RUSTIC NEW YEARS EVE UPDATE

[Darek]

4khiker said:

kane that is the plan. Tape the entire show. I think my laptop will be able to hold it.

crayons, I will need all the help I can get. Hopefully Jeff has some experience in this. I really don't want to screw this one up!

Awesome!

4K, I'm sure Jeff will be able to help you out. Just be sure you have Audacity or a similar recording program installed and you should be all set. If you've got time you can practice with it a bit so you know how it works. Any audio source will work if you have a mini -> mini cable or rca -> mini cable that you can plug into your laptop. If you've got a home stereo try using that. Get it playing and plugged into your laptop, start up Audacity and just hit the record button. That's all that'll really be involved at the show, other than making sure things are plugged in fully and keeping the laptop from going into sleep mode, that sort of thing.

I would encourage anyone who might have a standalone recorder (MP3 player, minidisk, etc) with a mic to record as well if you can. There's nothing wrong with having a few different tapes.

I have full confidence in 4K and Jeff though.

[kane316]

Does anyone want to speculate on the order the bands will play or what songs we might be lucky enough to hear? I'm thinking that PSC is going on first, followed by AFA with Rustic closing out the night.

I really wish that PSC would play In My Headphones or The Big Picture(I'd do anything to have them play that) but I'll settle for Bully and F'n with my head.

Regarding AFA I would love to hear Gretchen My Captain and maybe their cover of Wonderful Christmas Time.

Now with Rustic. I would love to hear Pop Trash, Dig, The Heist, Fake Face, but the song I would love to hear and do just about anything to have them play is Brand New Friend.

Anyone else have anything they would love to see at this great show coming up?

[onlycrayons]

AFA is a real question mark. The last two times I heard them, they played some new material I had never heard before, but they have played Gretchen every time. I love when they transition Gretchen in Radiohead's Creep, it justs blows me away. Also, when they end with Skin the Kat > This is Real with All the Young Dudes mixed in.

A while back at Higher Ground, they played a few old Rocktopus songs by request. I don't know what the chances of that are. I'd love to hear Bad Math, Jenny Better, and Bury Me.

As for Rustic, I always want to hear Pop Trash.

[Darek]

I've been curious about this as well. In terms of energy I think it makes the most sense for AFA to open with PSC leading into Rustic, but for some reason I feel like PSC will probably play first. Though call though. I'm also curious how long each band's set will be.

As far as stuff I'd like to hear, it's been WAY too long since I've seen PSC, so I don't care what they play, I just want to rock out. I joked with a buddy of mine who used to go to all the PSC/Rockto shows with me that we'd like to hear PSC play 7 Minus 1 and AFA rock Something Fierce. It just seems like it would be pleasantly ironic. Honestly though, F'in with my Head is always a good time, and I love Righteous. It'd be cool to hear Rustic bust out some of the would-be PSC songs that they played a few times before the split like Headphones or She gets me High but I love the PSC versions too. I also want to see PSC do another killer version of NIN's Closer.

As far as AFA, I've never heard any of the post-Rocktopus stuff live, so anything off Letter would be cool. Though I'm sort of hoping for some Rockto flashbacks. I know I'm fooling myself into thinking it's going to happen, but I'd kill to hear them play Hurricane.

I'm also hoping for some seldom heard stuff from Rustic. I'm 100% with Kane on Brand New Friend, I think there are a lot of us who'd love to hear that one. And again, Shaker or Pimp or Outlaw Biker would be awesome, but I'm not holding my breath. I think we'd all agree that the bottom line is, whatever they play it's going to be a killer show.

[Darek]

I also wanted to post and request that anyone who happens to have a stereo mic bring it to the show just in case Jeff and 4K can't get plugged into the board. It'd be nice to have a backup plan so all their efforts aren't wasted.

[Jeff]

darek said:

I also wanted to post and request that anyone who happens to have a stereo mic bring it to the show just in case Jeff and 4K can't get plugged into the board. It'd be nice to have a backup plan so all their efforts aren't wasted.

