Saturday December 15, 2007
Allen's
Clarke Middle School Benefit
Athens, GA
This is the one show we kept on the calendar.
Yes, it's true. We ditched several dates in order to re-group and / or focus on
the studio work but I'd always wanted to play at Allen's (even in the new
location) just 'cause of the Athens history involved and this was also a benefit
to raise money for Clarke Middle School's after school program. As it turned
out, it provided Josh's parents with a chance to meet us and see their boy
making his local debut with the group. So it was alright all the way around.
There are no photos from this show. It only seems appropriate since there
were no pics from
the first Critical Darlings show (you can click this link to read what that was
like). I consider this the last show of an era. I don't know why. I
guess I just need that demarcation. And the official release of a single of some
of the Satisfactionista stuff on January
1 suits that fine.
So we'll begin again refreshed and recharged with our January 4 Atlanta show at
10 High.
As for this one, it was alright. We didn't have a soundcheck and worked our way
into it following a crazy, cool introduction by Steven (who invited us to play).
There were a few technical problems, not the least of which was me losing
control over my guitar equipment for about half of "Towel Cape Song" but we got
through thanks to a rescue mission by Carla LaFever. We were slightly rusty
after being in studio mode and this was more of a polite audience than the crazy
people that we've so enjoyed lately but again, I think we worked it about as
well as it could be.
I didn't really start feeling like I was playing until "Sometimes I'm Sam". And
then "Sadder Day" was smoking, garnering a nice round of applause. Joe "Captain
Fingers" Orr cut loose on that and "The Only Way". We broke out "Waiting For The
Siren" with Josh for the first time due to a request. We still don't have the
groove quite nailed down on that one but it rocked suitably. Of course, the last
bit was its usual over the top bit of ridiculousness.
"I Won't Stand Still" was especially potent tonight and led into the swagger of
"Phony". It was quite THE ROCK. By now I
noticed quite a few people taking pics with their cell phones. If you have any,
feel free to shoot me a couple of 'em via email (chris@criticaldarlings.com).
I'd love to see 'em since we don't have any of our own.
"Taking Its Toll" and "Give Up Town" wound things up nicely. I decided to pull
out "Rebel Rebel" for our friend Jonathan as a pseudo-encore. Truth be told, I
had the best time of the night bouncing around during this song. It's just so
freeing to not have the guitar around my neck. You can be sure that I'll be
turning Captain Fingers loose as the sole guitarist at more and more shows as we
go.
Overall, Josh did fine. Joe, Frank and I did what we had to do and a bit of
silliness was had by all. We sold a few CD's, made some new friends, got invited
back to the club and helped support a worthy cause.
AND I got to watch some kind of
seriously rough boxing on video screens while I delicately sang "Sadder Day" and
"Taking Its Toll". How can't you have fun with people kicking the crap out of
each other while you bare your soul?
1. Scared Of Myself
2. Look Back In Anger
3. Rage On
4. The Only Way
5. Sometimes I'm Sam
6. Sadder Day
7. Towel Cape Song
8. Waiting For The Siren
9. I Won't Stand Still
10. Phony
11. Taking Its Toll
12. Give Up Town
13. Rebel Rebel
Thanks to everyone involved for being there and supporting us and the cause!
C