Elbow Room

Ben Collins-Hamel | April 12, 2007

Ypsilanti was looking quite gloomy yesterday - as was the entire state of Michigan. It's the second week of April and we're still being threatened by snow - not cool. However, the weather was not about to stop Red Herring and friends from getting together and appreciating some awesome tunes.

It was indie-folk night at the Elbow Room in Ypsilanti. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but it was a fabulous night so I guess I like indie-folk nights.

Our fellow East Lansing-ers Jenn's Apartment made the trip and helped the night work. They played a high-energy opening set. We would have liked to hear the guys play a bit longer for a couple reasons: first, they were tight and rocking well, no surprise there; second, three fifths of Red Herring was still trying to get down to Yspi!! Yikes!!

As Ben and I fretted about whether or not we would be doing the show as a two-some or not at all, we were soon sedated and serenaded by the quirky genious of S'. I would do anything to make sure those guys could stay together. I get to see them live for the first time and now they will be ripped out of my life as quickly as they came into it. Ok, I know, real dramatic, but saying these guys are just plain awesome is an outlandish understatement. Thanks for the CDs guys!

Then, despite my heart's defiance, S' was done - tear. Ben and I had to figure out what to do without Ethan, Alan or Casey there yet. They were on the road and doing their best to show up as soon as possible, but it was time for us to go on whether they were there or not.

We hopped up on stage and popped out a few songs with just guitar and bass. Midway through a lovely, intimate version of open house, Ben and I saw the three walk in - it was a glorious sight. We managed to salvage the show. We rocked out as a full band through a few more songs.

Though it wasn't the ideal way to play a show, I think we ended up doing alright considering the circumstances.

Big thanks to the Elbow Room for putting up with us. Huge thanks to Jenn's Apartment and S'. And another thanks goes out to Kevin and friends who gave us a warm-hearted welcoming to Ypsilanti.

Tomorrow is the Battle of the Bands. Here we go. Fifteen minutes - three songs - to show everyone what kind of sound and stage presence we have. No pressure.

More on that after the show.

Salud!

- Dave