That would be fantastic if somebody has something like that to contribute. I've checked with some friends/family etc. but can't get my hands on a microphone. It would be great, because I'm anxious about plugging into the board. It sounded like it wouldn't be a problem at all, but it's nice to have options.. it's no secret that everybody would love a recording of this. I'm also nervous about this, because while I'm very experienced with computers, I've never recorded a concert.

For now, I'm thinking I'll get there when the doors open.. as you said, would be good to set things up and test it. Guess it would depend when 4k wants to get there, since I can't test much with just a cable, heh. Maybe I can also find a good old fashioned tape recorder for emergency.

Songs I'd love to hear..
PSC - Righteous, Music Man, Pusherman, Closer, The Fuzz.. I could go on and on, I need a PSC fix in a big way! How about Soul Demolition for the irony factor?

AFA - I'm not really that familiar with them, never managed to get a CD, and only saw them once - This Time, This Is Real, Florida Sunshine

Rustic - Oxygen (I love the drums!!! esp. before "I can't hold my breath" !!!) History Crush and Pop Trash (ridiculous sax solos) Freddy Had a Lady and Simple Song for the funk, Kicking and Screaming (guitar solo!? hell yes!) and I'll chalk up another vote for Brand New Friend.

[handsingloves]

If anyone is going to the show from the Burlington area they can borrow the wicked cheap mic I used for the higher ground show. I also have a couple of cables and adapters. Dont think Im going to make it to the show due to the speed of airlines this time of year. Have fun for me!

[4khiker]

I am also wondering if they will have the "girls" back for this show. It's a big show, over the holiday. I LOVE the ending of Light with the strings. Just amazing.
I have got to vote Pop Trash, History Crush and About a Kid. I'll buy an extra copy of LATE and a T-shirt if they play Outlaw Biker.
J. Ward are you listening :-)

[Nuphus]

4khiker said:

J. Ward are you listening :-)

I bummed I can't make this show, but when I read the line-up I was a little worried. Has anyone thought about how much energy it takes to play in front of a crowd? AFA and PSC is going to take a lot of energy out of Gutter and Spencer. Which one goes on first? How long do the guys have to sit and drink before Rustic goes on? I hope that the drinking is held to a minimum for the guys to make it through till the end. I'm sure you drinking fans will think twice about just pounding drinks the whole night. And if you do you'll never make it through the Rustic set. Not to be the nagging nanny, but I hope that someone has the Band's best interest involved for Rustic. I'd hate to hear how "they just didn't have the energy that they usually do", "couldn't understand Dave's lyrics", or worst that one of the guys fell off the stage or fell down and hit their head on the key boards. I'd really hate to hear the Rustic sucked, but AFA and PSC were good. Just hope that this show is a celebration of how great the guys are and not one for the New Year. There'll be another new year next year and the year after that and so on.

[4khiker]

I know it was a few years ago, but they played for like 3 hours at the State for that "final" show and never got beat. I have also seen them on several New Years Eve's, at Asylum, the State...where they had two or three opening bands, didn't go on untill 11:30 or so, and there never seemed to be a problem with stamina or drinking too much. They are all big boys.

[Darek]

I thought about the energy issue as well but I honestly don't think it's going to be a problem. Everybody is going to be so hyped that I think just the crowd energy alone would carry them through, but they probably won't need us, they've got plenty of their own. I can see where you're coming from though Nuphus, we'll just have to wait and see. I think everyone is curious who's going to play first and for how long. I'm actually more concerned about the crowd being ridiculous during the rustic set. I mean, I'm all for going nuts for the band, I'm just worried about people being bombed out of their minds by that point and ruining the show for everyone else. Again, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Booked our hotel this morning. The girlfriend and I are going to crash at the Econo Lodge in Glens Falls, so probably no pre or post-show revelry for us. All the other cheap hotels near Clifton Park were farther South and it didn't make sense to make our trip any longer than it already is. Shout out to Rachel for offering to put us up, thanks anyway!

Anybody who spots me at the show and doesn't come over and say what's up, a Pox on you!

[Rachel]

I still haven't booked my hotel. Haha. Tomorrow, I swear. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone even more as the show gets closer. I might actually have some folks in tow, I might not... but it'll still be cool to meet up with you guys from the board.

