I’m gonna be on TV! The new episode of Definitely Downtown, to air next Sunday, October 28 at 11:05 PM on ABC 24, features a segment about my friend Robin’s condo. Robin lives in Barton Flats and has a beautiful view of the river. A big part of her life Downtown is hanging out with her friends, so she asked about 8 of us to meet on her rooftop for wine and snacks so the TV show could document that part of her life. After the camera crew took off, none of us wanted to leave! It was a gorgeous 80 degree day and we had great company and a great view of the river.
As a result, I didn’t make it to the Saucer until almost 6:30 PM, which for a Saturday is probably a record late appearance, at least in recent times. Two friends of mine tried to get me to go see the Black Crowes on Mud Island – “They’ll rock your face off!” – but it’s been a long week of staying out late, and I just didn’t think I had enough gas in the tank.
They left, and I was joined by my friends Mikey, The Nuh-Uh Girl, Frank, and Ken. My initial plan was to have a beer or two then leave, but when I found out what band was playing – Aquanet – I knew I had to stay. Aquanet is the ’80s hair band cover band that plays the Saucer about once a month, and they are awesome. They have two requirements for songs they play – the songs have to be from the ’80s, and the band singing them has to have long hair. So we got plenty of Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison, Bon Jovi, G’n’R, and lots of stuff like that. They did make one exception to the long hair rule, to play a Billy Idol song, which is a good exception to make.
They were even better than I remember. I’m about to give them the highest compliment I possibly can – they are as good as The Dempseys, although in a completely different genre of music. And they packed the place out like no other band ever has – not even the Dempseys. It was standing room only and packed like sardines. And there were GIRLS there! The male/female ratio was 50/50, much better than a typical night at the Saucer. They pulled one of the benches back to create a dance floor, and the Nuh-Uh Girl and I went out and danced to several songs, appropriate because we both totally have the hair to rock out to ’80s hair band music. Outside the window a big crowd of locals, tourists and a bum or two gathered to watch the show.
After the end of the first set we all tabbed out and most of the gang went home. “I don’t want to leave yet! They’re too good!” said the Nuh-Uh Girl. So we reopened our tab and lasted midway into the second set, at which point hunger and drunkenness finally won out.
Aquanet’s website says they’ll be at the Hard Rock on Halloween night. Wish I could see them again, but there’s no way I’ll make it to that one. It also mentions a Flying Saucer appearance on November 3, but I checked the calendars of both the Downtown and East Bumblefuck Saucers and didn’t see their name for that night.
However, I did see The Dempseys on the calendar for the Downtown Saucer for this Thursday, October 25, so you know where I’ll be. Then again, that’s most like where I’d be even if The Dempseys weren’t playing.
I still wish the Saucer would do my “buy the beer, keep the waitress” idea. I ran this by my friend Wayne and he said, “Yeah, but they’d run out of waitresses quickly. Then they’d have to import some more of your Romanians.” I like Wayne’s thinking there.
So now it’s Sunday morning and I just made my morning run to Jack’s to buy caffeine and a newspaper. One of the bums tried to sell me weed on my walk down there.
Today is our second of two weeks doing brunch at McGuinness, then next Sunday we’ll be back at the Majestic. This time I think I may actually be hungry enough to do the Irish breakfast, a big platter featuring imported Irish meats. My friend Lee tried it last Sunday and it looked really good. After that it’ll be time to go to the Saucer, sit at the window and watch bums, and watch Pete and Clay play pool to try and determine who is the second best pool player in our group, after me of course. I am NOT going to tire out by 5 like I did last Sunday. NO SHOTS. This time I’m going to try to go the distance and make it to Blues City for FreeWorld at 10:30. Not sure that will happen – for reasons I won’t get into I didn’t get to sleep until 3 last night, so I’m once again tired today – but I’m damn sure gonna try. This is likely one of the last Sundays when I won’t have to be somewhere the following morning, and I want to take advantage of my freedom.
Sometimes I mean to go to FreeWorld on Sunday and end up switching to Plan B… hang at the Saucer ’til 9:15 then stumble over to Wang’s for Paul’s Drunkass Food to take home. I think the big Irish breakfast will be able to curb my cravings for Chinese food in the evening this time.
Song currently stuck in my head: “Shot through the heart, and you’re to blame… you give love a bad name.” Thanks Aquanet for that.