Setlist Scribbles: 01/06 Brian Alan Hager @ Front Street Social
BrrrrrrRea
Last Tuesday,
I played my first solo show of the new year at Front Street Social in Berea with Brian Alan Hager.
Someone (Donnie!~) asked me recently why I do these solo shows with tracks as opposed to just by myself with an acoustic guitar. I really think it depends on the context of the show. Way back in probably 2013, I was doing a one off show at Checkers-N-Trophies in Kent, Ohio (RIP) with Army of Infants and Dead Turquoise. I think I played first(?… hard to remember at this point haha) and then Dead Turquoise came on. He had a HUGE barrage of PA speakers and this baritone Eastwood guitar that was just HOWLING. Once he stepped up to the mic he proceeded to scream his guts out with sincerity and anger in a way that I haven’t heard quite since. He was the first person I’d ever seen play with tracks and honestly it blew me to bits.
Ever since then I’d always thought to myself that if I ever do a solo thing, that’s ultimately what I want it to be. Still a WIP, always DIY!
ANYWAYS, back to the SHOW!
Here’s a clip of “Your Back Door” from my live stream, audio is a bit shite, but I’m workin’ on that for the future! Brian took some killer video so perhaps I’ll be turning that into something in the future (once it downloads! the files are HUUGE hahaha)
I’ve known Brian for eons now, and I feel like every time I see him he’s always upping the ante in his live shows; always striving for something better than his last. His band currently consists of Brian on guitar/vocals, his brother Jeff Hager on trumpet/keys/backing vox, Stephen Millner on bass, and Chuck Burgess on drums.
Fun fact: Brian actually recorded my band The Marauders way way back in like 2011 and he’s been recording and producing his own music for as long as I’ve known him Check out his music here!
WELL, that’s the first solo show for the year! You can catch me at Imposters Theater on Friday 01/30 for The Riff. Doin’ a couple of tunes followed by an improv show inspired by the words and songs!