Toledo Pride?

We hit a lot of traffic getting out of Chicago. 5 hours later, we finally pulled into Toledo. We saw a sign hanging on an overpass as we entered the city that said Toledo Pride, which seemed fortuitous. You see, we were all really excited about the prospects of this show because it was taking place at OutSKIRTS, the local gay bar in town, and we were ready to get some love from our community.

When we first arrived at the club, it all looked promising. The club had a bar and tables, and a mid-size dance floor. Blank CDs were hung all over the walls, creating a cool shiny effect, and Tori, the bartender, was really sweet. There was also a huge outdoor patio. We did notice that the first band had already set up their gear. They decided to play in a corner of the club that is boxed off with railings, probably where the go-go dancers do their thing on a bumpin' nite. We didn't think anything of it at first, and we went to grab some more 5 dollar footlongs for dinner.


When we came back to get ready for the show, we met the first band, Cheap Celebutantes. They were very nice and explained that they tried setting up and playing in different spots around the club, but decided that playing in the go-go pit was best because they could play to the audience sitting at the bar and in the tables section.

Before their set, a few dudes drinking at the bar were complaining to the bouncer about having to pay the $3 cover charge. The bouncer explained that there were bands playing tonite, and hence the cover. One of the drunk dudes was getting sore about it and said the music hadn't started while they were there. The bouncer tried to aplogize, but the drunk guy cut him off, saying, "Thanks for nothing." Perhaps that was foreshadowing.

Cheap Celebutantes soon got going, and we realized they were a cover band. They opened with Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone." The only reason I know that song is because I had to play it for a benefit concert.


Anyhow, they played a solid hour of cover songs, and then we were up to bat. I asked if we could play out on the open floor, but the mic lines couldn't stretch the distance, so we had to play in the go-go pit. I kind of had a weird feeling since I don't like playing in caged-off areas, but there was nothing I could do about it. I also was a little wary because I noticed that there were only 2 outlets, and everything was being powered by them (lights, mixer, PA).

We got started with our set. After our first song, a few people said, "Rock on, play them drums!"

Shortly after, however, most of the people moved outside to the patio. We played the best we could, but during the set, my fear about the shortage of power outlets came true. My guitar amp was not getting enough steady power and my volume was cutting in and out. It's hard to focus and give 100% when one is having technical difficulties, but I trudged on through it as best as possible.

While we were playing, I heard a lady yell out, "Everyone is outside!" By the end of our set, we were playing to the bartender and a couple of courteous people.

After the show, someone slinked behind the mixer and turned on the stereo with hip-hop, and the bartender yelled out, "Turn that shit up!" SMV, J and I felt a bit confused as to what had happened. I felt abandoned by the audience. It hurt even more because it was from our own community, and we all had such high hopes for the show. But then SMV made a keen observation: most of the people in the club just wanted to drink and have a good time, and they all probably listen to mainstream music. They are not interested in a band doing edgy, noisy, envelope-pushing art rock. This theory came true when, moments later, a group of ten people started line dancing to a hip-hop song. I really felt like a fish out of water at that point.

I wasn't feeling too hot, so we opted to stay in a hotel that night. SMV and Jenny dropped me off so I could settle in, then they went back out, hunting for beer. Nothing was open, so they decided to go back to outSKIRTS. Tori was still hooking them up with free drinks, and then they played pool. Right before 2am, Tori gave Jenny one last Bud and said, "You better drink all that right now." Jenny was a bit confused by what she said, but moments later, rent-a-cops barged in and literally started taking drinks out of people's hands. Wow.

Finally, SMV and Jenny headed back to the hotel, but ended up continuing the party in the Prius in the hotel parking lot. Eventually, they got busted by more rent-a-cops when Jenny cranked the stereo on a Tracy Chapman song!!! Ah, the many ironies.

Interesting times in Toledo, no doubt.

Last show of tour, New Cumberland, PA, next.