[farley1323]

I got two of my friends to come along with me for the show...we're staying at the Holiday Inn in Clifton Park. Anyone else staying there?

[onlycrayons]

I can bring along a mic, it's mono and you'll need a cord to patch over from XLR. If this helps, let me know by the end of the day so I can grab it before I take off. I'll do anything to help get the recorded.

Since I won't have a recorder, I'll try to get some decent photos. Hopefully they've got better light than Harper's Ferry.

[Rachel]

Since you guys are the ones who look at them, mostly, does anyone have preference for photo or video?

[onlycrayons]

I do love video.

[4khiker]

crayons, I have no cables other than the 2- RCA's --> 1- 1/8", I think the same one Jeff is bringing.

[Darek]

yeoldedoch said:

Since you guys are the ones who look at them, mostly, does anyone have preference for photo or video?

I think a bunch of us are going to be snapping away with the photos, so if you want to try and grab more videos that would be sweet!

[Nuphus]

Now that I think I've listened to the Waterville show about ten times now I had an idea. I was wondering if we could convince EQX to stream this show live as well?

Just a thought and a pipe dream

Just sent this e-mail to EQX and I suggest that everyone take a turn.

"I just got done listening to the live stream of the Rustic Overtones show at the Waterville Opera House. I think it would be great if you guys could Live stream the New Years Eve show; seeing that you're calling it the EQX New Year's Eve Bash. Think of all the new listeners you guys would attract from just one night of exclusive listening.

Just a thought"

[Nuphus]

Happy New Year to all. ;D

I'm not going to be able to make the show. Drive safe everyone; be smart and stay in a hotel if you have to. Mother Nature's a &*$%#. I think we got about 6" of heavy wet snow up here in Beerlington. Happy recording!!

[4khiker]

Well, I got all three bands. The show was unreal.
But we did have some technical dificulties. We could not get the input level down. EVERYONE tried to make it work, but in the end it is very loud and distorted. I am really hoping someone can salvage something out of it, but it really sounds like shit.
Thanks to Jeff, Derak and all their friends for helping me out.
It was great to meet all you guys (and Cherry too). What an amazing show.

[Rachel]

I had to stay in town at the last minute. I hope you all had fun for me!!!!

[Jeff]

Was a good show and a great time. it was fun to meet so many hope everyone made it back safely. I'm gonna get crackin at my pictures and stuff. Happy New Year everyone

[Jeff]

Pictures up.. check the front page for links, my friend is here so I gotta jet

edit: pic links now

as fast as
psc
rustic

[onlycrayons]

What a show. Was it just me or did the crowd thin out after PSC? Hope nobody here was involved in the fight during the encore. It looked like one guy got dragged out.

The strings were incredible, really made the Rustic set, which unfortunately didn't contain many surprises aside from The Letter and the streaker.

Both AFA and PSC were incredible. The AFA set as best I remember was:

Open Letter to the Damned
Gretchen My Captain
Technicolor Love
So Good
3-4 New Songs whose names I don't know
Skin the Kat
Florida Sunshine
This Is Real

As for the recording, post a sample and I'll take a listen. I bet that the feed you were getting was line-level, and your computer was expecting mic-level. Not sure if basic recording software has a way to deal with that, or if you would need a hardware fix. The few times I've shot video with a sound board feed, I needed to set the audio input to line or mic based on the level of the feed.

[onlycrayons]

Check Jeff's pix for the shots of Spencer in the Mexican wrestler mask.

[4khiker]

Rustic Set list - Working on uploading the show so some folks can try to salvage it.

Auld Lang Syne - (Ryan @ 12:00)
Love Underground
Oxygen
The Letter
Hardest Way Possible
Man Without A Mouth
Troublesome
Rock Like War
Crash Landing
Dig
Carnival
C'mon
Gas
Iron Boots
Smokeshmire
Light
--------Encore--------------
Sector Z
Combustible

[jinkobah]

this show rocked so freaking hard. not enough psc and wish rustic had played longer.

still kickass, though. jfaweklfjsd

[dubius]

Howdy!

This is Dave (Jeff's friend he brought to the show kicking and screaming ), and I just decided to make a post saying the show was awesome and to ask 4khiker to thank Keith for having my back on New Years. I'm not sure I got the chance to thank him. He'll know what I mean.

