sqrlz at the Soapbox - prelude to a new year
It has finally come, and gone. The sqrlz (former members of the Squirrels) played live for the first time in twenty years, 25 years after they first performed. If this website were a tree, that would be the flower.
There was, firstly, the overwhelming presence of so many old friends - who are also each other’s old friends - just the community we hoped would show. Many comments were made in regard to the uniqueness of this gathering. We wish we could have been hanging out with you instead of busy onstage. It was not only our reunion.
And through the precipitous journey through near train wrecks - the Squirrels voice rang true. Most were pleasantly surprised at the band’s cohesiveness, considering the limited practice.
Many. many thanks to our partners - Jay Manley, Russ Benson, Jane Francis, Steve Coley, and Keith Delancey. You guys really enhanced the evening. Jay especially performed remarkably under pressure, and Russ was tireless in his support despite jet lag. Also a shout out to Carol Scudder for her opening monologue. And thank you Patrick and Shawn for your video documentation.
So we congratulate ourselves and and our friends on such a great occasion. We’ll undoubtedly be back later with more, but for now we’ll be basking a little bit - gathering photo and video documentation, and also retooling and considering next moves. We hope this was the beginning of a series of events over time - maybe sooner than we think.
Our very best to you in the new year!
Peter D
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 am
Very well spoken, Pete. It was a reunion on many levels. Even internally, for me. I got reacquaited with parts of my “self” that have wandered through the years. And I’m so very pleased that the event was much more than a nostalgia trip; both musically and interpersonally!
Yes, bask, bask, bask! You all deserve it for a job well done! But I’m all for a SQ3!!! If the spirit grabs ya, keep going!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! ~ Keith
January 3rd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Prelude to a new year it indeed was….
The usual phrase is Happy New Year….I think a more appropriate comment for that evening was,
Happy every new moment…
Thank you for the wonderful gift.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
A few thoughts on the whole thing:
Walking into a band room for the first time in way too long was cool enough (and thanks Steve Bakunas and Jeff for the awesome, very warm location) but walking in and starting to dialogue and get to work with a group of co-conspirators, as if the conversation had never stopped was the kind of powerful thing that I could only appreciate in retrospect.
I was totally honored to be included, and it’s synchronous because I’m casting my “glance” around right now at revisiting my musical side. Also it’s a hoot that I’m growing my hair out to be a pirate (in a show!) because it made me look like I’m still the bizarro crossover metal-head from the day!
This was a strong impression from the classics set: I wasn’t dancing my ass off because I wanted to be up front in full view. I simply couldn’t help it. And that was the thing I had forgotten about the days, and attending all of those gigs. Those songs just made you move. And then a realization from my older perspective: I’d never make it through a 45-minute set of most bands these days, doing the old punk-aerobics, but I remember thinking at the Soapbox, as I was dancing, that those classic songs had almost intuitively built-in breaks and bridges that would give the flailing beat-driven body a little respite.
I was lucky to attend rehearsals and hear the “Dark Set” more than once. There’s great stuff in there, and the songs should be pushed a little around here or on web 2.0 places, so the next time you guys play out, people will have that comfort level. I really admire the 21st Century direction the music is taking.
Finally, the evening was like a dream I’d already had, hoping that so many long-unseen faces would show up to watch. My only suggestion: Those cheap tacky name badges. I kept having to “shout/whisper” the name of one friend to another in the early evening. I even saw Leslie sidle up to Ed and say (regardng me.) “Who is THAT?” so she could then go back to Mrs. D.. and let her know. I thought it was hilarious!
Thanks Peter. Danny and Matt. Thanks Jay, Russ, Jane and Keith. Thanks all the women behind the men, Thanks sqrlz, tha word being indicative of the band, it’s members past and present, the audiences through the years, the art and media that gets generated, and the collective awareness of other great music.
sqrlz is a multi-dimensional thing.!
scubasteve