****Hey all... I know this was like, a couple weeks ago, but I had originally posted it on a music blog I've since been politely asked to remove my stuff from and not contribute to anymore. :-) It still belongs somewhere, so here goes:

Prior to playing a festival in northern SK last weekend called Rockin' @ the River, I had written this on my band's site: http://virb.com/chrisrealetc/posts/text/3967757
To save you some reading... it was more or less detailing my excitement of being on a bill with Econoline Crush, and a historical account of why this band meant, means, and will always mean so much to me on both a personal and professional level.
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The backstage VIP area at this gig is way cool, just the one tent, all the bands hanging out together... I'm pretty sure I spilled my 27th rye and coke on the singer from Honeymoon Suite's shoe, I digress.
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The setup being the way it was, I expected I'd get a chance to meet the EC boys and say "Thanks" for what their band has meant in my life, but it was so many levels beyond that.
We rolled in on the Friday nite before the big Saturday show, checked into our hotel, to find a couple of the EC crew already checked in beside us. EC bass player Scotty Whalen came and drank in our room with us until about 4 in the morning... excellent dude, and he seemed to take my constant questions about why this obscure track or that obscure track from their catalogue wouldn't be in the set the next day with good humour and compliments. :-) It's always a great pleasure of mine to talk shop with players whos shops are much bigger than mine, this was no different.
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We were also eventually joined by a couple guys from a Motley Crue tribute band outta TO called Crued, who had played for the Friday nite "kickoff" party. They brought along three gorgeous women who danced onstage during their set they dubbed "The Filthy Habits"... again, I digress... but goooooood times... ok, NOW I digress.
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Aside from inspiring me to start a Robert Smith tribute band called Cured... an idea that went away with the next morning's unwelcome sobriety, they themsleves put on a hell of a show, and were great guys to boot. The dude in the pic above at the back of the table raising his arm is Keith, or Nikki Sixx, from the band. (The guy with the bright yellow hair is Trevor Hurst... breakfast with Econoline Crush, and a rye n' Coke in Chris Real's hand @ 10am, life is goooooood)
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It had occured to me, after a nite of partying with EC, and breakfast the next morning with EC, getting to talk to them about their recent opening slots for KISS and Alice Cooper, and seeing how they talked about it just like I knew I'd be talking about them... that the weekend could not get any better. I had forgotten however, I still got to play a show and then watch Econoline do their thing.
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Chris Real show review: Rock n' roll awesomeness. (see: every other Chris Real show review) ;-)
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Econoline Crush show review: I yi yi... my 7th time seeing the band, by far the best.
They opened with 'Home', the single that brought them to fame in Canada, and it slayed, and they didn't look back. The set was an almost even mix of MuchMusic hits and tracks from their new album 'Ignite' (their best work since 'Devil You Know', but the way).

'All That You Are', 'You Don't Know What It's Like', 'Surefire', etc... all the hits.

It was the new stuff that rocked me hardest though... the band are incredible musicians, and I'm not usually a fan of sampling and drum loops but EC gets it right... and of course, all these songs are distributed via the attitude, ego, and total command of rock n' roll song delivery having Trevor Hurst.
I made a comment to the people around me about half way through the set "Trevor Hurst is Canada's Michael Hutchence"... I got no arguments. As the band launched into some of the newer stuff, 'Get Out of the Way', 'Psychotic', 'Could Have Been', and the beyond brilliant and sleazy-sexy 'Dirty', I was on cloud 11. What I didn't expect though, was the crowd response...
You see so many acts who play sets where the energy level has peaks and valleys.
Play a hit: Peak
Play a new one: Valley
Not Econoline Crush... their stage presence and obvious love of what they do wouldn't allow it... the cheers, crowd participation, and even singing along by the crowd stayed at a fevered pitch for the entire 60 minute set... even during the songs they didn't know.
By the time the band ended with their traditional closer, 'Wicked', the Rockin' @ the River crowd had seen the best set in the event's four year history... I've been to the last three myself, it's easily the best I've seen.
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Poor Honeymoon Suite having to follow that (and thank Jeebus for me I got to open for it). I dig some of that early "Canadian 80s" Honeymoon Suite stuff, but it was very hard to care about their set.
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So... back to the backstage area, a couple more ryes with the guys to chill out... and then off to party the nite away. (I had another show to play the next nite back in Regina, and the best way to prepare for your 4th show in four nites? Drink until 3 am and wake up to Jell-O shooters at 8 am... write that down kids)
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Actually, just go watch Trevor and the guys do their thing the next chance you get... that's five rock n' roll lessons for the price of one.
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Rawk.