Eric's Show Journal - posted on October 13, 2001 by

Show Journal 2001-10-13

Usually when we drive 7 hours for just one show I start to complain about it but I gotta say this one was totally worth it! The show tonight was a benefit concert for the Red Cross and the NYC bombing. When it was all said and done the show pulled in well over $1000 to donate! For a punk rock show in a smaller town I think that’s incredible. The venue was a very large high school auditorium complete with balcony, spot lights, a big sound system and an enormous stage. We saw lots of familiar faces tonight which was really encouraging. Tons of people from the Chico show as well as our last appearances in Redding. Lots of 800 Octane stickers in the parking lot too! We missed most of All But Forgotten since we made a hamburger run to Bartel’s. I didn’t want to miss them but as Dave’s said “damn those burgers was good”. Spent was up second and I thought they sounded really good. After missing their set last time it was finally nice to hear them as a full band and not a three piece! Good job guys. Hand Over Fist. What can I say about Hand Over Fist? I think those guys absolutely rock live. They go from technical quiet parts to just balls out rock faster than you can blink. I think they are a great band and it will amaze me if they don’t go on to bigger and brighter things in music. Jimmirig was up next and they were just as impressive as last time. Catchy songs, great musicians … they are just a really solid band and nice as can be. We were up last and I think we played well. I figured everyone would be burnt out after watching 4 bands, but that was not the case. People moved, cheered and quite a few people actually knew the words which is always great to see. We played a brand new song tonight and it seemed to go over well. Heads kept bobbing the whole song but now that I think about it they could have just been hypnotized by Justin’s crotch. Anyway, I could go on and on but I’ll just say that it was just a really fun show to play. Mad props got out to Dave who became the first member of 800 Octane to get to sign a girl’s breast … and a fake one at that! Of course Stephanie got to touch them but if I elaborate more we could get arrested. Special thanks to Chad from Spent for putting this whole thing together … venue, lineup, staff, etc. People like him make me feel really lazy. Thanks again to everyone in Redding for another rad show.