Dec
24
2010

Christmas Eve @ Yucca Tap Room

PhotosFriday, December 24, 2010 - 10:03:16 pm
(Posted Under: Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene, Music Music, Live Shows)
An hour delay in Minneapolis. Some issue with the flight to Memphis that is also leaving from our gate. So not bad, but it still made me somewhat antsy as the streaks of red light over the snowy runways of St. Paul International Airport transformed from dusk to night.

But after an hour, we were on route to Phoenix. Once we got off the ground, things were good. Not that much could go wrong. It might be tight, but we were on our way.

It was about 8:30 when we got in to Sky Harbor. We were absolutely all good now. All fears about not making it back in time were put away. And hell, we didn't have the car at the airport, so we didn't even need to worry about a flat battery this year. [smile] Picked up our bags, and grabbed a cab. $10 just to get out of the airport. That was fun. But the cab got us home by 9:15 and was hassle free. After spending most of today traveling, it was money well spent.

Photobox ImageThat left us just enough time to haul our stuff upstairs, throw down some food and jump in Pepe for the 3 minute drive to the Yucca Tap. We rolled up just as Marc & Thomas were setting up. Which left enough time to catch up with the magnitude of familiar faces inside the bar. Despite the fear all week of something going wrong and getting delayed or stuck somewhere, we made it.

Photobox ImageUp next were Los Guys. As has been true the last few times I've seen them, I've forgotten and been plesently surprised that Jim Beach is back with them. Once again, the guy blew me away. Lawrence got up for the final two songs, Sara Says and Hotel Defeated.

A short break before The Pistoleros were ready to go. After all, there wasn't much to be setup, all it takes to morph into the Pistoleros is Jim and PC switching with Thomas and Scott.

Photobox ImageObviously there was no shortage of excitement in the room for this, which can more or less be equated to hell freezing over. At least in these parts. With the long day, I guess I'd somewhat forgotten what a big deal this was, as to date, in the 14 years of being a fan, this was the first time I'd gotten to see them play live as The Pistoleros (with the exception of 2 songs at Teakwoods a few weeks ago). Moments into Hang On To Nothing I was absolutely reminded though. The chorus coming from in front of the stage when Lawrence forgot part of Everybody Sometimes was rather overwhelming. Being in the midst of the Yucca audience chanting in unison "Tell me why you're feeling down. Has the luck stopped coming around..." was easily likened to seeing The Rolling Stones in a huge arena. That doesn't happen very often. It was fucking cool. And while the crowd excitement hung in the air like electricity throughout the entire set, there were clear favorites of the night, if the crowd participation is anything to go on. Both had been yelled out for during the set, and the volume of the crowd singing My Guardian Angel and Long Last Lonely Mile was something to behold. It's moments like that where everything feels right with the world.

Photobox ImageOnly a few weeks ago I'd expressed to Katie how it's been way too long since Stellanova played. During either Los Guys or The Pistoleros sets I'd noticed Phil show up. Was this the makings of a Christmas miracle? Sure it was. After the Pistoleros set, Stellanova took the stage, which was really cool. First up with Lawrence, and then Swafford closing it on vocals for the last two songs. Reasonably short set, and sadly Drove It All Away was missing from the set, but still pretty great to see. Hopefully they'll play again somewhere soon.

After Stellanova, it was outside to dump the camera and stuff in the car, have a smoke and do the rounds before heading off. As we walked back in, Los Guys were back on stage for a second set. A "Silly Set" as it was. Despite both of us being absolutely exhausted, and the idea of getting home a little after 1am was nice, we decided to see out the night with Los Guys, who played right up until last call. After final Christmas wishes to those like us that had stuck it out to the end, we headed out to the car. Tonight was one of those nights where our decision to live 3 minutes from Yucca is such a blessing.

Photobox ImageIt's said that a bar is the most lonely, sad and un-festive place someone can be on Christmas. I guess it depends on which bar you're at, because tonight at Yucca was the complete opposite on all three accounts.
Now Playing: The Black Moods - The Only One

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