Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010)

I was going through some old hard drives and came across this never-released footage from my “Make Your Move” CD release party way back in 2010! Right after the show, I flew to Australia for a 3-week tour, and when I came home I never really dove into the footage. One reason is that I took one look at it and couldn’t believe that none of us (the videographer team or me) even THOUGHT to remove the “Spotlight Comedy Club” sign from the curtain behind us (ugh!). That was super annoying for me to see after the fact (though nowadays I’m sure it’d be pretty easy for someone to digitally remove it).

Another thing was my hair. I had recently gotten it cut, and I felt I looked a bit too much like Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap! Super short bangs. I just didn’t wanna look at my head! 😝

The show was really great, but not perfect. And at that time in my life, my perfectionistic self could only see its shortcomings ~ the idea of releasing any performance that wasn’t absolutely perfect was too painful for me.

But now, with time and perspective, I can appreciate the great qualities of the show: the band was super tight. We were rehearsing every week and it shows! We performed some of my favorite harder rock songs (like “Canned Hunt”) I don’t often get to play ~ the ones that really need a full band to do them justice. And my band: Adam Gust (drums), Orlando Sims (bass), Daniel Brecher (rhythm guitar/vox), and Jamie Green (vox) was fire!!

Enjoy this little blast from the past!!

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ All The Way

Did you notice?? Halfway through this first song of the show, I realized that one of my guitar pedals had been on and was the source of my very muffled guitar sound. Partway through the guitar solo, you’ll hear my guitar brighten up (the way it should’ve sounded all along!), and you’ll also see me start to smile and get into the performance.

I really love the performance after that moment… up until then I can FEEL the angst that I was feeling at the time ~ wondering “what’s wrong with my sound?!” but not feeling like I could stop the train to find out.

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ Shut Your Mouth

This is one of the very few times I performed the original version of “Shut Your Mouth” with a full band. I love hearing the tight, sinister-sounding 3-part harmonies of me, Jamie Green & Daniel Brecher in this one.

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ Slave To Ambition

This song features David Leach on percussion. I think my favorite part about this performance is the funky jam at the end!!

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ It's Up To Me

This funky jam is SOOOO much fun to play with a full band! Especially the guitar solo and the groovy breakdown afterwards. My bassist Orlando Sims really shines on this one!!

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ Breathing Underwater

Something weird was happening with the acoustic guitar sound at the beginning of this song. You can tell ~ not only from the sound ~ but from my confused look and then the look of death I shot to the sound person trying to communicate “C’mon, man! Get it together!!” 😜

Fortunately, after that, there are some beautiful moments and gorgeous harmonies courtesy of Jamie Green.

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ My Sharona

This song is SOOOOO much fun to play!! And especially this heavy version of it. One of my favorite performances from this show.

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ Canned Hunt

SOOOOO Heavy!! This may have been the only time I’ve performed this song with a full band. It requires two guitar players & lots of rehearsal ~ all those tight background vocals that Daniel Brecher nailed, as well as singing and playing such syncopated parts simultaneously.

A lot of work, but also a lot of satisfaction when we get it right. 😌

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ Indy

There’s nothing I love more than making an audience MEOW!! ’nuff said! 😻

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ Dirty Little Secret

Another song I only perform with a full band. It’s all about the hard-hitting drums and that octave-based guitar riff 😎

 

Make Your Move CD Release Party (2010) ~ While You're Here

Check out the extended medley at the end of this song ~ I always love quoting as many of my favorite songs as possible during guitar solos (or whenever!!) 🤪