* 1979
i had been out all day – don’t remember where – when i got home i was informed
by my bandmates that we were playing that night at a party. “we got a gig”, they
announced proudly. i was confused. how could we play a party when we didn’t
know any songs? not any whole ones anyway. we knew most of ‘doctor love’ by
kiss, and my brother could play the solo to ‘cat scratch fever’, but it certainly didn’t
add up to being ready to perform in public.
the party was in a field, which was not unusual – davis was surrounded by
cropland. all you needed were some coordinates, a keg of beer and some plastic
cups. if a band was playing a gas powered generator was necessary. someone
always knew someone who had one. it was never a problem.
we played the party. we were lame. i was embarrassed. at the keg a guy said to
me sarcastically: “why don’t you guys just jam?”
i think that was our only gig.