Can You Hear Me Now?

Last night I went to the Ironwood to see Andy Stochansky. I went with my friends Michelle, Chris, Jay and Katrina and a couple friends of Chris’ joined us too, so we had a nice full table right in front of the stage (it pays to get there early and have dinner first!) Michelle and I were early enough to catch several songs during the sound check, which only added to my excitement of how great this show would be. It also gave me a chance to approach Andy when it was quiet and he wasn’t surrounded by other people and fans, give him a Polyjesters CD (because everyone needs Ka-Chunk!) which he totally appreciated, and warn him that I had lots of CDs for him to sign later. He was really nice… such a gentle soul, really. I told him about how difficult it was to reach anybody to be a member of his “Street Team”… that I signed up at his website and heard nothing and emailed a couple people that work with him and heard nothing either. So I ended up getting posters from another fan in Ontario because she received them after the show already happened (to which Andy responded by just shaking his head) and had no use for them anymore. Michelle and I stapled those up along 17th Avenue SW last week and I brought a few to the Ironwood as well because they had no promo either. He thanked me and said that for sure by his next tour something will be more organized for people who want to help!

The room was packed by the time Les Cooper hit the stage to play a few songs first. I was expecting a band called “Turn off the Stars” to open, that is what I had originally seen listed, but Les Cooper plays guitar in Andy’s band and they decided to send him up to play a few songs of his own. He said he wasn’t expecting to do this, so maybe the original opening act never showed up? Whatever, I was happy… Les played a few songs and the other members of Andy’s band backed him up. Then Les called “Buster” up to the stage to play drums, and Buster turned out to be Andy! Andy backed up Ani DiFranco on drums for 7 years before he became a solo artist. These guys had never played Les’ songs before, so as Chris said after “that was the best jam ever“.

Then after a break Andy and the guys hit the stage. What can I say?? He rocked. He was amazing, incredible, awesome… brought the house down. He played a lot of songs from both “Five Star Motel” and his new KICK ASS disc “100″. From the haunting spine-tingling vocals on songs like “House of Gold”, “22 Steps” and “Beautiful Thing” (written after watching ‘Shrek’ lol) to rocking out on songs like “Loud”, “Shine” and “One Man Symphony”… nothing was missing. There were moments of just Andy acoustic, Andy pounding on his mic while the rhythm section took a break, Andy at the piano… Andy being witty and spontaneous, Andy being both a Rock God and mesmerizing-let’s-all-fall-to-the-floor-in-a-puddle-of-drool balladeer…

The show ended way too quickly. He missed playing a couple of my favourites, but that’s not difficult because I have a lot of favourites. His final encore song was “Butterfly Song” and he asked for the house lights to come up so he could see us all and feel more a part of us. Awwwwww! After the show many people wanted to meet him of course, so he was standing over by the front where the CDs were for sale. I eventually made my way over there and got all my CDs signed and a couple hugs and a picture. He was really nice and said many nice things to me too. I had bought some CDs earlier (and brought my own) and he asked “you didn’t buy anything, did you?? Oh, for the love of God…” Ha ha he thought I should get them free because of the postering thing. I guess if I actually had my wits about me while speaking to an incredible talent like him, I could have said “well, then give me a T-shirt!!” but I didn’t even think of it (and yeah, the shirts were right in front of my face). I didn’t do the kissy on the cheek photo with him because as kind and sweet as he is, I just didn’t get that “he won’t mind if I JUMP ALL OVER HIM” vibe from him. Heh. I took pictures during the live show too, but not using a flash (except one accidentally) because I have read that he really doesn’t like it when a flash goes off and breaks up the “moment” when he’s really into a song on stage. I wasn’t about to be the person who pisses him off like that, so I probably won’t have any live photos that worked out!

Anyway, after I had my fan-girlie moment Michelle and I left. We stopped at Humpty’s for a bite to eat on the way home because it’s right near me (and we were hungry), and then noticed that the pizza place even closer to me was still open. Must remember that for next time. There’s just something really gross about Humpty’s, but when it’s 1:00 a.m. and you’re in ‘da hood the choices are limited.

Ahhhh, what an awesome night. Andy Stochansky RAWKS!!

Andy Stochansky Live

Me and Andy