June Catch-Up

Surprise, surprise, we’re behind on the blog again. A quick revisiting of shows from the past few weeks.

June 13 @ Martyrs’ - Chicago, IL

My birthday show! Anne and Casey from 56 Hope Road sat in on Aretha Franklin’s “Think” and we nailed it with no rehearsal. Anne wails!! I got a singing ovation of “Happy Birthday” from the crowd at the end of our set. Yay for another year of being 27!

June 14 @ Alex and Kayla’s Wedding – Bettendorf, IA

We got up way too early to head to the Quad Cities for the wedding of long-time fans, Alex and Kayla. We decided to resurrect an old tune, “Seein’”, from our first album, that Alex has been requesting for a good 4 years or so, and we executed it surprisingly well for having not performed it in years.

June 27 @ Universal Rhythm Assembly – Peoria, IL

Cool little festival on the river in Peoria. Awesome weather, but a shitload of huge mayflies everywhere. Joel from Umphrey’s came out and sat in with us during “Little Walter Rides Again,” which we took into Chameleon, and then a little dueling keyboard action from Joel and Jordan. The crowd was bumpin for the whole set. After the show, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the pizza place next door, and came back to the festival to find that 56 Hope Road had raided our hospitality trailer of all the beer. (I’m sure Chad will be leaving this detail out of the 56 Hope Road tour blog, but I tell nothing but the truth, folks!)

June 29 @ Lazy River Music Festival – South Elgin, IL

Another way too early departure time for this early afternoon festival set. Weather was erratic all day but we survived our set without getting too wet. Hung out with EOTO and New Monsoon and various other folks backstage and enjoyed some nice hospitality food and drink.

Stay tuned for a (hopefully) timely report on FGC's 4th of July weekend shows!

FGC and 56 Hope Road in St Louis!

It had been about three years since FGC had been back to Cicero's and a triumphant return it was. We split the night with our old friends 56 Hope Road (who you can catch us with in Chicago on Fri, June 13th @ Martyr's) and a rowdy good time was had.

FGC opened the night with a strong performance. We played crowd favorites such as The Charmer, Oye Como Va and Wrath of the Solids as well as some newer numbers like Guns of Ticonderoga and yet to be titled, New Tune 17. Casey Fitzpatrick, 56's sax player, joined us for a rippin' version of The Chicken, woohoo!

56's set was as hot as always and yours truly was invited to sit in for three blistering tunes including one of my all time faves, Glacier.

The night was a blast and it's always a treat to get back together with our old friends from St Louis. We are also very grateful anytime we get a chance to hang out with the 56 crew and are eagerly awaiting our Martyr's show with them, which coincidentally, is Janis' annual 27th Birthday! Be there or be square.