May
16
2006

Sobriety Waits For Me

Open Mic @ Yucca Tap

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 02:55:02 pm (Monday, May 15, 2006 - 09:55:02 pm MST)
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music, Travel)
Tonight it was off to Yucca Tap for open mic, hosted by none other than the Scotty Johnson.

As we pulled up to the back of Yucca, T-Roy was out the back smoking. I was quite impressed that when we jumped out of the car, he waved to Katie, then immediately recognised me. I went over and talked to him, and he said something about it being a while and then said "Last Exit - a couple of months ago? When was that show?". I informed him that it'd actually been a year, it was last April. It was pretty cool to be remembered by Troy, and also funny that he thought I'd only been gone for a few months. He mentioned something about a time warp. [smile] In anycase, Troy was his usual very nice self.

After talking to him, Fran and Alan for a while and having a smoke, we went inside and pulled up a booth near the bar and got some drinks. After about 10 minutes, Scott wandered over to say hi. I'd scanned the room for him when we first walked in, but figured he'd come over in his own time, and I hadn't noticed but Katie and Catherine both say that he watched us come in and had been looking over to us. In anycase, he made a point to come over and say hi, and he was the usual awesome Scotty Johnson. We introduced him to Cath and talked while he did his thing, clearing the table. He does that, he works the bar at his open mic nights. (I love Cath's comment: "A Gin Blossom cleaned my table!" [smile] ).

I asked him about the new album, because I know through Katie that he's pretty excited about it, and he said how most of the tracks were done, and the mixing would happen soon. I was thinking there, confused, wondering if he knew what was going on with his own band, because of course the new Blossoms album is coming out in August and is recorded and mixed! But then it dawned on me that he was talking about the Scott and Troy record that is in the works. When I clarified what I was refering to he said "pffft, oh those guys! Who cares about them!". Ha! [smile] Good times. Then he talked about a girl Merideth who sometimes sings, and jumped into the booth beside Catherine to call her and get her to come down. Catherine seemeed awfully composed and unfussed, but we later found out that the weight of sitting right next to a Blossom was not lost on her! [biggrin]

After a bit, he got up to round up Troy to play - he - and this is testimant to how great Johnson is - had been waiting for us to show up before he played. For open mic, obviously because it's open mic, they just do a couple of songs. So we followed, migrating to the tables in front of the stage, because duh, this was the whole reason we'd gone to open mic. Catherine went up to the bar to get more drinks, and Scotty introduced everyone (Troy, The Judge and Al on washboard - which was quite honestly a bit to weird for words [smile] ), and then said hello to "the Australian fans". And then put out an offer, pretty much to me, for a request - because we were all the way from Australia. With unusual confidence (or maybe it's not unusual these days) I called out 'Get Drunk!". Scott replied "oh don't worry, we're doing that one anyway", and then there was a pause and then I saw him process that for a second and look impressed that I'd called out a Scott & Troy song. I think he was expecting me to request a Blossoms song. He seemed impressed by that, which was cool ass. [smile]

So, they kicked off with Stop!, Get Drunk, Think I'm In then Need Your Love. A girl actually joined them on Need Your Love for backup vocals. I did notice that a couple of the songs sounded a bit different to what I'm used to, I'm sure due to the songs getting fleshed out for the record. Obviously, even though it being an abbreviated open mic set, it was awesome seeing Scott and Troy play again.

After that, we headed outside for a smoke, and hung out for a bit out there, and talked to Scotty some more. He made reference to the shirt I was wearing (Gin Blossoms' "Please Don't Let Us See Our Ex-Girlfriends On The Road Tour '91"), and I joked about how I'd been wearing a Peacemakers shirt today, and thought it best that I changed for tonight. [smile] He came back with a suitably snotty reply in agreeance. [smile] Then we talked a little about the Scott & Troy record, and asked for a insider scoop on what will be on it. He shot off Think I'm In, Need Your Love, Beautiful Day. I asked about Stop!, and he said that he didn't think so, and I said "because of the whole Gin Blossom's doing it?", which appeared to be the reason.

After a while we went back in. The night, which was just going to be, more or less an excuse to see Scotty turned into somewhat of a blinder. [smile] The open mic I went to last night was a lot more low key than what they are these days.

Catherine talked about how much fun she is having, and how much she loves it out here. Which is really cool, she's having an absolute ball. And said how surreal it was to sit at Yucca and have Scotty just walk past.

At one stage I could feel people behind me, and turned around, and The Judge said "don't worry, we're just playing a game - I had no fucking idea what was going on, and then someone explained to me that they (lead by Johnson) were reading the back of the t-shirt - which is pure snotty Gin Blossoms form has a list of fake tour dates. Scotty was no doubt really getting a kick out of it, as he came up a few times to show people.

There was a funny cultural incident when Cath and I changed from burbon to scotch. Katie went to the bar, and my order was scotch and dry. As it turned out, Venus had no idea what "dry" was (which is interesting, for a barmaid), and obviously Katie didn't either, because I had to go up to the bar and explain to Venus that it was scotch and dry ginger. Yucca drinks - were usual Yucca drinks - cheap and strong! [smile] Actually exceptionally strong last night! [smile] The end of my last two drinks tasted like straight scotch. Yucca Tap Room is great.

Catherine and I were travelling fairly well by the end of the night. Actually, I kinda felt fine until I got up to leave, and realised that the last drink really kicked me in the ass! [smile] I've certainly been more drunk, but I was definately more drunk than I was expecting for a quiet night @ Yucca for open mic. [smile]

Last night was awesome. And like I said, it's great to see Catherine having as much fun as she is! [smile]

Writing this, I feel somewhat hung over - which the Arizona heat is maybe not great for. But hey, who the fuck is complaining?! [smile]

To quote Scotty, "may I'll dry out for a while" - okay, probably not. I just want to get drunk all the time. [wink]

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