Spock's Beard (München - New Backstage - 15.10.03)
Written by: Aleš Podbrežnik

We took it very easy. At 18: 30 we finally found what we were looking for. New Backstage looks like a huge box equipped and surrounded with colorful reflectors and lights. Place was dead and no one there. I am lying. As I went out of car to check if we arrived where we wanted to, there were tour buses already parked and everything seemed very quiet and peaceful. At the moment I was entering New Backstage, familiar face appeared in front of me. "Are you from Enchant?" I asked embarrassedly. "Yes!" sounded reply. It was Bill Jenkins, band's newly recruited keyboarder. He must have had certain problems with his leg, because he walked lamely. He stared at me as if I've landed from Mars. He wasn't far away from his possible conclusions, because I was really pissed off after we get lost a few times before hitting the right target. I continued curiously: "Is this Backstage!" Bill confirmed it with another: "Yes!" It sounded like welcome aboard! Our skepticism was over!

It is real shame for me that I didn't know anything about Californian Guitar Trio. These guys were working with such acts like King Crimson, Toto, Flower Kings and almighty guru John McLaughlin. Three folk guitars on stage can play just anything you desire. First three songs were their own stuff. These are true doctors of their own profession. Rehearsed as hell! They offered great tuning, great "eye to eye" on stage communication and also with public, and most of all, they performed stuff with huge balls. Leader Paul Richards had interesting guitar with "twisted" neck (fretboard). Frets on fretboard were positioned sideways with angle constantly getting wider towards the headstock. I was unfamiliar with their stuff, yet it sounded so real and shivering. When they decided to do Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, the whole crowd hold a breath for a moment and than begin to twist. Hideyo was playing Mercury's vocal lines, while Bert and Paul covered him with supremacy. Whole feeling and sound was as I've found myself somewhere in 18th century, listening to Bach playing his harpsichord. Grand steel sound of three acoustic guitars covered a huge sound specter. CGT are just amazing. I must buy all their records! Band ended their gig with Misirlou, a soundtrack from Pulp Fiction. Hideyo developed high speed velocity on lower strings while he opened the song's famous (main) theme. I mean CGT went over my expectations. They are true geniuses. Unfortunately their gig lasted only for half an hour with no encore. They've played five songs altogether. Boys, I'll be better prepared for you next time, I promise! Thank you for amazing experience.

Enchant are five pieced band from San Francisco (again somewhere from California I guess). After their seventh album this fantastic act is still underrated to much. They have unique and recognizable prog rock style from first note they choose to strike. Enchant opened gig with first song from debut album "A Blueprint Of The World"(1994) The Thirst (imagine as if Dream Theater would start their gig with A Fortune In Lies). Taped intro and here they go. Their drum set was not positioned behind singer Ted but more towards left monitor (looking from listener's position). Backstage has very small stage. Sean played the same drum kit that was afterwards used by Spock's Beard hired drum wizard and multi instrumentalist Jimmy Keegan. Band went through some sound problems, while playing The Thirst. Doug and Ted were exchanging vocal lines in pre-chorus of The Thirst. Ed's bass almost diminished most of the sound, so I couldn't hear quite clear what the rest were playing. Sound got fixed in following song and the rest was pure magic. Sinking Sand showed how subtle Ted's singing can be (chorus). These guys were just keep on rolling. Supreme tuning and on-stage chemistry resulted in energetic gig performed. We must not forget that their music is assembled with lot of complexity. Sinking Sand has melancholic refrain that always "moves" me. Especially in its closing section with catchy Doug's soloing. Than followed my "Blink Of An Eye" (2002) favorite Monday. Ted took guitar in his hand. I was in seventh heaven. When band released "Blink Of An Eye" I was frustrated: "To hell, why acts like Enchant or Shadow Gallery don't come to tour the Europe?" We know sad facts. And thanks to destiny we have more popular and bigger Spock's Beard able to hit headliner tour and invite such supergroups to tour with them. Progtology was a jamming session and audience had a great party. Band felt that and switched into higher gear. It seemed as guys got some extra shot of Flyin' in their jugular veins, cause they've really began to kick ass. I was shocked. Not just a singer! Ted Leonard is also brilliant guitarist. Logically, if he is songwriter, he surely had learned a few chords. But this was not only a few chords. Ted was covering Douglas with playing main Progtology theme. So if you know this song, it is not enough if you play only chords. You have to move your fingers through guitar fretboard very quick and precise. I was astonished over Ted's performance. His amazing powerful singing and acting was convincible all the way. Real surprise followed. Song from "Break" (1998) album called My Gavel Hand. This is untypical song for Enchant. It has tricky vocal lines and you must be quite experienced in bringing verses alive through performance. I was truly enjoining this song. Bouncy Below Zero ("Wounded", 1996) was done on a much faster way in comparison with original studio version. Guys ended show with Comatose ("Tug Of War", 2003). Ted got subtler, tender and warm. Guys developed strong boiling climax through this song with more feel involvement. Comatose was surely a highlight. After huge cheer applauding, band returned on stage and took as back in 1994. Once again they confirmed overall musical perfection with Oasis. Doug and Ted were doing separated vocal lines.

