A First Time at a Red Elvises Show
Saturday, March 10
Bostons in Tempe, Arizona By Kenneth Karp, Gremlen Studios

The show was starting late but it was of no concern to me as I was with a few friends and on vacation in beautiful Arizona. I was having fun with the anticipation of seeing one of my favorite bands live and up close for the first time. I saw Oleg first walk in the door but wasn't sure, as he was a blonde and not a redhead. He walked past me; I said hello and his reply "Hi, how are you doing?" had the distinctive accent that partly brought me to Tempe in the first place. They set up their equipment like any band and were busy doing the mic checks and such. I had to walk up to the front of the stage to see what the old tweed amplifier was. Fender Bassman. Great amps. Briefly said hi to Mr. Z and attempted to correctly pronounce his name. I suppose "Mr. Z" was a nickname given to him to prevent this.

As soon as they finished the setup and such you could hear the thundering drums and wailing insane surf guitar going nuts. This is where the crowd draws in toward the stage. "Is everybody ready?" asked Mr. Z. The crowd roared their answer mightily. It doesn't matter what size the crowd is when you are at a Red Elvises show, I would have to say. Ten people or a hundred, you could hear the enthusiasm in the voices of the fans like it was an alarm clock next to your ear telling you it’s your lucky day. The first song I did not recognize. I bet it was on Bedroom Boogie, which I could not afford at the show after buying a few pitchers of beer. I was getting pretty intoxicated but it helped me get down easier as I am squeamish in a crowd. I don't think anyone would have cared. I think they would have looked at me like a fool for standing still had I done that. My friend whom I also turned on to the RE was shouting "Love Pipe" and "Red Lips, Red Eyes, Red Stockings" right next to me. Those were a few of the earlier songs played. They did "Sex in Paradise" from Welcome to the Freakshow early in the show as well. I recognized this one from the mp3 download on the website. Now that I own this album I do recall hearing "Spacecowboy" early in as well.

My other friend was still sitting at the table. I walked up to him and was shouting "I AM A ROCKETMAN" into his face. I then realized I had already become one of the screaming long time fans that were all worked up before the band exerting their energy at Mr. Z's announcement. My friend was up front with us very quickly. He had never heard the band before but could not stop smiling.

One group of two guys and a girl I was speaking to before the show had only seen RE in "Six String Samurai," they told me. They were local college aged kids who saw some advertisement for the show and decided to go. I told them their album names. At the name "I Wanna See You Bellydance" the girl shrieked, "I love to bellydance!" Needless to say they were up front with me sharing the experience and the girl... well she was shaking what her momma gave her onstage when they did the title song of the album I had mentioned that made her shriek.

After about an hour and a half set they opened the back door and announced an intermission. That was when I walked onto the stage to speak to Igor while Mr. Z and Oleg walked into the crowd to chat. Igor was really goofy. I told him I was from Chicago and about the Elbo Room where they will be playing April 11th. Just basic chat. I thought I would be very starstruck but I was calm. I hurried to the front to ask the bouncer if photography was allowed as I saw a camera flash go off. He said sure. I had to hurry out and back in with my camera. I walked outside and snapped a few shots but soon my camera battery was dying. I managed to get the guys to pose for me but my camera battery wouldn't let me get the pictures at those times. I managed to get a few when they began to play again. They were to play for another hour but I had to leave after about half an hour as I had to be in California four or five hours later. I wish I could have stayed for the rest of the show but I know I will see them back here in Chicago.

Overall it was a very pleasant experience and I wish everyone could have the opportunity to see them play live. The next day I realized how much fun I had as my voice was mostly shot from screaming lyrics.

It was a blast!