[Darek]

Ok, first off I want to thank 4K for getting the recording set up, regardless of the eventual result. We all worked to try and get it setup right, but Crayons hit it on the head. The board was feeding line out and the only option we had was mic in. We were able to get hooked up to some wi-fi and check out Audacity's support page but it was little help and with the help of one of Cherry's friends we determined we had done all we could. It'll be interesting to see if anything can be done to make it at least listenable.

One thing I want to suggest 4K is to open the file (you may have to highlight it) and go into effects, and then click on Normalize. It may or may not do much of anything, but it's all I can think of right now. We'll see what we can do with what you upload, we've got enough minds to work on it we should be able to salvage something.

It was great to meet everybody and see some newish friends as well. It's nice to finally be able to put some faces to names. Hopefully that'll continue in the future.

On to the show. Right up front, I thought AFA's set was the best of the night and that's not something I went in expecting at all. PSC and Rustic were awesome as always, but maybe it was not having seen an AFA show that made that stick out for me, I thought they killed it.

I thought all the sets were too short, but I'm spoiled and greedy.

AFA seemed to have a great time playing. Zak and Hache were really into it and Andrew was energetic, trying to get the crowd hyped. Spencer seemed a little tired but he was probably just pacing himself for what he called the "incestuous evening" ahead, and he did manage some excellent rafter swinging at the end of the set (check Jeff's pics for evidence, I managed to completely mess up all my pictures of it). The AFA set was short, but rocked, and they played a new tune or two which sounded great. I would have liked to hear more old stuff, but again that's just me.

PSC's set seemed a lot more chill than I'm used to. There really weren't many surprises and a few of the songs sounded really strange without the samples Marc would usually add. The crowd did make up for it by loudly singing the "what's the time? It's time to buy ale!" during Wasted. Overall they sounded good, but again, I think they were pacing themselves. The highlight for me was getting to hear Shotdown again, which I've only caught live a few times. I took a partial video you can check out here (as per-usual Darek video, the quality is not good).

Rustic came out after the countdown to the new year, and Ryan played a stellar version of Aud Lang Syne. I caught just the very end on video since I was busy with assorted revelry. Check it here. The band sounded great, and it was awesome to have the strings back, they really add a lot. I was bummed that the horns were tucked off in the corner in the dark, but they still did their thing. As was said, no real set list surprises except for The Letter, which I took a video of. It's the only one that actually sounds decent since it was pretty quiet. That's posted here. At one point the sound guy brought Dave's acoustic down to the front of the stage for him, I can only assume to play President, but Dave quickly shooed him away. The vibe wasn't right for it, but I would have still liked to hear it since I've managed to miss every show they've played it at.

I could have done completely without seeing Hache's naked ass again (for those of you who've seen many Rocktopus/AFA shows you know this wasn't an isolated event), and for some unknown reason I took a picture of it, so be aware that it's in the Rustic folder if you're checking them out at work. Overall, all the bands seemed really happy and excited to be playing the show together and the crowd was hyped, though as would be expected, pretty rough.

The fight was ridiculous. Strangely enough, the guy who caused it as far as I could tell (the guy in the tan knit hat for the people who were there) was the SAME DUDE from the Asylum show back in July who rushed the stage and nearly destroyed a few poor folks near the front. One of Cherry's friends (who I'd met at the Asylum gig) spotted him before the show and pointed him out to me, and sure enough he did the same thing midway through Rustic's set again. The fight broke out during Combustible just to my right and I caught a sweet sprained elbow from holding the crush back off my girlfriend. Good times (sarcasm). On the upside, it did clear some much needed room up front for the very end of the show once he and a few others got yanked by security.

I got some ok pictures as well as a LOT of crappy ones this time around. I was only able to use my left hand for a lot of the show since my right arm had a death grip on the front barricade so zooming was a challenge but it mostly worked out ok. A lot of my pics of Rustic will be similar to Jeff's since he was standing right behind me for their set and I'm sure I managed to get in his way a LOT.

Pics
AFA
PSC
Rustic

Sorry for the insanely long post.