Bill Jenkins seemed as if he would be Enchant member already for decade and not just for half of a year. Bill, welcome aboard! Doug was dictating the gig. This brilliant guitarist is band's main engine and director on stage. And stage was surely too small for Enchant. They play a bit less than one hour. They have to exclude one song from their set. It was unfortunately Ted's favorite Enchant song What To Say from "Juggling 9 Or Dropping 10" (2000), because band got time limitations. Anyway, we could enjoy My Gavel Hand played for the first time live on tour. I must admit that Enchant really blew me away. I was dreaming to see Enchant and this dream suddenly turn to be reality. Guys please do continue!

Now everything was set for Spock and his beard to appear. It was no surprise for me when band opened gig with story about guy named Sid (A Guy Named Sid). 20 minute epic lesson was a great song to start a gig with. Dave surprised me with playing bass synthesizer in opening section of the song. All eyes were pointed onto band's "new" singer, basically band's original drummer Nick D'Virgilio. At this very moment of SB's musical stand, Nick is best possible Neal's replacement. On-stage he fully confirmed that. He was Sid. For a while I thought real Sid joined us in hall. Nick's acting moved me. It was first time for me to see Spock's Beard alive. Not only Nick. They all have something. Strong charisma. Those guys are acting like one big happy family on stage. They are not together just to make money! They do not seem to follow strict musical professionalism in sense: "This is my part of band's pie, this is yours..." What holds them together and makes them so strong is their true close friendship. Now imagine David Coverdale and his band called Whitesnake. He is buying expensive musicians from S. Vai, up to Billy Sheehan, etc…. Those guys really kicks ass on stage. But their only motive is earning money under Whitesnake's well established name. Nothing else matters for them. They only care to play chords and tunes correctly during shows and that their pile of money will constantly grew bigger (and bigger and bigger…). On the other hand Spock's Beard are real brotherhood. They are brothers. And this is what made them so big.

They have great sense for humor. I was laughing so much. Like a crazy maniac. Jimmy Keegan was with band on stage almost entire gig. He rode us (stage-dive). Audience carried him back where he could order his beer and than returned him on stage to join the rest of a gang. This band is capable of catching incredible party on stage. I mean every move every word radiates strong positive energy. My spine was really tangling. I felt this effect of huge positive vibes, when I was watching Yes but with Yes I was meditating, here with Spock's Beard, I was hit differently, cause I didn't see yet a band on stage, that would act and react on such spontaneous way. They are sincere as children that never felt primary school's brain washing experience.

Back to Sid. In beginning we watched conceited Sid, who was very much in love with himself, pure ego speak out of him. In next moment when verse "…I use to be a honest man…" begins, Nick disguises himself completely and Sid's nature dramatically changes. Sid starts to observe himself as a person, he become more attentive of his ego blindness. In same moment atmosphere also drastically switches. I mean, caught mood was different, yet still shivering. If Nick brought great power eruption through singing his opening verses, he calmed down things in next moment with subtler singing almost through narratives. Judge started fire with Ryo's crazy elephant jungle effects backed up with African ethno percussions. Al and Nick were chasing each other down the stage. And this scene made me laugh again like an animal. Nick was playing drums in closing section of a song.

This was it! Magic! Sincerity! Fun! Everything was happening spontaneously. For only 20€! Al is something special. He uses his sustain and vah effects very often. I mean so often that you can not imagine Al's guitar sound and unique approach without sustain. He is playing without guitar pick. Al with his glasses and harder three fingered guitar grip reminded me slightly on jazz guitar player Bill Frisel. This guy doesn't need any bonus acting for being funny. He was born to be funny! "Al sustaniac" with his shocking strong charisma!

New Backstage has huge air conditioner, it looks like enormous refrigerator. It was surely made in some other century because it provides such strange noises. I've got feeling as if ocean was waving next to my head. Everybody in the hall were a bit upset because of that. Al on stage noticed strange looks pointed from the audience. First he went curious if there is something funny about him. Well, Alan is funny even when he doesn't intend to be. In beginning these weird sounds bordered the audience, but after awhile we all laughed especially in between certain pauses, when this waving sound was dominating the hall.

After 20 minute of epic fantasies, band continued with Thoughts. Vocal lines were sung by Jimmy, Nick and Ryo. Scene was calmed down completely after Shining Star. This waltzer was something delightful for Dave, because all his bass slides stood in centre of it. His Rickenbecker (model 4001) was breathing really alive! Mood changed completely with groovier East Of Eden, West Of Memphis. It is great song, done with fascinating Al's guitar intro. I was enjoying instrumental section with all soloing parts of Ryo and Alan and get astonished over "eye to eye" contact between Nick, who meanwhile set behind his drum kit, and Ryo. How perfectly they were breathing together. Nick's spicy drum "rollings" and Ryo's Hammond eruptions were raising the climax to the boiling point at the end of the song. Song ended without original studio backward stuff. Than one of most touching experience on Beard's concert Ghosts Of Autumn was performed. Dave got very embarrassed when Nick introduced him: "This song was written by our bass player Dave Meros!" Ladies and gentleman, would you please welcome Mr. Dave Meros! Dave Meros!!!" Dave was defending himself: "It wasn't just me who wrote this song!" Nick didn't give up: "That's right man, but John Boegehold is unfortunately not present here, so ladies and gentlemen, would you please welcome Mr. Dave Meros!!!" Watching this scene, I was forced again in some huge laughs. Nick was also playing acoustic guitar here.

What followed next was famous computer sample, with high frequency replies! Feel Euphoria swallowed entire hall! This was Ryo's on stage outburst while he almost covered himself with bunch of his keyboard stacks. Nick was astonished over college's performance: "Ryo is rock'n'roll!!!" In Feel Euphoria audience's spinning heads were spinning even faster! Atmosphere changed completely with fantastic song Bottom Line also from band's newest album. Nick approached very tender and soft with great feel for emotive singing. He took again acoustic guitar.

Finally, songs from "Snow" (2002) began to roll. This was unforgettable medley. Sincerely I've never experienced such outstanding performance of certain medley. SB's guys enchanted all Munich. I mean this was spontaneous crazy jam, with full partying down the stage. Guys were flying everywhere while chasing their gutsy tunes. Medley was assembled only from songs appearing on "Snow" CD2. They started the fire with Second Overture that was followed by high atmospheric song I'm The Guy, with Al's shivering guitar riffs. Nick left the audience to sing "…I'm the guy…" verse. After Reflection and Carrie, Freak Boy (pt 2.) and funky grooving Devil's Got My Throat Revisited rocked the hall again in heavier gear. Here Jimmy Keegan surfed the audience. Crowd carried him almost to the Backastage's entrance and than back to stage. I've never seen such 100% safe stage diving. Munich's audience is incredible! Crowd was truly breathing with guys on stage!

After Snow's Night Out we were prepared to face absolute highlight of the evening! Ladies And Gentleman, Mister Ryo Okumoto On The Keyboards. Ryo's gone mad! Well during the gig, he already tried a few times to cover himself with his large set of keyboard stacks. And this time he fully succeeded. His perception of reality was lost! He switched of his ego. He was rocking so hard while dashing the keys like eight tentacle octopus; he broke one of his keyboard stands. Stacks fell off. Ryo didn't care much, he just keep on laughing all the time. He ended his cosmic rocking blast in laying position. Keyboard stand broke twice and roadies were on heavy duty! Well they fixed it somehow, but one of the roadies had to stay on stage and hold Ryo's armour till the rest of show. Roadie turned into new keyboard stand. And there was more to come! After that, Jimmy and Nick set both behind their drum kits and performed real duel drum battle. They had great time, Nick irritated Jimmy with chasing tunes from his kit, which Jimmy wasn't able to repeat. Jimmy was developing high velocity speed, his cymbals were rolling like juke box, and Nick couldn't do nothing about it. He just stared! Jimmy is fast as a shark and faster drummer than Nick. His splashes were just flying from everywhere. I mean this guy truly brought something special in Beard's show. I'm hoping he will be permanently accepted by band as "helping hand" bonus drummer for future SB tours. This simpatico was acting as a true band's member. He equally helped in bringing entire show on a level where you can call it unbeatable!

It was shame, that funky Onomatopoeia was dropped out. It was performed on first few European shows. Well, as I read band's tour diary, we can be very happy with München's gig. In Berlin, two days earlier, they dropped out three songs because of time restrictions (Onomatopoeia, Ghosts Of Autumn and even one of my SB faves Feel Euphoria).

Medley ended with Devil's Got My Throat reprise and outstanding fade out that didn't want to end. Encore was something for lovers of SB classic stuff. It included performance of The Doorway and Go The Way You Go. We could feel once again coherent and strong on-stage chemistry between guys, which makes genuine Spock's Beard so true and real. Entire SB gig, that lasted almost two hours and a half, radiated pure positive bright light vibes. It was magic uplifting experience, full of sincere fun and enjoyment. People were truly able to relax themselves and forget for a while about their daily duties. Spock's Beard gig is unforgettable experience. Every one of you should taste it at least once in life time. Amazing excitement! I was under strong impressions for a next few days, and everybody at my job were staring with strange faces at me, not to mention my girlfriend. I was cheating her again with my first love. Music. "Spock's Beard, thank you, take care, see you around!"

Enchant, Munich, New Backstage 15.10.2003, set list:

1. The Thirst
2. Sinking Sand
3. Monday
4. Progtology
5. My Gavel Hand
6. Below Zero
7. Comatose
----------------------- Encore
8. Oasis
================== End

Spock's Beard, Munich, New Backstage 15.10.2003, set list:

1. A Guy Named Sid
2. Thoughts
3. Shining Star
4. East Of Eden, West Of Memphis
5. Ghosts Of Autumn
6. Feel Euphoria
7. Bottom Line
8. Snow Medley:
a.) Second Overture
b.) I'm The Guy
c.) Reflection
d.) Carrie
e.) Freak Boy (pt.2)
f.) Devil's Got My Throat Revisited
g.) Snow's Night Out
h.) Ladies And Gentleman, Mister Ryo Okumoto On The Keyboards
i.) drum duel battle (Nick versus Jimmy)
j.) Devil's Got My Throat Revisited (reprise)
---------------------------------------------------------- Encore
9. The Doorway
10. Go The Way You Go
============================================= End