Atwood Summerfest 2008

It really wasn't that hot! Not like the last time we played there (2006 I believe). Things were running a little behind so we had to set up quickly and didn't get a chance to check our monitor mixes before jumping right into What's the Matter.


There was a good crowd there by 4:30. Plenty of festival goers had settled in, enjoying the music and the scene. Playing the Atwood Summerfest Rock Stage is always a good time. Rökker, from Maximum Ink runs the stage (with co-sponsorship from Ale Asylum...Mmmm, beeeeer!). He's such a great "booster" of the rock scene and his enthusiasm is contagious. His mom caters for the stage so there's always good food and, in addition to Rökker's Mom, I met his dad and brother this year. Super nice folks!


Things were pumping along nicely when, in the middle of the second to last song...


OK, I don't think my amp actually started smoking. It just shut down. I nudged it...I hit it...I kicked it...Nothing! The rhythm section played on. Jeff tried checking the wires...Jiggle, jiggle...Nothing!! I yelled over to the stage manager, "Hey, does anyone have a spare amp I can use?" He sorta stared back at me with a pleasant look on his face.

Somehow we got out of the second to last song. I suppose we could have ended it there but that would have seemed like a let down. So I yelled to my band mates, "Let's just do the last song and see what happens!" None of us had any idea what Beautiful Mind would sound like without guitar but, now we know. We also know that I have no idea what to do with my hands if I'm standing on stage without a guitar.

I'll have to work on that.


Photos by M. Barrett
Video by M&P Barrett