Big Hand Dave

Last night we had a really good practice, even though it started out with Dave messing around with the lift on his boathouse. There seemed to be a power problem. I told him I would love to help him out but I don’t like to dance to the beat of alternating current and Rodney and I argued about who was going to dive into the water to rescue Dave when he was knocked into the lake by the electricity. Since I had a beer in my hand, it seemed perfectly logical to me that the job should fall to Rodney. Fortunately, Dave survived unscathed and determined that the problem was elsewhere.

As a bonus, Dave’s cousin, Clem showed up for practice.

A highlight of the evening was when Rodney introduced his new Baby. A big beautiful, one piece, Dark Brown Sunburst bass guitar. Sweet, sweet, sweet. Of course, Dave had to pick it up with his big hands and gave it its first scratch. He also broke a drumstick. Not on the bass. He just broke a stick.

We also got a kick out of Rodney locking Dave’s truck with his remote as Dave went out to get a CD. How we laughed when the lock popped just as Dave reached for the door handle. He promptly turned to flip us the bird as we peered out the window at him, giggling like schoolgirls. Ah, good times.

We warmed up with a bass guitar/drums/vocal version of “Bittersweet” and kicked its ass. Alas, we set a trend for the evening by neglecting to record that version and when we tried it again, we did it ok, but didn’t nail it like the first time. As I said, we did that all night. We also had the directional mic on the recorder going the wrong way, so we got a nice roadhouse echo effect the first half of the night. We blame PJ, of course, who came dragging in late because of the woefully lame excuse of getting stuck at work. Pffft.

As an aside, just so you know. Any “Spinal Tap” references are completely wasted on Dave.

We got down to the business of the first jam of the night, which was a smokin’ bluesy cool version of “She Caught the Katie” which, again, we did not record.

Then PJ and I reminisced about Arlo Guthrie and Alice’s Restaurant. Dave, sadly, was again clueless. He had heard of Arlo Guthrie, however, so there is hope.

We did “Secret Agent Man” and that bass was POUNDING! Until Wes spoiled our fun and made us turn it down. Man that’s a great song to do in front of a crowd. We like it so much we played it twice and it was just as much fun the second time through.

“Smokin’ In The Boys Room” was next and we did a pretty decent job with it. I was amazed at the ending, which at first sounded like it was going to crash land, but Dave and PJ brought it home in one piece. Then we tried it again with Wes playing a harmonica solo. We really got the ending right that time. “I’m Gonna’ Be/500 Miles” was next and we played it a little slow. There was some excitement when the recorder fell off the board, but fortunately it was not damaged as it hung there by its cable.

Next we played “End of the Line” and it was a bit fast. Dave plays it well at that speed but it’s tough for the rest of us to keep up. We played it a second time and it was better, and Dave did a nice job on drums. The third time through we decided that it should end just with a guitar and it sounds really nice. Then Dave accidentally played another Beatles song as we had a “Let It Be” jam. He did, however, admirably take it for the team.

“Walking In Memphis” was next and it was about the best we’ve done it, except for the lead singer missing a line. Stoopid. But we played it again, even a little slower, and it was nice. We were talking earlier about doing at least one song with maybe just a guitar or something, and that one might be a candidate. “Here Comes The Sun” may be another. Or “A Whiter Shade Of Pale.” I’m taking suggestions at this point.

“I Wish I Had A Girl” was next in line. We did a pretty good job on it, but we desperately need to get that song to the point where we can put some backup vocals in there. We went through it a second time, and PJ threw some kick ass guitar in there to jump start it and we did a really good job. Naturally, we didn’t record it and I would have like to have heard that one.

Next we played “What’s Up” and we didn’t record that one either. It’s a damn shame I can’t learn to push a button two times. “Stacy’s Mom” was next and that’s another one that we need to practice the vocals a little more. “A Whiter Shade of Pale” was next and I’m really digging singing that song and PJ does some nice guitar effects on it. PJ made the point that once we get that one down it will be really nice.

We played “Good Lovin’” after that to finish up the evening and Dave and I got in each other’s way trying to start it out. Consequently, the song dragged a little, but that’s an easy fix.

There were many quotes and much mayhem.

“You’re like a woman that way.” ~Rodney to Dave

“Hey, I can be two hours late and still beat Wes!” ~PJ

“Burp for me.” ~Rodney (Don’t ask. Just don’t.)

“That’s what PJ said!” ~Dave

“Well I know what side of that fuckin’ line I fall on!” ~JD

“I’m loud!” ~Rodney

“I was diggin’ it!” ~JD

“That’s a Jane’s Addiction song, but you can’t tell.” ~Dave

“JD came up with that shit!” ~PJ

“I did it the way it was writ!” ~Wes

“We may need to turn on your lamp.” ~PJ

“That’s about all you want.” ~Rod

“Are you still hitting yourself on the head?” ~JD

” ‘*$#@&+!’ is not the secret word.” PJ

“Let me see what I got here in the way of a harmonica.” ~Wes

“Want a lemon drop?” ~Rodney

“Even when ya’ll do stupid shit, I’m here for you.” ~Dave

“How ‘bout a little more cymbal? Or maybe some cowbell.” ~Wes

“Next time maybe.” ~Rodney

“I kinda’ needa wanna.” ~PJ

“Can I get a little trailer reverb on that?” ~Wes

“That was almost a meltdown.” ~JD

“We were milliseconds away.” ~Wes

“Do NOT record that!” ~Dave!

“Man that would have made a great ringtone.” ~Rodney

“Once I get thrown off, it’s hard to get back on.” ~Wes

“I’m glad I wore shorts.” ~PJ

“Do you need a baby wipe?” ~Dave

“Yep, it’s highlighted.” ~PJ

“That’s an expensive song.” ~Dave

“I think it’s time to skip the light fandango.” ~PJ

“Edit that!” ~Wes

“I’m in my own light.” ~PJ

“Solid red is good.” ~Rodney

“That’s right … sixteen fucking measures of screaming guitar!” ~JD

“Also not making the newsletter!” ~PJ

“God, I need a new mic stand. Or I could just bitch about this one for the rest of my life.” ~JD

“You know what I like most about the bass? The case.” ~Rodney

Runner up for the best quote of the night:

“Hey! Get out from behind me!” ~PJ

The funniest and perhaps most bizarre quote of the night:

“I’m not gonna’ fuck with any more pandas!” ~Dave