04/10 - Higher Ground, South Burlington Vt

[onlycrayons]

Showcase Lounge
$13 advance | $15 day of show
Doors 7:30, Show 8:00
ALL AGES

www.highergroundmusic.com/calendar/show/2809/

It's on a Thursday, so I doubt I can make it, but I suppose there's a chance.

[Nuphus]

Good catch Crayons. This show must have been announced today. Also noticed that it's in the Showcase Lounge; which is the smaller venue area for Higher Ground. About the size of the Asylum for those of you that have never been there.

Already bought my tickets.

I also put the bug out there that it would be cool to see Turkey Bouillon Mafia or Seth Yacovone open up for them. Opening band as of yet is TBA.

[Darek]

Damn it! Why Thursday, that's the worst possible night for me to try and get out of work. This may very well be a no-go for me as well as ridiculous as that seems to me right now. If I can't get there I expect a full report from the rest of the Burlington area crew. Hopefully somebody can get a recording again.

I'd really like to catch them in the Showcase Lounge too, they'll probably pack that place. Though I admit, I enjoyed the extra room to move when they played the Ballroom.

Thanks Crayons!

[handsingloves]

I'll be there! The pizza operation will survive without me for a night. Hopefully I'll be able to plug in this time but if not I'll bring a mono mic setup or anything better if I can find it. Its a Thursday, but no rail jam or any big events I know abuot this time so hopefully a good turnout.

[Nuphus]

I was going to go through a bunch of the up and coming shows to give the openers, but I'm plan lazy.

OPENER of HigherGround

W.E.S.T.

www.myspace.com/willselectricspacetrumpet


:Cool to finally have a local opening.

[Darek]

Ok, so I've decided it's ridiculous for me to travel hours to see this band and then NOT go to the show that's 15 minutes from home so count me in. Work is going to be pissed about me taking a Thursday, but screw it, they'll get over it. I'd feel like a fool if I missed this one.

Anyone who's going and is so inclined, drop me a PM, I don't want to leave it to chance that I'll actually meet some of you this time around.

[OswegoMatt]

I got my tickets for this show. I'm excited to be making the trek up to Burlington for this show especially because I won't be able to make it to the Rev. Hall show.

What are the crowds like at Burlington shows? What's the room like?

[Darek]

Burlington crowds tend to be more laid back than other Rustic/PSC shows I've been to. Maybe it's just the crowds I've dealt with but there's certainly not the quantity of idiots causing trouble (though you can't completely avoid them anywhere you go) The last time they were up here though they played in the ballroom, which is probably three times the size as the lounge they're in this time around. The lounge is still pretty good sized. You go into Higher Ground and the lounge is on the left. As you enter the lounge the bar is to the left and the stage is straight ahead. The stage is raised quite a bit. I'm terrible with size estimates so hopefully Nuphus or somebody else can chime in on how big the room really is.

I'm thinking that this show is going to be pretty packed. If the same number of people show up as last time it's going to be tight, not that that's a bad thing.

[onlycrayons]

If I recall correctly, I think the ballroom holds about 700 people, and the Showcase Lounge capacity was around 200.

[Darek]

Ok, bumping this thread simply because I'm excited. I'll definitely be snapping some pics and might try a video or two (I messed with the video settings on the digicam recently but I still don't hold much hope for the audio). Still looking to collect numbers from folks going so we can all at least say what's up at some point. Post here or drop me a PM. See ya'll Thursday!

[Nuphus]

My wife and I will be there.

Opener W.E.S.T.
is a constantly changing musical experience. There are no songs, there are no playlists, and there is little structure, but what comes out is something totally different. It sounds like a combination of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Afrobeat, Hard Funk, Spaced out Improvisations, and other styles that we are currently creating. Sometimes W.E.S.T. will just be a solo experience, but other times W.E.S.T. will be backed up by a tight rhythm section, a large horn section, a group of beautiful backup singers, or a percussion troupe. This is just the beginning, and in the next couple of months there will be lots of changes in the group, and we will start playing much more, and traveling all around the northeast. Keep an eye open for W.E.S.T. and we will keep an eye open for you.

:Just thought I've give y'all a link to the opener W.E.S.T. (Will's Electric Space Trumpet)
Should be cool to see this all mixed live:

www.myspace.com/willselectricspacetrumpet

[Darek]

I'm looking forward to seeing W.E.S.T. I didn't get a chance to swing over to his Myspace to hear what he's got up there but it should be interesting. I'll admit I'm half fascinated and half terrified by reading his artist description.

Still not sure what time I'm showing up, probably just after 8 since the opener sounds interesting. Here's hoping there's not an hour long break before Rustic goes on.

People better text me or flag me down and say what's up, seriously.

[Nuphus]

Not sure if I'm in time. Rustic on at 9:30 Darek.

[handsingloves]

Ohhhh, somebody give me five across the eyes! I apparently pushed the record button one too many times and got about one second of recording ! Awesome show though, got to hear the "Bermuda Triangles" first gig

[Darek]

Apr 10, 2008 22:07:57 GMT -5 handsingloves said:

Ohhhh, somebody give me five across the eyes! I apparently pushed the record button one too many times and got about one second of recording ! Awesome show though, got to hear the "Bermuda Triangles" first gig

Dude, that is a MAJOR bummer. I was so psyched to hear that you got setup and I was stoked you caught the "Bermuda Triangles". Oh well, I guess it just lives in our memories unless someone else managed to get video (maxpower?). I took a couple of clips, but not only does my camera audio suck and my SD card is too small to record the whole show, but for some reason the audio and video didn't sync up, which has never happened before, so those are pretty much worthless (though they do capture Oswegomatt's dance skills since he was right up front). If ya'll really want to check them out, I can upload them.

