Monthly Archive for August, 2010

Hey all! Adam here, just checking in…

Our gigs at the Irish Fair of Minnesota and the Pizza Luce Block Party were AWESOME! Despite some major technical difficulties with our shows on Friday night (amps going down mid-show, no monitors at all, inadequate PA) we slogged it out and got it done. I always want WCB to come off at our best, and sometimes things conspire against us to make that all but impossible. Overall I don’t think it was too bad though–the people there seemed to have a good time. Luckily I don’t think my need for perfection is often picked up on by an audience and we can get away with little glitches and things… ;o)

Saturday we did double-duty at both the IFOM and the Luce Block Party. I was a bit nervous for the latter because we’d be playing a bit outside our “comfort zone”. That has to be done if you ever want to reach a new audience, which of course we always want to do! I think we showed them our best though, even if we didn’t have Tony because of his other gig commitments at the Irish Fair. We seemed to go over well, which was cool–the Minneapolis crowds can be hard to impress. It was a very well-run festival (I had no idea what to expect going in) so that was a great load off my mind–I’m just sorry we couldn’t stick around after our set!

We had to go right back to the IFOM, for our big Main Stage set. I thought this one went really well–no glitches, no broken strings. I hope that in actuality we came off as well I we did in my head, haha. Our buddies the Young Dubliners were up after we were so it was fun to decompress and watch their awesome set–they even had Geno and I up to do Brown Dog! Awesome.

Sunday was more rocking, this time on the River Stage at the Irish Fair. Another great show! We had an incredible hometown crowd, and the whole experience really cemented in my mind just why we drive all the miles and do all the hard work. It was SO much fun! Thank you all who were there!

Let’s see what else? Biggest major news would have to be that I FINALLY had the pins removed from my thumb! Background–a couple of months ago I broke my left thumb playing hurling, and had to have three steel pins put in it to hold it as it healed. I have essentially been unable to move my thumb for this whole time! NOT an easy thing for a guitar player like me to go through! Honestly I would hope that no one noticed, but in case you did, there ya go. Anyway, last Friday I got the pins taken out and can finally bend my thumb at the first digit once again! It’s pretty stiff and a bit sore, but I think I’m doing pretty well for being only five days since pin removal–I can’t quite wrap my thumb around for that D/F# chord, but it’s getting there! This is SUCH a relief. It’s made for a LONG summer. I hate having to feel like I can only give 80%–no one that comes to see us deserves less than our best. Anyway, it’s all academic now!

I’m excited for the coming week–Jake O’Connor’s, The Minnesota State Fair (never played there before!), and a trip to Chicago for hurling. I will wear hockey gloves this time…

Hope to see you all soon!

Adam

Ahhh, Festival Season!  It’s like the playoffs of Celtic rock.  We’ve been very busy with the regular stuff but we also added a couple of new shindigs this year — Bay the Bay and Pizza Luce.  Not to mention adding our new drummer, Derek.  It’s nice to have another member of the band who shares my love of KISS and Led Zeppelin.

If ya can, try to catch us at one of our remaining festival dates this year.  With some great sets at the Irish Fair of Minnesota over the weekend, it’s really starting to feel like we’re finding our niche among some of the bigger/better bands out there.  We’re feeling more confident than ever and it’s really coming through in our shows!  We hope to see everyone at the next one!

 

Cheers,

Geno