Waxing Poetics perform 'Target White' at the King's Head Inn in Norfolk, mid-1986. The band was together, the music was written, and Dave set his sights on writing the lyrics to this first 'Waxing Poetics' song. A frequent set opener, good textures, crafty bass line, great drive and that 'stop' on the chorus is always an attention getter. Find the concrete words.
Take a quick trip down to "Jawjah" (as Paul says as he intros the tune) with this frequent set opener during this period of time. This song was called 'Different Lands' on the 'Hermitage' board tape that I have. I believe it almost made it onto the final cut of 'Hermitage' under the name 'Mad Dogs and Indians,' and JCH was the set list abbreviation for this song entitled (and sometimes accompanied by) 'Jimmy Carter's Head.' July '87 Peabody's shoot, board audio. Surely but meanwhile.
What I Did on My Summer Vacation... well, Dave put together a sweet little combo in 1988 with BoWeevil Mark Lawrence on guitar, Boweevil but soon-to-be-Poetic Jeff Bailey on Bass, and 'Fedora' Bil Shearin on percussion. This gig is opening for Joe 'King' Carrasco at the King's Head Inn in Norfolk, and this is a fine take of Lightnin' Hopkins 'Feel So Bad.'
This song from the earlier days of the band is the first song I heard them play at Cogan's Instant Art back in 1984. My eyebrows went up and I said to myself "These guys really have something here." From the July '87 Peabody's shoot, sound board audio. Which way is home?
Dave takes the spotli... erm.. the uh.. bare bulb in this concert opener at the gone-but-not-forgotten Boathouse; a favorite concert venue for many performers and show-goers, and now sadly condemned after Isabel tore the roof off the sucka in 2003. Poetics always sold out the joint, and their reunion show in '03 was one of the last shows played there. THIS take is from November 1988. We got laws 'round here 'bout that.
From the November, 1988 Boathouse show. Great show, sold-out hometown all ages crowd, and of course a great song. What's it about? Well, maybe we'll get that out of Dave one day. If you're lucky enough.
Waxing Poetics play the Raleigh Convention Center opening for The Connells, December 21st, 1990. Great crowd, great show, great version of this song. Audio from mic on camera, band sounds great, had to pump the mids to get Dave's vocals from the monitors. I could never do anything bad enough that's good enough to please you.
Waxing Poetics perform the high-energy 'Iodine' at The Jetty in Virginia Beach, Spring 1988. A track from the soon-to-be-released (at the time this video was shot) 'Manakin Moon' album. Sean Henessy on bass. I will rise again. I won't feel no pain.
Waxing Poetics perform the mighty 'Blue-Eyed Soul' as their set closer, opening for the Connells in the Main Room at Minneapolis' famous First Ave. & 7th St. Entry in December 1990. This was our first stop on the way _back_ from Brookings, South Dakota. All about an expensive room.
Here's a favorite tune from the earliest days of the band. Dave's in full Swingin' Medallions Summer of Love style here, from the Lennon glasses to the Rickenbacker. By the way, colorful lights are a great device for a live show... on 20-year-old VHS video... umm... not so much. From the July, 1987 Peabody's shoot; this is obviously the front camera shot, board audio. She makes arrangements, but loses interest.
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