The Henry Clay People (with The Airborne Toxic Event) @ The Triple Rock Social Club (Minneapolis, MN) 02-27-09

The Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis, MN 02-27-09

The Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis, MN is a great venue. It has a fairly high proscenium stage with a pit sunk into floor and a second level, maybe three feet higher than the pit, behind with a railing. Like the Troubadour in Los Angeles, it has a bar in the venue and a bar in the front. They served food. The burger was fine. There was a Galaga machine but we had no time for challenges.

The front bar.

Here's a special that's "special" alright.

The house.

The Brothers Siara act like brothers.

Can you guess which beer belongs to which band?

During soundchecks I had a chance to catch-up with The Airborne Toxic Event. Their soundcheck was long because a number of songs had to be put in a lower key with added background vocals; Jollett has not reclaimed the full range of his voice just yet. But the band was warm and friendly (as they always are) and seemed to have a terrific attitude about Mikel Jollett's failing voice. They're happiest when they're playing and were thrilled to get back to work.

Despite the fact that Airborne took a long time to soundcheck there was plenty of time left for The Henry Clay People to perfect their own sound. I got tingles listening them run through "I Was Half Asleep". Even if soundchecks don't focus on the performance aspect, there is something special about being in a private audience of about two or three.

The Henry Clay People soundcheck.

Doors opened at 9pm. Good, decent Minneapolis people filed-in: thirty-something men and early twenty-somethings of both sexes, predominantly. The show sold-out and the house was packed by about 9:45pm.

Doors open.

The Henry Clay People stepped onto the stage without fanfare. They introduced themselves with a warm rendition of "Two By Two" and slid effortlessly into "The Good Ones". As they finished the song I spied a few beer cups raised into the air. "Taste of the Tasteless" sent heads bobbing and small pockets of patrons dancing, not three songs into a set played by a band they knew little about.

When Joey Siara told the crowd that this show was a Replacements pilgrimage for him, they were his to keep. Vociferous cheers -- no, battle cries -- erupted from all corners of the venue. For the rest of the set there was genuine cheering and applause after every song. Eyes squinted, mouths spread across faces upturned, and the necks and shoulders of most everyone in the pit shimmied and shook without awareness.

Of the handful of times I've seen the new lineup this was arguably the best-sounding set. Songs flowed into each other without seams and the four horsemen of the rockalypse played as one.

The finest moment was "Digital Kid". Revelatory. When Joey Siara looked to the crowd and asserted "You're going to save rock and roll tonight. So put your fists in the air for the Replacements and take back rock and roll!" an army's clenched fingers launched into the air without hesitation and a chorus of voices rose-up, chanting the battle cry "You can take it back... you can take it back. You can take it back..."

The Henry Clay People are the best band in LA. Obviously, His Bloggership can't be more than one place at once, but I have no doubt that on Friday, February 27th, 2009, The Henry Clay People were also the best band in Minneapolis.

After the set an Airborne Toxic Event who staked-out a front-and-center standing place requested Siara's guitar pick. Another fan asked for the entire band to sign her CD. I spoke with others who had checked-out the opening band on myspace and made sure to come early.

This was an unfamiliar crowd and The Henry Clay People earned their affection. No doubt, if these people had been familiar with the songs then The Henry Clay People would have also earned their love. If they can get their music out there to raise a battalion of Henry Clay Persons they will already have a small militia of fans in waiting, ready to sign-up and serve.

Set List:

Two By Two
The Good Ones
End of An Empire
Taste of the Tasteless
This Ain't a Scene
I Was Half-Asleep
Something in the Water
Digital Kid
Knowledge (Operation Ivy cover)
Classic Rock Medley
Working Part Time











Notes on The Airborne Toxic Event:

Before The Airborne Toxic Event played I talked to a fan named Doug. He's a premed student who drove all the way from Fargo to see them play. His brother, a soldier stationed in Hawaii, had initially turned him onto the band and when Doug saw them perform on David Letterman he decided he could not miss the show. He told me what all fans of The Airborne Toxic Event say: the band's ability to relate and remain personable with their fans is one of the biggest drawing points. Guitarist Steven Chen personally responded to an email Doug wrote and the gesture endeared them to him.

