Serious props go to drummer Chad Creason, my former student, for making it all happen. He had been chained to my most notorious period ever nine years earlier, so he could have easily have ignored any school contact. Instead, though, Chad, who also happens to be Dave Grohl’s godson, committed himself from the outset. He met once with me to brainstorm ideas, once with Rock Club kids for a jam session, and once with his entire band for the concert.
Band members’ work schedules made setting up the staging and all the instruments before late buses arrived a very tense process. Somehow, though, thanks to the quick work of Chad, guitarist Cory Creason, guitarist/vocalist Andrew Canoyer, bassist Zach Monday, and pianist Zach Bosco, they were able to play the whole setlist!
The first song was one Chad played for me on the guitar weeks before, one I titled “Shades of Sunshine.” It had hopeful elements, but there was a push-and-pull of conflict – more shaded than blazing sun. The second song reminded me of Red Hot Chili Peppers’s “Road Trippin,” particularly the chill part. The third song felt aligned with Foo Fighters' "February Stars" -- not the same song, but connected to it. Their cover of The Lumineers’ “Ophelia” featured some nice tambourine action and reminded me of Scrizzly Adams, a New Jersey band who was originally scheduled to be the first ever Rock Club concert this year.
All things considered, it was a great afternoon. The Rock Club kids joined in for during the last minute of "Everlong" -- a perfect end to the year's last meeting. Thanks, Chad, Cory, Andrew, Zach M, and Zach B, for making it possible.
[Note for the clips below: The 'titles' of the first three tracks are not official song titles. They just describe my interpretation. The last two are covers.]
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