ETV 7
by Will
Terry and Ptolemy - photo by Keith Huang
During the Del Close Marathon, I ran over to Kenny’s Castaway to watch and perform in Terry Jinn’s Enormous Television 7. The comedians pick the songs, and Terry and his band perform them. It is a blast — supportive and enthusiastic audience, good performances, and smiles all around.
I performed “Hey Jealousy” by The Gin Blossoms.
If you don't expect too much from me - photo by Keith Huang
Known mostly as a throw-away, that song is one I love truly. Always have! Joe Wengert, to this day, will text me whenever he hears it being played in public to make fun of it and me for my devotion to it. But it’s great! Simple and sad and hopeful. And I love the line “You can trust me not to think, and not to sleep around.” What an odd promise! Also, the story of its songwriter Doug Hopkins (kicked out of the band for being a drunk, only to see his song become a top 40 hit, after which he killed himself in rehab) makes the song ten times more fascinating.
And that is why ETV is more than just a karoke show. The singers, most of whom are not great singers, are picking songs they truly love — and they’re good enough performers to let that happiness come out. Comedy sometimes encourages you to be a dick, but in the end audiences like to watch people be happy and be in love. Right? Joy is contagious.
Honestly, everyone in the show was great. But my favorite was Jazzy James Eason, who sported some kinda extra-long shiny suit for his performance of Purple Rain.
Just trying to be some kinda friend - photo by Keith Huang
Don’t let anyone tell you James Eason is not a great showman. Dyna and I went to ETV 2.5 years ago and watched James kick the shit out of “Another Brick In The Wall” — while reading the lyrics off of a music stand. I also think James might not be able to sing. But I never notice because he sells that shit. Tabitha did not take out her camera until James strutted out in that suit but then she was camera crazy from that point forward.
If I list anyone else, I’ll end up leaving people out. But I almost never feel happier than after the ETV show, and I think everyone else involved feels the same way. Happy Birthday, Terry!
Keith Huang took great pictures of the night.
Tony Carnevale – The Boys Are Back In Town (Thin Lizzy)
Ari Scott – You Give Love a Bad Name (Bon Jovi)
Mark Lee – White Room (Cream)
Shannon Manning – I’m Not Like Everybody Else (The Kinks)
Ernie Privetera – Epic (Faith No More)
James Eason – Purple Rain (Prince)
Will Hines – Hey Jealousy (Gin Blossoms)
Jessica Allen – Don’t You Want Somebody to Love (Jefferson Airplane) [with slight mash-up with Jumpin' Jack Flash (Rolling Stones)]
Tara Copeland – Sister Christian (Night Ranger)
Kirk Damato – Surrender (Cheap Trick)
INTERMISSION
Marc Liepis – Owner of a Lonely Heart (Yes)
Maddy Mako – Ragdoll (Aerosmith)
Shelly Stover – Anyway You Want It (Journey)
Brian Fountain – What You Are (Audioslave)
Jen MacNeil – Video Killed The Radio Star (The Buggles)
Ernie Privetera – Subdivisions (Rush)
Kate Hess – In State (Kathleen Edwards)
Ptolemy Slocum – New York I Love You (LCD Soundsystem)
Andrew Secunda – Thunder Road (Bruce Springsteen)
Dan Goodman – Won’t Get Fooled Again (The Who)
Terry Jinn – While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The Beatles)
Comments
It’s not my birthday!
-Terry
You were great, Will!
I love that line “If you don’t expect too much from me, you might be let down.” More than that, I love the way you performed it. Well done! Perhaps you could be the new lead singer for the Gin Blossoms….I miss them.
I was just posting about the Gin Blossoms on the IRC!
I miss them too, Sean T. Will, do you have their New Miserable Experiences CD? Was that the last one they made?
PS. I would have looooved to see Secunda perform “Thunder Road”!!!!! Damn me and my missing it.
PPS. Now I may always think of it as “Secunda Road,” even though I didn’t see it.