Early in the set Mikel Jollett seemed to struggle some with the key changes. Then he asked the crowd to help him sing, turning the weakness into a strength. He made the sold-out crowd his friends and all three-hundred of them were more than willing to help a friend in need. By the time they came out for the encore of "Does This Mean You're Moving On" and "Missy," the entire pit was in a fervor. Out of 12 or so Airborne shows it was the most animated I have ever seen the crowd.

One last thought: Their version of "Goodbye Horses" continues to melt me. I've contemplated a hunger strike until a studio recording is made.

CGT Road Trip Day 4: Lawrence, KS to Minneapolis, MN (02-27-09)

Minneapolis, the royal seat of the Frozen Ice Plains 02-27-09

It was hard to leave Lawrence, Kansas. For two days everyone lived for cheap or for free. Pizza, steak, beer, breakfast, and beds -- at the cost of zero moneybucks -- did a lot to lift the spirits of The Henry Clay People. They were anxious to play a serious show again, ready to get back to business. Aunt Anna and Uncle Terry sent us off in style: eggs, biscuits, and gravy.

The drive was brutal. What is there to say about Minnesota? It's fucking cold. Who wishes to live in such murderous climes? Those of unsound mind or a penchant for self-inflicted punishment.

Both Andy and Joey Siara spent time riding in Petey the Urban Blogssault Vehicle. Andy I spent a lot of time talking about music we liked.

Joey was in my car for the second leg of the trip and since we were approaching Minnesota, he talked about The Replacements a lot. The Replacements are Joey Siara's favorite band. Their sound, ethic, and philosophy about music is written all over The Henry Clay People's sound. This show was going to be special for him. After the short falling in Lawrence, the day of rest and recuperation that yielded increased morale, and the significance of the next location to the band's very existence, all of the pieces were falling into place...

If I Was in LA Tonight: Echo Curio and Hungry Beat!

Today we'll be driving from Minneapolis, MN to Chicago, IL -- which happens to be one of my favorite cities. Good people, though I pity them, being saddled with The Bears and all.

If I was in LA... it'd be an Echo Park DIY / BYO show hop. First Echo Curio for the arty stuff, then Pehrspace for indiepop dance night. Give it a try!

Nocturnal Shenanigans in Lawrence, KS on 02-26-09

If I Was in LA Tonight: Exposure

Tonight I'll be seeing The Henry Clay People in Minneapolis, MN. Not counting the Minneapolis airport, I have never been to Minnesota before. That makes it 38 states visited for me.

I'm excited to be with The Henry Clay People but I am super-bummed to miss this show: Three of LA's best rock photographers -- Simon Cardoza, Jeff Koga, and Benjamin Hoste -- are putting-on a series of shows to promote their local LA music gallery exhibit.

We need these guys to help tell the story of the Los Angeles music scene and they do a bang-up job night after night. All of them have shot for CGT in the past, by the way. Please come to support them tonight.

CGT Road Trip Day 3: Lawrence, KS (02-26-09)

Uncle Terry and Aunt Anna's house 02-26-09

We're staying with Aunt Anna and Uncle Terry, relatives of the Siara brothers, in Lenexa, a Kansas-side suburb of Kansas City. They live in a large home on a cul de sac, a retirement fortress with multple guest rooms, perfectly suited for grandparents with a small militia of grandchildren.

They are marvelously kind, hospitable folks. The Kansans I've encourtered on previous road trips, usually farmer-types eating their breakfast at a road stop, were gruff and unfriendly. But Aunt Anna and Uncle Terry are the kind of people that give the midwest a good name. Warm, conversational, and happy to open their doors to friends and family in need.

