[BlubabyDC]

Yet more raves. Just got home from the State Theatre show (courtesy of one Cathi -- muchas gracias for the transport, you rock!) and I'm still smiling... nothing new there.

Decent turn-out and the venue was pretty cool, actually. First time there. (For future reference, don't bother to dine -- completely sub-par and over-priced.) Sound was great. Opener Melbourne was quite good; second up Ebo, eh... seen 'em before, don't need to go there again. Dada rocked, nothing less than I expected, all the energy I've ever seen before -- glad they had a night off. Very smiley this eve, gave us an unexpectedly long set (uncommon for this venue). I sat at a front table and sucked up the total view for most of the night, only running to stand below Michael during Mary Sunshine... couldn't miss that.

Won't go on about the set list, as I suck at keeping track of those things (napkins always get wet or lost). It's the same as recent shows you've read about. I think their set was shorter than both the Iota and Recher shows I attended, but I commented to Phil afterwards that you can tell they've been back at it awhile now... sooooo tight -- and all those lyrics they stumbled through two months ago? Not the case anymore -- woops, except for Playboy! (ha) Dug the two new tunes, too.

Had the usual meet and greet afterwards, many hugs with the guys and signatures all around. (I'll leave it up to Cathi to expound on pulling Phil outta the bus at the end of the night.) And I am now the proud owner of one Joie Calio CD, can't wait to let 'er rip tomorrow while I work! Also learned from Michael that the chick in the images on Napalm Springs is his ex-GF. (To put some light on the "is he/is he not married bit": he's not. But he's definitely hooked on said chick -- hope it works out, Mr. G.)

Nice to chat with Jeremy out front before dada's set, and lovely to meet some of you board peeps (and your wives!), all very cool people. Hooked up with MegaDan, Twnty1inRF, Backflip Bob and his bachelor party (you were killin' me) and of course Cathi and her troupe. Dada fans have big hearts!!

About half-way through, my newbie friend who went with me tonight said, "I think that is probably the most talented drummer I have ever seen." So props to Phil from her. Props to all of you from me, always giving your all, the energy, the time... we love you! I feel spoilt to have seen you three times this summer, but it's still not enough... hope to see you in Tempe!

Hope somebody else will go on about music particulars, because I'm just buzzin' from the general vibe. No need to repeat myself from previous posts... such damned beautiful music, and wonderful, talented guys, nothing like it. But I have to say it again: The place should've been sold out. The world is just not wise!

[chamomile]

BlubabyDC -
Thanks for 411 on the show. I bet you just made alot of girls happy with the news that Mike is single. Poor guy. Hopefully things will work for him and Ms. Napalm Springs.

The really question is Phil single?

[cathi]

...To describe how awesome dada gigs, band members, crew and fans are. Seriously. The past few months have been some good times thanks to the gigs I've been fortunate enough to see (IOTA, Princeton, LA Viper Room, Baltimore and now State Theater), and the other dada fans I have met thus far.

KIM - thanks for hanging last night &chatting. Great to officially meet you! Was my pleasure to drive you home since you decided to stay afterward and keep me company talking to Joie and Phil, etc.
I have the pics & they all turned out great, so I cannot wait to share with you and post the gig pics on the board. All I need are instructions!

And Kim, yes indeed she was a total gem and got poor Phil off the bus at the end of the night to sign the press photo for my pal Jeanne. Heck, the tour manager and our lovely Merch guy all told us to go on the bus talk to the guys - we did not want to be in their faces and they NEED rest. But Phil was a doll to come out and sign and of course say thanks and offer up HUGS.

Let's see. The venue is good, although up front the vocals were not a clear as in the back (where the mixing board was), naturally. I noted signs of 'some' rest in the guys faces. Kim and I commented on how Michael was smiling a bit and they all seemed to be having a bit more fun. Phil came out (before the encore) and said some really nice thanks to the fans, etc. I cannot remember what he said exactly, but it was really really nice.

All the tunes were great - I like the 2 new ones and we are all anxious for the new CD! Michael did a great job on "Steven" and I wished the room was quiet so I could have just heard him sing it. The name of the other new one escapes me, but yes Phil and Joie start it off..drums and bass, with Joie passionate vocals. Too good.

Michael had some really nice guitar licks and some great extended versions of songs. I thought all the guys were in top, tight form. Joie nailed "Moon" again beautifully, and I always love Phil's part of "Here today". "Trip with my dad" - brilliant as always. Cannot CANNOT get enough of that song. And right before "Touch Me" Michael said something to the effect of "we're now going to do a sing along song". Everyone got into it of course.
Joie told a story about a song that wrote itself...he had no control over it, it just came outta him...(it was off Puzzle, but don't think it was Dorina...Anyone?). "Bob the drummer" was part of the encore and everyone seemed happy about that.

MegaDan was right up front all night and I finally got to meet him after the gig. Dude, total props to you for making the trek from philly all the time. When I get my house, you will have to come and crash as I had NO IDEA if you went straight home or stayed in the area. Nice to meet you.

Afterward was a TREAT. Michael, surrounded by guys talking to him, always gives me a bright smile and interrupts his conversation to say hello like he remembers you and is happy to see you. Not sure if he does or if he is, but I appreciated it anyway. But he ALWAYS seems happy to talk to you.

Phil came out afterward first, came right up to the Merch Table where I was letting the credit card run amok gladly, and Phil came right over, said hi, chatted.

And then, toward the end - JOIE. What can a gal say? There is just SOMETHING about that guy that just kills me. He walks over after signing and talking to a bunch of fans and just puts his arm around me and it's like he was relieved to see a couple familiar female faces in the crowd. He hung out with Kim and I for what seemed like a good long time. Had a good chat with him and got good pics. Talked about his new CD, asked how they were all holding up. I just wanted to take them all home, give them each a comfy bed to sleep in and HUGE homecooked meal! Love these guys.

