You didn't think I could write about my friends in all the bands that are playing and not mention our honorary emcees? Not a chance. Sue Miller, Julia Adams, and Joe Shanahan are also joining us for the block party. Just so happens that these three were also Sputnik babes. Speaking for eleventh dream day--our musical journey wouldn't have been the same without the people who ran the best clubs Chicago has ever seen.
Let me start with Sue and Julia. Julia and Sue. Yes, you think Lounge Ax, and you wouldn't be wrong. So many great shows. We've seen them listed. Drag City Invitational. The first Tortoise shows. I used to grab a spot next to Gary Schepers as he mixed the show. Or sat all the way back near the photo booths with Sue. Sue and Julia made playing there fun. Everybody who ever worked there was great. I was a young dad, and for the most part didn't hang out a lot if friends weren't playing or if edd didn't have a gig. I think Doug might have been there more than he was at home. But, the eleventh dream day shows were always special. The stage was comfy--the right height, the right width. Great sound. Go out the back door and fresh air before encores. Try not to talk too loud because of the asshole neighbors. My favorite nights--when Ira Kaplan was our 4th member, the Beet release party night, the rest are frankly kind of a blur.
But we go back further than that with Sue. Sue booked the Cubby Bear for their best years. Gary at the sound booth there too. Eleventh Dream Day rehearsed upstairs so we just had to drag our stuff down. Sue let us open for Lyres, Feelies, Slickee Boys, Wipers, and gave us a bunch of our own headline shows as we began to feel our oats. We met our good friends from Precious Wax Drippings downstairs in the dressing room when they played with us. John Herndon, Jim Garbe, and the Little boys. Sue made this place the best place to play while she was there. I don't think it was squat when she wasn't.
And then even further back with Sue. To the beginning! The West End. My favorite all-time Chicago club to see bands or to play. She booked it. Gave us our first slot opening for Green when we relaunched as a four piece with Doug and Baird. I loved that place. Sunday all-ages matinee with Husker Du, a matinee show with the Minutemen (second show canceled-I've written about it elsewhere), Descendants all-ages. Feelies show which is one of the best shows ever. Sue--we used to sneak over the fence in the back. Janet was underage and got hauled away (Kevin too!) in the back of a paddy wagon. My first Yo La Tengo show. Alex Chilton first show in Chicago on return to his career. We opened for Green on Red. Mushrooms. My friend Raoul. The night we thought Ray Davies was going to jump on stage as a guest, but didn't. Sam Kinison was there. We heard him scream his patented scream at his girlfriend as they got in the cab. Lee Popa on sound board. Hot nut machine at the from door. The balcony that almost seemed like it was over the stage. Sue would give us $50 which frankly we could have been paying her. In other words, Sue has been there literally every step of the way with us, and was always nice, every step of the way, and I love her to pieces.
And then there is Joe. Before I was even in a band I was hanging out on Clark Street. Snuck in to Stages for the Slits soundcheck which was basically a New Age Steppers show. So many great shows at Metro over the years. You all know them all. For a band like us, it was the big time. Joe gave us our biggest shot to date when he booked us to open for The Long Ryders. That definitely kicked our career up a notch. Then he gave us a Meat Puppets show. Our profile was really helped by these two gigs. Joe started Rock Against Depression nights which let smaller bands like us play--admission $5. Metro was happening. And then once edd started packing the place on our own, Joe asked if a couple of up and comers could open for us. first Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins. You're welcome.
Joe ran the club as well as any club we've ever played at. After the gig he always made us feel like a million bucks no matter what the door did.
So, happy Block Party guys. Joe, Julia, and Sue. Thanks. Smooches.
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