We had the luxury of sleeping in and showering well into the late morning before going to Spin! a gourmet pizza franchise managed by Dan, one of the Siara's cousins. Dan's a great guy. He reminds me of a lot of younger guys with backwards caps that I've met who have found success in the restaurant business. Animated, actively interested in his industry, and still a little mischievous in his leisure time. He really exemplifies the midwestern small businessman and American work ethic.

Lunch was on the house and was exceptional. Delicious 12-inch pizzas with many local-grown ingredients, wine, and pitchers of Boulevard Wheat Ale. The rest and the food did the band a lot of good and everyone seemed recharged. Afterwards there was an impromptu at a Ruby Tuesdays for -- yep, you guessed it -- one last pint of Boulevard.

Joey Siara. Hawt.

Jonathan Price, man of class.

Mike Hopkins has had enough.

Following that everyone came back to the house to relax. The Siara's uncle Mike is in town from Chicago, and he also is a person of pleasant disposition. It's easy to see why the Siara brothers are so easy-going in social situations, coming from genetic stock like this.

Dinner was at the Hereford House, a very nice steakhouse in Lenexa, and was a gift from Uncle Terry. The steak was exceptional. I really enjoyed Uncle Terry's life story. He grew-up in small town Illionois, joined the service and went to Italy during Vietnam, became an insurance adjuster and eventually worked his way up to being a CFO via Chicago, NYC, and finally Kansas City before retiring a happily married man with children and grand children. One sometimes wonders if such a life is possible in this country anymore.

Andy Siara and manager Dane Sundseth.

Between a 3am sandwich snack last night, the massive pizza lunch, the extra bar stop, and the steak dinner... nearly everyone is in pain and using the restroom. Over-eating is a wonderful problem to have if you're a touring rock band and everyone seems eager to sop-up every ounce of comfort before heading to Minneapolis...

The Henry Clay People @ Jackpot Saloon and Music Hall (Lawrence, KS) 02-25-09

The Henry Clay People @ Jackpot Saloon and Music Hall (Lawrence, KS) 02-25-09

If it weren't for the hills then downtown Pasadena could pass for Massachusetts Street, the main drag in Lawrence, KS. It's a college down, not so much charming as it is simply cool. Aside from typical college town mainstays (I ate at a Jimmy Johns with Joey Siara) there are plenty of intriguing local establishments. A glowing green stairwell, hardly maintained and oozing mysterious sounds, invited passer-byes into a club whose signage simply read "Jazz". Strange garments were displayed in windows, fliers of numerous local events were fastened to doors. There's stuff to do here. Lawrence boldly defies the Kansas stereotype.

Car parked, I bounded down the street, seeking frosted addresses on glass storefronts Squinting, I looked-up at a sign "Jackpot Saloon and Music Hall".



"Welcome to hell, man." That was Joey Siara, the lead singer of The Henry Clay People, hovering in the doorway. His droopy, curly hair and sleepy bespectacled eyes offered me a properly slack high-five. Standing with him was Mike Hopkins, The HCP drummer, with his ever-present cigarette. They looked a little beaten-down.

"Here, I'll take you inside."

The Jackpot is a clean establishment that gets dirtier and less finished the closer you get to the stage and the bathrooms. It offers a bottled beer list that would satisfy a snob, though Kansas-brewed Boulevard Wheat and Pale ales are on-tap, and those flavorful beers are the only option for someone with their tongue screwed-in right. They had a "multi-cade," an illegal modified (or homemade) arcade cabinet with 30 or so classic arcade games.

The patronage was pleasant. Nice folks. Every young guy wore a beard and the hipster girls were cute enough. The joint's manager, a short Brian Blessed-resembling man, was friendly.

No Galaga challenge. I was too scared.

Andy Siara checks his email.

Joey took me down to the "green room," of The Jackpot, a hole in the basement that could be mistaken for a cave in the mountains of Pakistan if it weren't for the walls of graffiti, a living testament to those who have been there before. I counted at least seven different hairy penises drawn on the walls.

