Pml But

[randyc]

Tired, longer review later, it's almost 2:00am here. Long show. 3.5 hours.

Highlights-

Peter's guitar solo
The shyness of Mark Harris
Dinner at the Wild Note
Baba Oriely (Teenage Wasteland)
Meeting some new people like Lori22 and Don
The guy that looked like Jack Nicholson
Public dsplays of affection (I think your cone of invisibility is not working while you dance)

All that for $10. What a deal.

Night...

[Dangulo]

I can't wait to discuss this.

The JAck Nicholson guy cracked me up.

[Tineke Bruil]

okay now.... WAKE UP :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

Let us know more!!!

[randyc]

Sorry, the bad thing about getting home at 2:00am, was a car race the next morning. :)

Craig, were you there?

More in a bit.

[Diane Triantis]

Originally posted by Dangulo
I can't wait to discuss this.

The JAck Nicholson guy cracked me up.

Hey, I was there and I didn't see Jack Nicholson??? :(

Diane (from Orange County)

[Diane Triantis]

I've been to quite a few Pine Mountain Logs shows, and I have to say that last night's at the Belly Up was one of the best I've seen. As always the show was a big party, but it did appear that the guys had actually rehearsed a couple of things and they did some stuff I had not heard them do previously. They also seemed to be having a very good time for over 3 hours (how do they do it??).

The whole evening was enhanced by the fact that the excellent funk band, the Urban Gypsies opened for them. These guys opened for them once before and it was apparent then that the two bands admired one another, so much so that the lead singer from that band joined the Logs for a couple songs last night which was very cool. Mark Lennon was in fine voice last night and also sported a windblown hair look which stayed that way all night due to the HUGE electric fan on stage behind him. It was quite entertaining watching him and Kipp cool off periodically in front of the fan and it allowed Mark to restyle his sexy hair. As one might expect, he looked great and had the women, (some of whom had never seen him before) swooning.

It was nice seeing Randy Chase, meeting Lori22 and Don and seeing Tahoe Gayle, the Mattieu Clan and Ilana from Holland, and some other veteran Venetians there. Many of the "regulars" were nowhere to be found, but the place was packed and a good time was had by all.

Diane (in Orange County)

P.S.-The Logs are fun, but not magical like Venice. Don't know when we Californians will see our favoritie band again
:confused:

[randyc]

He was wearing a sport coat over a patterned t-shirt. Probably around 55 years old. A little balding with whispy hair slicked straight back. Dark glasses.

He had a knit cap with a button on it (!!?). At one point he talked to Kipp and showed him the button. He also kept asking Mark or Mike or someone to play something. I could not understand what it was, though I heard a couple near us yelling for "Freebird" until Kipp finally said they are playing it (it was not). :)

Jack was very into the music and suprisingly mobile and energetic considering his age. His head would jerk, he would crouch down, hands out like an egyptian, then do a duck walk, make some interesting hand or finger or head movements, the run 20 feet and narrowly miss someone. After 30 minutes, he was sweating profusely but it did not stop him.

It was entertaining. The other entertainment was provided by the young ladies that came to dance. I am getting old. It seems crazy how the kids dance now (and boy does that make me sound old!). :) One girl was bent over at the waist while, what I thought was her boyfriend, was "giving it to her" from behind. Until she went to a different guy. And another young lady, a blonde was doing everything one could do while still clothed. She seemed to be enjoying herself immensely. :eek:

And oh... there was a band playing too. :)

[randyc]

The Urban Gypsys were very good. I enjoyed the opening act. When The Big Man joined PNL on stage for Prince's "Kiss" it was very cool. I also noted that he seemed reluctant to leave and wondered if PNL was wondering how to accomodate him, since they change songs quickly in mod verse.

If I had time, I would go see Urban Gypsys again on Wedneday. They offered free admission to anyone with a PNL ticket stub.

One funny thing was seeing how many matching cover songs both bands did. I counted two.

The UG's keyboardists was very good.

[randyc]

Dinner at The Wild Note was very good.

We started with a wonderful seared Ahi crusted with sesame and served with a nice sauce. Dinner was a Mahi Mahi in a nice crust and served on a sweet sauce and with Israeli Cuscus (sp?). The salads were awesome.

Seating was hard to come by when we entered the BUt about 8:10pm. The warm up band Urban Gypsys came on at 8:15 and played for an hour.

Venice came on a little after 9:30, and played until after 1:00am with a small intermission. A long time. The one down side of that, about 50% of the crowd leaves by then.

[randyc]

Dianne, the main comment from my wife and our friend was that it was fun, but it made us miss the real music. As much as I enjoy the PML, I think it does not help the potential market (if that matters) as much as playing as Venice and promoting Venice. Specially if Venice can include some covers and medleys.

