Herman’s is definitely a nice venue for live music. It has a nice big stage, and has a pretty nice size and layout.  However, I personally like venues like Buffalo Rose and The D-Note better.

Musically we ended up playing pretty well.  We played a show at 2 Doors Down the weekend before, which turned out to be an awesome show.  We couldn’t help but come off a bit of a musical hangover from the previous show, Wednesday night couldn’t complete.  Part of it is that I had a hard time adjusting to the house drumset. 

Also during our set we were interrupted with the sound guy removing an amp stand that we were using, right in the middle of our show.  It was pretty damn unprofessional: first off to use another band’s gear as “house” equipment is pretty crappy (either it’s “house” equipment or it’s not), and to do it in the middle of our set doesn’t show much respect for us on stage.

One other things about Herman’s frustrated us.  One of the ways they gage a band’s success is by giving tickets to the bands, then counting the tickets that bands bring in.  They distribute these tickets to bands - some discount, some comp tickets - and encourage the bands to distribute them.  The tickets we got were comp tickets, which we assumed were “complimentary”. Apparently “comp” means something else at Herman’s, because fans that showed up with these tickets were charged $2 to come in.  Making matters worse, our band didn’t get any of that money, meaning Herman’s pocketed it.  Call it a miscommunication or getting ripped off, but the people who came to see us got screwed.

I don’t write this post to rip on the venue, and Greenfoot definitely wouldn’t turn down a venue, especially as popular as Herman’s, but the benefit of “New Music Night” is pretty questionable in our minds right now.

Bethany took some really cool pictures from the show. Check them out below:

I cringed when I heard the news, and after playing the set last evening, my dread was justified.

I understand the reasons why venue owners and concert promoters want to use House Drumsets.  When you have multiple bands in one evening, you want to do everything to ensure bands get on and off the stage quickly.  Having a large piece of equipment remain stationary makes sense, especially when the drums have mics attached to them.  However, I can guaranteed that the person who made/promoted that decision is not a drummer.

When I’m asked what it’s like playing on a house drum set, I give the analogy of driving someone else’s car in a race: Yes, you’ll be able to drive the car and you know where the gas, brake & steering wheel are, but you don’t know the intricacies of this car. You don’t know how it accelerates, how it breaks, how it handles around curves.  The same things goes with drum sets.  It bothers me that people wouldn’t fathom telling guitar players to play on someone else’s guitar, yet have no problem telling drummers they have to play a drum set that gets pounded night in & night out.

This particular drum set appeared to have a 10″, 13″ & 16″ with Pinstripe heads torque’d pretty high.  What this means is that they were “ping-y” and “ring-”, a stark contrast from my darker ebony heads that produce a warmer tone that works with our music.  In addition, I had to grow used to 3 toms pretty quick, a departure from my 4 toms.  It doesn’t help that I flip the order of my two rack toms - the non-standard configuration probably a bad habit, but it’s what I’ve grown accustomed to.  In my bass drum I have a pillow, which produces a more muffled sound, while allowing a good bounce response.  The House Drumset had no such pillow, and it took an adjustment.

The policy allowed us to bring in our snare drum, pedals & cymbals. At this point, the only thing that was left of the drum set was the bass drum and three toms - which makes me wonder how much time was really saved. 

What owners/promoters don’t understand is that if you give them a staging area to set up their gear off-stage, a good drummer can get their drum on stage and ready to go in roughly the same time it takes a guitar player to set up their amp, pedals, and tune their guitars.

When I was in high school, I played on a foreign drum set each and every day - but school drum sets are different than House Drumsets.  With school drum sets you typically get a period of time to be acclimated to the kit before you play it at anything meaningful.  With the House Kit the sound check is the first chance you get to sit behind the kit.  To borrow a line from A.I., “We’re talking about practice, not the game”.  I’m all about rehearsing on another drum set to help save time - but when you’re essentially putting on an audition it’s pretty lofty to expect drummers to be in their elements in a kit they just started playing.

Like I said, I understand House Drum set may make sense to some, but it doesn’t make sense to drummers.

One of the blogs I read, TheLefsetz Letter shared a compelling perspective from the day that DMB’s LeRoi Moore died.  Very chilling and sad.