Dane Sundseth, the band's long-haired manager, and Andy Siara, Joey's cocky younger brother, were crouched on a couch watching a YouTube video of a six year old kid freshly high from the dentist's drugs. Everyone laughed. After what they'd just been through, I could tell they needed it.






When The Henry Clay People were invited to tour with The Airborne Toxic Event, a wave of pride swept through Silver Lake and Echo Park. The HCP are a highly respected, deeply-loved group of musicians in the Los Angeles music scene it was hard to find someone who felt their fortune was ill-earned. According to the band, the first six dates of the tour were amazing. Both Andy and Joey described the Portland show as one of their best shows ever.

And then, The Airborne Toxic Event's singer got sick. Laryngitis. To date, five shows have been canceled. To a small band like The Henry Clay People, virtually unknown outside of Los Angeles, the loss of five days of revenues is devastating. Two nights before I left LA to meet with the band I got phone call from Joey. He sounded like he was at a funeral "They just canceled two more shows. I'm just giving you a heads-up. We feel like we just want to go home."

And they almost did. But an out-pouring of support from their homebase kept them going. They were offered words of comfort from everyone they knew, advances on future shows, and even donations. The tour ultimately agreed to help them float and the band has been able to get by.

But on Wednesday night they still looked like they'd been through the ringer. This night's show was cancelled, too, but the venue allowed The Henry Clay People to play-on anyway... before karaoke night.

By the band's own admission, the show was not a particularly good one. There were not thirty people in the room and twenty-five of them were sitting at the bar or in booths. (This after 200 tickets had been pre-sold for The Airborne headlining show) They sounded good, not great. The mistakes were evident, but not to an unprofessional level.

A slow-simmering performance of "I Was Half-Asleep" was inspiring, the highpoint of the set. During an Operation Ivy cover one patron stood on a bench and punched the air. Another in the back of the room happily called-out to the band from the back, acknowledging she understood that their t-shirts were a Dead Milkmen reference.

And truly, considering the circumstance, their energy was remarkable. It was, in many ways, a practice set. But while the band was dissatisfied, the worst reaction I saw in the house was neutral. Those people came to sing karaoke, not to see a concert, and they cheered from the back of the room after every song. Still, The Henry Clay People made only $18: one CD and their share of the door.

There was a silver-lining: A Lawrence-native named Jackie who has followed The Henry Clay People on myspace for a long time came just for them. She stood at the front of the stage, bobbed with glee to the music, and beamed joy. It was all The Henry Clay People needed and I don't doubt her presence helped them endure the abysmal turn-out. One perfectly satisfied customer.

Perhaps as a Hail Mary to get some crowd involvement, The Henry Clay People played an abbreviated version of their classic rock medley. When it didn't change the mood of the room, they ended their set, maybe a little short. The band stiffly walked-off the stage, certainly being harder on themselves than anybody else in the bar. Mike Hopkins went to the bathroom, placed his beer on the hand-drier, and dried the sweat on his scalp. The vibrating drier spilled the beer all over him. He came out of the bathroom shirtless. More much-needed laughter.

Set List:

Digital Kid
End of An Empire
This Ain't a Scene
Taste of the Tasteless
?
I Was Half Asleep
Something in the Water
Knowledge (Operation Ivy cover)
Classic Rock Medley

The Henry Clay People's Lawrence, KS fanbase.

Mike Hopkins FAIL.

HCP drummer Mike Hopkins helps with karaoke night.

The HCP sings karaoke.

It's evident that the difficulties of the last week have exasperated tensions within the band. The new lineup has only had a couple months to gel and they're still learning each other's personalities as a group; still learning how to deftly navigate disputes. But they all share a love of music and that binds them. I was astonished how, after one heated argument, the entire band went straight back to laughing with each other, teasing each other harmlessly as fraternal groups of men are wont to do, almost as though a switch has been flipped. If the argument was a microcosm for this leg of the tour then you can bet your bottom dollar, there will be sun.

More to come...