There is some obvious separation, probably intentional. I think a casual patron that was there to hear whatever band this was, would not have come away knowing it was Venice. They mostly used fake names for each other (other than the famous Mark Harris) and I only heard the word Venice at the very end in mention of the Topanga Days fair.

[Diane Triantis]

Wow, Randy, you really did get ALOT for your entertainment dollar last night! I missed those little "sideshows". I must be a cheap date, easily amused by Mark Lennon restyling his locks.
Diane (in Orange County)

Originally posted by randyc
Jack was very into the music and suprisingly mobile and energetic considering his age. His head would jerk, he would crouch down, hands out like an egyptian, then do a duck walk, make some interesting hand or finger or head movements, the run 20 feet and narrowly miss someone. After 30 minutes, he was sweating profusely but it did not stop him.
It was entertaining. The other entertainment was provided by the young ladies that came to dance. I am getting old. It seems crazy how the kids dance now (and boy does that make me sound old!). :) One girl was bent over at the waist while, what I thought was her boyfriend, was "giving it to her" from behind. Until she went to a different guy. And another young lady, a blonde was doing everything one could do while still clothed. She seemed to be enjoying herself immensely. :eek:
[/B]

[Diane Triantis]

I have to agree Randy, last night made me long for Venice, too. It's kind of like the difference between a pleasant experience and a meaningful one. I'm not sure I understand the wisdom behind doing Logs shows at the BUT, which I always regarded as sacred Venice ground. I know the Logs are a moneymaker and sadly, sometimes Venice is not, so maybe that is the reason.
As for mixing some covers into the Venice shows, I think that is a good thing. They used to do it alot, then stopped. There are conflicting opinions about doing that, but many famous successful artists do it. One thing it does is hook people who may be unfamiliar with the band. For example, the first time I saw Venice, 2 songs stuck out in my mind: their own "For a Kiss" because it is such an engaging song (that for some unknown reason they've omitted from their sets lately), and "Landslide" (slow version) because it was familiar. In any case, I'll go see them no matter what they sing. I just hope we get to see them as Venice soon.
Diane (from OC)

[randyc]

Well put Diane (I note the one N, sorry!).

I recall someone in Venice mentioning doing the medley of songs for those new people. I think it does work, and it's works very well.

And for me, For a Kiss was the most catchy song and the one song that hooked me. I can see that a couple of songs from the latest album may also fit that, but I was sad to see it dropped from the setlists.

Nobody asks me :) but I would drop some other songs instead, because I feel like I can visibly see the audience interest drop off on a couple songs. Those may be great songs when you get into Venice, but I am thinking (maybe too much?) as someone who wants to see them become more popular.

The other thing about doing covers on their albums, is it cross pollenates interest. For example, if some other band covered For a Kiss, some band you had not heard about, you would probably get that CD and give it a listen. Many fans and collectors will do this. That helps spread the gospel. I like the idea of Venice being a warm up band, even if it's frustrating to see such a short setlist like at Doobie Brothers last year. But it was cool to see the audience that had no idea who these guys were, find out. That is how I found out about the band.

[randyc]

P.S. My wife said "hey...what say we take a collection and buy Mark a hair dryer"

:)

[mikeinoc]

Well, I've been busy this holiday weekend, so this is my first time at a PC since the show. As alluded to earlier, one of the highlights was a solo by Pete V. during "Kid Charlemagne". Which helps me seque to the topic of the existence of the PML's: I have heard that whether performed by the PML's or by Venice, cover songs give the guys a chance to perform and pay tribute to some of the great music that has inspired them. Some songs, like the aforementioned Steely Dan cover, give them a chance to showcase their musical talents. Others give them a chance to "goof off" and just have fun. All the band members, whether from the PML's or from Venice, are very talented and always seem to put on a great show :rockout:

What is it they say about the "spice of life"?

Mike

P.S. Guess I'll have to stop standing in the back; seems like I keep missing out on all the action up front rotfl

[lia kinnet-abts]

psssstt... the "fire-line" is big fun, the most wonderful place, but don't tell everybody will you !

Is there anybody who has a setlist ? I really like to know WHAT they were singing !

:love: & kiss-jes, lia & katrien

[Dangulo]

Sorry about getting this out late. First off I have to say that I had a BLAST seeing the PML's for the first time. Now, as some of you already know, I've been a Venice fan for almost 14 years, and I found it odd that I never saw the PML's. I can say that it was a blast, but it seemed like a 3 1/2 encore to one of their "Venice" shows.:band:

It was great fun, but I really enjoy a Venice show more. On the topic of Mark Harris' shyness...I think the PML's gives him the chance to cut loose. It gives all of them the chance to cut loose and have fun on stage. It's one thing to perform your regular set to the best of your ability night after night, but sometimes you have to go out and have fun with it to remind you WHY you choose to be a musician. I understand this. I've been playing since I was 12, now 34, and I've been in situations where you're tired of playing the same old thing and long for even a slight change.

