060306Notes

I had an inkling that this next Sonic Rush show might be something a little special. I had no idea! Really.. The yearly event hosted at the Bunker Hill bar not too far outside of the sprawling (and still drying out) metropolis of Cazenovia, Wisconsin. It was called the Cannon Run. The last stop on a 66-tavern bike route.

Held on about 100 acres of rolling hills and contoured farmlands, Bunker Hill is just a small bar in the middle of (literally) nowhere. But for one weekend in the summer, the place hums with the sound of throbbing Harleys; hunger-inducing smells of pulled pork and BBQ; men and women clad in various states of dress, dancing to good good music. I saw nary a frown on any of the 1000 plus faces the spilled out of the bar, the lawn, the road, the street, out of campers and tents, and RV’s and well… think of Sturgis without all the hype.

On my way from my rather “cultured” homeland, I ventured along my old stomping grounds traveling North and West on good, old Hwy 33. Folks, this is the same highway I learned to drive on…and a year after that, I found out that sometimes cars really could peg the speedometer… (but that’s another story). Through the town of La Valle (where I once left the redhead, and I had to laugh as she called me on my cell just as I was passing through).. turning on Hwy 58, and through Caz and onto curvy Hwy I.

About 3 miles down some very beautiful and green country, I noticed cars parked on either side of the road for about as far as you could see. I made my way to the outside stage and parked right behind it (much to the consternation of some of the folks that had to get out of the way)… I stated that I was “in the band”…and then, it seems…. Everyone said… “Hey man.. you can park right here if you want to. That’s cool!” What an excellent welcome for a wayfaring stranger…

When I got there, they were doing the big raffle. I believe they raffle off lots of big prizes, including the motor craft herein known as “HOGS.” There were an awful lot of people there, and it took awhile before I located said band “dudes”.

The first band (“Penny Sack”) was just setting up as the raffles ended. They started playing about 8:30 and just rocked the house. They took their first break and a wayfaring soul playing guitar named “Captain Jack” came up to play a couple of well-honed songs he wrote… Two of which to this author were VERY memorable; “Let me hold the dildo” and “I’m Sleeping with my butt against the wall…”. (About time spent in jail)

After one more quick set from “Penny Sack”, the fireworks began. No, I mean…the FIREWORKS!!! Honestly. Most local Fourth of July fireworks would pale in comparison to the display beheld to my eyes that night. WOW! I wish I could have spent more time watching the display being carried out overhead. But, the first band was departing, and we had to get setup and ready to go as soon as the explosions were done.

From the moment that Kurt and Chris unraveled the Sonic Rush backdrop, the screams never stopped. Kurt turns to me and says, “I think this is going to be a good show…”

He wasn’t kidding. From the first chunka chunka of first song intro…it was truly rock n’ roll madness. We were informed that because we started our show late, we only had until 2 am to finish out the night. It was decided that we would forgo the first set brake. And for about two and one half hours, we performed close to non-stop.

Highlights? Where do you begin? The throng of girls on the stage for the song, “Girls, Girls, Girls”. Willie pegging the keys on “Here I go again” and thrilling the crowd with his guitar and keyboard prowess (and not a friggin’ keyboard anywhere). Chris took up the guitar solo-ish for “Every Rose has a thorn” (Which gave the other guys a chance to hit the porta potties and this author to remove his cowboy boots and get into more comfy shoes)… as the Bic lighters came out in force. There were the “boobies” in the air. Poor Reggie (“Band Manager”) stated…and I quote, “I saw so many boobs, I lost my glasses!”

Though I did not get a chance to play the slide solo on the edge of the stage (one of the few songs we did not get to).. I was digging on the solo for “Juke Box Hero” and finding that even in cowboy boots, I could run from one side of the stage to the other. Kurt was rolling on the ground for “Metal Health” and did a great job and keeping the crowd rowdy.

Kevin kept the beatin’ steady and really drove the band all night long. Without him pounding out the drums like he was, it would have been really nothing. I would say, as an observer…he is finally coming into his own.

If the night belonged to anyone guy in the band, it was Chris. He spent nearly as much time on the ground with crowd as he did on the stage. We saw him pouring some “sugar” (AKA “Doctor”) on the bared breasts of young ladies in the front. He calls them “the hen house”. Stage show notwithstanding, he really knocked “Man in a Box” right out of the park…and it was amazing to see the lead singer Julica (voted by the band as “hottest lady singer ever…”) of “Penny Sack” on her knees with him singing along.

All too soon, it was the song, “Goodnight now ladies and gentlemen” and it was time to go….

Every now and then: as a performer…. You get a chance to play shows like this one. The weather was perfect. The moon was (nearly) full… the crowd was friendly and responsive. Lots of new fans, Including “Fist pump guy”, and “Hot shot shorty chick” and the hot lead singer whom we all hope to see more of in the future) and many of the “faithful” (tip of the hat to Shannon and “mah”)…

It wasn’t really the end of summer… but if summer this year had to end… this would be the note we would want it to end on.

VOICES FROM THE CROWD:
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Great job last night, awesome time ,you guys ROCKED bunker hill. Can't wait till we see ya again.

You were awesome as usual last night at Bunker Hill, I can't wait to rock with you all next year at the party. I'm pretty sure I'll see you all before then....

What a weekend filled with FUN, FRIENDS, BANDS, BEER and most of all that hot band called SONIC RUSH!!!!! You guys put on an outstanding show! As far as the "sugar" there will be more in "the hen house" just never know when.... Don't want you to expect it all the time. (xoxo) CLUCK CLUCK CLUCK