Anyway, indeed a great show. Got to meet and hang out with Handsingloves and also ran into Oswegomatt (who I'm sure will post the setlist he snagged). Also tried to meet up with maxpower but never managed to say what's up once we got to HG, so shout out to all those guys.

The set was good, no major surprises. The guys sound like they've really gotten into a groove as far as setup and flow of the set. Everything was really tight and sounded awesome. It was another semi-acoustic set with dave strumming the acoustic guitar and Tony playing a paired down kit with brushes and multi rods. The vibe was laid back but the crowd was really into the show and the guys seemed genuinely appreciative. Spencer commented that they were worried that the turn out wouldn't be as good as the last Burlington show, saying they figured it was like "banging the Ex one last time and then that was it" so they were glad to see the 75-100 people who showed up.

J. Ward was back on bari and having a blast as always, though once again I managed very few good shots of the horns. I did catch a shot of J up in the VIP and talked to him from the floor for a minute.

Lots of cool interplay between the band and the crowd. At one point Spencer told Dave to "ask me where I am" and ran off stage and back to the bar, grabbing the soundboard mic in the process and then had a conversation over it with Dave about what he was ordering for drinks. While they waited for Spence to get back, Dave mentioned that he had gotten the band a deal doing a Pinnacle Vodka ad and they were paid with 7 cases of vodka.

Another great, scaled-down version of Letter to the President with Dave down on the floor with the people, walking around. Got some good shots of that.

The highlight for me though had to be the outside of Maine debut of the Bermuda Triangles. After Letter to the President, everybody left the stage and Jon and Tony came back up. Jon grabbed Dave's guitar and he and Tony huddled for a few minutes to practice. Dave introduced them as The Bermuda Triangles and after a few more minutes of Jon trying to remember whatever song they had planned to play, Tony said they were changing songs and they broke into a hilarious cover of the Beach Boys' Kokomo, with Spencer on the Claves and Ryan kicking in a great sax solo. Jon sang the high chorus parts while Tony hammed it up and danced around the stage. It was thoroughly random and fantastic and they capped the one song set with a special Bermuda Triangles pose and bow.

All in all a really fun time, though definitely more low key. It's a shame the recording didn't happen and I didn't see too many cameras but we'll see what other people might have gotten. I once again took WAY too many pictures, which you can check out here:

Rustic Overtones, Higher Ground 04-10-08

[OswegoMatt]

Well, I just got home to Glens Falls from Burlington. I'm exhausted and need a long nap. After enjoying many beers at Higher Ground (which explains my mad dance skills that certainly don't need to be posted anywhere) we went back to our hotel. After another hour or so of "raging" (I guess that's what they call it in New England) we went to bed only to wake up and look out the window and notice a flat tire but after a quick change we were on our way back home.

As always it was a great show. Boston next week? Hopefully.

Here's the set list:

Rock Like War
History
Hardest
Troublesome
Crash Landing
Sector Z
Carnival
C'Mon
Gas
Iron Boots*
Happy
Underground
Oxygen
Carsick
Light
Prez

*on set list but not played

[Darek]

A couple of Jon's pics from the Burlington area are up on Myspace, including the "rage room" Matt mentioned.

[Nuphus]

I guess I'll just stay elusive as always. My wife was convinced as always that the guys would not go on at 9:30. So, we didn't get there until "Hardest Way Possible" was playing. Great times were had anyway.

Here's a link to my stuff.

s38.photobucket.com/albums/e101/Nahtus/Rustic%204-12-08%20HG%20VT/

I like this image best of Dave



Here are the quick vids we could get.

Quality sucks in image on the Crash landing Remix .pbr sucks



Letter to the President on a Cell Phone:



I always wondered who was on the line:

[Darek]

Yeah, sorry we managed to miss eachother again Nuphus. Thanks for the reminder about Dave grabbing the phone during Letter to the President, that was great.

[Jeff]

Thanks for the recap and pics gentlemen! I've already updated the setlist archive and put Darek's pics in a gallery.

[Nuphus]

Ya, sorry I missed you all, but there will always be more shows. I thought it was a hilarious as shit to see some guy on his cell will there guys started Letter to the President. Then to have Dave take it from him and sing the first verse to the person on the other end. Too funny.
I can say that the guys were having a lot of fun at this show. Especially for them to finally unveil the Bermuda Triangles. I'd say this grainy pictures says it all.

Everyone needs a ukulele in their life.



(Noyes rarely seen with smile)

[maxpower4207]

Oh my God! What a great show! It was my first time seeing Rustic outside of Maine, and it was well worth the 6 hour drive. I was about 15ft. behind oswegomatt and let me tell you... he's got some great moves! And I think I was standing next to Darek?

Apr 11, 2008 5:32:45 GMT -5 Darek said:

Oh well, I guess it just lives in our memories unless someone else managed to get video (maxpower?).

I didn't get any video. Higher Ground kinda pissed me off. I left my video camera in the car, cause I didn't want to have to hold it all through W.E.S.T. (who I thought were really good). So as I was going to the car to get it, one of the security people told me that if I left the "smoking area" I would not be aloud back in. I tried to explain my situation, but no dice. I remember thinking that I was back in High School at a dance.

Really wish I got some video. This was probably my favorite show except for the first time I saw them in '00, and the first time I saw them when they got back together.

I was never a fan of Letter To The President until I saw them do it on Thursday. It was really nice to see Dave get down with the crowd and sing to everyone. I think it made the song much more personable.

Sorry to all about the video

[OswegoMatt]

It's official, I'm the dancing drunk dude.