LeRoi

Personal Productivity Apps (covered by work)

• Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise (Students can get Ultimate for Cheap at MS’s TheUltimateSteal.com)
• Microsoft Visio 2007
• Microsoft Project 2007
• Microsoft Expression 2 Suite
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 (Students can get both Expression and VS from MS DreamSpark)

I’ve included the list from last time, and updated what I’ve stopped/started using:

Internet:

• Mozilla FireFox and the following extensions:
  • Del.icio.us Bookmarks
  • AdBlock Plus
  • ForecastFox
  • Web Developer
  • FasterFox
• Mozilla Thunderbird (for personal email)
• Pidgin (for IM)
• Digsby - Awesome client, new test version uses 1/2 the memory Filezilla FTP client
• Office Communicator
• Feed Demon an outstanding desktop RSS reader which recently became free (I was paying for it prior)

Apps & Utilities:

• MS Office 2007
• FoxIt Reader a PDF alternative to the bloated Adobe Reader
• PDF Creator
• Primo PDF
• UltraVNC - The viewer on my work desktop, VNC installed on my home desktop
• Burnaware
• Totally Free Burner
• Launchy - Perfect application launcher for keyboard junkies
• ObjectDock - “Sidebar” application launching
• Windows Live Writer - What I use for blogging
• MRemote - To manage multiple MS Remote Desktops/Terminal Servies, I haven’t had great results with VNC though
• MS LiveMesh
• Evernote

Scripting:

• NotePad++ - Best general purpose editor hands-down

Photos & Multimedia:

• MediaMonkey - Incredible media manager, especially if you have a large library (I paid for this one, but there is a free version).
• Last.fm - Scrobble and track what I listen to (my profile)
• TagScanner - For updating ID3 Tags
• SharePod - Managing my iPod without iTunes
• VLC Media Player - For videos, DVD’s and single-file playing
• Windows Live Photo Gallery - Easy way to manage, edit, tag and share photos (there is Flickr integration as well)
• FastStone Image Viewer - On-the-fly image preview & browsing
• FastStone MaxView
• Paint.NET - More in-depth photo editing

System Utilities:

• Defraggler - Disk Defragmenting
• AutoRuns - eliminate annoying startup programs
• CCleaner - Get rid of crap, cookies and temp files
• Unlocker - Gets you out of those “access denied” binds during deletions
• Process Explorer - Task manager on steroids
• Java Runtime Environment
• Tugzip - Great alternative to Winzip, not quite WinRar, but free and open-source
• Synctoy - to synchronize files between my work desktop and laptop, works great if you’re on the same network

Security:

• Windows Vista Firewall works pretty well, but at home I use Comodo
• AVG Anti-Virus (for the home computer, we use a separate solution at work)

I woke up this morning to the horrifying news that Dave Matthews Band saxophonist LeRoi Moore has passed away.  Not much to say except that this is a tragedy - he went before his time.  Thoughts and prayers go to him, his family and the rest of the DMB.

RIP LeRoi, thank you for all of the wonderful memories and bringing us awesome music.

This is a few days old, but still noteworthy nonetheless.  A few weeks back I was saddened to hear that John Lynch asked for his release from the Broncos at the start of training camp, seeking a team where he could play a full-time role. Things remained quiet for a few weeks, but the news broke: The New England Patriots signed John Lynch.

As a Lynch fan, I’m happy he’s still playing in the NFL. He’s an amazing player, and nothing will take that away from him.  As a Broncos fan, I’m definitely disappointed and actually feel a little betrayed by John.

When the story of Lynch’s release request broke, it was said he left because the Broncos weren’t playing him full time:

From ESPN:

“[T]wo sources close to the situation said, because he is unhappy with his role. He has been working with the first-team defense in the first week of training camp but not in nickel and dime defensive packages. He has admitted that not playing significantly bothered him.”

I definitely could respect that, except for the analysis that came out about Lynch’s signing.

From John Clayton’s blog on ESPN:

“Lynch can fit into packages that would allow him to play 10, 15 or 20 plays a game. Belichick is the best at figuring out ways to use veterans and not wear them out. He did the same with Junior Seau, who enjoyed his Patriots experience so much that he’d love to come back.”

So Lynch left Denver because he was unhappy about not playing full-time in nickel and dime packages, and goes to a team that will play him 20 plays a game?  The knee-jerk in me wants to think that this was a hypocritical move and can’t help but feel a little betrayed.

At the same time, it very may well have been that Lynch watched the phone for full-time starter jobs and when it wasn’t ringing, decided to pursue other options.  I’m also a realist, and understand that the Patriots have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl next weekend than the Broncos do - but this isn’t Junior Seau: Lynch has a Super Bowl ring with Tampa Bay.  I didn’t want to see John Lynch go to a bottom-feeder team just to be able to start, but I hate to see him in a Patriot’s jersey. The only thing that would be worse would be Lynch in Raider Silver & Black.

Selfishly, I’m torn about what to do about my Lynch jersey.  He’s still an active player and I want to support him as the player, but I would also like to wear the jersey of a current Bronco if I can help it. I have no idea what I’m going to do.

