The Globe East, Milwaukee, WI
April 27, 2002
By Heidi Rojo

It was a very ugly, rainy, drizzly day in Milwaukee. The guys had to drive in from Chicago. The last time they played at the Globe was in August and it was a Wednesday night. The show was very fun and the sound was great, but there weren't a lot of people there. This year it was a Saturday night and there was a bigger crowd. And, of course, the regular Red Elvis nuts were there also. Every year that group gets bigger. We waited in the car, in the rain, until close to 11:00. As we walked towards The Globe, there was a young man using a cell phone just outside the entrance. I said "He looks Russian." Well, as it turns out, he is -- he's Dimitri -- taking Phelan’s place as road manager. (Phelan's driving a band down in Texas!).

The opening band wasn't quite finished yet...Oleg, Igor and Zhenya (and Zhenya’s special friend :)) were sitting on the steps going up to the “balcony area” They looked a little tired, except for Zhenya -- he looked very peaceful.

By the time the guys set up, which actually went very fast with the help of the opening band members, it was 11:45. They played “the classics" that we know and love and quite a few new ones. Everyone was having a very nice time -- it almost reminded me of being at Rusty’s -- it didn't matter if you were younger or older, what nationality, or what color your skin was -- everyone was enjoying together. That's part of the Red Elvis experience. Zhenya played awesome as usual and Oleg was enjoying himself. Igor looked like he had seen better days, especially the first half -- he looked like he was suffering. The traditional drum solo was my favorite one yet. I'll never get tired of that.

One thing I remember is the look on the opening bands’ faces when the Reds did their schtick. They stuck around to watch by the side of the stage and their mouths literally fell open when Zhenya did his thing. And then when Igor and Zhenya started kicking their legs in unison and playing their guitars at the same time, the guys were in a trance. The Red Elvises are just great, talented performers in every way.

Two o'clock came much too fast -- closing time. The bartender really wanted to get everyone out as fast as possible. The guys loaded up their stuff in the big red van, in the drizzly, foggy night, and off they went....to get something to eat...sleep...and then off to Madison for the next show.

Not an easy life ~ but it brings a lot of people pleasure. Thank you guys.

Have fun in Russia!