Did anyone notice that the other guitarist was actually playing the solo to "Kid Charlemagne" and not Pete? I'm sure he's a great player, but the other guy turned his back and stayed in back while everyone had their eyes on Pete. At least, that's what I noticed. :rockout:

Randy: I agree with your thoughts on cross-pollenation.

Now for Venice and songs that are catchy and songs that get dropped. I think that they drop certain songs because they feel those songs no longer fit what they, as a band, represent anymore. Lord knows I miss hearing "All My Life," "The Water,"Bleeding," "In July," and "The Girl in 204." These are all GREAT songs. As fans, we long to hear our favorite songs. I think we must respect the band's decisions on songs to drop. It's got to be a fair mix of what is new to promote and what to continue to play that will compliment the direction the band is going. (BTW: Micheal, if you're reading this, could I, possibly, get a chord chart for "Bleeding?")

Anybody care to retort?

[Lori22]

Hello,

First, just want to say it was great to finally meet so many of you. Randy(thanks for the buttons), Diane, Don, Annie, Chuck, and Ilana. And great to see Michelle and Kristy again. I agree the show was incredible and I really enjoy hearing the mixture of songs that they played. (I'd love a setlist too, anyone?) When I see the PML, to me, they show how talented they are, because they can play such a variety and all the songs sound perfect, to me!

BUT.. I do like seeing Venice more because they have so many of their own songs to choose from. I personally would love to see more of a mix of slow and fast. Or perhaps another acoustic set somewhere would be nice. (Hint Hint)

The audience was full of energy, just sorry I missed Jack. I always focus on how great the entertainment is on stage. Even off stage when Mark Harris jumped off stage and appeared next to me jumping back up on stage. Shy? Who said he was shy? I think Randy is right though, I want to see Venice more popular and maybe they should throw a few more Venice tunes into the PML setlist, just a thought. Or keep just a few PML songs in the list for Venice. Either way, I'm sure a lot of us would love to make up our own setlist. I know it's not easy, but there are a few songs I'd love to hear that they never play anymore, but it's always a nice surprise whenever I see them.

Great SHOW! Had a Blast! THANKS VENICE :)

Lori

P.S. Dinner at Wild Note was very good!

[Dangulo]

Lori,

Hey...it was nice to meet you too. Everybody that I've ever met that was a Venice fan was a nice person. Maybe that's what binds us all together. We know that they a great guys and their spirit embeds itself in their music.

I agree with you on enjoying a Venice show more, but we have to remember that we get a little bit of PML in all of their encores. It's never far away from them at all. It's even better because it's ALL of Venice doing the PML thing.

As far as tossing in a couple of Venice songs during a PML set, I can't agree with that. They might as well just perform as Venice, although I think they should sell Venice CD's at a PML show. I feel that people who go see the PML's walk away completely blown away and then to find out that they are another band as well...that has CD's out...would be an outstanding thing. How many times have we walked away from seeing a good band play and wished that we had something to listen to afterwards. I'm sure we ALL did that when we saw Venice for the first time, unless you heard them on the air first.

I know we all have our own opinions towards this kind of thing, but I think that the PML's keep things separate for a reason. Sort of like going out incognito. As fans of any band, we all have different things that we love so much about music that we're VERY passionate about. I also think that the guys are very bound by tradition and that's a great thing. If you look at their family history, it all makes sense that way. I special it must have been to have been born into that clan of great people.

I can't wait to see another Venice gig now...:bananadan

[Lori22]

Hi,

Good points, Don. Just like "Most of Us", I look forward to seeing the shows, no matter which songs I hear. I did get to see the Venice/PML show at Topanga Days and they did include a few Venice songs at the beginning of the show. I definately enjoyed it and even picked up another CD. They really should try and sell more and everywhere they can. I just wonder what the band thinks about playing Venice songs as PML? Anyone else? Another opinion?

Bye 4 now,

Lori :)

[Lori22]

Besides - Pat is there when PML plays Venice songs!

Lori

[Dangulo]

Hi Lori,

I'm so jealous that you got to go to Topanga days. I really wanted to, but couldn't.

I'm not sure it's such a great idea for the PML to play Venice songs. Once again, it think it may lie in the "taking-a-quick-break-from-things" approach for the PML's. Also, I heard that "Venice" can't play at the BUT on Saturdays, but can on Thursdays. Something wierd for the club, but rules are rules. If they played Venice songs while assuming the personas of the PML's, then what's the point of being the PML's at all? They should just be Venice.

Does that make any sense?

Don
:wave: