7.11.04 & 7.17.04

Friar Tuck’s – “Serendipity” Benefit/Eckhart Park – “Rape Victims Advocates” Benefit

Two benefit performances in less than a week! Rockin’ for the CAUSE! At one benefit, I missed having my bandmate there. At the other, we missed having our fans there. Ah, well… both times, the missing people were working on exciting projects and we love that – Tim played guitar for “Cats” (which as lame as it initially sounds was actually pretty sweet) and our fans have all been working on great theatrical projects in and around the city (well, maybe Warsaw, Indiana isn’t exactly “around” the city).

At the “Serendipity” benefit, I went it alone for most of the show. I played two songs that I wrote but have yet to become QU songs – “Get Down with Me” and “Tell Me We’re Okay” – and busted out a couple of QU faves: “Have Mercy” and “Say Uncle”. I rounded out the set with some covers and then, the fun began… MK joined me on stage for 3 songs: “The Remedy”, “Cruisin’” and “That Thing You Do!” I’m not great as a solo act, so boy, was I happy to have her onstage. I can’t wait to see pictures – apparently, we look like Donny and Marie. Ahahahaha… I think “The Remedy” was the best song I played all night!

MK continued on with a set completely dedicated to songs from movies, as “Serendipity” is a screenplay, written by her fiancée Arik, that will be shooting around town starting in August. She was followed by Thaco, Dark Green Bottles, Brian Sharpe and The Fancy Lads, all of whom had fantastic sets. I am, of course, partial to Sharpie’s set, who happened to look like Springsteen on this night – white t-shirt, jeans, Telecaster, scruffy… well, Springsteen with blonde hair and glasses.

The “RVA” benefit had Tim back at my side (thankfully!). We played outdoors at Eckhart park, which was a fun experience. We both want to play outside again. Plus, I could actually get away with wearing sunglasses while we played without looking like a poser. The sound system they had us going through was incredible – crystal clear… which was good because we were playing mostly for people sitting out on their front porches around the park! That’s what you get for going closing with six other bands before you… Tim and I had a blast, though. We were incredibly loose and just having fun, rockin’ out. The best was having a guy sit out in the audience, listening to us play, who kept yelling “F%%K YEAH!” or “HELL F&&KING YEAH!” after every song. He also appeared to be singing along with everything (most of which were originals). Unless this guy found us on the internet and somehow got a hold of our CD, there was no way he knew the lyrics to the songs, but he rocked out like he did anyway… and you have to love him for that.

David Wilner and MK also were a part of the RVA benefit show. We thank them for sticking around during our set and enjoyed hanging around, listening to theirs. MK had the most hilarious moment when while she was playing, they blew up the “moonwalk” and on the side it said “Mayor Daley’s Jumping Jack Kids” or some such thing and MK made everyone in the audience give it up for the Jumping Jack kids. Also, we all thoroughly enjoyed the dance stylings of Kaotic Kids, who performed before our set and MK’s set. Just imagine: 15 year old girls, dancing hip-hop and wearing purposefully ripped costumes and outputting about 60% energy because they were either bored, tired or embarrassed. Too much comedy.

I think both benefits were important to be involved in and I’m glad to say that we gave our all for both. If you are interested in supporting either cause further, please contact us and we’ll tell you how you can help!