Irvine Regional Park, 7/20/17

Hey everybody! It's me!

This past Thursday me and the KRB had a pretty cushy gig at the Irvine Regional Park.

As I rolled my gear up to the back of the stage, The Federal Empire (Youtube) was just finishing their sound check. We played a set opening up for their set.

I put my gear up on stage and took in this view of the lovely park.

One of the sound crew is striking the stage for us. I think that's Jarrod.

I went to go park after unloading and found Mario rolling his stuff up to the stage. We could have pulled our vehicles into the park but the curb was too high. I thought my Astro Van would break something.

This is Mike, the FOH guy. We've worked with him before. He does a surprisingly great job for such a young guy.

Here's the view from the mixing console. Mike did mains and monitors from here. 

All the lads have arrived and are getting situated on stage. Art is always happy to get his picture taken.

Mike gets the kick drum mic'd as Mario continues to set up. He brought a really small kit today because we had to make a quick changeover.

I brought my larger outdoor cabinet. I don't think anyone will have any trouble hearing me.

Then Mario had to make the trek all the way up the hill to the little drummer boy's room.

Lo and behold! Two angels arrived with nectar from the gods! I certainly took advantage of their hospitality, in the form of a free can of Red Bull, the new apple flavor. It was tasty!

When Mario got back it was time to sound check. FOH Mike uttered those famous words, "Gimme some kick drum!"

Then it was Hal's turn. He didn't bring an amp today and just ran through the monitors.

Art and Daniel await their turn to sound check. Art seems happy about it.

We are all sound checked and the stage is all set for us.

I wandered around the grounds a bit to take in the sights. I noticed we were getting our power from a couple of Honda generators off behind the stage.

The local GMC dealerships were represented.

Along the other side of the concert area were more vendors, a food truck, a tent from Ruby's Diner, and the local (world famous) KROQ radio station.

This was our green room. It was nicer than a lot of tents because it was dark. The white tents seem hotter, especially because they are so much brighter inside.

Awaiting us inside the "green room" tent was food! Wahoo's Fish Tacos catered this shindig for us. I enjoyed a fish taco, chicken taco, black beans, and rice. The salsa was pretty good too.

And look at the drink bucket! Not only were there sodas and waters, there was a selection of Lagunitas, a good local brew. 

I thought I would take a stroll while sipping on my Lagunita Li'l Sumpin, but the rangers steered me back to my holding pen. 

Here's a band shot just before we take the stage to open the show. 

Kelly helps Mario sing a song. 

This is Mario's "train beat" smile. 

Daniel tells a story about a fiddle player riffing with the devil. 

It's still pretty warm so the crowd sticks to the shade. A lot of them were way back there at the top of the hill under the trees. 

Kelly's singing for the trees!

People were content to sit in the shade. Once in a while someone would walk right up to the stage, take a few pictures or a video, then go sit back down. 

The audience didn't seem as far away as they look in the pictures.

We played a forty five minute set and then quickly cleared the stage for the next "band". 

I say "band" in quotes because The Federal Empire tours as a trio and uses tracks for just about everything. This is McKay and Chad posing with Kelly. 

Then they take the stage to do their set. Just piano and a couple of guitars. Everything else is on their tracks. They are able to rock 3000-5000 seat theaters and arenas even without a full band. It saves them a lot of touring logistics and expenses. 

Chad and I were talking before his set. I described his music as "bro americana" and he said that sounded about right. They describe themselves as "alternative" americana. It's pretty good. I like their song "I Never Liked Your Friends".

The crowd started to move a little closer and fill in a bit as the sun went down. I stuck around for a few songs but wanted to get home early. 

And that was my Thursday evening park concert. We have another in Yorba Linda this Sunday. Thanks for checking out my electron stream. You guys are the greatest.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff 

Diamond Bar (Sycamore Canyon Park), 7/19/17

Hello my friends,

Yesterday evening me and the KRB played at Sycamore Canyon Park in Diamond Bar. We played here four years ago and I love this summer gig because it's ten minutes from my day job. I didn't have to drive over an hour for once.

We got to park right behind the stage. No schlep!

The sound crew, Rich and Frank, get the stage set up. You can see the inflatable movie screen on the other side of the ball field. After our set the movie was "Cinderella".

This is Chris, our FOH guy. We've worked with him a few times. He's a nice guy, affable and helpful.

Chris and his crew work with Ross Creations. We've worked with this company many times, always a good experience.

I had never seen these EV mics before. They were used on the guitar amps and I thought they just looked classic.

Everyone is busy getting the stage set up. It was a little cooler today, still warm-ish, but we had plenty of shade even though we were not covered.

Here's a shot showing the whole PA. It was LOUD!

The local cable access channel had three cameras for video. I was told the video would be available on the city TV channel (and hopefully online) in a couple of weeks.

Behind the sound booth was the video control booth.

I brought my regular "large" rig with the Guild as my backup bass.

Art and Daniel get tuned up and ready for sound check.

The hip, young Mario looks like he is ready to give the sound guy some kick drum.

Skip is going to need awfully long arms to reach his keyboard from there.

We all brought about a half dozen shirts so Kelly could pick out our attire. I think she is upset because Mario brought only two shirts.

Kelly and Skip go over the set list. We played only ninety minutes so we crammed as much music in there as we could.

Skip is ready to get started. The crowd is starting to fill in.

There is very little parking at this park. The guests park at the golf course down the street then ride the shuttle. Here's my selfie in front of the crowd. I had quite a few friends from work in attendance.

Art and Daniel are ready to put on the show. Art is getting pretty good with the rabbit ears.

Mario looks like the stereotypical evil scientist about to inflict music on an unsuspecting audience.

I think Kelly is taking requests via text.

Just before we start, the mayor and the city council make a couple of announcements and introduce the band.

The mayor must've said something funny.

Then it's on with the show! Daniel plays the intro on guitar. Kelly knows this is when I usually take her picture.

Daniel does "Devil Went Down To Georgia". Art supplies the devil horns.

Mario thinks that's pretty funny.

Skip is like, "Hunh?"

OK, let's have some action shots!

When we're done with our set, Andrea thanks us and announces the movie. All the folks have to do is turn around and watch.

We pack up our gear and make our getaway as the audience enjoys "Cinderella".

It was a fun crowd and I feel a little like the BMOC at work today since so many coworkers came out to hear us. Sometimes it's hard to take all this adulation. (JOKE!!)

Tonight I'm working with the KRB again at Irvine Park opening up for The Federal Empire, a new band with guys who don't even have to trim their ear hair. We're playing only one forty-five minute set so it will be an early night. I don't know if we get to use their backline. It doesn't matter. I just left my stuff loaded from last night. Less schlep!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff