Gig Recap: The Garage

Last night, we did a tripleheader at the Garage Bar in Moorhead. This was our first time at the Garage as a headliner - and actually, our first time as "Rule 17". For those who haven't been there, it's been completely remodeled since back when it was Pistol Pete's. New stage, new PA, new lights, etc. It's nice in there. They cater to a combination of original bands and cover bands, which I would imagine makes for a pretty interesting dynamic night to night, but the flexibility of venues that host original bands is part of what makes multiple band shows like this doable.

First up was Sex Knuckle, who should be familiar to rock fans in the F/M area by now. We've done a few shows with them by this point and will undoubtedly be doing more in the future.  This was probably the best I've heard them collectively play - they were great.

Next up was Phoenix Rising. I've heard the album tracks and the demos, and was pretty impressed, but I had never heard them play live. If you get the chance to see these guys, take it. Hopefully, they can get a few more things set up here on the south side of the state.

We got started some time before midnight, and played around an hour and a half. I obviously can't give an audience level view of it, but everything seemed to go as usual with one difference...
...we had dancers.

I've been in bands where people would come up and dance, and none of them did a Testament cover. In this instance, it was during "Waste Away" - which has to be the hardest thing we do to dance to. It's a gauntlet of tempo changes. It reminds me of a time back when we were known as 7th Seal that a couple danced for about 5 of the 10 minutes that the song "7th Seal" lasted. I guess people love a challenge - and I have to admit the strong urge to chuckle every time I say "thank you dancers".

So, that's the end of Rule 17's headlining gigs through the end of 2012. I'd especially like to thank all of our friends/fans who come out and support us, tell their friends about us and really help us bring people out. In a world where people are increasingly inundated with information, the value of word-of-mouth keeps getting higher, and so for those of you who help us out we'd like to give a big "thank you".  

About the Song: Beyond

Last night, I uploaded a new tune for the first time since 2009. Those of you who have seen us playing over the past year are well aware that we have quite a bit more than 3 songs, but we just hadn’t gotten around to recording them...until September...and that was accidental (kind of).

I’ve mentioned in previous posts about how we used to do the equivalent of “boombox” recordings to get arrangements right. We have a little more accurate system now, which we tested back in Sept. Throw mics on the drums, take lines out of the amps, and there you have it - recording with decent enough quality so you can get a decent grasp of how a tune is. This is something that we intend to work into more of our rehearsals, so we should be able to get a little more sample music out there before we settle in and go for a full-length.

So, without further ado, here’s “Beyond”.

I originally wrote this song back in 1999 or so - it was part of the “lost album” that I’ve mentioned before. I had been thinking back on that period, and figure that of all the tunes, this one fit in best with what we’re playing now. The opening riff was reworked. The chorus and middle section were entirely rewritten. The lyrics are completely different, as are the vocal melody lines. The solo section goes back and forth between Troy and me. As always, it will be interesting to see how these sections develop as we keep working with it live.

Lyrically, the song is about...something. I’m actually not totally clear on what this tune is about. I’ve always dug the lyrics to “Hang ‘em High” by Van Halen, and kind of tried to cop a bit of that vibe on this one.

Some are born in fortune's hand, 

but that was not his fate. 

Everything he has, he had to take

All he owns is on his back.

His hands are leather-hard

This man with nothing has everything in his power. 

Night falls quickly. The dark clouds push the light away. 

Face the cold wind, push on through to day. 

Beyond the dark horizon

Beyond these barren plains

Beyond these fields of lies and empty nights

The world waits a lifetime away

He gazes 'cross the blackened sky

beyond the windswept plain, 

steps outside his shelter into the rain.

A little step to infinity

Another step towards death

He won't avert his eyes or hold his breath

If you figure out what it’s about please let me know.