Salutations™!!

Well, it’s that time again. Time to invite you to the latest edition of the “Vagabond Saints Society Rocks Your Face Off Chronicles.” A refresher on the VSS real quick: a core band of musicians, consisting of Doug Davis, Jerry Chapman, Randall Johnson and Corky McClellan, decide on a “musical theme” (past shows have been a tribute to John Lennon on the 25th anniversary of his death, Tom Petty, two shows about R.E.M., KISS, Woodstock, Springsteen, XTC, Hall & Oates, even a collection of “Manc Sound” artists and many more) and invite, usually, a collection of local musicians to either play or sing with them in this theme. I have been a proud “card-carrying Vagabond Socialite” since around 2007-08 with the second of the R.E.M. shows and have become a regular having only missed two shows in that time (Nick Cave and Emmylou Harris).

This latest show is really a bonus that just sort-of happened. VSS usually does three themes a year: one in spring, a summer mini-tour and a fall show. This one is a show honoring the musical genius of the very recently-lost David Bowie. We try not to use the work “tribute” because that gives the false-impression of us trying to mimic the artist(s) instead of what the truest sense of the word is: an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration. So, generally, there is a rule that says that no outside use of bands or instruments that aren’t part of the core band’s inclusion is allowed. But, for this show, that’s being waived and there will be several bands playing a one-off song (presumably) for the show, spanning Bowie’s entire, vast career. I know there are a couple of impromptu gatherings happening for that and some reunions of old bands that will do the same.

In addition to all of that, the core band will be doing his (in my opinion) magnum opus, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. That’s where I come in. I didn’t want to have to find people to play with and I didn’t feel comfortable enough to do an acoustic version of anything so I went with the comfortable surrounding of the core group and do a song that has meaning to me and The BCPF, “Starman.” I’ve known the song for a while because The BCPF put it on a mixtape for me when we weren’t even dating, yet. That being said, I’ve never really paid enough attention to know the workings of the song, so I’ve been cramming to learn the lyrics, including putting it on repeat and just doing the lyrics over and over again. So much so that my 13-year old made fun of me and asked if I was getting tired of it, yet, because he was (after two times through). It’s really a short-lyriced song, and they’re not the problem. The verbage is what gets me the most. I know what he’s saying, it’s how he says them that throws me. Danged Brit! I have them, though, I’m pretty sure. I had to skip on the one practice they had for the show because they did it on Wednesday which combined with the time frame was exactly the time that I record The Less Desirables. So, Doug is trusting me to get it right and he says he has faith in me. I’m glad he feels that way, even if it is extra pressure. But, yeah, I got this.

So, to the sales pitch. The show is being held at our “home” (and Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables), The Garage. The show will start at 9pm and go until we get it all in. Usually, there is a cover to get in, but for this show, it’s only a $1 donation to gain admission. That dollar goes to cancer research, which if you don’t know, is what took Bowie from this plane and into the Great Wherever. Surely, that’s worth it to come out. It will be crowded and it will sell out, so you’ll want to get there early. Come have a good time and listen to great music with talented folks.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“Ziggy played guitar, Jamming good with Weird and Gilly and the Spiders from Mars. He played it left hand but made it too far; became the special man. Then we were Ziggy’s band.” – “Ziggy Stardust” (Bowie)