Stop Drop and Rock 2002

Stop, Drop and Rock 2002
August 15th-18th, 2002

First, I’d like to say that every show I’ve ever been to that Eric Fanali has put on has been a good show. He’s well organized, friendly, has volunteers that actually know what they’re doing (and like the music) and all the venues are clean. So a round of applause for Eric.

August 16thth, 2002
Slow Gherkin, (CD Release Show!) Whippersnapper, The Huxtables, The Muckruckers, For the Design
Gaslighter Theatre Campbell, California

This was the first show I went to out of the four cuz I couldn’t make it to the Thursday night one. It was nice to see the people I normally see at shows again. I didn’t see For the Design,The Muckruckers were second. I thought they played really well (pretty much as they always do) especially considering that this was their first show without their lead vocalist/guitarist (Eric Rosales.) who left the band due to him moving across the country, with their old drummer on lead guitar and vocals and a new drummer. I thought they adapted really well considering the amount of changes. The Huxtables played a rocking set also as usual with a ton of energy. I seriously recommend seeing them, everyone really gets into the show and that’s the best. I didn’t catch most of Whippersnapper, so I’m not going to make a judgment about them. Slow Gherkinwas the closers and this was their 2nd to last show, possibly forever, but maybe just for awhile. They also released a CD that night and played a few songs from that album as well as their classics. Slow Gherkin is one of the best live bands I have ever seen. So if they do come back, get your ass out to one of their shows!

August 17th, 2002
The Mr. T Experience, Stunt Monkey, My New Life, (CD Release Show!) Shut Up Donny, The Extras

My New Lifewas the first band I saw this night. They have a sort of poppy/emo sound, which isn’t normally listen to, but I really enjoyed them. They played really well, they seem to really know what they’re doing and I think it’s really cool that the fans get into it with hand motions and such. Tonight was their CD release and I’m hoping to get a copy of it soon so I’ll tell you how that is when I get it.Stunt Monkey rocked my socks. They have hilarious songs to sing along to, like “Your mom is hot” which you can’t help but sing the chorus to, tons of energy and fast beats, which make a damn good band. I used to have one of their first CDs, but I think I lost it so I’d like to get their newer one. Be sure to go out to one of their shows to see them live, you won’t regret it. The Mr. T Experience was soo good. They’re up there with pansy division and the Queers so I was really stoked to see them. They played a lot of songs I knew, and really seemed to bring the crowd together. This was the first time I saw them and I’m really glad I came out.

August 18th, 2002
Groovie Ghoulies, The Plus Ones, The Phenomenauts, & Short Round

Short Round started out. They played fairly well considering Jason (vocals/guitar) was all frazzled because of something going on at his house and that he didn’t have any alcohol until someone was kind enough to bring him beer. I think there were a lot of things going on tonight, so that played in, but short round are really talented and every band has their nights. The Phenomenauts were AMAZING. I was transfixed by their onstage presence, energy, and costumes. They were all wearing these thin, star trek style glasses and one guy was wearing some space helmet sort of thing. The bassist played an upright bass, which I thought, was super hip and the guitarists have the big stray cats style guitars. I cannot wait to see them again live and I’m getting their CD soon. I missed the plus ones unfortunately because a Marilyn and I HAD to get chocolate and raspberry milkshakes from Coldstone's, but we came back just in time for the Groovie Ghoulies. Their show was about the same as usual, not saying that it was bad, they put on a great show, but it wasn’t the best show of theirs that I’ve seen. I think that the last show at the Santa Clara Basement was much better. So all in all tonight’s show was average, (except for the Phenomenauts fantabulous performance) but that may very well have been from going to 2+ shows the previous nights… but I know I’m defiantly going next year and I’ll see ya there!

Mel-O-dy