I’ll work on posting some of my random ramblings, which have not been in short supply.

From ESPN:

Longtime star safety John Lynch is leaving the Denver Broncos.

"I’m going to explore all of my opportunities," Lynch said Wednesday night, according to the newspaper. "Is it retirement? Maybe. Is it playing for another team? Maybe. [Coach] Mike [Shanahan] has given me the opportunity to explore that and that’s what I’m going to do. But I won’t be playing for the Broncos."

Surprised? Not really. You could see the writing on the well when Denver signed a slew of young safeties to compete for the starting job.  While I was ecstatic that Lynch signed on for another year, I knew that retirement was looming on the horizon, and his chances of starting full-time aren’t what they used to be.  It sucks because like the Packers, what’s in the best interest for Lynch and what’s in the best interest for the Broncos don’t coincide.

Depressed? Absolutely.  Lynch is still an awesome player, a great character guy (much needed for our team) and has done a lot for the Broncos, and I wish him success wherever he ends up.  We’ll definitely be missing him in more ways than one.

Worst of all, I’ll need to get a new jersey.  Who do I go with?

Today one of the greatest players to ever wear a Broncos uniform has retired.  After giving his heart for over 12 years, his body just couldn’t take it anymore and forced Rod to sit out the full season last year.  After two hip operations, Rod had no choice but to call it a career.

Thank you Rod, for everything that made you great.  You embodied perseverance, from starting out as an undrafted free agent, being signed to the practice squad and ultimately becoming a valued member of the receiving corp, ultimately becoming the leading wide receiver through Broncos history.

Despite all of the success you’ve attained - the records, the Super Bowl rings - he’s remained humble.  At an age of flamboyant receivers such as T.O. and Chad Johnson, Rod arguably contributed more to your team than either of those guys, yet remained humble.  In a strange way it seems fitting that your retirement received very little coverage outside of Broncos Country.  You won’t get the media love-fest that Favre’s retirement had, but you’re going out classy nonetheless.

I heard that Smith is being offered a TBD role in the Broncos organization, I hope he sticks around the team for a long time to come.  We’d be lucky to have him.

In my last post about the Mile High Music Festival, I briefly covered John Mayer’s performance.  Mayer is an amazing guitar player, and the energy displayed at the show poured into the crowd to greatly an awesome, lively show.  At the same time, I think fans who bought John Mayer tickets didn’t get to see what they paid for.

When John Mayer came on the mainstream scene at the turn of the century, his sound was a more melodic, pop-based sound - not N’Sync pop, but pop in the sense that the songs were straightforward and catchy.  With hits like “No Such Thing”, “Your Body Is a Wonderland”, “Why Georgia” and “Daughters”, Mayer established that sound. Then he decided to change it, moving from the pop-based going back to a more blues-based. It seemed to happen when the John Mayer Trio got together (Steve Jordan’s an amazing drummer by the way), when the transformation began.  It spilled out of the Trio and into his next solo album, Continuum.  When you compare the John Mayer you hear today from his 2001’s Room for Squares, it’s a pretty drastic change.

I’m not saying that artists can’t change their sound - it happens all the time. There’s also a difference between an artist experimenting (U2’s "Pop" and DMB’s "Everyday") and returning back to your original sound, or truly evolving your music into a different genre.  Mayer may be experimenting, but I would predict that his sound has evolved and changed and won’t be going back any time soon. 

When some artists change their sounds, they either start a new project or join up with a band.  However, when your sound changes pretty drastically and you’re maintaining the same stage identity, what do you owe those fans that came to hear the music that made you popular?

At Sunday’s show, Mayer didn’t play "Your Body Is A Wonderland", or "Daughters" and his other (arguably) biggest hits, "No Such Thing" and "Why Georgia" were condensed into a medley.  It would be one thing if this was a band like the Rolling Stones that have 70 hits - but if I’m not mistaken - Mayer’s only had 3 studio albums out. In addition, he played 3 cover songs on Sunday as well.  It’s cool to see big acts play a cover, but when you’re playing more than one at the sacrifice of one of your biggest singles, then you probably have a priority problem.

I’m not saying Mayer shouldn’t keep on playing jammy-blues, but if he doesn’t want to play those early hits then he should go out with a different stage name. At least when you show up to hear the John Mayer Trio, you know it’s not going to be John Mayer (just like when you go see Gwen Stefani, it’s much different than No Doubt). 

I feel when an artist is still relatively early in his career (compared to bands like the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi or U2), then you do have an obligation to play the major singles, regardless of how different they sound.  If you’re not happy with the old song’s sound, change something in that song to better fit your new style - but you owe it to play the music that gravitated fans towards you, especially if you’re using that same musical persona to bring those fans in.

