Subj: Do 2 Shows=2 Meal Tickets?#21 Date: 94-08-07 11:51:27 EDT From: L7s
Do 2 Shows=2 Meal Tickets?#21 (July 24, Detroit, MI)
For anyone who doesn’t already know, Lallapolooza has three main event focuses. The main stage (that would be us), the second stage (that would be the Flamming Lips, Verve, Luscious Jackson and others who swap off on any given week) and what they call the “The Mind Field” (which are the vendors, political booths and the Revival Tent where poetry, spoken word, political forums and the likes take place). Every once in a while, we all get bored with our “assigned stations” and make nuisances of ourselves in other people’s areas. It’s all very welcome, actually, keeps things stirred up and interesting. I’ve seen James from the Pumpkins perform as a drummer in the Rival tent, poets on the Main Stage, band members working in the political booths, and more.
Today was L7’s turn. After the Flaming Lips did their thing that they do so well (check out their bio and discography posted somewhere in the Warner’s Board), we jumped on stage to do an impromptu set. The audience requested songs (no, we don’t do “Freebird”; that joke is way too old to still be funny), and we ended up playing a few we hadn’t played in years. It was a great stress release, and most of the other Main Stage people came down to check it out and get involved. Steven from the Flaming Lips played drums on “Shove” while Dee took some time out to dance, the Bad Seeds sang back-up on “Andres”, and Kim Deal stood to the side of the stage and screamed the whole time!
C’ya, -finch
Subj: Crew View”ChefandHammers”#21 Date: 94-08-09 03:56:25 EDT From: L7s
Crew Point of View- “Chef and Hammers” #21 Cookin’ with Donita by Double O Joe (July 25-Detroit)
Donita barged into the dressing room in a huff, screaming about Fascist Fashion Police in the press area. It seems the security battleaxe (whom Donita referred to as “Reba”) had a problem with Donita’s attire. Ms. Sparks looked stunning in a white chef’s ensemble: hat, apron, and tongs. Apparently, “Reba” didn’t want anyone mistaking the beer-swiggin’ musician for an employee of the restaurant/press area. Words were exchanged, a cease and desist order was issued regarding the wearing of the chef gear. Reba held firm for all of chefdom, ignoring Donita’s status as a “mainstage artist” (and, essentially, the reason Reba had a job that day). Donita ran out exasperated, her rational, level-headed reasoning an exercise in futility. She was then briefly harassed by some drunk guy who felt he had to stick his two cents (Canadian) in. More on him later.
The crew present (consisting of Joe, Rod, Danny, Kirk, Dee’s husband-ed. note) had been quietly discussing post-structuralist feminist theory and its impact on transgender politics and babe magnetism when Donita arrived. Upon being apprised of the situation, we immediately jumped into action. The months of training were about to pay off. When it’s time to take care of business, the L7 road crew is ready. We donned chef hats and followed Chef Donita back to the scene of the confrontation. Reba and her table full of security goons were no match for Donita and four guys in chef hats who can’t hold real jobs. The restaurant manager was summoned. He reiterated Reba’s argument about the high moral standards of their kitchen staff and claimed Donita was spoiling said reputation by simultaneously drinking beer and wearing chef gear. He called for the return of the chef’s clothes, but we had made our point, and we were leaving. WITH the chef’s attire.
The drunk guy (mentioned earlier) returned, still trying to add in his worthless commentary. He was ready to kick some ass, and our tour manager, Rod Doak (now referred to as the “Hammer” since this event), was only too happy to call his bluff with a “WELL C’MON” to each of the drunk man’s challenges. This all occurred at the back door of the restaurant, with us outside and fat, drunk, and stupid inside.
Pushes were coming to shove between “The Hammer” and the drunk. Donita, in a valiant effort to keep the peace, grabbed Rod’s hand as Danny “Terminator” Baird slammed the door in the drunk’s face. Donita had accidentally grabbed Rod’s watch, which flew into a nearby bucket of mop water at the exact moment the door slammed. Our mission over, Donita, Rod “The Hammer” Doak, Danny “The Terminator” Baird, Kirk “Peacekeeper” Canning, and I returned to our dressing room victorious.
by Joe “the Snow” O’Neil
