Festival performance, and he noted that of late Roger & PH seem to be playing out more than the Peacemakers.
I also talked to him about going out to CA to see him with the Blossoms. Impressively, when we mentioned Solana Beach, he said "ya know, that bootleg is from there", which was cool that he was all up on his own band. He then launched into a comment of a recent show already being recorded and the new songs posted on the internet.

All the while, beside me I notice Phil Rhodes and Lance Wilson chatting to people. All of a sudden Scott called Phil over and introduced me. As he introduced me as "Mark, whose come out from Australia", Lance all of a sudden turns around and exclaims "not Mark Ord!?!" and was incredibly excited to meet me, exlaiming to Phil and Scott "I've been emailing this guy for years!". Throughout the night, I'd wanted to introduced myself to Lance, and he'd mentioned wanting to meet me before I arrived, but had no opportunity to. The introduction by Scotty was perfect. After chatting to Lance, Phil asked what part of Australia I was from, and mentioned being stationed in Perth 'back in his navy days'.

While we were outside, Troy said hi a few times - as previously mentioned, a really great guy.

By this stage, the second band was on, and was way too little Arizonian for us, so we hung outside on the porch. Before long, Steve Larson had propped himself up against the wall of Last Exit, next to Katie. The whole Tempe thing hit home again. Standing on the porch of Last Exit, Steve Larson on one side, Phil Rhodes on the other, and Scott Johnson - well around somewhere by this stage. A very sureal feeling.

Several times I attempted to bring myself to introduce myself to Steve. However, it just wasn't going to happen. Steve is one scary dude. His presence is amazing, a bad ass, suerly looking old school rock 'n roller. At one stage he was looking for a light, and I saw this as my in - found mine, and lit it up for him, right before he found his, and responded with a snarly voice "I'm right" with no facial emotion, pure Steve Larson. Kinda cool, with Steve as intimidating as he his, getting denied by him on a light was A-Ok. That's just Steve. Anyone else, you'd wonder why, and get paranoid. With Steve, it was all good.

After a while Denise wandered out, and chatted to us, then Steve. As Steve was facing us now, Katie made the introduction. Steve, who'd been propped up against the wall, smoking and swiggin' on beers, with his suerlyness was very easy to talk to, and it was great as his unemotional expression changes while I was talking to him. I'd said how I was from Australia, a big fan of Dead Hot (who he was the original guitarist of), and mentioned seeing him play at Sugar Daddies and Yucca with Marc Norman and how great it was. Steve's an incredibly humble guy, saying "Thanks man, I appreciate it. That's just something I do on the side". He is a real humble guy, and quite easy to talk to. As he walks past you, he totally looks like he'd kick your ass if you looked at him the wrong way, but in actuality he's a really easy guy to talk to. (Still, the introduction was a life saver).

Once the second band finished, we wandered back inside, and took up position to watch Velvet Elvis (Phil Rhode's band). Or so we thought. It turned out Charmer's Green were setting up. While standing there, Josh Kennedy (guitarist for Charmer's Green) looking like he'd just stepped out of Led Zepplin or The Darkness - or the offspring of Led Zepplin and The Darkness if they were to have a baby - came up and hugged both Katie and myself and said thanks for coming out. Katie said that Josh is really like that. I don't know Josh from a bar of soap (only know his name from the time he spent as the Gin Blossom's guitar tech), so at first wasn't even sure if he was talking to me. Charmer's put on a great rock show. As Katie predicted, not typically my style of music, but I was impressed by how good the band was, and Josh's stage antics. Josh is great on guitar and totally plays up the pompus cock rock thing - I respect that. [smile]

After the set, we headed out for another smoke, and had a huge talk with Kyle, Marc's old room mate. Kyle's a really nice guy (pretty damn common around here), and was quite funny - and quite frankly very sweet regarding me and Katie. Sickly sweet comments will probably turn everyone's stomach, so I shall refrain from them. Tempe is really great for meeting people. I'd only meet Kyle briefly at Yucca on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and Friday at Last Exit we're talking like old friends. Really cool guy.

Soon Charmer's took the stage for another set. Had Elvis left the building? Has Elvis even entered the building?!? As it turned out, Tony from Velvet Elvis hadn't shown, so they didn't go on. Disappointing not seeing Phil's band! Suprising too, because Phil being at Last Exit was a sure sign that they were going to play, as Phil isn't known for just hanging out around town. But I may still catch them before I go - in Tempe, you just never know what's going to happen!

Another great night, especially cool meeting Phil, Lance and Steve.

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