I’d be anxious to hear what other fans & musicians think.

In all the years that I’ve been going to concerts, this is the first time that I’ve been to a festival.  The closest experience that I’ve had was an all-day event that featured 5-6 bands, enough of a contrast of 48 bands over two days.  With the number and the sheer size of the place, it was definitely a taxing experience.  The weather nearly broke 100 degrees on both days, but I never appreciated clouds rolling in as much as I did each afternoon.  We rolled in on Saturday in the late afternoon, but not late enough to escape the heat. I also updated my Flickr with pictures from the festival as well.

Music. I managed to see:

• Citizen Cope - They were playing when we walked in and were pretty impressed
• O.A.R. - The show I was anticipating most, as I never heard them live before.  They had such an amazing sound!
• Michael Franti & Spearhead - Awesome as always, I didn’t get to see as much as I hoped, but got my Spearhead fix nonetheless
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - I was surprised he played some of his biggest hits pretty early on in the set.  Tom Petty was about what I expected, I was glad to have seen him, but it wasn’t a highlight of the day for me.
• OneRepublic - In all honesty, from what I heard I had low expectations going in, but was pleasantly surprised.
• Flogging Molly - One of the best shows of the festival.  This was the first time I’ve seen them, but I definitely will be checking for the next time they come back to Denver.
• John Mayer - This surprised me the most, as Mayer’s sound has changed drastically since the beginning of his mainstream career.  He was extremely talented live and put on an awesome show, but I don’t think he did justice to his bread and butter.  I joked that he played a medley of songs that he didn’t really want to play, but felt compelled to because songs like "No Such Thing" and "Why Georgia" made him big.  He never played "Your Body Is A Wonderland" or "Daughters" though, which I found hard to believe.
• Dave Matthews Band - This was my 15th show, and was as good as ever. What I found however, is that after sitting in the sun for two days straight, I had no energy left for this show. I spent half of it sitting in the chair, just taking it in. Jeff Coffin did a great job playing for LeRoi (get well soon!), and it was pretty amazing seeing Tim Reynolds play

Venue & Festival Logistics:

The grounds of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park served as an excellent venue for the Festival.  Everything was spaced out pretty well, and it was surprising how little noise pollution there was.  In addition, the organizers were pretty smart in being liberal what they allowed people to bring.  The fact that we were able to bring in folding lawn chairs is really what enabled us to sit through the sweltering heat for two days.  We also brought in more water bottles then were allotted, and they didn’t give us a hard time.  Also, they have the smartest camera I’ve ever seen for a concert: "Non-pro cameras (film, disposable and digital); pro-camera is anything with detachable lens".  I also love the fact that they opened the stadium, allowing people to have shady places to sit as well as running water & toilets.

I know this may come across as overly critical, and the comments made must be taken with a grain of salt for two reasons: 1) This is the first year that they’ve done anything like this, and it’s a monumental task to plan; 2) This was the first festival I have ever been too, and it could be that every festival suffers from these issues.

Honestly, the festival felt like it was over-sold. Not that there’s any problem with having a good crowd at an event: if you have the capacity to accommodate the number of people.  I’ve probably been to at least 100 sporting events and concerts, and the lines at the Festival by far were the worst, especially when it came to food and water.  It easily took an hour to be able to get any kind of food, and the watering lines were too long for as hot as the days were.  I hope that next year they are able to increase the food vendors, as well as double the water stations.

If you read my post leading up to the Festival, you’ll notice I didn’t see all the bands that I originally listed.  With all of the crowds it simply made it too difficult to navigate out of the main stage area into any of the other stages.  This may be simply the way things are at a festival, but Sunday was definitely far worse in terms of volume of people camped out on the stage lawn.  I know the same amount of crows prevented our group from seeing any of the “village” exhibits, as well as the merchandise tent.

Also, I realize the role of General Admission in festivals, but I wish there was some way to offer incentives to people who bought their tickets early.  Our group was talking and we thought what would be cool would be to rope around some of the stages. The people who bought tickets when they first came out have access to the roped section closest to the stage.  You could even tier different sections of the grass dependant on when people bought their tickets.  This way, more people would buy their tickets earlier, and festival organizers can get a better sense of the final number. I know that people could buy tickets on even the week of the event, which makes me wonder how many people waited until the last minute and contributed to the surge.

Lastly, $8 for a beer?  That’s highway robbery.  I realize that people still paid for beer at that price (me included) but the going rate for these things should be between $5-$6.  Also when you charge $8 for a beer, don’t complain about running out of $1 bills for change.

Did you go to the festival?  What were some of your thoughts on the highlights and ways that the festival can be improved?