Just Give Me a Scene Where the Music is Free

Last night we had another house show. Our Open Mic house shows have grown to bursting the doors and windows of our little green homestead. It all started two years ago back on 200 East at Dojos #2 and #9. For a couple of years we opened the doors of our little apartment and invited friends. We were ecstatic when 30 people came and went over the course of the night. Now, having moved to a more accommodating space, we are already heaving beyond our bounds with friends and friendly strangers. Last night at one point we had over 80 people jammed into our living room. 80. I couldn't be happier.

Back home in Southwest Missouri my music life consisted of sloppy punk rock or jug band shows in basements and living rooms with the occasional bar show thrown in from time to time. I always disliked the bar shows, perhaps because there was always a portion (either slight or significant) who had showed up for the purpose of drinking and looking at each other instead of an honest interest in the music that was being created before their eyes.

When I was 19, I played in a band called Las Cruces. Andy, Garrett, and I made our brand of noise in a rusty tobacco shed out in the Ozark hills. We didn't play a lot of shows but we did play the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center once before I headed off on pilgrimage and Las Cruces became New Madrid. A whirlwind of changes followed that wonderful moment in time that was the night we played in St. Louis with Megafaun and two amazing noise groups.

"Small basements make for close friends." I believe in that. We have created something truly worthwhile here. Surely it is explained, at least in part, in this song. I warn you, there is one dirty little word.