So, got home at 3AM with 6 joie CDs, a hoody, plenty of t-shirts, baseball caps, bucket hat - Merchandise galore. I hope it helps the guys out! I have no voice, but good gear, great pics and some new pals from the dada fan community.
Thanks all (and special thanks to the young and adorable Merchandise guy!! Thanks for looking after me!).

Hope when they come around on tour again we can do something special for the fellas and their crew - a barbeque, big chilled out dinner somewhere, something!

[BlubabyDC]

Quote

Originally posted by chamomile
BlubabyDC -  
Thanks for 411 on the show. I bet you just made alot of girls happy with the news that Mike is single. Poor guy. Hopefully things will work for him and Ms. Napalm Springs.

The really question is Phil single?

Well, if single were a state of mind as opposed to a marital status, I wouldn't call MG single after what he offered up. I hadn't asked, he just expounded a bit while we were talking about the Napalm disc. (He pointed out that the cover is the bottom of her bikini, I hadn't noticed that.) I hope it works out for him, too, I dig it when he's smiley.

Ya know, I don't know about Phil, but then I never ask those things. I'm too busy gushing about the music and how happy I am to see them again! I'm sure plenty of female dada fans like the idea of Phil being single, too. (And Joie continues to break hearts with his marital status -- though I think marriage looks good on him.)

Me? All of 'em... single, married, (other?), no matter. Just keep playing for us and connecting with us -- I'll only weep if the music stops!

[BlubabyDC]

Quote

Originally posted by cathi
All the tunes were great - I like the 2 new ones and we are all anxious for the new CD!  Michael did a great job on "Steven" and I wished the room was quiet so I could have just heard him sing it.

Ya know, you're right... what was up with that? I was really surpised that the room got so chatty when they played the two new tunes. We've been dying for new dada for so long now, so I was pissed that it wasn't quiet.

Glad to see you loved the vibe, too, Cathi. Your post was pure adoration. (And your pics were great!) You have a new partner in concert crime, guaranteed. And MegaDan, step up... we need the report from their feet!

My blinking dada sign still has battery power, I'm amazed. I think I hopped on the nasty carpal tunnel bus with that whirlygig thing, yikes... and hey, I think one of Bob's friends tried to rip it off!

[cathi]

ahhh - the blinking dada whirlygig sign. Pure genius, Kim. Loved it. I think you could make a fortune off that thing.
Did the fellas ever see it and if so, any comment?

[megadan]

I will be stepin' up with a review soon but I'm gonna e-mail Lance an see if I can right an artical about my life with dada since I've been a listener which was 92. I've seen six shows this year traveled hours to see them for three and got so much from each show that I don't think I can do them justice anymore by reviewing one show.Of course the DC show was great I knew it would be even before I got there. The sound was better from about 30 feet from the stage but I alway's desire to stand by Micheal Guitar God Gurley's feet.I love all the boy's but I just got to see them fingers move.More to come within a week or so just gotta find some time I promice I will..:D:D:cool::D:P

[Istoph]

Hey All...I'm a newbie poster and recently converted Dada fan. The show was very good, but it's hard to compare after seeing them in Norfolk at the NORVA for the mega show...how awesome it was. I actually was lucky enough to go to a backstage party at the NORVA and meet the guys.

Stood under Gurly the whole show at the State Theater...he's a total awesome player. I hoisted my girlfriend up on stage after the band left and she snagged Mike's setlist. Aftewards, they all signed it. Here's the list:

Dim
Playboy
Surround
Trip
Feet
Here Today
Sick
Heaven
Ask
It's All Mine
Steven
Feel Me
Mary Sunshine
Moon
Posters
Diz
E: Bob
Baby
Dorina

I'll try to take a pic of the setlist and post later.

[scotthk]

My wife and I have been fans for about 5 years and have been really wanting to see the band live. With the 'hiatus' I was worried things were falling apart and that it we would never get the chance, so I was quite thrilled and surprised to see they were playing locally this week.

I expected the show to be pretty good but I figured some of the online gushings were just that from obsessed fanatics rather than more objective or casual music fans. I, however, was wrong and was frankly (pleasantly) shocked at how good they were. In my approximately 25 years of going to 4 or 5 shows a year, that was one of the best I've ever seen. All three did well and Michael pulled some really cool sounds and solos out of that guitar. A couple of songs sounded even better live than they do on CD, such as "A Trip with My Dad" which really came alive and was really cool with the echo effects they added in.

My only quibble is that they only played one song from the latest dada CD, which has a lot of good songs on it. I hope they'll reevaluate that album and include some more from it for attendees of future shows. Also, they did not seem to take as much care with "Dizz-Knee-Land" or "Mary Sunshine Rain" as with many of their other songs, they were rather rushed and tossed off. Maybe they think they've done them so much they don't need to think about it anymore but they're sort of burying some great arrangements and lyrics that way.

That aside, if you've never seen the band live and are on the fence about an upcoming show, don't be. Just get the tickets and go, you'll be glad you did.

S

[Istoph]

Okay...I've finally gotten my pics from the [url=http://members.cox.net/istoph/dadastate.html]State Theatre posted (I'm such a slacker). They are a little dark since I was flash deficient, but I tried to edit them as best as I could. If you those of you on dial up (poor souls) have trouble, U2U me and I will resize the thumbnails.

Lance, if any are good enough, feel free to grab and post on the dada site.

[Edited on 1/9/2004 by Istoph]

[BlubabyDC]

Thanks Istoph!

They may have been dark, but I love the one at the bottom of Michael looking down under his hat with his hands blurry.

[Arlo]

Thanks here too Istoph!

Loved that pic of Michael too Kim...awesome.