Red Elvises at Rusty’s Surf Ranch
January 19, 2002, the 6^th Birthday Show
By Kayt

Rusty’s is a strange place sometimes, frequently changing in vibe as well as physical arrangement of tables, surfboards (I think maybe they had some new ones up on the walls and rafters) and so on, and, since I only go there when Red Elvises are playing, I tend to get used to it being a certain way and then get a little freaked when it’s radically different, like on the night of January 19^th. We got there early to have dinner, around 8:20pm, to find the place absolutely PACKED with people, most of them watching some sports event on TV. Now this was weird because the last time I went to Rusty’s I got there at about the same time and the place was virtually empty even though quite a good opening band was playing. I sat at the bar and had a beer with Vladimir before the big red van pulled up, watching the opening band along with a few other early arrivals. But it was weird on January 19th more so because I’ve never known Rusty’s to be anything resembling a sports bar so the whole concept of people watching football or whatever it was there just plain unnerved me. But we got a table on the cool back patio and ordered drinks and dinner. No Red Elvises in sight yet, just another opening band setting up. I didn’t go in to hear this band so I can’t say if they were good or bad, but once when I did pop in to see if other acquaintances were there, I saw about four people sitting on the dance floor gazing up at the band onstage. I guess the style of music inspired sitting, but that was an odd sight, to see people just sitting on the dance floor like that.

I think I must have been a little out of my mind that night from all this, because Heidi Rojo and her family, who had traveled all the way from the Midwest for this show, had greeted me at the door when I went in, and I was saying to my companion that I didn’t know where she had gone, only to suddenly realize, with the verbal prompt of “Isn’t that her right there?” that they were at the table RIGHT NEXT to us! Big giant duh. I did want to talk to Heidi some more so that worked out nicely. They said I gave great directions to Rusty’s…I should, I’ve been there an indecent number of times over the past three years.

Excitement was in the air, and eventually we saw Oleg and Igor come out onto the patio, looking around. Oleg immediately saw Heidi and was surprised and happy to see her and her family there. I congratulated Heidi on managing to successfully surprise them; they didn’t seem very surprised at all when I showed up in Florida in September 2000, but then they know how crazy I am…(that Kayt, liable to show up just about anywhere…back when funds permitted)! As much as these guys have been on the road over the past six years, I doubt they’re very easily surprised any more by very much. I mean, all kinds of unusual things can happen on the road, hopefully mostly good. Anyway, Oleg and Igor soon came over individually to say hi to us all, and they and others sat at a table near us to have something to eat.

Eventually it was show time! There were about a bazillion people packed inside, or it seemed that way, the most crowded I’ve seen it since last Summer. I managed to get on the side, then later, with some help from my energetic and beautiful Russian friend (thanks, Lucy!), got closer to the front and a better photography spot. But I’m getting ahead of the story.

As soon as they started playing, a string broke on Zhenya’s guitar! Igor said “We’ll be back in a few minutes!” But then they asked if anyone there knew how to replace a broken string, and it turned out someone did, so the fabulous Z ROCK guitar was handed over for repair. Then, not wanting to delay the start of the show any longer, they had an idea for Zhenya to play the other bass on the opening song, “Red Lips, Red Eyes, Red Stockings.” So he did…and it was very interesting to hear that song played with two bass guitars and drums! It was a little slower than normal but Zhenya played that bass with all his guitar virtuosity, and it rocked. Are you surprised? I didn’t think so.

Zhenya’s repaired guitar was handed back to him from the side of the stage, and they continued on to the next song, “Who’s Your Daddy,” followed by the ever popular “Gypsy Heart.” Since I had no chance to write any of the other songs down, let me just say that they played a lot of other terrific songs, including a rousing version of “Blue Moon,” with Igor in his shiny gold jacket and pink sunglasses, going for the Elvis gold. That was so much fun and the first time in a long time we’ve heard that song at Rusty’s.

But not too long after the first broken string of the night, Oleg’s bass followed suit. “Now I’ve broken a string!” said Oleg from the drums, where he had been playing the bass while drumming. In the business world that’s called multi-tasking, but in the music world that’s just talent, not to mention great coordination! So his bass was handed over to the roving musician in the audience for string replacement therapy too.

“I Wanna See You Belly Dance” brought the first set to an end and it was the usual fun scene with the small stage full of Elvii and dancing females, all of us trying to stay within our rather limited space while grooving to the song. Some other songs played that night were “Sex in Paradise,” (which, by the way, is a lot easier to do the hand motions to if you’re not holding a digital camera in one hand and a beer in the other, but I managed), “Sad Cowboy Song,” “Jerry’s Got a Squeezebox” (the one that involves crouching down on the floor according to Igor’s direction and then popping up again like toaster pastries at the exact right moment), “Flaming Cheese,” Big Red Van,” “Juliet,” “Sunshine,” “Spacecowboy,” “Scorchi Chornie” and others that I can’t remember right now due to Saturday Night Dull Brain Syndrome or some such ailment, I’m sure.

At some point in the second set, Igor started looking around and asking the musical question “Where’s my twin brother?” And soon a really nice and talented guy named Harold, masquerading as Igor’s “twin brother Boris,” got onstage and played drums for a couple of songs. Although we do love Oleg’s drumming, it was nice to see him up front playing the bass again for that interlude. Harold’s drumming was terrific and quite an unexpected little treat.

After the show I found Heidi and her family, apparently blown away by the intensity of a Rusty’s show, over in a corner behind the pool tables, trying to, I suppose, recollect their thoughts, minds and….undergarments? No, no, just kidding, Heidi’s not that kind of girl! But I could tell by the look in her eyes that she had thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was glad they could be there for it. It was great to see them again too; they were last here in So Cal for last Summer’s Sawdust Festival weekend.

Earlier, onstage in between some of the songs, Oleg had told us all that they had gotten presents for their 6^th birthday, and had pulled several small items out of bags onstage to show us. Everyone seemed extremely happy that Red Elvises have been around for six years, and we want them around for many more years to come, of course. Happy Happy 6^th Birthday to Our Favorite Band! Long may they Rokenrol!