House of Blues in detailio

Image via Wikipedia

The view from the cheap seats

Beulah, Ruby, and Mikey

Our eclectic Horns

Most of the band

So my Valentines Day treat came a few days early when I had the pleasure of playing at the House of Blues Anaheim with Ready For Vegas. HOB has been my top venue of desire to play at for the last decade or so. So many amazing acts have graced that stage, many of which have inspired and shaped my musical prowess, as it were. Matt and I park around back at the well guarded band entrance and take the elevator backstage. The rest of my fellow band mates wait anxiously as our call time creeps closer. Our intimate greenroom is shared by all the other bands but we manage to take it over. The ladies do their hair and makeup as the guys wax idiotic about chicken tenders and Bryans sweatshirt. So much history is tied to this place and I am backstage soaking it all in.

After a brief all-band meeting, we get everything ready and take a few sips of my pre-show Jack. No more time to be scared or nervous, the 20' tall patchwork curtains are parting. I scan the room, then my music, then the room again in search of friends whom are scattered everywhere. The sound and lighting was unreal. This is most definitely not a hole-in-the-wall operation. Our set goes off nearly flawless minus the usual hick-ups. Mikey had to Macgyver his guitar strap with screwdrivers and duct tape mere seconds before we began. After a great set we joined our friends on the balcony for drinks and fries. An unbelievable night to say the least.