A night at Blue Moon/Alternative Body Creations

December 1st found us running behind for a scheduled sound check. We were supposed to be there at 4:00pm, four hours before my husband and his band "HaZarDuSt" are to go on stage. With me driving, we made it 30 minutes late, which is pretty good, considering I like to drive the speed limit.
The gig was at a place called the Blue Moon, located in Harrison, Arkansas. The guy, Bob ( don't know his last name) who runs the place also has a tattoo parlor/body piercing business next door. I'm not sure how long this place has been in business, but it appears he is doing fairly well in a town full of conservative stuffed shirts and skirts.
The first thing, Alan gets his finger pinched in his bass drum peddle, taking a chunk of meat out of his index finger and proceeds to bleed like a stuck pig. Ouch! It bled right through the two band aids, (but all is well now). It didn't seem to affect his playing capabilities, but I'm sure it throbbed.
The band room is pretty cool, clean and roomy stage. The walls are painted an electric blue with stars which I believe glow in the dark, (didn't notice because there were swirling lights everywhere) and posters of great rock icons such as Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin, complete with a couple of pool tables.
There was much speculation during the day as to whether the bass player, Jed would show up, it seems musicians have a tendency to show up late sort of thing. What do you know? He showed up, as a matter of fact, he was there before we were. Hazardust is the opening band of the three to play that night, and only for 45 minutes. This is a new band, and they have only been together for about a month. The guitar player, Jasun, has a cousin who is a drummer for the second band "Delta 9" was able to get them the 45 minute slot.
Harrison, is considered to be the "Hub of the Ozarks", where one can continue north to Branson or south to Little Rock, west to Fayettville or east to Yellville. It is also located in a dry county and as mentioned before in a very conservative town. If one wants to indulge in drink, they have to drive to the next county or to the state line. If they want, a person can pay a membership fee and hang out at one of the two or three private clubs. I think it won't be too long however before the voters will allow liquor into the county. I'm actually surprised by the tattoo parlor being in Harrison. I did learn that the police are just looking for a reason to shut the place down because of the fact that it is a family oriented place, I know! A tattoo parlor which is kid friendly. There were kids all over the place, doing what kids do, run, yell, and act goofy. Some of the older ones where just trying to act cool, boy, I sure do not miss those days! (Okay I do!)
I do think that it's great there is a place for kids to go and hang out and watch bands play. The owner is very conscious of the younger ones. He and one of his "chaperons" as a matter of fact were tracking some kids that were suspiciously hanging around in the back, doing who knew what, but it could and can get him shut down and unfortunately, some folks don't care or are not aware it could mean that another place for them could be snatched out from underneath them.
Anyway, I think there should be more places for kids to hang out, whether it is a music studio, gym or arcade. In what I'm referring to is the music, in schools it's one of the first programs to get axed and with the lack of funding for some parents who have to furnish the instruments, it's good to have someone who would rather see kids hanging out and watching musicians and perhaps learn something, than have them up to no good and end up in a bad situation. Besides, who knows, there could be the next Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton could show up there one of these days.
A little after five, the guys have their equipment set up and do the sound check. So far it sounds pretty good, the mix is fairly even, but I think Alan's drums need to be miked. He decides he will have to hit them harder when I tell him about my observation. The drummer for delta 9 has a bass drum mike and that helps. One thing for sure it's good and loud! From what I have heard on recordings their live sound is much better. With the sound check over, it's all about the waiting and waiting, then we wait some more.
It's a quarter to eight and there are a few people beginning to filter in, most of them with kids. They are waiting just like us. Again, music, no matter what genre, are allowed. I think if the arts are not encouraged and carried on by the children of today our world will be a bleak place. The lead singer for the next group, delta 9, had his three year old daughter, smart as a whip that one is, and she loves to hear her daddy sing. I talked with him and he said she follows him around acting like she's singing which think was pretty cool.
This is the first time I have heard "Hazardust" play. Their first gig was played at a small beer bar down the street from us which floored me. I honestly did not think the owner would like their type of music, which they call experimental, phsycadellic, metal, blues, but, they were received pretty good and did well from tips. I am either at work or involved in my writing and I have to admit I wasn't sure how I would take their style. I, like most, want to hear singing and not a lot of instrumental stuff, but it was actually pretty good. Jaysun, kind of reminds me of Bob Dylan when he does sing.....
The 45 minute set is over and now comes the chaotic jumbling of removing drums, amps, etc., so the next band can set up, very confusing! Just watching this and how they keep track of each other's stuff reminds me of the pea under the walnut shell trick-
I forgot to mention that most of the bands who do play here are metal bands, of course, Hazardust had to be different and throw out a country tune for the last number, but it wasn't country by the time they were done with it. Johnny Cash probably rolled over in his grave when they played their version of "Folsom Prison" People liked it!
We stayed a while longer and listened to Delta 9, they rocked! I liked their material, of course they had a following already so more people cheered for them, more people were there for their show.
I think Hazardust will have a following if they are able to stay together. With the guitar player and bass player still in their twenties and Alan nearing 50, I can only hope he will want to stick it out. It's different from anything he's ever done, it's very unusual the sounds they create. As with anyone else, the gas situation sucks, pouring out money and getting less than a half tank of gas. He's already gone through the phase of wanting to make it big. I don't care if he doe's, I think he needs to have an outlet and music is his first love. I hate it when he wants to throw in the towel, so to speak, I know it gets frustrating, but I think if he stops, he'll dry up and become an old man.