Dwiddle and I scored tickets in the lot from some wookie kid who was willing to trade Scuffle's bootlegs for a couple of GA stubs. This being our first Mooseknuckle solo gig, the anticipation was dripping from our brows..well, that and the fact it was 80 degrees in April with a threat of rain so we knew we had a good shot at our LLR opener.

Security was light at the venue so I was able to sneak in my recorder. Ran into an old timey Knuckle Head who went by the name "Sarah's Grandmother". Boy, was she battle ready!! She was burning a fatty so I cozzied up next to her for a bit to share some tour stories and call our setlist.

I found the power spot, center stage, and rode the rail setting up next to the board...downtown Mooseknuckle Zone. Ran into my old time good buddy Taun Taun and we readied ourself for the house lights to dim.

I identified the guitar rig as that of local legend Mray...special guest appearances surely tickle my fancy. Mray was set up rather untradiational, as compared to seeing him live with other incarnations along the likes of CCBB. No pedals. No flash. Just a man and his Mesa. This was sure to be a great show.

The introduction came and out pranced the man himself, the good Dr. I could tell the crowd was stoked for the offical kick off of rukkus season and here it was. The Dr eased into what appeared to be initially a Flemmish Drinking Ballad but soon the band kicked in, as did the liquid I scored in the lot from some regular Joe poosing as a firefighter from out of town. "If I Only Had A Brain"...fitting opener, particular on a head full of acid.

The Dr. rode into an original I had heard only on previoulsy unreleased outtakes I had downloaded off Pirate's Bay some time ago. Soon I found myself, hand in pocket, oozing down the street.

My Ship-->Father transitioned well, bringing my tour buddy Dwiddle to the verge of tears. Then, on a call, bass bombs shook the roof and the band launched into a furious Chameleon. Tasty. So Tasty. Some dirt from Mray moved the bears feet, and the keys were spot on. The 5 spot brought us a glimpse into centuries past, and the Dr. ripped into a clasical chello arrangement by Vivaldi that he adapted for horn. Intriguing. Different. The Dr. was really taking chances and pushing the envelope. He nailed it.

Set break. Oh man, I needed it. I was tripping balls and thankfully the line to the pisser was short. Watched the urinal melt right off the wall with Chameleon still echoing in my cortex. Snuck a smoke and ran into Grandma again; she is sure to become a true friend.

If ya wanna be a teacher boy ya gotta be on time!! The band was really in full swing second set with a raunchy 12 bar blues original to open. Mray's melty licks won sure approval from both this Knuckle Head and the contingency at large.

Sunny --> Georgia, Mercy, St Thomas...what a ride!! Man the Dr was is great form, and the band just kept giving. A spine tingling second set closed with a rendition of "Over The Rainbow" that Heads will be ranting about for decades!! The modulation...oh, the sweet modulation.

Dwiddle and I made our way to Shakedown, complete with artisan cheese and cold Boston Lager...man these guys really know how to party. Some heady chick named Maddy turned me onto dunking melba rounds into wine...heaven. Ran into Red wearing blue; which if anyone knows Red, a lot encounter with this soul is always nothing short of entertaining. Speaking of entertaining...nah, I'll let that one be. Let's just say I may have failed to call the opener, but I picked out the vixen whore of the south from a mile away. The people you meet...the people you meet.

Thank you Dr. Mooseknuckle, thank you. Epic performance. Dwiddle and I are both looking forward to next tour with anticipation..see ya in the crowd!!!