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It had been three months since Red Elvises last played at Rusty’s on New Year’s
Eve, and it felt like I’d been away from Southern California for a lot longer somehow, but the
place hadn’t changed much. Even though I thought they might paint those beige walls some more
bar-like color (the results of last year’s redecorating binge), I must report that they still
haven’t. I still miss the chickens that used to be portrayed on the barn-like decor on the
wall behind the stage! That wall has been plain beige with a largish flat screen TV mounted on
it (yes, over the stage) since Spring of 2005. I think
they were going for a tropical, tiki-like look,
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I had flown to L.A. on Thursday, March 30th and rode down to San Diego with the guys for the Tio Leo’s show (written up separately in this issue). Friday and Saturday I spent visiting friends and shopping, mostly, and now on Saturday night I was more than ready for another Red Elvises show, especially at Rusty’s! As I drove onto the Pier I was so happy I barely noticed the new big giant building now built on part of the lower parking lot. What? Where had that come from? That had changed since I’d been gone even though Rusty’s hadn’t. I paid my parking and drove around to the back of Rusty’s, surprised to find hardly any available parking spaces. The back gate was open and I saw the guys sitting at a table on the back patio eating dinner, so I just walked in there, said hello and was invited to sit down. Alex shared an order of calimari with me, which coincidentally is the same thing I ate at Rusty’s on New Year’s Eve and of course I got myself a beer to start the evening off right. There were also a couple of Red Elvises “virgins” sitting at our table, a girl who had brought her boyfriend for his birthday. Naturally we assured them that they were gonna have a great time. (Talked to them later by the bar and yes, they truly did have a great time, needless to say!).
Rare species Red Elvises Virginus! With signed coconut! |
Dinner, Red Elvises style! |
Soon it was about time to wriggle through the crowd to the front of the stage since the guys were about to start. There was a great vibe throughout the crowd, lots of excitement and happy anticipation washed down with beer and other liquid refreshments. Rusty’s gets pretty packed when Red Elvises play and this night was no exception. We were ready to rock ‘n roll!
The guys opened with “Lovepipe” and moved on to “Telephone Call From Istanbul,” followed by “I’m Not That Kind of Guy,” “Gypsy Heart,” “Love Rocket,” “Ticket to Japan,” “Strip Joint is Closed” (a “very sad song” that makes people everywhere smile), “Sad Cowboy Song” complete with conga line and 4-man drum solo, and they finished up the first set traditionally with “I Wanna See You Belly Dance” during which a bunch of us girls got up there to dance. I’m happy to report that all guests onstage this time were very well behaved while belly dancing this time and we had fun dancing up there (see my New Year’s Eve write up if you’re curious about that statement).
During the break everyone ran around and socialized and got more beer, and soon it was time for set number two! And the guys had a little surprise for us... “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest, original drummer Avi Sills on drums!” announced Oleg. It was really great to see Avi again; he drummed with the band on the first two songs of the 2nd set, “200 Flying Girls” and “My Darling Lorraine.” After that, current drummer Adam alternated with Red Elvises next drummer who I’ll let them introduce to you... Yes, sadly, Adam is once again leaving the band to pursue other drumming interests, but we hope that someday he’ll come back to the Reds ‘cos he’s a really nice guy who is lots of fun in addition to being a terrific drummer. The new drummer sounds very good. I haven’t actually talked to him yet but I’m sure he’s nice too.
Former drummer... |
Next drummer... |
They also had another special guest joining Igor, Oleg, Oleg-Schramm and the alternating drummers onstage, Leo, an outstanding trombone player the guys have worked with before. He sounded phenomenal along with them, of course; all the special guests enhanced the the already amazing experience.
After being in front of the stage during the first set it got so warm in that area just from the sheer body heat, and I suppose the hot lights over the stage didn’t help either as far as heat went, that I spent a good portion of the second set over on the side of the stage, joining Yolanda, Avi and other people I know. It was cooler over there and I had just as much fun. As long as you can see the stage and hear the music you’re okay at Rusty’s; it sounds just as great on the side as in the thick of things in the middle of the front row.
 From
the side current drummer Adam is more visible. |
 From
the front you get Oleg's 1,000 watt smile! |
The other songs of that second set were “It’s a Wonderful Night (to Fall in Love),” “Venice USA,” “A Kegga Beer and Potato Chips,” “Happy Birthday” (to the aforementioned “virgin” boy from the patio), “Closet Disco Dancer,” “Sex in Paradise,” “My Love is Killing Me” and “Juliet.” Those last few were encores...we always want to “hear ONE MORE!”
After the show a few of us hung out for what was left of the night at Oleg’s place, drinking and eating (Sasha’s a great cook!) and drinking and listening to music and drinking and talking (and did I mention drinking?) and so on. With Daylight Savings Time rearing its ugly head during the night we lost an hour of partying and when a few of us went outside to leave at 5:30am or thereabouts we were all surprised (well, I certainly was and I heard that some other people felt the same way) to see daylight in full swing! “Whoa! Not ready for that...” Good thing none of us were vampires!
Avi came to the after show get-together too so it was really nice to have a chance to talk more with him and also hear some of his cool new CD. After you explore this month's Red Pages issue, check out Avi's music at www.nakedrhythm.com.
After Saturday night and early Sunday morning I didn’t see the guys again on this trip. Sunday was spent seeing other friends along with the special treat of getting to see and hear Kat sing karoake at Martini Blues that night. Even though she had a slight cold coming on, she sounded great! Then, the next day, the inevitable... I had to fly home on Monday. But I’ll be back...(just like movie-star-turned-California-governor Arnold...). I don’t know when but I will. April 1st sure was a great Red Elvises show though, and a wonderful night to be back in So Cal again!
It will probably be a long while before I can go back there again but in the meantime I’ll see the guys at Musikfest in Pennsylvania in August so I’m looking forward to that. When they get back from Europe and Russia they’ll be doing a big tour of the U.S. later this year, so be sure and go see them if you can, and remember, wherever you see them you know you’re guaranteed a good time!