2006 Rites of Spring Festival

[Rick and Roll]

Hi everyone, I'll get this thread started but may have to do it in stages....

My main objective in going to these shows is to meet people I don't normally see very often, and to catch some bands I may never see again. Anything else is a bonus.

Meeting Chris (aka the Teerminator) was a treat. it's good to talk to someone in the music community that likes sports....and a gentleman he is to the end. I had a great time at the diner with that breakfast that even filled him up! The waitresses love him, although he has an unnatural fascination with jalapenos Chris is responsible for keeping many vendors afloat with his open wallet...it was great to finally meet you.

Vax, Martha, and Kris were very busy as offical photographers, and although they were "working", we got to spend a lot of time together. A few more times and I will convert your son to the dark side Always a good time when I see vax..owner of the world's fattest wallet.

I almost got caught spending money on hotel water...the bottles have a tag with very small print.."Feel free to enjoy the water, a charge of $4.75 will appear on your bill." Bullshit!

Also great to see vax's friends Vic (Oceanvic) and Matt. Good guys. As for the Moonies, that was the extent of it, but many other friends visited.

The hotel bar had $12.50 drinks and a menu that had $28.50 entrees. I didn't avail myself of those services...however, the entertainment provided by the swingers club was amusing. Every other month they rent out a floor at the hotel, and Friday PM was an odd mix of fat proggers and swinging singles. Without a lot of detail, let's just say there was a lot of "girl on girl" crime...

First band at 6PM was Ephemeral Sun, who I think is in my neck of the woods. My salad across the street was late and I missed the first two songs. I missed little. The singer had split from the band but decided to do this show as a favor. I'd rather she not have bothered. She sang in a cross between a yodel and opera, and had limited range. the music was crunchy but was pretty uninteresting. The 45 minutes closer was tough to get through. I hear Laurie Ann Haus (the singer) is in a goth band now....

Peter Banks had visa trouble (must be a Syn thing lol, as the Drama tour was cancelled this year for the same reason) and was replaced by John Young. Everyone but me knew who he was, and absolutely drools over his music. I was having beer with vax and doing other things and did not see him. I heard he was good (someone please fill me in).

Neo was great....for everyone but me. I enjoyed it, but it pleased the Neo type crowd more. I like John Jowitt, but after IQ at Nearfest, Jadis two years ago here, Arena last year here, and having him with Kino also, I'm thorougly Jowitted and Clive Nolaned out. Pendragon will be there next year, and I know this is an unpopular view, but I'd rather not see them. Not my cup of tea.

OK that being said, Nick Barret and Alan Reed as guests were outstanding. Andy Edwards, Clive Nolan, and Mark Westwood as the regular band shined. Here's a part of what they played:

IQ's Overture/IQ Erosion
Arena The Hanging Tree
(this was GREAT...sung by Jowitt)
Pallas Greater Glory
Pallas Hide and Seek
Pallas Crown of Thorns
(the Pallas tunes were very emotional and well done)
Shadowland Mindgames
Shadowland Ring of Roses

IQ Outer Limits
Nolan/Wakeman Shadows of Fate <Hound of the Baskervilles>
Pendragon Paintbox
Pendragon Black Night
Pendragon Masters of Illusion
IQ Enemy Smacks

Good IQ selections (I have the first two records but not impressed with a lot of the others).

A great way to finish Friday evening.

More later.