Wendo, wrapping up a particularly challenging hront through West Papua, sent me a harrowing aviation-related travelogue in which she said one of the funniest things I've ever heard. Referring to a local claptrap band of thugs that has the grapefruits to call themselves an airline:
"...So I've been flying on Merpati, a local carrier whose slogan, according to the LP book, is "It's Merpati and I'll fly if I want to."
I just don't know how she does it.
OK. Perhaps not the most inspired name for a club, especially one filling the macropod-like shoe size of the former Last Day Saloon. But I'll be there tomorrow night (March 4th, Saturday) with The Highway Robbers, opening for the tremendous Zepparella.
It's really incredibly fun to step into a well-established and well-rehearsed band as the lead guitar player. No pressure. I just have to play. I barely have to think. I have one little oooooo vocal line in one verse of one song, and other than that I can just honk out like mad. The songs are fun, and the other guys are damn cool if perhaps just a little green. They sure can sing though. Big fat 3-parts all over the place. In this band I am your Mike Campbell, Elliot Easton, Eddie Munoz, Rick Nielsen, James Honeyman-Scott, etc, at your service. The new Les Paul fits in perfectly. Until this past Xmas it was a dual-Tele band, and who needs that really? We're not bloody Status Quo, fer cryin' out loud.
Hope to see you tomorrow.