If you have been reading this blog, some of the following is not news. But, after a bunch of posts on the Sierra Surf Music Camp, a brief summary may help bring us back to the trials and tribulations of the Lava Pups.
We went to camp and played a short set before the Pyronauts took the stage. At camp, the Sneaky Tikis made their debut performance. They were Paul’s prodigies plus a precocious bass player. We suggested a Sunday Surf Party at the Capitol Bowl. They and their parents were on board with that.
We knew that Paul would be gone as, the week after camp, he and Cheri were moving five hours away to their dream house, lives away from the foothills and their families, and Paul’s new business -- the Ferndale Music Company. Within a few days after camp ended, Don announced that he was taking the summer off from the band.
Suddenly, we were half a band.
Was our Friday night appearance at camp the final curtain for the Lava Pups?
Even though he may be five hours away, Paul’s advice potentially was an email exchange away. Compose. Send.
I asked, “Is the glass half full or half empty?” The pertinent part of his response was four words: “It’s what you make of it.”
As any of us knows, that advice was absolutely correct. The choice was ours. Mope or move on. Stagnate or regroup. Stop or step forward. After all, when we embarked upon the idea of recording the songs we wrote, none of what happened later was envisioned. The Lava Pups, performing, etc. were not part of the equation. I easily could say, “We did the unexpected and had fun. It is more than most folks can say. That joy ride is over. Cool.”
The reality, however, is that playing live is almost addictive. It creates a certain elation that pumps energy and excitement through a body. No matter how nervous or apprehensive you may be, you are entertaining somebody for some brief period of time. You get to be the focus of somebody else’s attention albeit if only for two or three bars of a song. You prove to yourself that you can stand up in front of a roomful of people or a few of your family and friends, overcome inhibitions and talent deficits, and deliver something resembling music. Throw in a band, and the experience is even more exhilarating.
So packing up and being a closet guitar player was out of the question. How do you go back to the farm after you have seen San Francisco, New York, or most other cities? Well, that is a bit of hyperbole but you get the drift. Besides we had a potential gig with the Sneaky Tikis. Thus, the task was to move on and get the Lava Pups reconstituted quickly and ready to step back on stage.
Within a short time after Don announced his sabbatical, we enlisted a bass player, talked to a possible rhythm guitarist, booked the Capitol Bowl, and cranked out a poster.
Yes indeed, it is what you make of it!
We went to camp and played a short set before the Pyronauts took the stage. At camp, the Sneaky Tikis made their debut performance. They were Paul’s prodigies plus a precocious bass player. We suggested a Sunday Surf Party at the Capitol Bowl. They and their parents were on board with that.
We knew that Paul would be gone as, the week after camp, he and Cheri were moving five hours away to their dream house, lives away from the foothills and their families, and Paul’s new business -- the Ferndale Music Company. Within a few days after camp ended, Don announced that he was taking the summer off from the band.
Suddenly, we were half a band.Was our Friday night appearance at camp the final curtain for the Lava Pups?
Even though he may be five hours away, Paul’s advice potentially was an email exchange away. Compose. Send.
I asked, “Is the glass half full or half empty?” The pertinent part of his response was four words: “It’s what you make of it.”
As any of us knows, that advice was absolutely correct. The choice was ours. Mope or move on. Stagnate or regroup. Stop or step forward. After all, when we embarked upon the idea of recording the songs we wrote, none of what happened later was envisioned. The Lava Pups, performing, etc. were not part of the equation. I easily could say, “We did the unexpected and had fun. It is more than most folks can say. That joy ride is over. Cool.”
The reality, however, is that playing live is almost addictive. It creates a certain elation that pumps energy and excitement through a body. No matter how nervous or apprehensive you may be, you are entertaining somebody for some brief period of time. You get to be the focus of somebody else’s attention albeit if only for two or three bars of a song. You prove to yourself that you can stand up in front of a roomful of people or a few of your family and friends, overcome inhibitions and talent deficits, and deliver something resembling music. Throw in a band, and the experience is even more exhilarating.
So packing up and being a closet guitar player was out of the question. How do you go back to the farm after you have seen San Francisco, New York, or most other cities? Well, that is a bit of hyperbole but you get the drift. Besides we had a potential gig with the Sneaky Tikis. Thus, the task was to move on and get the Lava Pups reconstituted quickly and ready to step back on stage.
Within a short time after Don announced his sabbatical, we enlisted a bass player, talked to a possible rhythm guitarist, booked the Capitol Bowl, and cranked out a poster.Yes indeed, it is what you make of it!