Skerik @ The Hot Spot

Here is the legendary Skerik solo gig from a few years back at the Hot Spot in Waynesboro, VA. The illustrious proprietor of said music venue knew Skerik probably didn't have too much material ready since it was the first time he did this solo act in a club setting, so he introduced the idea of throwing a completely unknown rhythm section at him This way, we could have a longer show plus give a few locals the chance to play with a nationally recognized talent. So it came to be that Mike McCue on drums and Carl Shapiro on bass got to step into a once-in-a-lifetime one-off at The Hot Spot and backup the Battle From Seattle (as Les Claypool used to call him). The pre-show 30 second briefing for the guys was hilarious. Skerik: "Never stop looking in my direction. This," he held up a closed fist, "means STOP." That was the extent of discussion or rehearsal they had. And they killed it! I even got to come out from behind the bar for a a little while and jin them with my trumpet, but just ignore that part. (I had recently begun playing again after a decade-long hiatus, and was still pretty lousy - still am come to think of it, but I try!) Skerik does some great Hot Spot cheerleading at the beginning..."Look at this fking place. This was a fking abandoned muffler shop, what the f**k do you want? You want to play some pool? You want beer? You want some freaks to entertain you? Come on man, that shit doesn't grow on trees." Enjoy this totally epic(ally underattended) show.