19 Jan 2003, House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Well, the show was incredible. That word becomes overused with Steve, does it not? I arrived 'early ' on [ don't ask, people think I am insane already ] and heard Jerry warming up on the violin. Soon Dave Larue arrived and was going at it...then Steve arrived. A bright red carpet was outside and I told him that 'finally' the Dregs were realized for who they are, even though its taken awhile. He laughed and said 'how about that!?' Talked to Steve for a while and, like always, am taken so back that a person of this musical caliber is so approachable and pleasant just to talk too. Steve's sound checks alone should be recorded...people think Van Halen's spontaneous stuff (Eruption) was unreal....I have never heard anything like this. When he plays alone, no song context, you can hear the influences flow though him like water...a quick bebop phrase, welded to a elegant classic, soaring line to a Celtic dance/march to a searing country/! rock phrase. Just incredible. ( there is that over-used word again! ) Dave Larue came out for a break later and I talked to him for awhile. He said he was thinking there may be SMB gigs in Septemeber, but did not know as yet. Dave said he loves playing anything with Steve, but that the SMB is 'polyphonic heaven' for him and he could play and never stop in that context. May it be! The front row reunion was soon there and Gordon and Taj showed up, so this marked the event as ready to go! The warm up was John Jorgenson. I was introduced to the Hellecasters when they opened for Steve at the HOB years before and have been a great fan since. I guess the Hellecasters are no more, but John is the rocker and he smoked on stuff. He is clean, articulate and extremely tasteful/polished with his playing. He needs to be showcased more. The Dregs started at about 10:20pm. Steve was playing a minimal rig, I think maybe his stuff was either being used recording w/ Deep Purple or packed up somewhere. He had 2- 5150 heads and a small FX rack, sure the 5150 was dry and the other wet. I have to say this. At first you are amazed and stunned at the sheer ability level that you are seeing and hearing. You are shocked that human beings can pull off this level of musicianship LIVE for cryin' out loud! The problem is you begin to get numb to it, because its so much and beyond anything that's out there that soon you are kind of in a zone, at least for me. I have played guitar for so many years that what you see/hear is so shocking....just not of this world. Seriously. Jerry was having more fun than I have seen him have before..and Dave's expressions and fun on stage are a blast to watch. Rod is so tight that his accents and percussion work is like a well-polished machine that is musical. I can't say enough about Rod...he is just so good. T was playing well, but his sound did not come through as well during the 1st half as I have heard before. Later on, he changed something and he cut through clear. Steve is...well...just Steve. No single individual can do what he does. Every single time I hear 'The Bash' live, he does it differently. And every single time I think I have just witnessed the most extraordinary guitar playing ever heard...and the next time he ups it again! Steve is having fun, you can see how much he smiles and laughs about stuff...I'm sure some changes and re-directs during songs that he and Dave smile at...but you would never know! I really watched at how much energy Steve received from the fans and was struck at how much this fuels his energy and creativity. I asked Dave Larue pre-show if there was more material written for the SMB or Dregs as yet, and Dave looked at me for awhile trying to select the correct words and said...'Steve has stuff on his computer you wouldn't believe...so much...there will be alot to sort through for sure!' The band came back after the encore and did 2 more songs...stunning of course. Post-show, I hung around and was surpised to see Ian Paice and Roger Glover of Deep Purple there. They were cheering bandmate Mr. Morse on...and were in town still working on DP recordings. I asked Ian about how it was going and he said 'great...we are all happy with the songs, ...and he (pointing toward Steve) is happy, which makes me happy!' It was so apparent that they depend alot on Steve's contributions and writing and want him happy...so cool. My only suggestion is merchandise! I truly believe that with the international awareness growing with Steve via Purple, and the insane followers of the Dregs/SMB here..AND the comfort-level people have with using the internet for ordering, items need to get out to the concerts and be on line [we are actually in the process of getting some merchandise available To all...its worth driving/flying to see Steve anywhere in any venue. It changes everything...seeing a caliber of musicianship above anything we can realize and such dedication and fun. Gordon & Taj..see you next time!!!
online - Daniel]! I saw so many old, tattered Dregs t-shirts people were wearing around me...they were truly the Dregs of the drawers!