The second show of our three-day marathon weekend was in downtown Helena for the 35th annual Bert and Ernie’s birthday bash. It was our first real show in Helena since, oh, December of 2008, when we rocked the pants off the Civic Center for their annual festival of trees banquet.
When I first played the B & E gig with the boys in June 2007, the stage and vendors were set up in the restaurant’s back parking lot instead of the city street for reasons I don’t really understand. Don’t get me wrong, it was a cool gig, but I know that the sound didn’t travel across the subtle incline of the lot very well. You can imagine my relief and my unexpected excitement when I arrived in downtown to see the street blocked off with a ginormous, miniature Rockin’ the Rivers stage set up toward the south end with people packed cheek to cheek.
We were the fourth band out of four. I must admit that I did not catch Seattle-based pop/punk band The Real You because I was a bit late to the party, but I heard very good things about them from my band members who were in attendance. Helena’s very own Goodnight Sunrise took the stage soon thereafter and rocked everyone’s pants off. It’s no secret that the four of us are totally gaga for these youngsters. Their sound and work ethic is well beyond their years and we can’t say enough good things about them. Their new EP, Stop, Drop, and Roll is now available on iTunes for a mere $4.99. It’s worth every penny. Rockslyde, another Helena rock band, warmed up the stage and the crowd for us before we started our set; so by the time we were ready to go, everyone was all loosey-goosey and ready to drop it like it’s hot.
As soon as Rockslyde struck the last power chord of their last power ballad, we were ready to rock and roll. We were originally slated to play a three-hour set, but due to setbacks and time restraints, our set was cut in half. Normally we’d be pissed, but it ended up being the perfect amount of time for several reasons. For one, the setlist I composed was pretty bad ass. Secondly, we weren’t in any danger of getting arrested, unlike 2007. Three, my first two fingers on my right hand were horribly, horribly blistered, which made playing my bass torture for me and for those listening to me.
In my opinion, it was the perfect show: the weather held up beautifully, the opening bands were amazing, and the crowd was one for the ages. It was great to be in Helena again. We don’t play there very often, but when we do, it seriously kicks total ass. Thanks for being so great to us, Helena.
Highlights:
–Danny Donuts from GNSR helped me out on the backup vocals to “Billie Jean,” which was our little tribute to the late King of Pop. R.I.P., M.J.
–I liked the packed-like-sardines-in-a-tin-can arrangement for this year’s party. They should really consider sticking with that layout.
–Apparently everyone and their mother thought they had free reign to join us onstage.
Setlist:
Free Ride
Friends with Benefits
Alright Tonight
Birthday Suit
LMP
Save the World
Baltimore
Real Man
Chimney
Magic Carpet/Too Much/Billie Jean/Black Eyed Peas
Spiderman
White Trash Booty
Fan of the Bean
College Daze
Abercrombie Jeans
Sweet Jesus in a Chicken Basket
