We started the drive to New Orleans around 7 PM. My house was the last
pickup spot and we got on the road right after Tom and I loaded our crap
in to the freak van. Around 5 AM I hopped in to my hotel bed right
after the first beer of the (previous) day. I was exhausted. We stopped
five times on the way (including a casino break) that kinda kills the
possibility of making good time. Oh well, we weren't going on until
midnight so there was no great rush to get up early.
The show was at dba on Frenchman Street. I played there with an old version of "the Ladies" back before Katrina dumped her load and things have changed dramatically since then. Frenchman Street was packed and it's a tiny, one lane, one way street so there is very little room to move around. All of the tourist (myself included) were bouncing between the clubs and the brass band out on the street, it was elbow to elbow. Since the economy is up and party people flock to New Orleans it's no surprise that the former "locals" music road is now the tourists "secret" music place. There was money was flowing everywhere. The pickpockets were even donating 10% of their take to charity. Pretty decent of them.
dba has changed as well, but for the better. Now there is a decent sized stage framed out into the room and an extensive backstage with a private smoking patio. Very cool. When I played there the stage was basically a plank of wood that stuck out by the wall. This was a huge improvement. And the hospitality... They are batting a 1000 there. Loads of free beer, booze and mixers. They know how to treat a band at dba.
Alien Knife Fight was first, similar set as the last time I saw them, they rocked it. DiNOLA played the middle slot (and were the folks that got us to come to town). They had a seriously great set! Apparently we played with them at ACL at some point, but I don't remember it at all. Maybe I saw them, maybe I didn't... I saw them on this night. I won't forget that set for a long, long time.
We got up and played the longest Hickoid set in recorded history. I was told we were on for somewhere between two and a half and three hours. I have no idea if that's true, but we didn't end up leaving the club till 4AM. I was so drunk and happy (and loaded with cash after being PAID(!) for playing ) that I rushed over to the casino to gamble with Smitty and Cody until around 8 AM when I stumbled back to the hotel flush with my winnings!
What a great night.
The show was at dba on Frenchman Street. I played there with an old version of "the Ladies" back before Katrina dumped her load and things have changed dramatically since then. Frenchman Street was packed and it's a tiny, one lane, one way street so there is very little room to move around. All of the tourist (myself included) were bouncing between the clubs and the brass band out on the street, it was elbow to elbow. Since the economy is up and party people flock to New Orleans it's no surprise that the former "locals" music road is now the tourists "secret" music place. There was money was flowing everywhere. The pickpockets were even donating 10% of their take to charity. Pretty decent of them.
dba has changed as well, but for the better. Now there is a decent sized stage framed out into the room and an extensive backstage with a private smoking patio. Very cool. When I played there the stage was basically a plank of wood that stuck out by the wall. This was a huge improvement. And the hospitality... They are batting a 1000 there. Loads of free beer, booze and mixers. They know how to treat a band at dba.
Alien Knife Fight was first, similar set as the last time I saw them, they rocked it. DiNOLA played the middle slot (and were the folks that got us to come to town). They had a seriously great set! Apparently we played with them at ACL at some point, but I don't remember it at all. Maybe I saw them, maybe I didn't... I saw them on this night. I won't forget that set for a long, long time.
We got up and played the longest Hickoid set in recorded history. I was told we were on for somewhere between two and a half and three hours. I have no idea if that's true, but we didn't end up leaving the club till 4AM. I was so drunk and happy (and loaded with cash after being PAID(!) for playing ) that I rushed over to the casino to gamble with Smitty and Cody until around 8 AM when I stumbled back to the hotel flush with my winnings!
What a great night.
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